Is this reasonable for a Norinco AK-47?

[AZ Heat]

I am looking at purchasing a Norinco AK-47. They are asking $500. I don't know a lot about them so am hoping someone here can help me out. It is Norinco Mak-90 with the normal straight cut stamped receiver converted to pistol grip configuration with correct us parts- Vented Handguard, pistol grip, buttstock, Flash suppressor and A 30rnd Pro mag.
Is this a reasonable price or is it way out of line?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Commissar Gribb]

I'd take it. Norincos are generally considered to be good quality as far as stamped rifles go.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

One of the last gun shows I went to, a vender had two Norinco Mak-90s on his table for $350. They were brand new, still in the big styrofoam packaging with all the accessories that they were shipped with pre-1994 (thumbhole stocks and 5-round mags). I saw another guy with one asking $450 for it. I bought my two (1993 and early 1994, milled and stamped receivers) for $199, each. At $500, I'd say you have some bargining margin since it is used, but does have the US-stock set. Factory, steel, 30-Round mags can be had for $9, brand new, so I'd look at it as a $350 gun with a stock set added and work from there on the price.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

holy ???? kramer

I need to go to these gun shows you're talking about.

 

[Eightball]

I'll second that. What gunshows, and where are they? 'dem AK's is mine, for that price

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I'll second that. What gunshows, and where are they? 'dem AK's is mine, for that price

Sorry guys, I didn't write that well enough to clarify.....I bought both of my MAK-90s in 1993 and 1994.....not recently. That was the going price for the Norinco MAK-90s back then. I was just showing the price difference of 11+ years, which really isn't too bad, considering the hoopla of the AWB. The cheapest I've seen, lately, was the $350, and that was at the Greenville, SC gun show back in December. I specifically looked both of them over to see if they were stamped or milled receivers.....both were stamped.

 

[Roadkill]

I got a very nice one in a low end pawn shop last year for $275. And I almost passed. Is a good shooter though and ammo sure is cheap.

rk

 

[Soap]

I also bought my Norinco for $199 in 1994.

 

[ftierson]

If anyone finds some NIB stamped or milled MAK-90s for $350, give me a call...

(My guess is that my phone will remain silent because 1) not many are to be found at that price and 2) the person in a position to call me will buy it for themself...

Forrest

 

[clange]

Thats a fair price if you like what they threw on it.

Nice thumbhole MAKs go for $350-$400, usually.

 

[JA]

Here is a map I made that shows prices of AK rifles in the US. The exception is prices tend to be the same as the high price areas in larger cities in the low price area.

You are in one of the high price areas so a MAK-90 with a US parts/pistol grip for $500 is about right.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

That map is pretty accurate, at least for the south east. Down here, not many people seem to be interested in the AK varients, and the MAK-90s are the red-headed stepchild of them all. It really amazes me that someone would be more interested in a US-assembled AK with domestic receiver before they'd buy a MAK-90. At local gun shows, the MAKs with thumbhole stocks tend to have people walk right by them without even a glance. To me, a US-assembled/domestic reciever AK is, and always will be, a "kit gun". Without a commie receiver, it just isn't an "AK" to me......but, I'm the same way with the FALs and G3s, too. I just don't get worked up over a kit gun.

 

[Father Knows Best]

To each their own, Kramer. A friend of mine runs a local gun shop. His interests are much like yours. Every time I stop by, he shows me a rare "real" FAL, or HK91, or the like. The prices are usually $3,000 and up. I'll pass, thanks. Safe queens that I can't modify or shoot for fear of destroying their "collector" value are of little interest to me. I'd much rather have my DSA SA58 (FAL pattern rifle made in USA) or JLD PTR-91 (G3/HK91 pattern rifle made in USA) than a "real" FAL or HK91. For a fraction of the cost, I get something something I can play with. And play with them I do.

