Because there is not much on the Armscor MAK-22 on the internet, I decided to write about my own experience to help other's get more information about the gun.
So here it is:
The Armscor MAK-22/AK22 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in the 22 LR caliber.
I first saw the MAK-22 at a gun show here in Manila on july 2008. Since I always wanted an AK47 for myself but could not get one(price was too expensive and most local communist insurgents have never even heard of it), I kind of lowered the bar and settled on what I could get with the least amount of money(P13,133.00 at the gunshow or around $300USD) and hassle(paperwork cost around P4,000 or around $90USD). The MAK-22 I purchased came in a long cheap cardboard box sparingly wrapped with packaging tape with the Armscor name printed on it. Opening the box, you will find the MAK-22 wrapped in a plastic bag with some styrofoam to protect the wooden rifle butt and front metal sights. there is also one magazine, a one page manual and a black nylon rifle sling included.
Taking it out of the box and removing the plastic cover, I noticed right away there was some black paint coming of the edges of where the metal and wood butt met. I guess this is from to the liberal coating of grease to protect the gun from rust. Not too much peeling, but enough to make a first impression saying that this gun is not "world class" by any means. Not that I am putting anybody(myself included) down but hey, it was made in a third world country(Philippines), and you know, by looking at it, that it came from there.
My MAK-22 came with one 15 round magazine. The magazine is a dead give away that it is a 22 rather than some other big caliber. Only the bottom half looks like a real AK magazine, the top half is a skinny 22 caliber magazine sticking out in the middle of the "big" magazine. If you have plans on getting more magazines and using some sort of vest or pouch to hold them, I suggest you put the magazines upside down so as not to look too silly with those skinny magazines sticking out. I used Remington Vipers for the first shooting. The loading of the magazine was straight forward until I got to the tenth round. The spring became noticeably more stiff. After struggling to put the eleventh round, I decided not to force it and settled with 11 rounds on the first magazine. I rechecked the label on the plastic bag of the magazine and it did say 15 rounds. I had bought 2 extra magazines beforehand and did not even bother to try and load more than 10 rounds for each magazine(eventhough the label on those also said 15 rounds) after struggling with the first one.
Before shooting the first time, I ran a clean cloth a couple of times through the barrel to remove any dirt or oil that may have been in the barrel. As with any gun, you have to be careful, with the MAK-22, a little more effort goes a long way. To cock the gun, the safety has to be placed in the fire position. Pulling back the charging handle then releasing it to slam back, I was ready for my first shot. I was planning on just firing the gun into the soft earth but a friend found an empty can of sardiness lying around and positioned that some 20-25 meters away. I took aim and fired. The first shot hit the can. Nothing like firing a new gun for the first time and hitting the target. I was pleased with myself. Not wanting to tempt faith a second time, the rest of the shots I just pointed to the soft earth and emptied the gun. The gun spit out the Vipers as fast as I could pull the trigger. On the last shot though, the casing did not eject properly. It was stuck halfway out of the breech. After the first magazine, I decided to clean the gun a little bit using a rag to wipe the breech for any grease or dirt. The second magazine had a failure to feed after the fifth shot. After that was cleared, the last four shots went without a problem. The last round ejected the casing properly. On the third and last magazine, there were no failures at all.
After the initial 3 magazines(31 shots altogether), I used my Kleen Bore 22lr cleaning kit for a more thorough cleaning. Using the supplied toothbrush for the breech and brass brush for the barrel. It was dirty.
After cleaning, I loaded the magazines again with ten rounds each but this time using cheaper Armscor 22LR solid. There were no problems with the first two magazines but on the third magazine, the last round failed to eject the casing properly again.
I did a thorough cleaning of the gun again and like the first cleaning, the gun was really dirty. After the second cleaning, I loaded up again with the Armscor bullets. This time, there were no problems. I kind of wondered what caused the failure to eject on the last round, but since I was finished for the day, it will have to wait until the next time I shoot the gun.
Overall, I think the gun was ok. For the money I paid, I got what I paid for. I guess it was too much of me to expect anything more. It's one and only plus for me was that first shot, nothing like hitting the target on your first try with a new gun. I do own another 22LR gun, the GSG-5. Comparing the MAK-22 to the GSG-5, lets just say its like economy class and business class on an airplane. I hope this helps others make a decision on what to get if they are considering purchasing the Armscor MAK-22. Stay safe everyone and happy shooting.
