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Posted: 10/13/2017 4:26:53 PM EDT
Or are they so much money because they have been banned since the Slick Willy days?

Thanks.
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 4:33:22 PM EDT
[#1]
Quality. Love em
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 4:35:45 PM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
Quality. Love em
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How are they better?

They, the Clinton Years Ones have the thumbhole stock which can be changed but why are they desirable?
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 4:37:39 PM EDT
[#3]
Better fit and finish all around
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 4:54:28 PM EDT
[#4]
I believe euro aks are stamped from 1 mm steel and chicoms are 1.5 mm if im not mistaken.  Mo stiffer!
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 5:04:31 PM EDT
[#5]
In my experience it is due to a number of factors.
A. Built from start to finish in the same factory on good tooling with a pretty solid quality control regimen in place.
B. Guessing here but given the need for reliable well built Full Auto versions for the military, easy to omit a few parts from the existing production line in order to make semi auto versions for export.
C. Not a collection of parts from different factories in different countries, all with their own degrees of QC and tolerances that get cobbled into franken guns here in the US.
D. Shitty workmanship and QC here in American assembly plants. The amount of work to assemble a barrel into a trunnion with a properly aligned gas port (12 oclock) is the same as for it not being properly aligned, ie set up the jig, press the barrel into place, next. I mean really, if they can build them right in China, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Russia, Egypt, etc, etc, you would think that we could build them, at a bare minimum, at least as good as the Norinco guns.
E. My MAK 90 runs like a bat out of hell. Does not give a shit about what brand of ammo I feed it. Does not give a shit about what brand of magazine I stick in it. Gives me very good accuracy out to 300 yards (maybe more, never shot it any farther).
F. Never had any aftermarket parts that did not work 100% with my rifle. Ultimak railed gas tube, ALG AKT trigger, Magpul Zhukov side folder stock. All work without any hiccups.

When American built/assembled AKs, Veprs, SLR whatevers, C39s can meet that level of performance, build quality, and RELIABILITY at a price point around $4-500, I think they will sell ton of them. I paid $200 for my MAK, and bought ten of the  underfolders for $139 apiece in the late 1980s.

Now let me add that there may be AKs from the above list that meet the criteria I specified out there. If they are out there I am simply ignorant of them as I never had any reason to look beyond the MAK 90 AKs I have owned, sinced they possessed all of the qualities I wanted from the AK pattern rifle.
jmtcw, ymmv
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 5:16:01 PM EDT
[#6]
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Quoted:
I believe euro aks are stamped from 1 mm steel and chicoms are 1.5 mm if im not mistaken.  Mo stiffer!
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I'm not sure but I've heard rumors that although the Chinese receivers are a little thicker, this was due to off set the inferior quality of the Chinese steel.?
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 5:21:07 PM EDT
[#7]
Another thing. I didn't know that there were too many AKS that didn't run right?

I have family members who own a few and they are Century SAR 1s and never jam; according to them.
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 6:16:20 PM EDT
[#8]
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Quoted:


Not I'm not sure but I've years rumors that although the Chinese receivers are a little thicker, this was due to off set the inferior quality of the Chinese steel.?
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No, it's because China didn't want to pay for the rights for the AKM from Russia as they did with the milled Type 56. Instead of utilizing a rate reducer, as was added to the AKM, they made the receiver thicker to handle the higher rate of fire. At least that's the most accepted answer to my knowledge amongst the people that I trust to have insight into such things.
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 7:25:47 PM EDT
[#9]
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Quoted:
Another thing. I didn't know that there were too many AKS that didn't run right?

I have family members who own a few and they are Century SAR 1s and never jam; according to them.
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Well to clarify, I would agree as to whether most of the variants do generally run reasonably well. What I have heard consistantly over the last 10 years or so is that the build quality seems to be the biggest complaint. What has been reported in the gun forums seems to be poor attention to detail (out of alignment gas ports and subsequently mis-aligned front sight/gas blocks) and things like poor fitment of parts in general. While a lot of this may be purely cosmetic, it does not add to one's confidence about the overall quality of the gun. If they skimped on something as basic as a sight/gas port alignment, where else did they cut corners?
Link Posted: 10/13/2017 8:12:03 PM EDT
[#10]
Good point.
Link Posted: 10/14/2017 3:20:40 AM EDT
[#11]
There are more Chinese aks than any other in the world. They are the most robust akm I've handled. Love the 2 I have and would never sell them
Link Posted: 10/14/2017 6:05:42 PM EDT
[#12]
The Chinese FCG's are the BEST. GARY
Link Posted: 10/14/2017 8:28:49 PM EDT
[#13]
I guess not everything made in China is junk.
Link Posted: 10/14/2017 8:37:36 PM EDT
[#14]
I got one I bought for 175.00 brand new from the gun show in Charlotte NC,  I call it my slick willie special,  only shot 2 magazines through it.

