AK Shooters - Owners Step In Here

So I know nothing about them but thinking I would like to buy one. Doing a little reading, it seems a WASR might be the way to go. Want do you guys recommend?

WASR is a great place to start. Look for an imported weapon, not an incomplete kit built by Century with US made parts such as the C39v1 or v2. The Century imports are gtg. Steer well clear of PSA Aks, RAS47, and anything built by IO(interordinance).
If anywhere in the description you see American made, run the opposite direction.

You will pay more but the Bulgarian made Arsenals are the best out there....

http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/home.php

Deadeye is correct. The Bulgarian Arsenals are as top notch as you can get without original Russian (no longer importable). Yugos are hit and miss and most take different furniture if you want to swap that around later. Chinese are good but also no longer imported(for a long time) so you will pay a premium often for those. Hungarian FEG built weapons are military grade now available for export. Zastava is Serbian( the new Yugo) and made for export commercially. Good quality.
Romania is the worlds top exporter of AK variants, still filling military contracts. Cugir is what you want to see. Your WASR10 or 10/63 should have Cugir, Romarm on it.

That's some great information. Where would an amateur find such a rifle?

If you don't see one local you can possibly find what you want on the AKfiles. You should stop by there for a good look around before diving headfirst into AKs anyhow. Failing that, budsguns, gunbroker, gunsamerica or armslist are good sights to search and watch.
Be aware that you are late to the party on AK variants. A WasR was $399 just a couple years ago and now regularly double that. Arsenals were $800ish but now $1100-1250 is the norm. Also decide if you want the 47(7.62x39), 74(5.45x39) or a variation of the 74 in .223(hard to find and expensive magazines).
Also know that when you see kits, which you will, assembling an AK is not like assembling an AR. An AR is no more complicated than building Legos with instructions. Building an AK kit involves $800 in forms, dies, a 10-ton shop press, machining and welding skills, and you made need a spare shovel.

FWIW I just spotted a WASR 10 with a dong front f
Grip for sale here in Mobile(not mine) posting in the AKfiles marketplace. Asking $600 or trade for pistol, etc.

Thanks, I'm looking for it. You got a link?

If you can afford it,go with an Arsenal.You won't be disappointed

I think the best for the money are the Zastava guns they are nicer than the Romanian guns but not quite as nice as the Arsenal/Bulgarian. They are kinda between the two in terms of quality.

If you want to trick it out with different handguards, stocks, etc. then look at what is available for whatever you decide to purchase. Milled vs. Stamped, etc. not all parts are interchangeable. That being said you can spend a whole lot of money on an AK and with imported "cheap" ammo it probably won't shoot any better than a WASR 10/63. That has been my experience. The only ones imported after the first ban I've ever seen shoot real good is an SA-93 or the milled Chineese/Norinco guns. Those are usually 1.5MOA guns. Those will shoot. Everything else I've ever shot was less than stellar in the accuracy departments. Price didn't impact that much.

Just stay away from US made parts if you want something to keep and retain value. I think these US made Frankenstein parts guns are hit/miss some are good others junk.