Norinco 56S

Norinco

If the Norinco is available for a decent price, I say snap it up. They are excellent.

After sampling several, I set out to find the nicest pre-ban Norinco Type 56S available
at the time and I found a new in the box virgin. She is my one and only AKM.

If you are considering the Arsenal 107, get the 107fr version with the scope rail. It is definately worthwhile to have to option of mounting combloc optics if you desire.

The Norinco MAK90 I had (I know, not exactly the same thing) was nice and perfectly reliable, but the blued finish was thin and all of the parts were dimensionally just a bit different than the bulk of AK parts out there. It had a nice trigger, too, but not nearly in the same category as the Arsenal 106fr that replaced it.

What's the purpose of the rifle?

For collectability, the Norinco wins hands down. No more are likely to be imported and they are hard to find in very good condition.

For a rifle that's going to be shot, thrown in a vehicle, and dragged thru the mud, I'd get the Arsenal. The paint over parkerizing as a pretty darn good finish for rust resistance. The Arsenal's paint WILL be removed by brake cleaner but CLP and Ballistol are fine with it.

I'd get (I got) the SLR107FR. Even if you don't use the rail now, it's better to have it in case you ever want to add optics. The rail will also make it easier to sell the rifle if you should ever want to. It adds maybe an oz of weight and has no real disadvantages. BSW

The "pre-ban" just means it was a pre-89 import. After 1989, all the imported AW style rifles had bayonet lugs, flashhiders, and stocks replaced with thumbholes stocks.

I'd get the Type 56S as its no longer importable plus it is a great rifle.