it looks amazing compared to some of the newer ones ive seen,  bluing wise

I love it

makes me think about monica and getting gun lube all over her dress
Link Posted: 10/14/2017 11:04:13 PM EDT
[#15]
I know it's  not a popular opinion but personally I find them to be overrated, and mostly coveted by those who were around in the good old days, and who don't have much exposure to what has been available on the market since then.

Anyone who was not around to buy one in the 1980s, will have pretty much zero interest in buying a Chinese AK now.

Chinese AKs can have a decent blued finish and are a little heavier built than the typical AKM, but can and sometimes do have all of the same rough machining and alignment issues found on supposedly lesser quality AKs. Former neighbor of mine had a preban Norinco that was just about the roughest AK I've ever seen, it's only saving grace was a deep blued finish.

Would I turn down a good deal on one? No probably not, I would be happy to own one - but I won't be seeking one out intentionally any time soon
Link Posted: 10/14/2017 11:19:54 PM EDT
[#16]
I remember buying two of them MAK90 thumbhole stocks for $139 each from CDNN in Austin Texas...

Chinese Flatback mags were $5 each...

Case of Copperwashed steel cased 7.62x39 on steel stripper clips was $89 for 1000 (great accurate ammo but very corrosive)

This was when they still had Gun Shows at the City Coliseum (that alone tells you how long long long ago that was...)
Link Posted: 10/15/2017 8:02:20 AM EDT
[#17]
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Quoted:
I know it's  not a popular opinion but personally I find them to be overrated, and mostly coveted by those who were around in the good old days, and who don't have much exposure to what has been available on the market since then.

Anyone who was not around to buy one in the 1980s, will have pretty much zero interest in buying a Chinese AK now.

Chinese AKs can have a decent blued finish and are a little heavier built than the typical AKM, but can and sometimes do have all of the same rough machining and alignment issues found on supposedly lesser quality AKs. Former neighbor of mine had a preban Norinco that was just about the roughest AK I've ever seen, it's only saving grace was a deep blued finish.

Would I turn down a good deal on one? No probably not, I would be happy to own one - but I won't be seeking one out intentionally any time soon
View Quote
Yeah, all this.  Overrated, in my opinion.  I don't even care for the blued finish.  On a scoped rifle, sure, bluing looks great.  But I want my ARs/AKs to be parkerized or nitrided.
Link Posted: 10/15/2017 9:43:19 AM EDT
[#18]
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Quoted:
I know it's  not a popular opinion but personally I find them to be overrated, and mostly coveted by those who were around in the good old days, and who don't have much exposure to what has been available on the market since then.

Anyone who was not around to buy one in the 1980s, will have pretty much zero interest in buying a Chinese AK now.

Chinese AKs can have a decent blued finish and are a little heavier built than the typical AKM, but can and sometimes do have all of the same rough machining and alignment issues found on supposedly lesser quality AKs. Former neighbor of mine had a preban Norinco that was just about the roughest AK I've ever seen, it's only saving grace was a deep blued finish.

Would I turn down a good deal on one? No probably not, I would be happy to own one - but I won't be seeking one out intentionally any time soon
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I had several, back in the day. They were always considered the cheap version there of. Times change I suppose.
Link Posted: 10/17/2017 2:17:24 AM EDT
[#19]
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Quoted:


No, it's because China didn't want to pay for the rights for the AKM from Russia as they did with the milled Type 56. Instead of utilizing a rate reducer, as was added to the AKM, they made the receiver thicker to handle the higher rate of fire. At least that's the most accepted answer to my knowledge amongst the people that I trust to have insight into such things.
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The 1.5mm receiver thickness was a natural choice for the Chinese, since they kept using AK-47 internal parts in their stamped Type 56 rifles.

