Returning/sending out a Century gun...advice? Stories?

[RP88]

So, if you saw the underfolder AK thread, you may have saw my unfortunate realization that I got a lemon for my Yugoslavian M70AB2 Underfolder.

I got it from AIM, who said I could either send it to them for exchange or return, or send it to Century for repair.

I've never sent back anything like this for warranty service. Century told me it'd take a 4-5 week turnaround before I'd get it back, but that I'd only have to pay one-way ship. Sounds about standard for good CS in the gun world, seemingly.

Just wanted to hear from others who have gone through the same hoops. Does Century make things right? Would it be better to pay a bit more to go through AIM instead?

any advice or sharing of stories appreciated.

 

[JDGray]

I have a story, well....more of a statement. We wont get through this thread without someone saying "Drunk Monkey" I had a Century WASR10, that I straightened the FSB myself, didn't know they would warranty it Turned out just fine, and was a good shooter. Good luck, and head down to UPS with your rifle.

 

[M1key]

I would see if I could exchange it for one with a regular buttstock. I have never found any type of AK folding stock that didn't wobble, at least a bit, or provide a solid cheekweld.

 

[Uncle Mike]

got a lemon for my Yugoslavian M70AB2 Underfolder.

Ahhh, come on now....I don't believe you got a turd from Century, say it ain't so!

Does Century make things right?

If Century made things right....you wouldn't have that poopoo on your hands. Seriously though, Century will 'attempt' to correct your problem, however it might be a better course of action to return it to AIM for a replacement, kind of, start over, and hope you don't get a lemon this time.

Pack it in a plain cardboard box and as JD says...head on down to your local UPS HUB, UPS will only accept firearm shipments from one of their HUBS, not from one of their satellite stores or from any UPS independent contractor.

What is amiss with your Yugo?

Oh yea....Drunk Monkey!

 

[briansmithwins]

My 1st AES-10B suffered from canted FSB and floppy mag syndrom. The guys at classicarms.com took care of me and sent me a new one, which I like very much.

If you're sending it back yourself and not using the vendor, make sure CAI is expecting it (call them) and get a RMA if they require it. Also, USPS will ship long guns (not pistols) back to a manufacturer for repairs (sent my SLR107FR back to Arsenal myself) and Priority Mail is still pretty cheap, even after you buy insurance. The return of the Arsenal rifle cost me $34 if I remember right.

Good luck. BSW

 

[RP88]

What is amiss with your Yugo?

bad rear sight leaf (won't budge), mag well is too tight and won't properly seat most of my mags (by 'most', I mean 11/13 of them), and the stock wobbles about 2-3cm.

I had already called Century and got a return authorization number, but they said it'd take 4-5 weeks turnaround.

I am leaning towards either sending it back to AIM for exchange (cheaper shipping) or to return it and use the refund to either further convert my Saiga and/or start building a new AR (or grab another Del-Ton kit). Or, buy a parts kit and see if I can't have it built up.

Either way I feel more inclined to chalk this up as a minor loss on return shipping and just go back to buying guns that I know will work OoB.

I guess I'll e-mail AIM and ask if there is any way they can ensure I get a good one, or else I'll just take a return. I bought it not two weeks ago so still have more than two weeks to return it.

Moral: Century guns...buy in-person, no matter what you hear. Also, it seems that the new batch of Yugos are not the same yugos we heard glowing reviews about years ago.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Look at this...with all that wrong with your AK, I don't think they could fix it this side of a complete rebuild project, which they will not do!
And even IF they did, would you be comfortable knowing it had all that wrong, I mean, if Century overlooked (yea right, over looked, my pitoot) all that, what else is wrong, or will be shortly, with it?

Apparently you wanted an AK, so send that one back for another, or better yet, get a refund, even shipping 1 way, and get yourself an Arsenal AK, they are one of the best...expensive, but one of the the best!

It seems, you really do get what you pay for, concerning AK's! lol hehehehe

 

[RP88]

Good point.

I already have a Saiga conversion though, and that hasn't missed a beat other than me having to file out the bullet guide a tad (because *I* messed up at first )

 

[Uncle Mike]

You could get a VZ-58... a totally awesome little combloc rifle. So I have been told the Czech made VZ is much, much more accurate and reliable than the AK system, although they are a little bit close in design, the VZ favors the FAL, MAS and SKS designs to a degree.

I just acquired one, in motion as we speak getting all the swag for to make it tacticool!

 

[nalioth]

<snip>and floppy mag syndrom.

Did your "floppy mag syndrom" cause dysfunction in your AES-10B?

If not, then your "mag wobble" wasn't a functional issue (all Kalashnikovs have "mag wobble"), but a cosmetic one.

and get yourself an Arsenal AK, they are one of the best...expensive, but one of the the best!

Only the best at advertising.

It seems, you really do get what you pay for, concerning AK's! lol hehehehe

Yes, but there's really not much you can do with all the hot air you get when you purchase an Arsenal.

 

[RatDrall]

I would see if I could exchange it for one with a regular buttstock. I have never found any type of AK folding stock that didn't wobble, at least a bit, or provide a solid cheekweld.

I had a Romanian side folding wire stock that locks like a bank vault. It's the only folding stock I've used that was up to expectations.

I actually have the stock, but no rifle to put it on anymore, PM if interested...

 

[Uncle Mike]

Yes, but there's really not much you can do with all the hot air you get when you purchase an Arsenal.

Arsenal not that great are they?

