Spacehog 2,218 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 So I go into my LGS to pick up a lower parts kit for an AR build, and walk out with a lower parts kits and a Norinco MAK 90 that someone had for sale on consignment. I really have no idea of whether I got a good deal or not. Bluing looks really good. Rifling is sharp, and the bolt and carrier look almost brand new. All numbers matched and I paid $650 out the door. Considering they were $200 back in the early 90's, it was a little steep, but considering WASR's are going for $550 right now, I thought I would pick it up. Always wanted a Chinese AK for the collection anyway. Pics I already replaced the FCG with a Tapco double hook set I had. Will probably replace the TH rear stock in favor of a Type 56 buttstock and PG, and put the TH stock away. I think it was a reasonable deal after looking at what they are going for on GB. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 That is a good deal and was a good buy, it is obviously in great shape. Is it a square back? I would consider keeping the Chinese trigger in there as they are probably the best factory AK trigger. The Mak-90's are great because they have the heavier barrel and receiver, it is a definite step up from the typical WASR. My understanding is the Chinese AK's were designed for full auto sustained fire, thus the heavier receiver and barrel. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Nice pick up Spacehog. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted August 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 That is a good deal and was a good buy, it is obviously in great shape. Is it a square back? I would consider keeping the Chinese trigger in there as they are probably the best factory AK trigger. The Mak-90's are great because they have the heavier barrel and receiver, it is a definite step up from the typical WASR. My understanding is the Chinese AK's were designed for full auto sustained fire, thus the heavier receiver and barrel. It is indeed a square back, which was a bonus when I was looking at it. I already swapped out the FCG, but I am keeping the original double hook stashed away. It is a pretty nice trigger, but not as good as a Tapco G2 double hook with a trigger job. I am still undecided as to keep the rifle as a thumb hole stock, or switch it into AKM config. I'll match up a beech AKM stock to the front HG's and make a correct PG, and keep it as a spare set in order to swap between configurations. Thank for commenting guys and letting me know what I paid was reasonable. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted August 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) Back in AKM configuration. I am digging it: Anyone know where I might find a Chinese FSB and GB with bayonet lug and the cleaning rod guide? ETA: Nevermind found what I need for the Spiker conversion. Edited August 20, 2015 by Spacehog 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VR762Shooter 838 Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Wonder if those threads are original or added. I know there were some that came in with a tacked nut that was often removed. Great find. I like the Chinese AKs. Looking to try and get one in 5.56 now that I have a spare mag picked up on the cheap. Looks beautiful in the normal-for-an-AK stock configuration 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 So I go into my LGS to pick up a lower parts kit for an AR build, and walk out with a lower parts kits and a Norinco MAK 90 that someone had for sale on consignment. I really have no idea of whether I got a good deal or not. Bluing looks really good. Rifling is sharp, and the bolt and carrier look almost brand new. All numbers matched and I paid $650 out the door. Considering they were $200 back in the early 90's, it was a little steep, but considering WASR's are going for $550 right now, I thought I would pick it up. Always wanted a Chinese AK for the collection anyway. Pics image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg I already replaced the FCG with a Tapco double hook set I had. Will probably replace the TH rear stock in favor of a Type 56 buttstock and PG, and put the TH stock away. I think it was a reasonable deal after looking at what they are going for on GB. So that's why you were able to be so quick with the excelletnt FCG pics! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted August 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) Wonder if those threads are original or added. I know there were some that came in with a tacked nut that was often removed. Great find. I like the Chinese AKs. Looking to try and get one in 5.56 now that I have a spare mag picked up on the cheap. Looks beautiful in the normal-for-an-AK stock configuration Threads were added (by me). End of the barrel past the FSB had been turned down just like a majority of them were. It was still .552 and I had enough meat to get decent threads cut. You are correct GF, but I always have a spare G2 set or two in my parts bin. Typically one or both will have the trigger job done and ready to go, which was the case with the FCG in this rifle. Edited August 21, 2015 by Spacehog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted August 23, 2015 Report Share Posted August 23, 2015 (edited) Very nice! I really wish they were still being imported. That one looks like it was a "safe queen". Edited August 23, 2015 by Sim_Player 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 That one looks like it was a "safe queen". In the 90s people thought of mak 90s as cheap chinese crap. Lots of people would buy them to toss in the back of the closet as people do now with mosin nagants. I think there are a lot of basically unfired maks kicking around. Thats actually how I got my IZ108. He bought it at a gunshow with 5 factory mags for $199, and ran a box through it and stashed it for 10 years. To him it was cheap russian crap not trustworthy for serious work, but interesting as a novelty. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 That one looks like it was a "safe queen". In the 90s people thought of mak 90s as cheap chinese crap. Lots of people would buy them to toss in the back of the closet as people do now with mosin nagants. I think there are a lot of basically unfired maks kicking around. Thats actually how I got my IZ108. He bought it at a gunshow with 5 factory mags for $199, and ran a box through it and stashed it for 10 years. To him it was cheap russian crap not trustworthy for serious work, but interesting as a novelty. And apart from this^^^, many back in the 90s did not consider Maks real AKs because of the thumbhole stock, and the fact some had slant cut receivers. I remember gun shows with $79 SKS's and $199 MAKs. Wish I had bought alot of those MAKs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I know a guy who bought several Mak90s for $90 each and sold them to "upgrade" to russian SKSs. he's a crack shot with the SKS though, so whatever works. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 In hindsight I am cringing, I think most of us today would want the Maks especially for $90. With that said, the SKS's do tend to be more accurate than their AK counterparts, so I will not criticize him too much. If he is a crack shot with a Russian SKS, then more power to him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I'd love to have bought more of both... And have kept them. I have another Russian SKS, but sold my original MAK/SKS. I'd like to get another MAK. So many toys, so little money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) Edited September 22, 2015 by DLT 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Spacehog, your MAK looks sweet in proper form! Later on, I'll do the same, just not sure to which of the two. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted September 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Spacehog, your MAK looks sweet in proper form! Later on, I'll do the same, just not sure to which of the two. Look forward to seeing it. I have looked into swapping out the GB and FSB on this one to make it a Spiker, but they are pricey. Polytech sells all of the parts as new made in America. I just can't justify the expense at the moment. You keep collecting Maks, and you are going to have to find a Chinese Hello Kitty to pose them with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 I really do like them. I wish someone made a wood thumb hole stock that would move your hand slightly closer to the trigger. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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