WASR 3 range report
After extensively searching here and through Google I pulled the trigger on a WASR 3, which I found for a great deal.
I was aware of the potential issues and said send it.
Before the first range trip I tested the mags and found that the 5.56 WASR fell victim to the same century antics I experienced a decade ago when I got a WASR 10(I wish I still had)
The Shepard's hook was misaligned and the mag release had been cut so low that the factory mag and an AC unity both had a frankly unacceptable amount of slop.
So I replaced the shepards hook with a retainer plate and the factory magazine lever with an M+M mrl.
That was two problems down that I had identified from the jump.
I also replaced the recoil spring with an MCARBO extra power spring and the extractor spring with a 74 spring.
I wasn't even planning to shoot today but I woke up with the itch.
disclaimer I am not a rifle shooter. I didn't even have zeroing targets just my pistol FBI qual/IDPA targets I use for everything and some playing cards.
I am also dreadfully hung over.
It has been over four years since I have shot a rifle of any kind.
I am fairly certain the gun could group better with a more skilled marksman but I am definitely pleased so far.
150 rounds down the pipe and only on failure to feed, which came from the very rough factory magazine.
I was pleasantly suprised to find the irons factory zero was pretty colse to perfect out the box.
After zeroing the optic I shot groups at 50 yards on playing cards with Wolf Gold .223 and Gold Tiger .223.
Not counting the wild flyers (that were most likely me) I got on the playing cards it is likely a 3-4 moa rifle with me behind it. If I had a longer range I would have liked to group at 100 or 200 yards, but I am impatient and there was an old head at the rifle bays and I didn't want to fool with waiting 10+ minutes for him to finish shooting his group so I could go down and check mine.
After that I mainly just played around with updrills and mozambique/failure to stop at 7 yards... and did a couple mag dumps.
After I got done shooting I inspected the carrier for mushrooming and found none, though I know 150 rounds is a paltry amount to expect peening in a meaningful way.
Things I have learned:
AKs are hot and sharp. I am glad I had some old mechanix gloves in my range bag.
Bore offset will make you look like a buffoon if you let it.
If I am shooting at a class or in a public range I need to be at the far right of the bays. That rifle ejects with AUTHORITY.
the ejection was absolutely smashing case mouths.
My homemade butt pad worked wonders for that triangle stock.