What's so Special about a pre '84 AK

[Werewolf]

Went to the sooner gun show in Oklahoma City yesterday; more to kill 3 or 4 hours than with an intent to buy anything.

Typical junk on the tables - most of it overpriced based on the going rate for the same thing at local gunshops.

But - one thing did catch my eye. AK-47's (semi-auto only of course) priced at $950 each. I asked the dealer what was so special about them? His reply - they were pre '84. I had no clue why that made 'em worth almost a thousand bucks. I examined one and it didn't seem to have any special features that I could see. Looked like all the $300 - $400 AK's on other dealers tables to me.

Is there anything special about a pre '84 AK that makes 'em worth that much?

 

[Kurt_D]

I think he's gettin two bans confused.

The `89 import ban:

Well a pre-89 AK can have ALL foreign parts and be 100% orginal. Post-89 AKs have to have X number of US parts to be "evil looking" or must be "sporting" with a "sporting purpose".

The `94 Klinton ban:

While in effect, guns couldn't have certain "evil" features.

 

[Onmilo]

Pre-84 would make them one of two imports available at that time.
A Steyr import Egyptian made Maadi semi auto AKM sporter or a Finnish made Valmet M62.
Both of these would be worth $950.00 or better on todays collecter market.

If the rifles aren't one or both of these, they aren't what is being advertised.