Century Arms’ VSKA: First Shots

A search for Century Arms online can certainly garner some interesting points. They get a lot of hate- some deservedly, some not so much so- but one thing they’ve been synonymous with over the years is the AK platform. My first AK was a battered old WASR-10 way back in 2004, and despite its looks it was a shooter. I never had an issue with it and years later, the buddy I sold it to still breaks it out every once in a while to run a drill or two. He’s still a happy camper.

Point is, those old WASRs got a bit of a reputation among the very vocal folks online, and there probably were some really shabby ones floating around. But they weren’t the dumpster trash some made them out to be and these days they’re one of the more sought-after AK models. And while Century was primarily an importer, later on they threw their hat into the ring of making an American AK. It hasn’t been an easy one. Their first attempt was the RAS-47, which failed because cast trunnions have no place on an AK. They must be forged, plain and simple, which led them to developing the VSKA with a forged trunnion and bolt. The question is, is it any good?

I picked up one from Classic Firearms for the sake of running it. It was their ‘blemished’ model, meaning there was a small imperfection in the looks, in this case the rear face of the front trunnion. No way it was cherry picked, straight off the shelf, took out of the box, and put into the student’s hands in my last Fighting Kalashnikov course. And after 400 rounds there plus another 100 in the few days since, let’s take a look.

Nothing looking unusual.

We certainly can see the blemishing, but it didn’t affect the performance at all. The weapon experienced zero malfunctions both from the students’ use in class or my own.

Bolt guide rails look fine.

More roll marks from the forging, but again, zero malfunctions. There’s also no mushrooming of the rear of the bolt carrier.

Bolt face and extractor looks fine. Quick note: Early editions of this weapon experienced weak ejections. This one did not. The spent casings were all thrown in typical AK fashion…beyond the end of the firing line and into the next zip code.

Bolt looks good.

100m, prone unsupported, using irons. Not bad. Those groups would shrink by about half with a decent optic.

I really like the extended mag latch. Overall, its a decent AK build thus far. I changed the awful slant break on the muzzle for a Legion USA flash can, front handguard for an AK-100 series polymer with a head shield and I plan on changing the stock as well- its a NATO length stock (9in) and I prefer the shorter Warsaw Pact length (8in). But other than that, no complaints.

We’ll see in time.

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By Published On: September 7, 2020Categories: NC Scout, Weapons4 Comments on Century Arms’ VSKA: First Shots

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

4 Comments

  1. Johnny Paratrooper September 7, 2020 at 08:50

    Nice Group. I didn’t know an AK could get tighter than that.

  2. DVM September 7, 2020 at 09:49

    Learning the AK is an extremely useful skill set, and one more tool in your “capability box.” I like the Marine Corp’s Rifleman’s creed where it says get to know it like a brother, every part, how it works, how to clean it (I’m paraphrasing). It will save your life and your friends’ and family’s life. I saw many patriots become competent and confident on this platform THIS YEAR. I am VERY GRATEFUL to those who helped train me. Thank you and God Bless you. People get ready…

  3. Anonymous September 7, 2020 at 14:54

    5

  4. Travis September 7, 2020 at 16:22

    I’ve been using an old wasr lately and I love it. My AR’s were never safe queens but something about that beater AK I really like. I did put an Ultimak on it with a Primary Arms red dot. That thing is absolutely great out to 300 meters, I haven’t shot it further than that.

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