FQ had dinner and beers with Paul Gomez a couple of weeks back, ( look him up, and go back 20 or so podcasts ago, MB interviewed him ) very well known AK instructor. This was in a private setting, not at an event. The question came up, which AK should I buy? His answer, WASR, not expensive and they work.
Not that it was the best ( Valmet ) but functioned reliably and as well as most AK's.
The AK is a design that lends itself to poor craftsmanship, but reliability, you have seen some of my stable, I like quality, my AK will probably be a WASR. I've owned 2 Mak 90's, got great deals and turned them, but now I want one to keep. A krebs would be nice, but will it shoot better? Probably not better enough.
See a little info here.
http://www.ak-47.us/Article_Detail.php?g=content1174533665