Norinco Ak's ?

[space_weazel]

I found a Norinco (Chinese) made AK with the MAK 90 AK stock, it looks to be in excellent condition, chromed bolt, clean. for $350

I'm wondering if this sounds like a good deal?
Are there any specific things to look at, to check?
The bolt assembly is a little loose in the receiver, which I understand is so that it can eat dirt and still fire. Is there anything I can do about that, or is it even worth fiddling with?

Also anything you AK fans to tell me to help me shop and not shoot myself in the foot? (metaphorically speaking)


Thanks
Jon

[dglockster]

Hi Jon,
Do a search using "norinco" or "chinese" and you will get lots of good information.

In addition this site, http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml, is a good source for general AK information although the bias is toward the Romanian AK.

[cadillacguns]

Good deal, well made AK's, www.ak-47.net or www.ak47.net has the best info in their Chinese forums, there is a sticky on AK-47.net chinese forum that explains a lot, check it out!

[space_weazel]

Duh ;g

Thanks Guys

[crazymoose]

$350 is a pretty good price for a MAK 90. IMO, the only AKs better than MAK 90s are VEPRs and Arsenals, maybe Vectors, too. The only real downside to the MAK is the parts compliance issue. I didn't want to replace the trigger group on mine because the trigger is soooo sweet. I couldn't believe any AK had a trigger that good. My advice, unless you absolutely must have a genuine-looking AK, is to keep the gun's guts the same, and replace the crappy wood stock with the ATI dragunov-type stock. It's very durable and comfortable- it really feels just like you're using a pistol grip.

[space_weazel]

Parts compliance issue?

[crazymoose]

Originally posted by space_weazel
Parts compliance issue?

Basically, it can't have a pistol grip if it's an imported rifle. If you replace enough parts in the gun with U.S. made parts, it's considered a U.S. made gun, and you can put a pistol grip on it... on an AK, this means replacing the trigger and other parts with U.S. made ones. But the original trigger is so good on my rifle, I wouldn't chance messing it up by replacing it with new parts. The ATI Dragunov-type stock is technically a "thumbhole stock," since the pistol grip and stock are connected, but it feels like a pistol grip and not the horrible thumbhole stock that comes standard on a MAK 90.

[Bullitt3401]

I'm a big fan of MAK90's. I had two of them over ten years ago.

The things have to be upgraded with the proper evil parts to be fully enjoyed and to annoy liberals. ;) (Gas block w/bayonet lug, thread muzzle/install slant brake, the right furniture and the correct amount of U.S. parts)

I sold my MAKs many years ago and replaced them with a Vector AK. I have since replaced the Vector with a NIB Norinco 56S with all the evil features & factory accessories.

I'm sure someone with the skills could convert a MAK to preban specs for less money, but I don't the skills/tools and I figured a pre-89 Norinco will always be worth more than a MAK. I admit you can always skip the hardest part and not upgrade the gas block/muzzle threading and still have a nice looking rifle for a low price. I think there's press-on slant brakes available now, too.

The bolt is supposed to be a little loose in the receiver. If you could get it for around 300, it would make it a little cheaper to upgrade if you choose to.

They are nice rifles and I really like that neat blued finish on the Chinese AK's.

Scott

[Glockdude1]

The Mak-90's are some of the best AK's around. Easy to shoot & maintain. $350? Jump on it!!

;N

[TED]

The Chinese AKs are actually quite nice and much better thatn the Egyptian or Romanian guns. I've tried pretty much all of them.

TED

[aaronrkelly]

I have a WASR and I just bought a MAK90 2 days ago.


There is NO comparison in quality. The MAK is like a Mercedes next to the Geo-like WASR.

Both guns function fine but the MAK is deffinitely the nicer gun.

Mine is a 1994 model, straight cut and stamped receiver. It was used but in flawless condition. I felt kinda dirty buying it, the guy shot me $250 and I just payed the man.......I would say its the best gun deal I have gotten to date.

[Fear762]

How hard is it to put on a pistol grip and wood stock on a mak? Ive seen one done and the fitment was possibly not as flush as a pre ban norinco? The parts compliance issue should be dead since the ban is over. Even if it aint who the heck cares.

[aaronrkelly]

Originally posted by Fear762
How hard is it to put on a pistol grip and wood stock on a mak? Ive seen one done and the fitment was possibly not as flush as a pre ban norinco? The parts compliance issue should be dead since the ban is over. Even if it aint who the heck cares.

The parts compliant issue is not dead....the gun still needs to be made compliant. Its still very much a real thing and has nothing to do with the AWB.

That aside.

If your MAK-90 is a *straight* cut receiver then all you will need to do is sand a little on the stock to get it to fit. A standard AK receiver is 1mm and the MAK90 is 1.5mm.....a few minutes with a piece of sandpaper should overcome that.

Next issue will be the rear tang. Its about 1/8 of an inch longer. Same deal, sand it out until it fits. Im assuming you could forgo this part if you didnt mind an 1/8" gap between your stock and receiver. Not sure how this would look.

Next issue is you will need a different screw for the pistol grip. The MAK90 screw is way short. Just purchase a different screw.

parts list
stock set
sandpaper
replacement grip screw
some of your time


If its an *angle* cut receiver you will need to get a stock from Ironwood. They make a stock set specifically for the angle cut that will bolt right on. They also make a set for the straight cut as well but I decided I wanted more variety and have a synthetic plum set coming from K-Var.

[Glockdude1]

www.ironwooddesigns.com

;N

[w30olds]

That's a good price for a nice MAK 90. I own one and they are great weapons. The chinese AK's are some of the best made of the AK's. Nice thick receivers and nice fit and finish. You'll be impressed with the quality and function of the Norinco AK's. Better grab it while you can.

[Glockdude1]

Originally posted by w30olds
That's a good price for a nice MAK 90. I own one and they are great weapons. The chinese AK's are some of the best made of the AK's. Nice thick receivers and nice fit and finish. You'll be impressed with the quality and function of the Norinco AK's. Better grab it while you can.

^6

[TED]

Both the barrells and the receivers are a bit thicker on the Chinese guns. The receivers are 1.5mm thick as opposed to the usual 1mm IIRC, only the Yugo's (which were also RPK style IIRC, and thus notably haevier yet) and the Global trades 1.6mm are thicker. Though, to be honest, I hardly think that this matters at all. The barrells are also just a bit thicker. Beleive it or not the .223's have the thickest barrell walls becasue the outside diameter is the same but the bore is samller.

The Egyptian and Romanian guns are horrible, the Chinese guns are very decent and it just gets better from there. For the money though, dollar to value ratio wise, it is VERY difficult to beat a Chinese AK. Many of the lower end kits and builds today don't even match up to the Chinese because the Chinese gun was a factory gun originally made from all new parts whereas kits may be assembeld form any menagerie of new and used parts from where ever. That, and the Chinese gun is typically noticibly less expensive. The simple fact is that the Chinese guns cost what they cost because they were BY FAR the MOST numerous.

Now, the higher end kits and builds, as well as the various imports liek SAIGA, VEPR and the Bulgarians, etc., those are GREAT, but you PAY for it.

TED

[Glockdude1]

Another reason the chinese AK's have always been so well built, is ALL of the AK's were built to be machine guns. Only the ones sent to the U.S. were not made to be select fire. No F/A bolt, sear, no 3rd hole, etc.....

;N