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Posted: 2/17/2011 6:11:08 PM EDT
| hey lads and lasses, I need some info if you all could help...I am going to go look at two AK's tomorrow from a gentleman who I met through a friend. He told me one of the AK's is Chinese, Norinco made, but not a MAK 90. The other, is a Hungarian. That is all the info he told me about that one. He did say that the Hungarian "is definitely the nicer of the two," but I don't have the darndest damn clue as to what to look for on AK's from either of these countries. My primary concern is what is considered crappy, what is considered quality from each of the countries? Any other nuggets of info that anyone might be able to advise me on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot folks! |
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I'll speak to the Hungarian since I know a little about them. First, it might be a Hungarian military kit on a USA-made receiver, like 'NODAK SPUD'. If in nice shape and 922r compliant, this could be a nice AK. Next, it might be a Hungarian SA85M for the US commercial market imported from the '80s to sometime about seven years ago. These are totally made in Hungary by FEG which was also the military supplier. A pre-ban (pre 1994 AWB) FEG in nice shape goes for about $1500. Then we have the post-ban FEG SA85M, the same rifle but with a thumbhole stock. A nice unaltered original might go for $650 these days. After the AWB expired, many of us converted our post-ban FEGs to pre-ban configuration, which requires 922r compliance. Towards the end of FEG imports, they sent over quite a few SA2000Ms. These mostly have black polymer furniture and are made to only take a single-stack ten-round magazine. The main use for one of these is to use the receiver to make an AMD-65 out of a Hungarian parts kit after modifying the mag well to take double-stack mags.
FEG SA85M Pre-ban: 
FEG SA85M post-ban: 
FEG SA85M post-ban modified to look pre-ban (no bayonet lug, same as post-ban above) 
FEG SA2000M made into an AMD-65: 
Detail of receiver: 
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If the Hungarian rifle has a Hungarian made receiver, there's no significant difference in "quality".
If both accept standard AK magazines, buy the one that appeals to you the most based on whatever criteria are important to you. if the "Hungarian" rifle has a US made receiver, buy the pre-ban Chinese rifle. |
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The chinese rifle could be pre-ban or post ban, and you can't always tell just from if it has a pistol grip or not. "Not a mak-90" could still be NHM-90 or 91, etc. Some were just marked 'SP' next to the pre-ban markings, etc. Best bet would be to try and get some more info before heading over, then google it or hit up gunbroker.
It could be the same with the hungarian, but I'm not as familiar with the markings. There was also a post-ban hungarian version with a short gas system, which if you were going to convert it later just doesn't look right IMO (see below). This rifle is also a single stack, and I've seen other single stack hungarians.. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216628170 |
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Quoted:
The chinese rifle could be pre-ban or post ban, and you can't always tell just from if it has a pistol grip or not. "Not a mak-90" could still be NHM-90 or 91, etc. Some were just marked 'SP' next to the pre-ban markings, etc. Best bet would be to try and get some more info before heading over, then google it or hit up gunbroker. It could be the same with the hungarian, but I'm not as familiar with the markings. There was also a post-ban hungarian version with a short gas system, which if you were going to convert it later just doesn't look right IMO (see below). This rifle is also a single stack, and I've seen other single stack hungarians.. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216628170 That's a wild variant. They use an AMD-65 kit without original barrel. They build it on the SA2000M receiver with a full stock and probably Romanian barrel, and use the original flash hider (snake brake). All single-stack FEGs are the SA2000M receiver as I said above. |
| well, thanks all to your replies. Unfortunately, when I met with the guy, turned out he did not know what he had, turned out he had a SAR-1 and a Bulgarian SSR-85c-2 by Armory USA, on an actual Bulgarian receiver. It was really nice, I just can't find any info with current prices for these. They seem to be rather rare...Thank you all. I put a hold on the purchase to see if I can find anything on the Bulgy as I don't need a SAR, I have a Romy G now. |
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