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Posted: 7/26/2007 4:54:48 PM EDT
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Im looking a picking up a full auto AK-47. The owner say the host was a early China import prior to Poly and Norinco. With this limited information can you tell me anything about the overall quality of the early imports? For people that own them whoul you buy them again? Thanks, Jeff |
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Could be a Clayco, they were the first to import Chinese AKs. A Clayco is identical to a Norinco, other than markings and the stock set, which will be either black or red fiberglass (if original). A more important consideration will be the quality of the conversion, specifically the lower bolt guide rail's slot (preferred method), or notch (alternate method) for the sear trip arm, the shortening of the safety lever stop, and the additional notch added to the receiver for the semi-auto detent. A good conversion will have the bolt guide rail longitudinally slotted, rather than be cut all the way through (notched). You should see a thin strip of metal bridging the section of the lower rail which was slotted for the auto sear, as on a factory gun. This is a cosmetic issue, but can become a functional issue at times, due to the carrier not-so-smoothly "jumping the gap" on notched guns. The selector stop and detent are mostly cosmetic, but the semi-auto detent should be in a low enough position to allow the bolt carrier NOT to hit the safety lever (some are too high and thus had the safety lever clearance cut), and to allow the use of an unmodified disconnector (tail not shortened for clearance when set on semi-auto). Finally, some .223 AKs were converted to 7.62x39, so check the receiver for caliber markings, or evidence of caliber marking removal. If the caliber was changed, check the front trunion to make sure the holes for the barrel cross pin are not "egged out" from a poor quality install. Other than that, just check it out like any used rifle. AKs are tough, and I wouldn't be too worried about items related to the original factory build. Just out of curiousity, are you looking at a 7.62x39 or .223, fixed or folding stock? AKs are a handful, but tons of fun! 
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