Compliance Work Affect Value?

[charleslee]

I want to purchase a Polytech Legend next month, fixed stock, NIB. That is when I w/ have the funds. The thing that really sucks is I?ll have to have some modifications done for it to be compliant in The People?s Republic of New Jersey. Sigh! How I hate this state & yearn to get the hell out. The muzzle break w/ have to be pinned to the barrel & the ears w/ have to be ground off the bayo lug. I could live w/ that, however, I surely would prefer one 100% complete. It is what is unfortunately. How much do you fellas think this work would depreciate the value of the rifle??? Thanks.

 

[Tirod]

I might be wrong but I think that firearm will need to be compliant at the point you first possess it. Since the effect is that it will already be done then reselling it in NJ will be based on the fact all other guns there are the same.

It's the cost of owning a firearm in NJ, therefore it's not being depreciated unless you already plan to sell it in another state where the work might be considered unnecessary and buyers shy away from the modifications. Add that if you plan to purchase that gun with the future intent to sell it, wouldn't it be better to buy one you plan to keep? There's no real "money" in buying guns, using them, then selling or trading them off. They will depreciate the first round shot from them, just like a car driven of the dealers lot, and considered used from that point forward.

 

[Sam1911]

If you care about the originality, correctness, and collector value of this rifle, don't subject it to modification to legally bring it into NJ.

If you are thinking about reselling it, and you would expect to resell it in NJ then having that work done to it would actually increase its value to people in NJ because otherwise it's worthless contraband they can't buy at all.

If you're thinking about reselling it and you would expect to resell it outside of NJ, then having that work done to it would make it close to worthless to almost any buyer in any state that doesn't require the same modifications.
For example, if you took that mucked with gun just across the border to a gun show in PA and tried to sell, you'd be lucky to find a buyer who even would make an offer at all, on a gun wearing the scars of NJ's draconian laws.

If you really, really want THAT gun, and you're going to live in NJ for the foreseeable future, then make the modifications and put it out of your mind. It will be pretty close to worthless to anyone outside of NJ, but you could always sell it to someone still residing in that state if you do manage to work out your life situation to be able to move away. If you're thinking that you'll keep this gun forever, imagine how you'll feel seeing those fairly irreversible changes every time you look at it, when you live in a place where those are unnecessary.


The smart money would say be patient. If you have any sort of realistic plan to be able to leave the state, don't muck up a decent rifle just to play with it now. There's plenty of guns out there that do fit NJ's rules. Enjoy shooting them while you're stuck there and then get your Chicom AK when you get settled in a better place.

I guess I'd see it this way: You have an opportunity to buy something cool. But there's a really, REALLY strong chance that if you do this you're going to feel a little sick to your stomach every time you look at it. Maybe in the end you'd be happier to let this go than be stuck with something that just reminds you of disappointment and regret.

 

[Nature Boy]

Are we talking about a Chinese AK?

What’s it worth before you neuter it?

 

[Speedo66]

Pinned to the barrel isn't that big a deal. An undrilled muzzle brake will cover the holes in the barrel. Can the bayonet lugs be cleanly cut off with the idea that they can be welded back on and weld marks cleaned up and reblued at a later date?

Since anyone who wants that gun in NJ will have to subject it to the same operations, I don't think you'll lower the value there. Sell it in Jersey when you leave and buy another wherever you land.

 

[Sam1911]

Are we talking about a Chinese AK?

What’s it worth before you neuter it?

A lot.

The Polytech Legend AKs are sort of a "holy grail" milled-receiver Kalashnikov at this point. High quality fit and finish. Blued steel and nice looking wood. They were a decent chunk of change back when they were being imported. Expect the values to be well north of $1,500 for one in good shape, probably way over $2K for like new with the fixin's, and some variants appear to go for more like $5K.

A dealer friend of mine showed me a fixed-stock one last year that he had gotten from an estate, new in the original box with all the parts and tags. I think he said he figured on getting around $2,500 for it.

Not the sort of thing you want to go sawing or welding on.

Honestly, as a rifle goes, about their only REAL worth beyond any other AK is as a collector's item. So bubba-rizing one for nearly any purpose at all is sort of like flushing wads of cash down the commode.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I wouldn't tinker with a Chinese AK to get it into NJ. There are plenty of cheaper options which are just as good, except for the collector aspect.

Based on the mods you identified, I'd look at getting a modified Saiga/VEPR if you can find one used somewhere. Also, it has already been modified so the collector value depreciation of any mods is likely nil anyways.

I don't know why anyone would want a milled receiver AK. They just add weight and cost. They don't make it more accurate or provide any other benefit, aside from looking like they cost more. However, I understand they are popular.

 

[AlexanderA]

To add to what Sam1911 said about making the modifications required to keep (and possibly resell) the gun in New Jersey, keep in mind that the New Jersey legislature very easily could decide to outlaw it altogether. Then you would have gone through this exercise for nothing, ending up with a gun that is worthless everywhere.

