modify my Mac90 or no

[swapmeet]

Hey there Highroaders...

I've been lurking for sometime now, but I have a question that maybe the more educated can chime in on.



A few months ago I purchased a stamped Mac90, its all original to my knowledge. After doing a variety of reviews of AK patterned rifles, the Mac90 seemed to be a good choice based on quality, fit and finish, and price.
As you may know, the Mac90 is no longer imported into the US, and its value has steadily increased as a result.

After putting a few hundred rounds through it, i've found some areas that I would like to improve upon. Some of those modifications would alter the originality of the rifle.

The two main changes i'm considering are:
Muzzle Brake: which would require threading the end of the barrel.
Side mount optic rail: The Mac90 did not come with one installed, so it would be a completely new addition. I prefer the traditional AK side mount because the optic mount is easily removable, allowing me to use the iron sights if desired/ necessary.

With the price of semi auto rifles right now, i'm nervous about trying to find a different gun with the features i'm wanting. But, at the same time i'm not sure about modifying the rifle I have for fear of devaluing it.

Sorry for the long read, I look forward to hearing your opinions.

 

[Dr T]

If it is accruing as a collectible item, any modification will tend to decrease rather than increase its value.

Put in the safe and treat it like a savings account. Then, get an SKS and modify to your hears content.

Or not.

A muzzle brake will tend to make it louder without decreasing recoil very much (a 7.63 x 39 really doesn't kick that much). Barrel threading for aesthetics alone seems a bit extreme.

A flash suppressor will help if you are shooting at night or twilight. The idea is to get the fireball out of the sight picture. It does nothing during the daylight.

I personally have problems with side mounted optical rails. The always look like they were grafted on (my aesthetic values showing) and they don't work well unless they are exceptionally well done.

Just my $.02 (and perhaps not worth that much).

 

[HoosierQ]

I'd skip the mods you mentioned and go for this one: Tech Sights. They have, supposedly, come up with a way to mount a apeture sight on the dust cover that maintains zero. That will double your sight radius! That's always been the problem with sights on AK patterns, that dust cover is just that...a cover...and it moves around a bit. The Finns pulled it off with their version of the AK...the Valmet. The Israeli's pulled it off too with the Galil.

Here is the good part. As far as I know, Tech Sights has accomplished this by supplying a new...a second dust cover that is designed to maintain and return to zero. Thus, you can slap on the new one, stash the old one in the safe, and, when the time comes, return it to original condition and sweeten the deal by selling the Tech Sight cover and rear sight allong with it.

 

[swapmeet]

Yes sir! I have a set of Tech Sights on the way actually. I'm excited to see how they perform.

My goal was to put a little 1-5 magnified optic on it. My eyes are older than I feel, and I have a damn hard time seeing a 3" bulls-eye at 100 yards.
And if the situation warranted, I could pop the optic and mount off and still have the nifty Tech Sites.


On the muzzle brake, I don't want to stir-up the oldest debate in the history of semi-auto rifles, but I wanted to improve my follow up shot ability so that its closer to that of an AR. I understand that by design the 7.62x39 will have a little more recoil, but my hopes we're to mitigate that with something like this:

http://primaryweapons.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=57

or this

http://primaryweapons.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=15

 

[TurtlePhish]

Swapmeet, the FSC-47 is widely regarded as one of the best 7.62x39mm brakes available.

 

[mac66]

There isn't much collector value of a MAK90 (as in Modified AK) in stock form. The value is that it is a good AK as a base for a conversion back to the original AK configuration. Get rid of the butt hole stock, put a pistol grip and regular stock on it and call it a day.

In regards to scope rails. The MAK90 didn't come with them so you would have to drill and then rivet a side mount on it. Ultimak and others makes a front rail system if you wanted to use a red dot or scout type scope.

Tech Sights are good sights if you wanted iron sights.

I don't notice muzzle flash on any of my AKs. A flash hider or muzzle brake looks cool, probably not needed on a semi auto.

 

[silicosys4]

Just did the conversion on my Mak90. New trigger Assy, new M.I. handguard with aimpoint comp m3 cowitnessed, arsenal buttstock, hogue grip. Sure does handle better now. If it were "pre-ban" I wouldn't have touched it, but since it wasn't, it made a great conversion. The chinese ak's are about the best starting point for a build. Thicker receiver and barrel, and assembled correctly.