I'm asking, I don't know a lot about the AK machine but we did do an evaluation, along with two other shops in our area, of several different manufactured/imported AK's...and the Arsenal was hands down the best, I mean from an old smiths perspective, like I say, I am by NO means an AK expert...I kind of liked the IO brand myself, but found out they were nothing but a parts gun with an American made receiver, but the prices are good!

I just took in a homeless VZ-58, to me it looked to be a distant AK, but after some edeumacation by the CZ folks, I find much different.

And uh, whether we know it or not, advertising IS the most important part of any product, you can sell a train load of turds with the right advertisement! S&W does it every day! whoops!

All funnin' aside, who does make a good AK...in your opinion?

 

[M1key]

I currently own 3 Arsenals. Got tired of hit or miss CAI Romanians, Maadis, and yes, even Lancasters.

I have to agree with Uncle on this one...you get what you pay for.

Now how come no one complains about Red Jacket prices?

 

[nalioth]

All funnin' aside, who does make a good AK...in your opinion?

Ah, a subjective question.

From my POV, "I" make the best AKs.

Other folks may disagree because I don't have a 6-figure advertising budget or a 100,000 sq. ft. building.

They may also disagree with me because mine isn't "pretty" (If I want pretty, I'll buy a Purdey or Holland & Holland).

At the end of the day, the ugly AK I (or any other competent home hobbyist) build from an unissued Romy kit is gonna be just as functional and accurate as any highly overpriced "Arsenal" offering. The same end result comes along with a (competently) converted Saiga.

Now how come no one complains about Red Jacket prices?

You should ask yourself why, if Arsenals are "all that and a bag of chips", why doesn't Tromix and Red Jacket et al use them as their base guns?

 

[Uncle Mike]

I saw a you tube video the the Arsenal guy did, he was bashing some other brands product, I do believe it was Century, he showed how they (Century) had knurled the outside of the barrels to increase the outside diameter of the barrels so they would fit into the used trunnion blocks more tightly.

Guess the trunnion blocks from various manufacturers have a few thousands bigger/smaller hole in them, given just one barrel O.D. if they fit too tight, just keep pressing, it'll go, it might bend the barrel a bit, but it'll go...and if the barrels are too loose, throw some knurl on them and press away!

I have seen some crap, even to the point of dangerous in my days playing with firearms, and the knurl trick is always a good one! Wow! I mean, I have knurled a pin every now and again, but never a press fit barrel.

 

[Uncle Mike]

From my POV, "I" make the best AKs.

Do you sell these to the public, or is it just a home hobby type thing?

 

[M1key]

QUOTE: You should ask yourself why, if Arsenals are "all that and a bag of chips", why doesn't Tromix and Red Jacket et al use them as their base guns?



Profit margin. Besides, what's to improve?

I don't think Arsenal is so great, just put together right, and available.

BTW, what's Tony's backlog status these days?

 

[nalioth]

BTW, what's Tony's backlog status these days?

Tony doesn't have a backlog any more.

He changed the way he does business, as the former way was gonna have him working until he was 105.

He now only accepts X number of requests per month.

 

[One-Time]

If not, then your "mag wobble" wasn't a functional issue (all Kalashnikovs have "mag wobble"), but a cosmetic one.

'

It may be normal for all Century AKs but it is NOT normal for any other AK.

I had a Norinco Underfolder and there was no mag wobble, and Russian Aks also have NO mag wobble, or not anywhere near what most feel is 'normal' nowdays

 

[nalioth]

It may be normal for all Century AKs but it is NOT normal for any other AK.

I had a Norinco Underfolder and there was no mag wobble, and Russian Aks also have NO mag wobble, or not anywhere near what most feel is 'normal' nowdays

Believe what you like.

I'd hardly call a sample of "one" to be a valid indicator.

I have several Saigas, and their mags all rattle - nobody has touched their mag wells (and they're Russian).

 

[M1key]

FWIW, I have seen WASRs with tight mag wells. Had to try a few different mags in order to find ones that fit. There are tolerance variations in AK mags too...

 

[RP88]

I have several Saigas, and their mags all rattle - nobody has touched their mag wells (and they're Russian).

+1

My conversion wobbles. Not a whole lot, but it wobbles.

 

[Uncle Mike]

With a million magazine manufacturers, in many different locations around the globe making the AK mags, I should think there would be a bit of variance in the dimensions of the magazines themselves.

Does the mag wobble cause a problem? Is it really a 'bad' thing, or just an annoyance?

 

[briansmithwins]

The 1st AES-10B had enough mag wobble that it annoyed me. When combined with the canted FSB, it was going back. The 2nd one has a straight FSB and the mags are reasonable.

If I'm going to drop $500+ on a rifle I want it to be in good shape. Little detail things bug the crap out of me. BSW

 

[nalioth]

Does the mag wobble cause a problem? Is it really a 'bad' thing, or just an annoyance?

The problem here is brought to us by Century (no big surprise).

When they first started importing WASRs, they were quite liberal with the chop saws, and opened up quite a few mag wells a leetle bit too much.
This led to malfunctions when the mag flopped too far one way or the other and brought "mag wobble" into our lexicon.

Nowadays when folks see "mag wobble" and they shake their AK, they have "OH MY GODZORS!! IT'S MAG WOBBLE!!!!", not understanding that it's part and parcel of the Kalashnikov, and only an issue if you're anal about such things OR it causes the weapon to malfunction.