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Posted: 7/30/2004 3:51:08 PM EDT
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Hey Guys, There is a gun shop in my area that is running a sale on its' used guns through the end of July. They have a used 84 in pretty good shape. The blueing and wood are probably 90-95%, it comes with a tan cotton sling, bayonet with scabard, one 30 round mag, and buttstock cleaning kit. The only things that are a little iffy: the previous owner painted the front sight post white (easily removed), the flash suppressor seemed stuck on there pretty tight (I didn't want to really torque on it in the shop), lastly and most importantly, on the bolt carrier assembly, which is all in the white, there is a noticeable ammount of light surface pitting on the bolt carrier body where it is exposed, and a little about 1/3 of the way up the carrier where the gas piston threads in. So, here are my questions, they are asking $830 out the door, is that reasonable given the condition? Also, they have extra 30 round mags at $25/ea. Is that a reasonable price, will any of the other .223 AK mags work like the EG Weigers or Bulg waffles? Lastly, does anyone know the twist rate the Chinese used on their .223's? Thanks a bunch! |
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Seems on the high end of normal asking price around here for a fixed stock model, a couple of months ago. I have one and I like it, but this close to the end of the AWB, I would pass. Seems like a strong likelyhood you'll be able to buy one of the postban chinese .223's for half the cost, replace a couple of parts w/US made ones, and have the functional equivalent in 6 weeks- I don't think anyone is screaming for an "all original" chinese AK. That being said, I'm not sure what US made internals are compatible - the stock, handguards and PG are no-brainers, of course, but you still need two more, plus US made F/S (or replace another part). $25/ea is a pretty good price on the mags - you'll have a hard time finding cheaper. Bulgy waffles can be made to work, but right now are more expensive than the originals. If/when the AWB sunsets, I suspect we'll get flooded, as I believe the current dearth is based on the gov't realizing they weren't even made until 1996 or so. The weiger mags are too wide for the magwell, and I don't think there is enough material on them to take off and still maintain their integrity. Bakelite's w/ different .223 followers were used on the SAR-3's and I believe VEPR II's, but I haven't experimented with them. Rocko |
| Even if the AWB sunsets there wont be anymore Chinese AKs coming in...totally different ban. The price is high. I paid $650 for an almost unfired excellent condition PolyTech and $725 for my Norinco .223 with 6 mags. Look around a little more. Theres ususally some good deals on prebans on the EE board. |
Yeah, I realize that, but just because there won't be any more coming in doesn't mean the prices of the guns already here won't be effected. I don't think people are going to pay $800+ for the pre-89 norincos if they can get a functionally and feature-wise equivalent domestically manufactured (or at leat not enough imported parts to be considered imported) AK. Some high-end or rare guns will be less effected, even if clones are availble - original H&K's, belgium FAL's, etc., but I don't think the chinese AK's will be among these. In my example, you can typically find the postban Norinco .223 (BWK 92?) for $400 or less. You could, today, replace enough Chinese parts with US made to put the PG back, but if/when the AWB sunsets, you'll be able to add any other "evil" features as well. As I said, I don't think the market is going to be screaming for an all-original chinese gun anytime soon, so I wouldn't fret with mixing some US parts in w/chinese, if it came to that. Rocko |
You Son Of A Biotch!  We need a bragger's forum. The only 84S with fixed stock I have in my Rocky Mountain City is$ 1,000, same thing in an under-folder; $1,400. I sure hope they'll even out in the near future!Sly Edited to correct model, they're 223s, not 7.62. |
| WMD....LOL...damn Im sorry dude. I dont believe for one second the price of preban Chinese guns will go down in price...a pieced together gun is just that..a pieced together gun. Sure you can buy and reconfigure MAK 90s and the like...people do it all the time. That has nothing to do with an original preban gun. |
I paid $625 W/2 mags and $675 W/4 mags for my two Norinco 84Ss. I also got 10 NIW mags for $200. 
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I just picked up my 56S a couple months ago, if even that, and I paid 1K. I have no issues about it as I won't be letting that gun go, ever! "I got mine" so to speak... I really need to acquire an AKM in 223 because I have a bunch of ammo for all those ARs I used to have. (Before the gun crack took control ) I think I'd prefer an underfolder and I wouldn't be shy to pay $800 if I could get a trade going... The last gunshow I went to had a 56S w/ 2 mags in excellent shape but no box for $619. I feel the price will go down some such as the case with this particular AK, but when those prices will be reflected in my area's shops- anyone's guess is as good as mine.  Further, I really feel it's only a matter of time when a new law is passed and the price of anatomically correct military style weapons will go the way of the NFA MGs... Out of reach for anyone but the elite. (Not saying MG owners are snobs or anything, but if they put as much money into a movement to repeal the 86 ban as they pay for NIB machine guns- we all may be able to enjoy FA ownership of inexpensive newly manufactured weapon plus the added ability to have a large collection of NFA weapons per owner. )Sly |
| The gun show before I bought my Norinco .223 I saw about 5 underfolders all in the box new...$800-$850. Thats what I was looking for when I got my full stock Norinco...there wasnt one underfolder in the whole damn show and its a huge one. Im thinking of selling my .223 and trying to find a underfolder....but with the ban getting ready to sunset you can make a decent side folder on the ROM AKs. Ive already got the side folder. There was a PolyTech milled at the show ....very used for a grand. My PolyTech is the stamped but for $650 I'll take them any day over the others. Anytime you can get Chinese AKs for $600-700 your doing good. My .223 came with 6 mags...5 30s and 1 40, bayonet and all the little stuff. My PolyTech was in original box with 2 of the 3 original mags and looked almost unfired....excellent condition. we have another big show coming in a couple of weeks.....I may take my .223 and look for an underfolder...just depends on what I see. and how I feel at that momnet LOL. |
Ok- if you strike out at the show, just drop me an IM, I'm sure the shop in town will still have the 84S UF waiting for you @ $1,400!  Sly |
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