About buying a Norinco 86S?

[The Grand Inquisitor]

My local gunshops has a Norinco 86S in the back, and I have been thinking about getting one. The one he has has never even been taken out of the box, so it is complete with the mags and everything, and also, although I haven't confirmed this, I'm told (buy the guy who runs the place, and he is very trustworthy) the serial number is in the low 20's.

I know these are fairly rare, and I really like the bullpup design (I'd love to get a FAMAS or especially an AUG, but those are toooooo expensive) and while the 86S isn't cheap, this one seems like it not only not insanely expensive, but is also potentially collectable. I was told that the rifle is in "the teens" so I am thinking it will be around $1300-1500 for the rifle, and maybe even a little less since I have bought almost all of my rifles from him.

My question here is twofold- first of all, is this price reasonable; and secondly, how is the 86S as a rifle?

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Anyone have one?

 

[Jack19]

86 posts

Check out this link, it's several years old but might get you started.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Thanks for the link.

I'm surprised that no one here has an 86S, but it does make sense when you realize that there are probably less than 1500 in the country. I'm still waiting to see what kind of price this guy is going to quote me, but I am probably willing to spend around $1500-1700 for the rifle.