A stamped Type 56 is basically an “AK-47 with a stamped receiver”, using mostly “milled receiver” (AK-47) internal parts. The 1.5mm stamped receiver allows for the same internal cross-sectional thickness as a milled receiver AK-47. Using a 1.5mm stamped receiver eliminates the need to have stepped receiver rails to remove excess clearance between the receiver and bolt carrier. Conversely, the use of thinner, 1.0mm steel in the AKM requires stepped receiver rails, to take up the extra space in the bolt carrier’s guide slots. The 1.5mm thickness also allows for the proper clearance between the fire control pin’s retaining wire and the inside of the receiver, preventing the pins from walking side-to-side, precluding the need for the AKM’s “X and Y” stampings, which are there to remove that excess clearance.
Link Posted: 10/17/2017 9:08:51 AM EDT
[#20]
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Quoted:

The 1.5mm receiver thickness was a natural choice for the Chinese, since they kept using AK-47 internal parts in their stamped Type 56 rifles.

A stamped Type 56 is basically an “AK-47 with a stamped receiver”, using mostly “milled receiver” (AK-47) internal parts. The 1.5mm stamped receiver allows for the same internal cross-sectional thickness as a milled receiver AK-47. Using a 1.5mm stamped receiver eliminates the need to have stepped receiver rails to remove excess clearance between the receiver and bolt carrier. Conversely, the use of thinner, 1.0mm steel in the AKM requires stepped receiver rails, to take up the extra space in the bolt carrier’s guide slots. The 1.5mm thickness also allows for the proper clearance between the fire control pin’s retaining wire and the inside of the receiver, preventing the pins from walking side-to-side, precluding the need for the AKM’s “X and Y” stampings, which are there to remove that excess clearance.
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That's a good point that I always forget to consider.
Link Posted: 10/17/2017 8:17:53 PM EDT
[#21]
So is the 1.5 mm Chinese receiver better than the 1 mm everyone else uses?
Link Posted: 10/17/2017 8:33:07 PM EDT
[#22]
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Quoted:
So is the 1.5 mm Chinese receiver better than the 1 mm everyone else uses?
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In general, and especially for a semi-auto rifle that will almost certainly never see combat, no. The standard AKM with a 1mm receiver is fine.
Link Posted: 10/18/2017 11:54:53 AM EDT
[#23]
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Quoted:


In general, and especially for a semi-auto rifle that will almost certainly never see combat, no. The standard AKM with a 1mm receiver is fine.
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I would think so; especially since most AK producing countries use a 1mm stamped receiver.
Link Posted: 10/18/2017 8:13:46 PM EDT
[#24]
Any AK made on state equipment is better than a US variant.
Link Posted: 10/18/2017 8:18:52 PM EDT
[#25]
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Quoted:
Any AK made on state equipment is better than a US variant.
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I don't understand why they can't build them rignt in this country?
Link Posted: 10/19/2017 5:02:08 PM EDT
[#26]
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I guess not everything made in China is junk.
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No, just like not everything made in America is quality (cars, AKs, low-end ARs...) There are many Chinese products I use everyday that I trust my life to and that includes the sexy Polytech AKS-762 I recently purchased from my buddy. Compared to my Arsenal SLR-107FR, it has a thicker receiver, buttery smooth BCG and trigger, gas tube doesn't have any play, and though the sexy blued finish is not as corrosion resistant, it doesn't bubble or flake off like my SLR does when it gets hot.

I just paid for a cosignment MAK-90 at a local shop for a great price. I can't tell whether its straight or slant cut until I take it home and remove the stupid thumbhole stock. Checking it out at the store, it looks barely used inside and out, same sexy blued finish and buttery smooth action like my Polytech. I've shot and handled many AKs including WASRs, PAPs, Arsenals and none of them are as smooth or as well built as Chinese AKs in my experience.
Link Posted: 10/19/2017 7:49:24 PM EDT
[#27]
Owned a Clayco... Owned a MAK90... Owned a 84S....

NEVER should of sold them... Ran like butter.. Made in military factories... Nuff said... full stop .. Look no further if a new-to-the-AK-world-first-time-buyer.
Link Posted: 10/20/2017 4:08:48 PM EDT
[#28]
Now technically, wouldn't you have to change the fcg and other parts on a thumbhole Mak 90 ( to US made) in order to remove the thumbhole stock?
Link Posted: 10/20/2017 4:25:55 PM EDT
[#29]
Yes, 922R

US Furniture (3 parts Forearm, Stock & Pistol Grip),  FCG (3 parts with trigger, hammer, Disconnector), US Magazine (three parts for body, follower & floor plate), If you thread the muzzle, use a US made brake , plus could also do a US gas piston pretty easy...

