Century Arms WASR-10: An Imported Romanian AK

by
posted on November 24, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Century Arms WASR 10

Century Arms offers a wide variety of popular firearms, from pistols to rifles and shotguns. One of the company’s best-known products, however, is the WASR-10, with a design just about as identical to the AK-47 as you can get today. It’s not fully automatic, for example, and the company installs quality American hardware that improves performance while complying with Federal regulations.

The semi-automatic is manufactured by Cugir Arms Factory, which is located in Romania and traces its roots back to the Austro-Hungarian empire. The company has a long history of producing reliable firearms that perform, likely the sole reason it survived the oppressive communist rule the country and its citizens endured for decades after World War II.

Wassenaar Arrangement Semi-automatic Rifles doesn’t roll off the tongue well, so the company wisely shortened it to WASR. The number “10” in the name is remnant from a time when a restrictive federal assault weapons ban mandated that any imported firearm could only have a magazine capacity of 10 cartridges. Today’s versions accept standard double-stack, 30-round, AK-47 magazines thankfully.

Century Arms currently offers four models of the WASR-10, including one that’s California compliant. Each are chambered in 7.62x39 mm and have a 16.25" barrel with a rifling rate of 1:10". Barrels are chrome-lined and hammer forged. The guns ship with a side-mount scope rail.

Overall length is 34.25" throughout the line, including the WASR-10 UF, which has an under-folding stock. With the exception of the California-complaint model, the guns ship with a 30-round U.S. Palm polymer magazine. Enthusiasts in the Golden State will receive a 10-cartridge version and fin grip instead of the traditional pistol grip. The entire line has been fitted with the RAK-1 Enhanced Trigger Group.

MSRP for the standard version is $1,100. The California and folding-stock models come in at $1,200. If you’re willing to give up the bayonet lug and are okay with a muzzle nut, the price drops to $1,050.

Latest

Appendix-Carry
Appendix-Carry

An Appendix-Carry Primer

Although appendix inside-the-waistband carry of a defensive handgun has become increasingly popular, it remains controversial among some concealed carriers. Here, an AIWB practitioner outlines its pros and cons.

Favorite Firearms: A Hero’s War Trophy Returns

My father, Kenneth Cuddeback, graduated from high school in West Chester, Iowa, in 1942 and started at Iowa State University in the fall. When two of his high school friends were going to get drafted, he quit college to join the Army.

Remington Sporting Clays Fundraiser Raises Nearly $20K for Children’s Hospital

Remington Ammunition's fourth annual Shoot To Cure sporting clays fundraiser raised thousands of dollars for the Arkansas Children's Hospital, and the company's Gun Club Cure line of shotshells helps to raise even more.

“Every Marine A Rifleman”

Founded 250 years ago, in November of 1775, the United States Marine Corps has become one of the most elite fighting forces on Earth and has made use of a unique pantheon of arms befitting its status.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 10, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Gunsite To Celebrate NRA’s 154th Birthday

To celebrate the National Rifle Association’s 154th birthday on Nov. 17, 2025, the Yavapai Amateur Radio Club (YARC) of Prescott, Ariz., will continue its tradition of a special radio callout while operating from Gunsite Academy’s 3,000-acre campus north of the city.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.