On that note, I was in his place just last week and spotted an Arsenal SA-M7S on the rack (there's another thread about it somewhere). As I'm sure you know, the SA M7 is assembled in the U.S. on a Bulgarian milled receiver. This one was like new -- not a scratch on it. Asking price was $399, and they usually go for $700+ new around here. I told him I was taking it with me. Of course, he tells me he has an even nicer AK, and pulls out a pristine MAK90. Asking price was $700. Yes, I know that some people see the MAK90 as more "authentic" or "real", and are willing to pay more for it. Godd for them, but I don't see it that way. I'll take the SA M7 and spend the $300 I saved on accessories and ammo for it, and be much happier.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

I agree with Kramer- don't buy kit guns...

MAKE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Safe queens that I can't modify or shoot for fear of destroying their "collector" value are of little interest to me.

I don't own any safe queens and believe that every firearm I own needs to be shot. I do have a "kit-gun", though. It's a Springfield Armory SAR-8 (G3 clone). I only bought it because I wanted an HK-91, but didn't want to spend the $2500+ to own an original, so....I know where you are coming from and why these kit-guns exist. My SAR-8 doesn't send my heart pitter-pattering like an actual HK-91 would. If I had an HK, I wouldn't shoot it any less than I shoot my Springfield. Sometimes, though, I wish I'd not bought this SAR-8, but held out for an original HK. Especially since I can't use any receiver-based, original HK accessories with this cast reciever. I have heard that Springfield has offered swaps/extreme discounts on a new M1A if you send back an SAR-8 with issues. Anyway, yes, "to each his own", and a kit gun will never stop me in my tracks like an original will.


This reminds me of those kit Shelby Cobra cars and the replica 1953 Corvettes. If I ever see an original, it just sends chills down my spine. A copy is neat to look at, but just doesn't have the same kick in the posterior.


Edit: Come to think of it, I'm just a "purist" by nature. Hell, my 20 year old Harley still has the ORIGINAL paint on it.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Fair enough. It's neat to ooh and aah over an original and pristine HK91 or FN FAL. The best of both worlds is to have a buddy who spends HIS money on those things so I can enjoy ogling them, and then go to the range and burn up ammo with my toys.

 

[Lennyjoe]

My neighbor has 2 of them sitting in his safe and I keep trying to get him to sell me one. No luck so far. Both are in pristine condition.

 

[Drakejake]

Perhaps my luckiest purchase of a firearm is my MAK-90 with milled receiver which I picked up at the local gun show for $299. The seller didn't ask for the tax but I had to pay the $10 background check fee, for a total out the door of $309. I wasn't shopping for a rifle that day and didn't even know that a MAK was a Chinese AK. I did try the trigger before buying and it was very good, to my way of thinking, perfect. I guess what struck me most about the rifle was the very attractive Choate, Dragunov style stock, which I like very much. I have added the B-Square scope mount, a bitch to install but it works very well. There is also a barrel weight on the thing; perhaps it helps accuracy, I don't know. I like the x39 round, its cheapness, and the cheap, tough, reliable AK mags. Love this rifle.

Drakejake

 

[Commissar Gribb]

My neighbor has 2 of them sitting in his safe and I keep trying to get him to sell me one. No luck so far. Both are in pristine condition.

that's his first mistake- he's not selling them to me!

have him give me a buzz- i'm right accross the border

 

[Lennyjoe]

that's his first mistake- he's not selling them to me!

No dice mister.....if he sells, its me first.

 

[atblis]

$350 sounds about right to me

Start getting higher and you've got other options (Used VEPR maybe).

 

[Commissar Gribb]

No dice mister.....if he sells, its me first.

mister? I'm no mister- I'm an Airman!

let me know if you cant afford it.

 

[clange]

To me, a US-assembled/domestic reciever AK is, and always will be, a "kit gun". Without a commie receiver, it just isn't an "AK" to me......but, I'm the same way with the FALs and G3s, too. I just don't get worked up over a kit gun.

Some stuff you cant really get without using a US receiver. This was a demilled bulgarian rifle. Everything is 'cirlce 10' except the receiver and required US parts.

On just an AKM clone i agree. SARs are made on the same lines as romanian AKMs, and are pretty cheap. BUT some kit builds can make some very nice clones as well.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I'm an Airman

And I'm a MSgt select. Guess I'm gonna have to pull rank on ya.

 

[chevrofreak]

I got my nearly new Norinco MAK-90 for $300 cash at a local pawn shop