The Yugoslavian M70AB2 is a compact AK variant when the stock is folded beneath the receiver.
The Yugo and GP 1975 gas pistons are chromed and feature two grooves while the GP WASR-10 is made by TAPCO, is stainless steel and has three grooves.
The recoil spring and guide look alike on all three rifles. However the M70AB2 rear retainer has a ridge that engages a takedown catch on the rear trunion, a feature not shared by the other two guns.
The M70AB2 rear sling mount is located at the left rear of the receiver at the buttstock release button, while the front mount is on the left side of the gas block. Both accommodate a one-inch-wide strap. The rear mount on the GP 1975 is on the left side of the butt, the GP WASR-10 has a one-inch wide rear mount on the toe, and both feature a 1/2-inch wide front sling mount on the left side of the lower fore-end retainer.
The GP 1975 at center and GP WASR-10 at bottom are nearly identical up front except for the fore-end material, while the M70AB2 has a more massive front sight tower and gas block. On the Romanian GP WASR-10 (top), Century International Arms widens the well to accept standard 30-round magazines. The other two receivers are U.S. made. From left: The M70AB2 has a folding stock, the GP WASR-10 has a standard wood stock while the GP 1975’s is polymer. The field stripped GP 1975 is typical of the three AK47s. This simple design is one of the most dependable battle rifles of all time.
Overall fit and finish of these guns are acceptable for military arms. The GP 1975 and M70AB2 are Parkerized, and the GP WASR-10 appears to be blued. The finish is a little nicer on the GP 1975 and the M70AB2, but the latter's stock pivot points were slightly rusted.
The GP 1975 top cover and gas cylinder finish do not match its receiver or barrel, and the GP WASR-10 finish has a few blemishes. However, these are surplus guns and should look the part. I kind of like it.
Accompanying each gun are two magazines and a manual, but the GP WASR-10 also comes with a cleaning kit, an oiler, a bayonet--including sheath and frog--a leather sling and a canvas belt pouch.
I could find no other significant differences between the guns, so to determine which gun is best, I headed to the range.
AKs are not built to tight tolerances, which is one reason they are so reliable. Although a high degree of accuracy should not be expected, these samples produced groups that ranged from about 1.5 to seven inches at 100 yards. While seven inches pushes maximum acceptable accuracy, 1.5 inches is pretty good.
The best average of three five-shot groups was 1.36 inches, and was delivered by the Yugoslavian M70AB2 with American Eagle 124-grain FMJ loads. The GP WASR-10 was the least accurate but still delivered acceptable three-inch groups with Winchester Super X 123-grain softpoints.
Trigger pulls were long and smooth, between four and five pounds, and there were no malfunctions.
AKs are not highly sophisticated, precision instruments and tend to have their quirks. For example, the GP WASR-10 magazine release tended to stick. The right arm of the M70AB2 folding buttstock was bent slightly and hit the safety when moved, and its cleaning rod was bent and tended to creep forward under recoil.
I found none of these problems significant.
Reliability over the long-term is a major component of quality, and unfortunately one I was unable to test. To do so would require many copies of each gun and huge quantities of ammunition. However, Gunsite Academy has about 50 GP WASR-10s, so I talked to Ed Head, Gunsite's operations honcho. He told me that 25 guns have been used extensively over the last four-plus years and have fired between 40,000 and 50,000 rounds each. During this period, a couple of pivot pins broke and one gun developed a bulge in the receiver. That's pretty good reliability, especially considering the GP WASR-10 is the least expensive and roughest appearing of the three guns.
So which is the best? Each person must decide for himself based on personal preference, price and features. I would feel comfortable using any of these guns for self defense or recreation.
Specifications |
AK47 Comparison
Romanian GP WASR-10
Centure Arms GP 1975
Yugoslavian M70AB2
Type (ALL):
semiautomatic, gas-operated
Caliber (ALL):
7.62 x 39mm Russian
Capacity (ALL):
30 + 1 rounds, detachable box
Barrel Lenth (ALL):
16 1/4 inches
Overall Lenth:
35 1/4 inches
35 1/4 inches
35 3/4 inches
Weight:
7 lb.
6 lb. 12 oz.
7 lb. 8 oz.
Finish:
blued
Parkerized
Parkerized
Stock:
wood w/ polymer grip
black polymer
polymer fore-end, under-folder stock
Sights(ALL):
windage adjustable rear, elevation adjustable front
