Mak 90 vs. traditional AKs

[leadcounsel]

What's the difference? Any reliability, cost, magazine compatibility thoughts?

 

[Tyris]

I've heard the receivers are 1.5mm sheet steel (MAK) vs 1mm (most others), though I've never taken calipers to a MAK.

Other than that, the fit and finish on the chinese MAK is nicer than the romanian SAR or WASR series. (in my opinion, and I've got or owned 1 of each Romanian).

-T

 

[Shear_stress]

Basically a Chinese AK modified for importation under the 1989 ban. Many minor variations exist and were imported by many different importers, so everything here is a generalization. Most have a welded muzzle nut, thumbhole stock and a shaved bayonet lug. Many early MAK-90s actually started out as pistol-grip models (even underfolders) that were retrofitted when the ban was passed.

There are some milled MAKs out there, but most have a heavy (1.5 or 1.6mm) stamped receiver and slightly heavier barrel. The aft end of the receiver may be one of several configurations ("straight cut" or "slant cut") that can make installation of a traditional stock anything from a breeze to a slight inconvenience (Ironwood Designs makes furniture for most of the variations.) They take standard AK mags.

Other nice features include a blued finish, chromed bore and bolt carrier and a smooth double-hook trigger. Considered bottom of the barrel at a time when you could get actual Zastava AK clones from Mitchell or KBI, the MAK90 is a very, very nice rifle.

 

[Drakejake]

I have a Mak-90 with milled receiver and aftermarket drag stock. I installed a B-Square scope mount. Nice trigger pull, nice rifle, but I paid only $310 at the gun show a few years ago.

Drakejake

 

[leadcounsel]

So mags are interchangable? What's a Mak90 in good shape worth in this market?

 

[Kino74]

When it comes to AKs, Chinese make a real good one.

Hard to believe but its been almost 20 years since a Chinese AK came to this country with bayonet lugs, side folding stocks, etc and nearly 15 years since any Chinese AKs were brought in.

 

[Scratchy]

I love mine and think they are one of the better AK's. In this crazy post election frenzy it might be worth $600+? I am just glad that Rob's Guns sold me one for $350.

 

[NC-Mike]

I love mine and think they are one of the better AK's. In this crazy post election frenzy it might be worth $600+? I am just glad that Rob's Guns sold me one for $350.

Completed Gun Broker Auctions last week

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.asp?SearchType=0&Keywords=Mak+90

 

[nwilliams]

I remember when you could buy Mak90's for a couple hundred bucks.

Now there's a non-milled for sale at my local shop for $695

I'd love to get my hands on a milled Mak90 but at for what they're selling for now it's unlikely I'll ever get one.

 

[gunlover_06]

I have a milled norinco built on a polytech reciever 30 round mag has only had 50 rounds put through her

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Here is a Poly Tech (Chinese, Similar/Same as MAK 90) Wearing a K-var stock, G2 Trigger, US muzzle break (922r Compliant) Since I was making it 922 compliant and removing the bubba'd thumbhole stock (Previous owner un-thumbholed it the saws-all way) I tried to make the changes upgrades. Of course its not for sale (yet), but currently I wouldnt even be tempted unless the price got into the low AR price range (800.00), and I knew where one was in stock. Realistic or not its what I think.

Chinese Pros:
1. Heavy chrome lined barrel and chamber
2. Well made, smooth action, good trigger, chromed gas piston
3. Thick reciever (Thicker than some other makes)
4. Spring operated firing pin
5. Fit and finish is nice, bluing is dark / nice.
7. no longer imported = supply vs demand = demands higher prices

Chinese Cons:
1. Most other Aks perform about the same (Go bang, put bullets down range in 4"+/- MOA)
2. I dont own them all (yet)

 

[Kind of Blued]

Hahaha. I really liked the title for this auction: NORINCO AK 47 MAK 90 Variant [Obamas favorite]

 

[NC-Mike]

The 7.62x39 ammo prices on gun broker are enough to make you sick.