27 C.F.R. 478.39 lists 20 parts:   (AK has 16 of these)
(1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings
(2) Barrels
(3) Barrel extensions
(4) Mounting blocks (trunions)
(5) Muzzle attachments
(6) Bolts
(7) Bolt carriers
(8) Operating rods
(9) Gas pistons
(10) Trigger housings
(11) Triggers
(12) Hammers
(13) Sears
(14) Disconnectors
(15) Butt stocks
(16) Pistol grips
(17) Forearms, hand guards
(18) Magazine bodies
(19) Followers
(20) Floorplates

Of these twenty parts, the laws states that you can have NO MORE THAN 10 imported parts on your semi-automatic rifle or shotgun. These twenty parts are meant to cover all platforms, and as you know all platforms are not the same. Without getting into specific platforms, starting out you know that you will not have to change more than 10 parts (6 or 7 on AK) to ensure your rifle is compliant.
Link Posted: 10/20/2017 6:05:36 PM EDT
[#30]
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Quoted:
Yes, 922R

US Furniture (3 parts Forearm, Stock & Pistol Grip),  FCG (3 parts with trigger, hammer, Disconnector), US Magazine (three parts for body, follower & floor plate), If you thread the muzzle, use a US made brake , plus could also do a US gas piston pretty easy...

27 C.F.R. 478.39 lists 20 parts:   (AK has 16 of these)
(1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings
(2) Barrels
(3) Barrel extensions
(4) Mounting blocks (trunions)
(5) Muzzle attachments
(6) Bolts
(7) Bolt carriers
(8) Operating rods
(9) Gas pistons
(10) Trigger housings
(11) Triggers
(12) Hammers
(13) Sears
(14) Disconnectors
(15) Butt stocks
(16) Pistol grips
(17) Forearms, hand guards
(18) Magazine bodies
(19) Followers
(20) Floorplates

Of these twenty parts, the laws states that you can have NO MORE THAN 10 imported parts on your semi-automatic rifle or shotgun. These twenty parts are meant to cover all platforms, and as you know all platforms are not the same. Without getting into specific platforms, starting out you know that you will not have to change more than 10 parts (6 or 7 on AK) to ensure your rifle is compliant.


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Pmags and US furniture get you there while keeping the original trigger

And yes they are better than anything Romanian.

Only Bulgarian I ever held was a beautiful custom milled rifle that rivaled a Weatherby in finish and wood.  I should have bought it  
Link Posted: 10/20/2017 9:14:44 PM EDT
[#31]
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Quoted:
Pmags and US furniture get you there while keeping the original trigger

And yes they are better than anything Romanian.

Only Bulgarian I ever held was a beautiful custom milled rifle that rivaled a Weatherby in finish and wood.  I should have bought it  
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I've never held a Chinese made AK, (although I own a couple of Chinese SKSs) but I would agree about the Romanian AKs. They (Romanian AKs) have a very good reputation for long term reliability and ruggedness, but they are  among the roughest and sloppiest made AKs I have seen and owned (in terms of fit, finish and precision of manufacturing/machining). I have a Romanian SAR 1 from 2002 and a newer WASR 10 (2017), and they shoot great, and never miss a beat, but the fit and finish is terrible compared to my Russian Saigas. I still like my Romanian AKs though, and might just snag a Chi-com, if a decent deal ever comes along. On the other hand, many custom made AKs have the Romanian build kits, because they seem to be the most plentiful com-block parts available in the US market. 

