Need Help: Global Machine & Tool AK-47

[egyas]

Hello everyone. First time signing into THR even though i have read it off and on for some time. I need some help and/or a knowledge dump. My father passed away about 6 months ago, and left me several firearms. One of them is an AK-47 (model M70AB2) manufactured by Global Machine & Tool from Rhome, TX. It is used, but rarely fired (and never by him).

Anyway, while I am not new to firearms and shooting, I have never owned an AK-47 before, and don't know much about the specific makes, models, ups, downs, etc. I tried doing a bit of research on this model, and things were a tad confusing.

I ordered a new receiver cover that had a rail on it (to mount a Red Dot I bought for it), and the cover was too long and you not fit. That started my journey into learning a bit about the differences in the many AK styles.

I'm going to post some pics below, and I'm hoping that the kind folk here at THR will provide some information, opinion, etc. I blurred all but the first 2 letters of the SN for privacy reasons. These are the ONLY markings on the rifle. Nothing else on the rear sight, barrel, etc. (Click the link under the pic to see a full-sized version.)

1) Is this model "any good"?
2) Is it a Yugo model?
3) If it is a Yugo (or whatever), what does that mean for parts, upgrades, etc.
4) Anything I should know / look out for?

http://home.comcast.net/~egyas/THR/IMG_20110102_115636.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~egyas/THR/IMG_20110102_115849.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~egyas/THR/IMG_20110102_115904.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~egyas/THR/IMG_20110102_115913.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~egyas/THR/IMG_20110102_115606.jpg

 

[SpentCasing]

Those grenade sights make me believe its a Yugo UF. They have some weird grenade fetish of shooting them from rifles. Quality rifle i think. Should be good to go. Also instead of changing receiver just for scope mount, Id look into the Ultimak gas tube rail/Aimpoint micro for your red dot needs. Sits way more low profile than russian side rail which may help for the UF cheek weld.

 

[gopguy]

Hi Egyas, sorry for the loss of your Dad and welcome to THR. Yes she is built from a Yugoslav kit. Quality of the build I can't tell you as it is a kit gun and everything depends on who built it and condition of the kit at the start. That said they usually are fine. If you have any doubts having a competent gunsmith check her out for headspace and safety is always a good idea. One thing you need to note is the Yugos do not have chrome lined barrels or chambers so be very careful in cleaning the gun if you use corrosive surplus ammo.

One thing you may not know is when you raise that grenade launching sight (photo #3) you also cut off gas flow, and the gun will operate as though a straight pull. In other words semiauto function ceases.

If you google the company name and do some reading at some of the AK-47 and AKM dedicated sites like the ones below I think you will get up to speed on the maker and on the AK variants.

http://www.akfiles.com/

http://www.soviet-steel.com/forums.php

http://www.ak47.net/lite/forum.html?b=4&f=89

A number of videos on the AK and cleaning it can be found on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InHU_nwlCak&feature=related


After all that come back and tell us about what you have learned and how she shoots.

 

[Hizzie]

The top cover rail platforms are very unstable and not a good optics platform. The zero will wander and not be repeatable when you take the top cover off and replace from cleaning. Ulitmak is much better option.

 

[egyas]

Thanks for the response guys. I have to return the part I bought anyway, so I'll look into the Ultimak. Thanks!

 

[zoom6zoom]

The Yugo M70AB2 is one of my favorite AK's. Personally I wouldn't do anything with it other than enjoy it. Unless it has a side rail, it's not really set up for optics. The Yugo handguards and top cover are not compatible with other AK models.

You have a US made receiver, pistol grip (original Yugo grips didn't have the finger grooves), and fire control group (Tapco). Either your gas piston or muzzle device is likely US as well, so your rifle is 922(r) compliant.

Lack of chrome lining in a barrel is a non-issue; just clean it after shooting and you're fine.

 

[BENBRU]

Looks like a pretty standard Yugo kit build. Stamped receiver (as most yugo's are)... I'd have it checked out by a gunsmith. Kit builds and sitting can do crazy things. Also the existence of the grenade sight would be something I'd check. I know that they grenade sight being up cuts off the gas flow so that semi auto fire ceases to fit. The fire selector can also give you a little insight as to where the rifle comes from. Cyrillic characters can indicate the reciever is foreign which changes the whole game when making it a 922r.

Don't worry about the ammo for it... it should feed any junk silver bear or wolf ammo you put through it. Just clean it and pay particular attention to the bore. Should work out just fine for ya.

 

[az_imuth]

It looks to be a Yugo M70AB2 sold by Century International Arms (CIA). Most of the ones they sold used DCI receivers, but they had a few made on Global Machine & Tool receivers. I'm not aware of any differences between the two makes. You can still purchase them through Centerfire Systems with the black synthetic handguards. They really are good, heavy duty AK's and are fairly accurate with the new U.S. made barrels. Here's a pic of one I purchased and then swapped the handguards for original wood.

 

[egyas]

Since i have a knowledgeable group here, I'll ask another question.

Is it possible to replace the UF stock with a more traditional one? Looks to me like it's not possible.

 

[az_imuth]

Don't know that I'm knowledgeable on the subject, but my understanding is that it would be a bit difficult and not very cost effective. Seems that even if you were successful, you would have rather large holes in the back of the receiver where the underfolder originally attached. You would probably come out ahead by trading it for a fixed-stock AK of some type.

 

[gopguy]

Converting your dad's gun would not be cost effective. Most of the Yugos I have seen have been underfolders however for a small outlay of cash you could get a more traditional full stocked Romanian. Right now they can be found for a bit over $425 or so on the used market.

 

[OffArtist]

Agreed about the stock. Although I believe it is possible to put a regular stock on - IIRC VLTOR makes one - it would cost about half of what the gun is worth. Great quality (for a Century) AK though in my opinion, I almost bought one last year. A couple of guys I know that own these swear by them. I have seen a couple that wrapped the underfolder wire stock with paracord to get a slightly more comfortable cheek weld if that's whats buggin you. Sorry for your loss, hope this thread helps!

 

[egyas]

Just wanted to say thanks top everyone for your opinions, insights, and condolences. There's a lot of good info here.

OffArtist, thanks for the paracord idea. I like that. I have a spool in the garage, so maybe I'll give it a go.

SpentCasing and Hizzie, thanks for the Ultimak idea. I have my eye on a pert that will do nicely, as soon as I save up the $110. Ouch!

Gopguy, thanks for the videos and links! Tons of good info there too.

 

[Fuego]

My advice would be to keep it just as it is and get used to shooting it.

Get some extra magazines. You should have magazine pouches too. I like the E. German mag pouches. They are available cheap.

I would not put a scope on it. It was not designed for long range target shooting.

It is a short range rifle with a lot of firepower for its compact size.

 

[Hizzie]

Primary Arms usually has deals on the Ultimak if you bundle it with one of their RDS.

 

[egyas]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone again for the advice. In the end I didn't go with the Ulitmak, as much as I wanted to. I just couldn't afford it. I wound up going with a quad-rail system from UTG, and mounting the NcSTAR Red Dot Reflex Sight I already had.

Here are some pics. (Click the pic for a larger version.)