AK Sponsor
Posted: 5/21/2008 2:13:42 PM EDT
| Am going to get either a SAR1 or a polytech and just wanted to ask, is the Polytech worth the extra coin? thanks |
Yes, I think it's worth the "extra coin." Pre-ban Polytechs are very similar to Type III weapons, save for the fact that they have stamped receivers. Unless, of course, you find yourself a "Legend" which is near the top of the heap in AK variants. |
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Depends on how much extra coin you want to spend. There are post ban Polytech's that go for about the same money as a SAR or WASR. The pre 1989 Polytech's can go for well over a grand. I don't know the exact relationship between Polytech and Norinco but many of the Norinco MAK 90's actually either used Polytech parts or were actually Polytech guns. What you have to look for is the oval with the number 386 inside. This was the factory that Polytech's were made in. If you find one with a triangle and the number 66 inside this is a Norinco. Either way, Chinese guns are superior in fit and finish to the Romanian guns. This is my opinion based on handling scores of them since the mid 1980's. I own four Chinese, one Egyptian, and one Romanian 5.45 AK's. I like the Chinese best. They have thicker receivers, thicker barrels, and their chrome lining is excellent! That said, I've shot about four of the Romanian SAR and WASR variants and all worked exactly as intended. Other than looking rough, they work quite well. |
Damn that's beautiful! What's the metal finished with? Doesn't look like the original bluing. |
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Are the polytechs worth $500 more? Yes, because people pay more for them. Are they better? Yes. Are they $500 better? IMO, no. Unless you're getting a spiker, underfolder, etc, it's just better fit an finish. Both receivers are very close to their respective military version (at least I know the SAR-1 is, but from pics I've seen of 56's, I think the chinese ones are too) and make excellent AKs. When you get up to pre-ban polytech prices though, you stop just paying for the rifle and start paying a lot for collector value. The SAR-1 is getting a bit of that now, but nowhere near as much. Personally, I've been a SAR-1 fan since I knew what they were. Other than a y-stamped maadi, it's as close as you can get to a military AKM receiver, and at one time it was one of the cheapest AKs. That's a strong combo in my book. I also like the chinese AKs, and I currently have a nice NHM-90 to go with my 2 SAR-1s. You can't really go wrong with a SAR-1, MAK-90, NHM-90, or polytech. It just depends on how much you want to spend. |
Actually it is the original blueing on there.... it's a factory 416 rifle and was an early import before they went to the spring loaded firing pin, all the numbers match. Must've got the first one out of the blueing tank after they put in fresh chemicals. I have another one where the blue isn't so glossy, but the only marking on it is "PTK" in front of the magwell, no factory code, and an real low serial number.
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