Thinking of purchasing a pre-ban Polytech AKM in 5.56x45.  Are they as reliable as their counterpart 7.62s?

One thing that you should know, the Polytech .223 took a mag that is different than the Norinco.  Hard to find and pricey.  It should be just as reliable as a 7.62 AK.

Absolutely be careful here my man.  Poly Techologies made an AKS model (underfoilding "pig sticker" bayonet) model in 223.  This used AK-47 form factro mags that are damn hard to find.  Norinco used AK-74 form factor mags.  Think $100 apiece for the Poly Tech mags and $500 for a drum.

Beautiful gun (I passed on one) but the mags are a bad surprise.  If you love that Poly AKS look (who doesn't) pick up a 7.62 firearm.  What a classic.

Norinco 84s doesn't have quite the soul of the Poly - but is a rugged beauty in its own right (at much lower cost).  

My Norinco 5.56 is one of my favorite shooters - utterly reliable and less perceived recoil than the average 5.45x39 due to the heft of the Norinco build.

Thank you, fellas.  I see someone else was asking about 5.56 AKs.  I should have read further down the threads.