So here it is:
The Armscor MAK-22/AK22 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in the 22 LR caliber.
I first saw the MAK-22 at a gun show here in Manila on july 2008. Since I always wanted an AK47 for myself but could not get one(price was too expensive and most local communist insurgents have never even heard of it), I kind of lowered the bar and settled on what I could get with the least amount of money(P13,133.00 at the gunshow or around $300USD) and hassle(paperwork cost around P4,000 or around $90USD). The MAK-22 I purchased came in a long cheap cardboard box sparingly wrapped with packaging tape with the Armscor name printed on it. Opening the box, you will find the MAK-22 wrapped in a plastic bag with some styrofoam to protect the wooden rifle butt and front metal sights. there is also one magazine, a one page manual and a black nylon rifle sling included.
Taking it out of the box and removing the plastic cover, I noticed right away there was some black paint coming of the edges of where the metal and wood butt met. I guess this is from to the liberal coating of grease to protect the gun from rust. Not too much peeling, but enough to make a first impression saying that this gun is not "world class" by any means. Not that I am putting anybody(myself included) down but hey, it was made in a third world country(Philippines), and you know, by looking at it, that it came from there.
My MAK-22 came with one 15 round magazine. The magazine is a dead give away that it is a 22 rather than some other big caliber. Only the bottom half looks like a real AK magazine, the top half is a skinny 22 caliber magazine sticking out in the middle of the "big" magazine. If you have plans on getting more magazines and using some sort of vest or pouch to hold them, I suggest you put the magazines upside down so as not to look too silly with those skinny magazines sticking out. I used Remington Vipers for the first shooting. The loading of the magazine was straight forward until I got to the tenth round. The spring became noticeably more stiff. After struggling to put the eleventh round, I decided not to force it and settled with 11 rounds on the first magazine. I rechecked the label on the plastic bag of the magazine and it did say 15 rounds. I had bought 2 extra magazines beforehand and did not even bother to try and load more than 10 rounds for each magazine(eventhough the label on those also said 15 rounds) after struggling with the first one.
Before shooting the first time, I ran a clean cloth a couple of times through the barrel to remove any dirt or oil that may have been in the barrel. As with any gun, you have to be careful, with the MAK-22, a little more effort goes a long way. To cock the gun, the safety has to be placed in the fire position. Pulling back the charging handle then releasing it to slam back, I was ready for my first shot. I was planning on just firing the gun into the soft earth but a friend found an empty can of sardiness lying around and positioned that some 20-25 meters away. I took aim and fired. The first shot hit the can. Nothing like firing a new gun for the first time and hitting the target. I was pleased with myself. Not wanting to tempt faith a second time, the rest of the shots I just pointed to the soft earth and emptied the gun. The gun spit out the Vipers as fast as I could pull the trigger. On the last shot though, the casing did not eject properly. It was stuck halfway out of the breech. After the first magazine, I decided to clean the gun a little bit using a rag to wipe the breech for any grease or dirt. The second magazine had a failure to feed after the fifth shot. After that was cleared, the last four shots went without a problem. The last round ejected the casing properly. On the third and last magazine, there were no failures at all.
After the initial 3 magazines(31 shots altogether), I used my Kleen Bore 22lr cleaning kit for a more thorough cleaning. Using the supplied toothbrush for the breech and brass brush for the barrel. It was dirty.
After cleaning, I loaded the magazines again with ten rounds each but this time using cheaper Armscor 22LR solid. There were no problems with the first two magazines but on the third magazine, the last round failed to eject the casing properly again.
I did a thorough cleaning of the gun again and like the first cleaning, the gun was really dirty. After the second cleaning, I loaded up again with the Armscor bullets. This time, there were no problems. I kind of wondered what caused the failure to eject on the last round, but since I was finished for the day, it will have to wait until the next time I shoot the gun.
Overall, I think the gun was ok. For the money I paid, I got what I paid for. I guess it was too much of me to expect anything more. It's one and only plus for me was that first shot, nothing like hitting the target on your first try with a new gun. I do own another 22LR gun, the GSG-5. Comparing the MAK-22 to the GSG-5, lets just say its like economy class and business class on an airplane. I hope this helps others make a decision on what to get if they are considering purchasing the Armscor MAK-22. Stay safe everyone and happy shooting.