However, most Chi-coms I've seen do not have the optics rail, which I prefer. I guess you could install one or have it installed... 
Link Posted: 10/21/2017 10:19:47 AM EDT
[#32]
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Now technically, wouldn't you have to change the fcg and other parts on a thumbhole Mak 90 ( to US made) in order to remove the thumbhole stock?
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Technically this law was written for companies like Century Arms, & others, to allow them to import, or build guns here that normally they could not. This law was not written for someone who wants to update his gun. Not a SINGLE person has been prosecuted for violating this rule. To swap out a Chinese trigger group for an American trigger group would be like pulling out a 400 HP V-8, & installing a V-6. I have numerous sets of MAK 90 trigger groups that I install in all my AK's that came with 922 parts. Of course, I do keep a US mag, with 3 US parts should anyone ask. But after 18 years, nobody's asked yet.  GARY
Link Posted: 10/21/2017 1:41:46 PM EDT
[#33]
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Quoted:
Technically this law was written for companies like Century Arms, & others, to allow them to import, or build guns here that normally they could not. This law was not written for someone who wants to update his gun. Not a SINGLE person has been prosecuted for violating this rule. To swap out a Chinese trigger group for an American trigger group would be like pulling out a 400 HP V-8, & installing a V-6. I have numerous sets of MAK 90 trigger groups that I install in all my AK's that came with 922 parts. Of course, I do keep a US mag, with 3 US parts should anyone ask. But after 18 years, nobody's asked yet.  GARY
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You're probably right but the law is there if a prosecutor wants to be a Dick.
Link Posted: 10/21/2017 6:12:04 PM EDT
[#34]
And in Alabama, if a prosecutor wanted to be a dick, you could be charged for carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket. This is true. Check it out.  In either case, NO ONE has been prosecuted. GARY
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/weird-laws-in-america_us_56a264abe4b0d8cc1099e1cd
Link Posted: 10/22/2017 1:08:11 PM EDT
[#35]
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Quoted:


You're probably right but the law is there if a prosecutor wants to be a Dick.
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Yeah, they could be a dick all they want, but convicting someone on that rule is extremely difficult if not impossible.
Link Posted: 10/22/2017 3:48:01 PM EDT
[#36]
The Norinco MAK 90 is a very well made rifle.
I still have mine which was bought during the AWB. It does not have a threaded barrel to get around the evil features but the receiver and interior parts are superior to the stuff I've seen imported nowadays. Back then the Norinco stuff was considered the cheap stuff. If you wanted a quality AK you would look for a polytech.
Link Posted: 10/22/2017 4:02:29 PM EDT
[#37]
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Quoted:


You're probably right but the law is there if a prosecutor wants to be a Dick.
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Then the procsecutor and ATF have to explain why some guns have different parts and others have other different parts. It would be a nightmare that any procsecutor would not want to procecute. There is nothing consistent about how the ATF classifies "parts" under 922r. It's a legal nightmare
Link Posted: 10/23/2017 2:50:04 PM EDT
[#38]
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Quoted:
Then the procsecutor and ATF have to explain why some guns have different parts and others have other different parts. It would be a nightmare that any procsecutor would not want to procecute. There is nothing consistent about how the ATF classifies "parts" under 922r. It's a legal nightmare
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Quoted:
Quoted:


You're probably right but the law is there if a prosecutor wants to be a Dick.
Then the procsecutor and ATF have to explain why some guns have different parts and others have other different parts. It would be a nightmare that any procsecutor would not want to procecute. There is nothing consistent about how the ATF classifies "parts" under 922r. It's a legal nightmare
And if the the atf took you to court using 922r against you. the judge would tell the atf the 922r ruling is dumb as shit and invalid. Biggest Fucking dumb law or ruling I saw in my life and doesn't do anything to curb gun crime the judge will say. The judge would probably ask the atf if there is any difference in killing power between a Chinese AK trigger and a US made one. The atf would say no and the judge would laugh and say who made this ruling? Seriously, the atf never prosecuted anyone for 922r and never will, it will never hold up in court and they know that. Most atf field agents that I work with don't even know 922r exist and won't waste their time looking at guns to make sure their compliant. When they are after gun runners. I certain this is aimed at manufactures not end users.
Link Posted: 10/23/2017 5:44:52 PM EDT
[#39]
Back in the day - Early 90's, the only post-ban AK rifles I got to handle were MAK-90 (Chinese), SA85m (Hungarian) and Maddi (Egyptian).

I liked the SA85m weight, fit and finish out of all of them.

I thought the MAK-90s were rough, heavy, wood was fugly and bluing rusted easily.  They do run great and will serve you well.  I didn't appreciated them then than I do now.  They were a "dime a dozen" back then before the Clinton ban.

I thought the Maddis were rough looking, but closest to Russian back then.  Still wasn't impressed.

