Norinco AK47

[Vaal]

Nice review

Im def getting it for the cool factor. Will keep it next to the Deagle .50
And when you paying R60 a round for that gun, R10 a round for the AK is like pocket change

What other semi auto rifles do you have?
How often do you want to use it and how many rounds per month/year?
Do you want to reload for it?
The reason I ask these questions are because I have a 223 AR, 223 Mini14, Norinco AK 56 and a 9mm pcc. My pcc is the one getting used the most.
To reload for 223 is cheaper and more available than 7.62×39.
The cool factor go away very soon if it is not fun to shoot and cost a ton of money.
But it is good to have licences for several commercialy available calibers.

[30.06]

Factory 66 is Chinese

Factory 66 was an original Russian built factory if not mistaken. That's why lot people have very high regard.

[vinmarvin]

I have an underfolder Type 56. It's awesome to have, makes for a great conversation piece at the range, and begs to be carried around in a violin case . I have yet to find an affordable violin case to modify.

However, it's relatively shit to shoot. the steel shoulder piece (you can't really call it a stock) is really not comfortable, it's really too short for a western physique (and I'm not big or really tall), its hugely pokey during reloads, and there is no easy way to swop it for an alternative, because the rear trunnion design is patently different from fixed stock guns. Make no mistake, the rifle is accurate (I've had 2MOA without support...) but the ergonomics is really crap.

When you buy an "AK" you have to be honest with yourself about what you buy it for. My primary motivation to myelf at the time was "I want an AK because cool factor"... the very first batch of T56s that came in were really inexpensive so it was a crime almost to NOT buy one. But be assured, a semi-auto's cost lies primarily in the ammo consumed, not really the base price of the gun (of course if you buy a multi-10K DD, this argument is different). At R7-R8 a pop, two 30rd mags very quickly becomes an acute pain in the wallet. And make no mistake, its NICE to shoot (yes I know this sounds contradictory to what I said above, but regardless of ergos, popping of rounds one after each other is grin-inducing!) so you burn through ammo and money quickly. Yes, you can reload, (I have, I've even reloaded steel-cased berdan-primed ammo, to prove to myself that it's possible) but practically there are no bulk bullet options in the calibre that makes it economical to do so. Yes you can cast and powder coat if you're that way inclined, I think it's the only way to make the economy argument work. AK's are however generally overgassed, and therefor tend to launch your expensive boxer-primed cases into the next postcode, meaning the cost of lost cases needs to be added to your per-shot cost.

7.62x39 isn't really am awesome running-&-gunning calibre, it doesn't make major power factor, but its got significantly more recoil than 5.56x45. Add the basic rifles crappy ergos and the reality is that you'll struggle to be competitive in anything like IPSC, 3-gun etc.

Please take the above as a summary if actual experience with exactly the thing you're contemplating buying. If you're happy to enjoy the gun within these constraints, then dont think twice about buying it. One may ask why I keep mine, and sometimes I ask myself the same question. Primarily I'd rather have it than not, given our licensing burden. Also, it wears some very pretty Bulgarian foregrips gifted to me by Skaaphaas before he left for Oz, so it now has some family-sentimental value. And really, I'm still looking for that violin case...!

Been training on and carrying AKs for the best part of 20years as part of my daily life. 100% agree on your assessment of the under folder type stock. Whenever we get a new batch of AKs in I always select a solid stock but then replace it with more modern furniture.

[Pirate]

Been training on and carrying AKs for the best part of 20years as part of my daily life. 100% agree on your assessment of the under folder type stock. Whenever we get a new batch of AKs in I always select a solid stock but then replace it with more modern furniture.

The underfolder AK is for me the classic example of a firearm designed for a very specific military role (it honestly is tiny with the stock folded, so I can see it being just the thing for paratroopers or even crews of vehicles) that just does not port realistically into the civilian world. IMHO the same holds true for 7.62x39 in general. It's made for putting down 2-legged game and I don't believe it really excels at doing anything else. I fully understand your application is non-civilian, by the way...

Given your experience, I assume you've (properly) used AKs from all different places of origin. What's your take on the Chinese ones?

[vinmarvin]

The underfolder AK is for me the classic example of a firearm designed for a very specific military role (it honestly is tiny with the stock folded, so I can see it being just the thing for paratroopers or even crews of vehicles) that just does not port realistically into the civilian world. IMHO the same holds true for 7.62x39 in general. It's made for putting down 2-legged game and I don't believe it really excels at doing anything else. I fully understand your application is non-civilian, by the way...

Given your experience, I assume you've (properly) used AKs from all different places of origin. What's your take on the Chinese ones?

Did a quick check on our company's armory list and its a 50/50 split between Chinese and Russian weapons with the odd one from Croatia and Yugoslavia. I can tell you they have all seen a fair bit of abuse over the past years espescially the ones issued to the local guards. Both the Chinese and Russian weapons are hard as nails and every now and again we have to replace a rear sight that broke off or tighten up the butt and cosmetic stuff like that. But they just keep going and if fed proper ammo I've rarely seen them get malfunctions.

I love the AK weapon system but to be honest I am not a big fan of the caliber/round design. I've seen up close and personal the difference the 7,62x39mm compared to the 5,56mm does on vehicles, PPE and the human body.

Heres my current issue weapon
Vince AK.jpg

[Dooms]

What other semi auto rifles do you have?
How often do you want to use it and how many rounds per month/year?
Do you want to reload for it?
The reason I ask these questions are because I have a 223 AR, 223 Mini14, Norinco AK 56 and a 9mm pcc. My pcc is the one getting used the most.
To reload for 223 is cheaper and more available than 7.62×39.
The cool factor go away very soon if it is not fun to shoot and cost a ton of money.
But it is good to have licences for several commercialy available calibers.

Not often at all. Probably like 2 or 3 times in a year. So not worried too much about the ammo
My 9mm and .223 gets used more often
But not enough to even consider reloading just yet
Weekends are for golf, not shooting :)

[Heath Robinson]

Loop was daai bek met SEEP!

[MSW2]

Loop was daai bek met SEEP!

En dan kan hy kom dat ek rooipeper ingooi...

[Vaal]

Loop was daai bek met SEEP!

What a waste. All golf courses should be rehabilitated, to become shooting ranges. LoL
Moer en soek should rather be "Converting money into noise and empty cases". But to all their own. Enjoy

[Vaal]

Not often at all. Probably like 2 or 3 times in a year. So not worried too much about the ammo
My 9mm and .223 gets used more often
But not enough to even consider reloading just yet
Weekends are for golf, not shooting :)

NB Would you save money by reloading? No. But you can shoot a lot more.