So, I'm generally curious about opinions on the VSKA. Educated opinions based on real-world experience with the rifle, not opinions based on the horror that was the RAS47. I only ask because I actually saw one in stock at one of our local stores for what seemed a cheap price given the current climate. I'm wondering if it would be worth it as a plinking gun.
Serious opinions on the Century Arms VSKA
hoagie90
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Actually the VSKA has passed most Youtuber tests (Rob Ski in particular beat the hell out of his and it still ran) minus one where the barrel pin came out, something that Century later fixed. Speaking as someone with a VSKA TRP I will say there are two things (aside from their trash poly furniture) I can see people legitimately worrying about and those are the bolt carrier which seems to be a considerably softer material than anything else around it and the lack of a chrome-lined barrel. For what these are though (a low value entry level rifle), I don't think most shooters within their target audience will care much.
Century builds their crap on price point, other importers build their guns to a standard and they cost what it costs to make them right. Century gets caught every few years building with cast parts and they act all surprised when they get caught. Hence their stupid "Tool steel" trunnions that their marketing department is pushing as just as good. BS they use it because it is CHEAP vs doing it right with forged parts. They are the High points of the AK world and the fan boys are amazing the excuses they fall for.You get what you pay for. People can either save ip for good quality gear or buy the cheap crap that will literally blow up in their face.
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No one ever lies on Youtube, you know, like Timberly FMAC. Most of the crap on Youtube about guns is wrong.
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Oh no, say it aint so. Could it be that those fancy worded video titles are just click bait for views, income, and a nicely filmed add for the sponsor?
On a side note, I'm a little disappointed in the century fanatics/shills as I don't think the "ISO rating" has been brought up once in this particular thread.
Forging is good, but not necessary to produce a reliable firearm. The original Russian specs for the AKM call out Сталь 40Х for the trunnion, which is basically the same as AISI 4140/5140. There are no manufacturing notes or material specifications for "forged" steel. If the heat treatment is done right, that's all that's required. Century's shitty guns were the catalyst for this entire forged trunnion debate, which is a general misunderstanding by the public, as well as CAI not being honest with their customers that they couldn't get the heat treatment right, or worse, weren't even using an appropriate steel to begin with. Their whole "tool steel" thing is something that I find borderline criminal because it uses a flashy term that the average Joe is just familiar enough with to sound tough and rugged, but not informed enough to understand the properties of tool steel and what makes it great for cutting, but absolutely terrible for pressure retention.
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I’m curious, has anyone have first hand experience or know anyone with the VSKA (S7 tool steel) trunnions failing? I know their previous cast trunnions failed but have not seen or found any failures (tool steel) trunnions on the net. I know military arms had the loose pin in barrel but besides that I haven’t found anything. As mentioned before Rob, VSO, OreGear and mr gunsngear took it to 5000 rounds and the AK guy with mr gunsngear did an extra 1000 totaling 6000 rounds.
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I thought someone brought up ISO but it might have been deleted.Oh no, say it aint so. Could it be that those fancy worded video titles are just click bait for views, income, and a nicely filmed add for the sponsor?
On a side note, I'm a little disappointed in the century fanatics/shills as I don't think the "ISO rating" has been brought up once in this particular thread.
It was brought up in this thread here:
US AKs - are we there yet?
POSTED in the US forum, but I might get a different take here... So while I don't need one right at the moment, (wrong), and its the worst of all times to buy a PreBan AK - or any older import (e.g. look at Mak 90 prices) - I was tempted the other day. But then I thought - why spend MORE on an...
www.theakforum.net
We have seen 2 fail at our gun range. Hardening was improperly done and allowed the locking lugs to wear out of spec after about 1000 to 1500 rounds casuing head spacing issues. Again century has a very long history of cutting corners to save money. Why anyone buys their stuff is beyond me. Also their bs comments about operating pressures at this years shot show and other nonsense, it tells me it is all just marketing bullshit as usual from them. Why do people even consider them after all of their scams over the years. It makes me shake my head. You get what you pay for in a AK.
Their sales people are lying snakes who make up numbers to sell them to clueless people as the guy does below. Please watch the video yourself. Why are people surprised. He Clearly has no idea what he is talking about. "17000 psi , 5x as strong, Brass eats trunnions
." These are the stupid manufacturers guys want to buy AKs from? I Wish you luck. I would take a risk with a PSA over century any day. Century doesnt exists as a option for me or anyone else I talk to about buying AKs.If their guns are sheering lugs off like he claims at less than half normal operating pressures wtf is wrong with their rifles. Friends dont let friends buy century
My favorite part of this video was, "Brass eats trunnions alive." LMAO! These people are fucking criminals.
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Personally after all Centry arms has done I would only consider buying guns they import
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I appreciate your feedback, this is good to know. I have one still brand new in box I bought a year ago so I’m thinking about selling towards something better but knowing I’ll take a big hit. I went thru this same thing when I bought a pioneer arms hell pup. Started reading reviews about the cast trunnions… so I sold (at a loss) to get the VSKA… thinking I’d be good and now I’m here again.We have seen 2 fail at our gun range. Hardening was improperly done and allowed the locking lugs to wear out of spec after about 1000 to 1500 rounds casuing head spacing issues. Again century has a very long history of cutting corners to save money. Why anyone buys their stuff is beyond me. Also their bs comments about operating pressures at this years shot show and other nonsense, it tells me it is all just marketing bullshit as usual from them. Why do people even consider them after all of their scams over the years. It makes me shake my head. You get what you pay for in a AK.
Their sales people are lying snakes who make up numbers to sell them to clueless people as the guy does below. Please watch the video yourself. Why are people surprised. He Clearly has no idea what he is talking about. "17000 psi , 5x as strong, Brass eats trunnions
If their guns are sheering lugs off like he claims at less than half normal operating pressures wtf is wrong with their rifles. Friends dont let friends buy century
It’s funny my first AK I bought not knowing anything was a used wsar 10/63. I thought it was junk as to why I made the above purchases.. but I have come to find out it’s not so bad with forged parts and chrome lined barrel.
My advice to new ak buyers is to forget about american ak's except possibly Kusa. Pretty much all imports are gtg except pioneer arms. At this point in time, for current imports the zastava and wbp rifles are best for value imo. Wasr's are a just a bit overpriced at msrp and arsenals, while really nice, are even more so. I think the fb radom guns are the best stamped guns but hard to get ahold of, and the galil ace is a hell of a damn good gucci "almost ak".
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Run far away from Century builds unless you intend on shooting 200 rounds then into the closet forever. For serious use buy a ZPAP, FOX, BERYL or WASR. If you intend on spending more $ go Galil Ace or a Arsenal.
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Love mine
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Thanks for your valuable 1 poster input and revival of an almost two year old thread.
VSKAs are garbage. Close the thread.
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