 

[Seattle206]

I regret not picking up a used mak-90 for $319 back in september. spent my cash on a jacket instead. smh at me...

anyways, i'd have to say norinco's are probably some of the top ak variants out there. they all feature thick receivers 1.5mm, opposed to the other countries which uses 1mm. chrome-lined barrels, nice fit & finish. my dream norinco is a 56s with folding spike bayonet. now thats a menacing looking ak!

i have a norinco nhm-90, very similar to the mak-90's except the firing pin is free float not spring operated and all came with threaded barrels. here is mine:

 

[Hanzerik]

I picked up a used one at a pawn shop a couple months ago for $300. I changed out the thumbhole stock and hand guards with US made furniture, plus swapped out the original FCG with a TAPCO G2 FCG. Finish is kind of rough and I may end up refinishing it.

 

[Tang419]

I paid $400 for my MAK and got a 75 round Romanian drum with it. I have yet to have a failure of any kind with it. I so badly want to switch it to a folder setup, but dont really want to run a chance of a 922R violation.

NHM's have a longer barrel, and most I have seen have a pinned on bipod. Setup more like an RPK.

 

[Thin Black Line]

The aft end of the receiver may be one of several configurations ("straight cut" or "slant cut") that can make installation of a traditional stock anything from a breeze to a slight inconvenience (Ironwood Designs makes furniture for most of the variations.)

Shear Stress made a key point on this. You shouldn't slap on a standard
wooden stock because it may wiggle loose while shooting (there's literally too
much stress on it without the receiver meeting up properly on how the stock
is shaped). The receiver is cut back far enough that it doesn't fully top off
the pistol grip either. Stability of the grip is NOT affected, though. It just
doesn't look quite right if you know what a real ak is suppose to look like.

The thicker receiver on the mak also requires some whittling on the stock as
well. If you intend to use a steel folding stock, expect to put in some time
on it and keep in mind the original folding stocks for Eastern Euros don't have
the same screw/tang distance as the Chinese do. It will shake loose if you
can only use one screw hole in the tang --unless you plan on permanently
welding the folding stock block to the receiver/tang. You can whittle a
synthetic stock and you won't have as must wiggle since the tang screw
grooves won't be as permanently compacted under stress like the wood ones
would be.

Leadscounsel, are you back from deployment now? If you want a quality AK go
for an Arsenal or if you want to save some $$$ try to find one of the better
built yugo underfolders --they're still out there and shoot as well as the maks.

If you want to play with retro-fitting a mak, just watch your parts count. But
of course you know this.

 

[97guns]

heres my $200 mak with a $24 drum

 

[leadcounsel]

Yep, I'm back from the sandbox -

I was greeted by, among other things:

1) A new anti-gun president elect and anti-gun congress, resulting in outrageous gun and ammo prices, long waits, and shortages
2) $1.50 for a gallon of gas!
3) Marxist-type bailouts for large corporations and banks
4) 5-4 Heller verdict in favor of the 2A

Amazing how the world changes in a short time!

 

[nathan]

N Pelosi has a good heart , its Christmas time . THe CEO and UAWorkers are thankful for her.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Yep, I'm back from the sandbox

My timing was good --I left only a "few" months after the sunset lifted and
got back long before the 2008 craziness. I had an m4gery before I left and
topped off the collection as soon as I got home. Until very recently, the
selection was even better than pre-1989, although prices on some models
were not but were at least in keeping with inflation.

BTW, no, I don't have 1 of everything in Evil Black. I'm not made of money.
It really is THIN Black Line.

So you missed the whole Summer of Love "omigod is gas going to be $5?!"
thing? Don't worry, she'll be back and back in heat so you'll get a turn with
her, too.

 

[Seattle206]

NHM's have a longer barrel, and most I have seen have a pinned on bipod. Setup more like an RPK.

nhm-90's came with a 16" barrel and the nhm-91 came with the 22"

edit: im sorry, its actually 20".

 

[Tang419]

nhm-90's came with a 16" barrel and the nhm-91 came with the 22"

I stand corrected, I had forgotten about that. My uncle has a 91.

 

[Kman]

Here is a Mak91NM with an 18" barrel, milled receiver and the butt ugly brown painted wood. There are lots of Mak variants out there, this gun was imported in 93.

 

[ConstantineJ9]

Mak-90