The Feg SA85m was super good looking inside and out and comparable in craftsmanship to a good factory AR (Colt and Bushmaster) which is what everyone wanted back then (ARs not so much AKs).

Nowadays, a Vepr AK is an impressive rifle straight out of Russia.  I'd get a Vepr if you want a reasonably priced factory brand new AK still in supply -- Get the Sporter and convert it if the Vepr FM is too pricey.

I own a SA85m and converted Vepr Sporter.  Love them.
Link Posted: 10/23/2017 8:37:43 PM EDT
[#40]
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Quoted:
Back in the day - Early 90's, the only post-ban AK rifles I got to handle were MAK-90 (Chinese), SA85m (Hungarian) and Maddi (Egyptian).

I liked the SA85m weight, fit and finish out of all of them.

I thought the MAK-90s were rough, heavy, wood was fugly and bluing rusted easily.  They do run great and will serve you well.  I didn't appreciated them then than I do now.  They were a "dime a dozen" back then before the Clinton ban.

I thought the Maddis were rough looking, but closest to Russian back then.  Still wasn't impressed.

The Feg SA85m was super good looking inside and out and comparable in craftsmanship to a good factory AR (Colt and Bushmaster) which is what everyone wanted back then (ARs not so much AKs).

Nowadays, a Vepr AK is an impressive rifle straight out of Russia.  I'd get a Vepr if you want a reasonably priced factory brand new AK still in supply -- Get the Sporter and convert it if the Vepr FM is too pricey.

I own a SA85m and converted Vepr Sporter.  Love them.
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I feel the same way about my Russian Saigas. I know the extra holes in the receiver, with nylon plugs after the conversion, are not kosher, but it is still a very well built AK; fit and finish is excellent and they are good shooting AKs. I would like to own a FEG Hungarian AK variant, as long as it had a factory optics rail (:-). 

As I said in another post, the Romanian AK variants can be sloppy and rough looking, similar to the Egyptian Maddis, but they function well and have a reputation for long-term reliability. 

As far as the Chinese Mak90s are concerned, they seem to be very popular now and highly sought after, but it would have to be a good deal close to home for me to buy one.  
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 10:12:10 AM EDT
[#41]
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Quoted:
Any AK made on state equipment is better than a US variant.
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Exactly..
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 12:48:08 PM EDT
[#42]
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Quoted:

I had several, back in the day. They were always considered the cheap version there of. Times change I suppose.
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Yeah.  I can remember when people oohed and aahed over the Maadi's and kinda turned their noses up at a Norinco.  And a Hungarian SA-85 ran you multiples of what a MAK-90 would cost you.

That said, I had a stamped one and loved it.  I traded it in towards an FAL and then later replaced it with a Bulgarian milled.  

I did have an issue with the Mak-90 magazine paddle pin working loose.  No biggie, but it proves they aren't flawless.  And I had about a half dozen Russian rounds FTF in it.  Upon inspection after the fact, the bullets were seated too deep into the case so the OAL was too short.  Now, I tend to believe that it was an ammo mfr. issue.  But can I say definitively that the rounds didn't nose into the action and then get set back in the case a little as a result of that?  No.  But it only happened from one particular case of Wolf (IIRC) back in the late 90's.  Other than that, it ran flawlessly.

So I do kinda agree that they are somewhat over-rated in terms of people thinking there is some special Chinese mojo about them. As someone else posted, the secret is probably in being fully sourced and assembled in a foreign factory that produces the real deal AK's as compared to the parts kit guns that get cobbled together over here. But I would absolutely pay more for a thumbhole MAK-90 than I would most domestic builds outside of the high-end custom stuff because I trust the factories that put them out.

It shouldn't be hard to make a good AK, but for some reason, American makers seem to have a hard time of it. I just avoid certain makers (cough - cough, Century) and stick to whole imported guns as a starting platform.
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 12:55:01 PM EDT
[#43]
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Quoted:
I've never held a Chinese made AK, (although I own a couple of Chinese SKSs) but I would agree about the Romanian AKs. They (Romanian AKs) have a very good reputation for long term reliability and ruggedness, but they are  among the roughest and sloppiest made AKs I have seen and owned (in terms of fit, finish and precision of manufacturing/machining). I have a Romanian SAR 1 from 2002 and a newer WASR 10 (2017), and they shoot great, and never miss a beat, but the fit and finish is terrible compared to my Russian Saigas. I still like my Romanian AKs though, and might just snag a Chi-com, if a decent deal ever comes along. On the other hand, many custom made AKs have the Romanian build kits, because they seem to be the most plentiful com-block parts available in the US market. 