 

[Sam1911]

Ouch. Yeah, I thought of that too, but then didn't post it for some reason. Some of us live in places that always seem about a hair's breadth from legislative catastrophe, and NJ would be about at the top of the list. Buying an expensive gun that plays right on the line of today's crazy rules are is certainly a high-risk gamble.

 

[Sam1911]

And Sebastian the Ibis is exactly right. There's literally nothing about a Polytech Legend that makes it a better gun to shoot than just about any other AK or AK variant. The value is entirely in the name, rarity, blued finish, and the "bass-ackward" mystique of the milled receiver. In other words, if it isn't worth anything as a collector's item, it's just another $X00 AK like millions of others. So cutting on it is just lighting $100 bills on fire.

 

[FL-NC]

To me, an Ak is an AK, unless it is something like an all original select fire AK (at which point you get into the NFA realm, which would make it a game changer in multiple ways). I think most people just buy the semis to blaze away with anyway, but I could be wrong.

 

[Sam1911]

To me, an Ak is an AK, unless it is something like an all original select fire AK (at which point you get into the NFA realm, which would make it a game changer in multiple ways). I think most people just buy the semis to blaze away with anyway, but I could be wrong.

So, ok, is that advice to the OP? Is this just a way of saying you wouldn't buy an expensive collector's item like this at all?
Or are you saying spend the money and cut it anyway because even if it costs thousands, it's "just an AK?"

I don't catch your drift.

 

[Coyote3855]

If I were in the shoes of the OP, I would consider buying a WASR or other midrange AKM rather than an expensive variant like the Polytech whose value would immediately be decreased by the required modifications. I assume those mods could be made to the WASR to make it NJ compliant. I guess it may depend on why the OP wants an AK.

 

[someguy2800]

I agree If you resell it in your state I would say none to possibly adding value. Doesn't sound like to big a deal to me honestly. If you look at other collectable firearms like garands and winchesters, modifications do affect the value but certainly does not make the gun worthless. If it's done well honestly I don't think most people would even notice and both are reversible.

 

[CapnMac]

So, ok, is that advice to the OP?

Pretty much what was above, if occasionally in bits and pieces.

Does not look to be anyway to own an unaltered Polytech AK in NJ.

So, if OP has his heart set on one (or heaven help us, already won one in auction), probably what is needed is a gunsafe yucked into a 5x5 storage unit in Pennsylvania or Virginia (depending on which were closer), and store it that way.

Otherwise, OP should give up on this grailish unicorn, and set his sights (NPI) on something NJ compliant.

 

[Scooter22]

Yes it will effect the value. Why buy one of the most collectable AKs and permanently modify it. Leave it for someone who can use it as is and get something already modified for your state. You'll save money on both ends.

 

[Jackal]

It would raise its value in NJ.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

How I hate this state & yearn to get the hell out. T

I think you have your solution there bro. Come to FL, we need more right thinking voters like you.

And Sebastian the Ibis is exactly right. There's literally nothing about a Polytech Legend that makes it a better gun to shoot than just about any other AK or AK variant. The value is entirely in the name, rarity, blued finish, and the "bass-ackward" mystique of the milled receiver. In other words, if it isn't worth anything as a collector's item, it's just another $X00 AK like millions of others. So cutting on it is just lighting $100 bills on fire.

Weeeeeeel....maybe when they are new, but the Polytech, with its double hook hammer, forged internals, and milled receiver will likely withstand the ravages of time and wear better. Just watch some of the RAS47 YouTube videos and you'll know all AKs are definitely NOT equal in terms of longevity.

 

[Sam1911]

Ok...well, maybe. But the milled receiver idea wasn't how Kalashnikov's team intended the rifle to be made, they didn't think that was a great idea, and the idea that any of us will shoot an AKM until the receiver is worn out is pretty far-fetched.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ok...well, maybe. But the milled receiver idea wasn't how Kalashnikov's team intended the rifle to be made, they didn't think that was a great idea, and the idea that any of us will shoot an AKM until the receiver is worn out is pretty far-fetched.

True, you won't wear out a stamped receiver, but you can shoot the trunion rivets loose- seen it, done it. Whereas the milled guns have the trunion machined into them.
A much more common problem with newer AKs, both US made and "kit" guns is cracked hammer and trigger castings. US- made cast trunions are famous for poor heat treatment, galling, and excessive headspace as well. These problems can rear their ugly heads in as few a a couple thousand rounds.
Mikhail didn't intend for these production shortcuts either, lol.
Yes, the Polytech is expensive- but it is far better built than just about any currently available import or domestic AK.

 

[Scooter22]

It would raise its value in NJ.

Only to someone else in NJ that wants that particular model. I'll bet most would get a cheaper pre modified AK. Throw it on GB and see how the value will be hit in the real world.

 

[charleslee]

Only to someone else in NJ that wants that particular model. I'll bet most would get a cheaper pre modified AK. Throw it on GB and see how the value will be hit in the real world.

 

[charleslee]

I decided against getting one @ this time @ altering it. I’ll just get one when I eventually move to a free state like FL. Yeah! IF I can afford one then w/ the way they are going up & up??? Thanks guys. I appreciate it.