However, most Chi-coms I've seen do not have the optics rail, which I prefer. I guess you could install one or have it installed... 
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There is/was a Chinese steel side mount.  I bought one for my MAK-90 but didn't mount it because I never ran into a 'smith that I trusted enough to go drilling holes into the side of my receiver.  And I didn't include it in the trade, so I still have it somewhere.  I kinda wonder what it would bring these days?  I might post pics.  It did have a return to zero capability, IIRC.
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 1:02:47 PM EDT
[#44]
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Quoted:
Technically this law was written for companies like Century Arms, & others, to allow them to import, or build guns here that normally they could not. This law was not written for someone who wants to update his gun. Not a SINGLE person has been prosecuted for violating this rule. To swap out a Chinese trigger group for an American trigger group would be like pulling out a 400 HP V-8, & installing a V-6. I have numerous sets of MAK 90 trigger groups that I install in all my AK's that came with 922 parts. Of course, I do keep a US mag, with 3 US parts should anyone ask. But after 18 years, nobody's asked yet.  GARY
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I don't know anyone that's willing to be the test case, do you?  

The nature of it is that the vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding and aren't going to draw enough interest from ATF agents or give them reason to disassemble their weapons and check for US sourced proof marks.  

However, I'm not aware of any language which explicitly omits the applicability of 922 to private parties who modify their own weapons and there would be a certain irony in having to argue to a court that the court should ignore the plain language of the law and instead rule based upon what we think the legislature intended when they crafted the law.

It's a dumb-ass law, to be sure. But I wouldn't personally poke at that dog with a stick nor would I encourage anyone else to do so.
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 1:10:04 PM EDT
[#45]
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Quoted:


Then the procsecutor and ATF have to explain why some guns have different parts and others have other different parts. It would be a nightmare that any procsecutor would not want to procecute. There is nothing consistent about how the ATF classifies "parts" under 922r. It's a legal nightmare
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You mean the same government prosecutors who earn the same salary whether they win the case or not?  And who get paid the same whether they spent this week's 40 hours on your case alone or yours and three others?

Meanwhile your criminal defense attorney is working by the hour and you don't really just want him to sit back and kinda hope/trust/pray that their case can't be made against you, do you?

The legal nightmare is going to be for the party in jeopardy.

The prosecutor doesn't have to explain "why" the law should be enforced.  Everyone on arf.com seems to think jury nullification is a reliable defense.  It's actually the .22lr and #8 birdshot of criminal defense.
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 7:11:04 PM EDT
[#46]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Technically this law was written for companies like Century Arms, & others, to allow them to import, or build guns here that normally they could not. This law was not written for someone who wants to update his gun. Not a SINGLE person has been prosecuted for violating this rule. To swap out a Chinese trigger group for an American trigger group would be like pulling out a 400 HP V-8, & installing a V-6. I have numerous sets of MAK 90 trigger groups that I install in all my AK's that came with 922 parts. Of course, I do keep a US mag, with 3 US parts should anyone ask. But after 18 years, nobody's asked yet.  GARY
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Most of the LE I know don't know what 922R is. The only ones I know of that would be enforcing this is the BATFE. Enforcing 922R requires substantial expertise and isn't something they are going to do unless they have a reason to look into a particular person, ie a person making or possessing machineguns or suppressors. The whole thing is convoluted, especially with all the grandfathering and generations of items. You really have to play stupid games to win the stupid prizes.
Link Posted: 10/24/2017 11:11:16 PM EDT
[#47]
Link Posted: 10/31/2017 1:40:58 AM EDT
[#48]
delete... Sorry back to topic
Link Posted: 10/31/2017 7:51:16 AM EDT
[#49]
It may just be a fluke or my perception, but it seems like I've seen some Mak 90s at decent prices lately. There was one advertised on another gun board recently for $750, and it looked like a nice one. I've also seen them as low as $650 recently, but they don't seem to last long before someone snaps them up. If one comes up for sale at a decent price close to home, I may check it out. I'm a little bat-shy about buying any AK sight-unseen at the moment.
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