Seeking Resources for info on my AK

1203 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Laufer, Feb 19, 2021

Datahound

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2020 (Edited)

I am by no means an expert and my attempts to google the information didn’t satisfy my curiosity fully. It’s a bit confusing because I see stuff about rifles that look kinda similar but vary in places like the stock, wood color, etc. I have a rifle that I would like some more information about, even if it seems basic to you, I wouldn’t mind being explained to like I’m five. I would like to know maybe some history of how it got here, what category of AK is it. This isn’t a troll or brag, several people who have seen it commented that it was a great rifle and tried to buy it so I’m just curious as to why it’s good and better appreciate what I have. I don’t plan to sell it as it’s sentimental to me. I want to better understand it instead of just thinking “good gun” and having nothing really to go by.

The following is stamped on the left side:

A triangle with a 66
56-S1
Norinco
Semi Auto
7.62mm x 39
Made in China
Sile N.Y.N.Y.

I think the serial numbers all match but on some parts only the last 4 numbers are stamped instead of all 6; is that normal? It has a few other things not in the photo but I have to find them. There’s a green cloth sling, a metal tube like thing, a paper manual, and a cardboard/foam box that it all fits in. This has been fired many times but it’s been thoroughly cleaned and currently sits in a case lightly oiled and wrapped in rags because ammo is kinda expensive for it and I was warned about corrosive rounds and do not want to damage it. I just got called in to work the weekend so I’ll check back on this thread.

Thank you for taking the time to read!

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Indykid

· #2 · Dec 12, 2020

Welcome to the group!

When the Norincos 56S and all their variations were first brought into the land of shall not be infringed, we were still recovering from Vietnam so "those commie rifles" were not an easy sell.

Fast forward a few years and people started to not only develop a fondness for the Automatic Kalashnikov but realized that the Chinese variant were among the best commercial versions imported here. Arguably the best trigger of any factory made AK/AKM, the 56S fixed stock, 56S-1 underfolder and 56S-2 side folder suddenly started to take off in popularity. Unfortunately it was after George Bush the First demonized them as being evil, banned importations but allowed modifications to a so-called "sporting purpose" which brought us the MAK-90.

What you describe, and by the picture is an excellent example of the 56S-1 underfolder. Sile was one of the premier importers and as long as the barrel is good having been well used only hurts the value a small bit. Normal markings were as you describe with the serial number abbreviated to 4 digits on smaller pieces. Back then the rifles were marked as desired by the importer, so markings can and will vary on the 56S series.

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Theguythatjustdontknow

· #3 · Dec 13, 2020

I am in the exact same boat. I picked up my poly technologies mak-90 for 500$ The gun had never been shot and was super ugly. Nothing like what you have here. I personally am not a gun collector so I know nothing of it. The man who sold it had two he bought some time ago and the one I bought was never used he said because the other one still works after all the years. I bought mine, changed the stock and all to fit more comfortably. And I get smack talked by all my gun friends telling me I should have left it the way it came. With a thumbhole stock!! I think they are all crazy!

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Theguythatjustdontknow

· #4 · Dec 13, 2020 (Edited)

Beautiful gun btw. Much more appealing than the one I bought

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Datahound

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 14, 2020 (Edited)

Thank you Indykid for the reply! So the ban was on any additional imports but I take it the ones already in the US are exempt hence the phrase “preban” ?

Is the rifle I have fall in the “they don’t make them like they used to” category? Aside from the trigger what was exceptional about Norinco’s version? ( Am I right in saying Norinco, or was the company “/66\”? )

What is the most common way to refer to my rifle when talking to others? “Norinco type 56-1 Underfolder” seems a bit long winded, do they go by shorter phrases? Is “mak90” another version or same thing?

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Indykid

· #6 · Dec 14, 2020

First, the phrase pre-ban and post-ban refer to the Bush1 ban, so pre-1989 would be pre-Bush1-ban and those caught in port and modified, and those imported after the cutoff date are post-Bush1-ban. william jefferson clinton stepped all over the constitution by forcing legislation in 1994 banning all military style rifles from China.

MAK-90 was one name given to the Norinco 56S and 84S rifles that received the Bush1 treatment, removing what he considered evil features that caused owners to become baby killers. The name was also considered evil so we got MAK-90 (Modified Automatic Kalashnikov model year 1990) Obviously the name is important as it designates pre (56S) and post (MAK-90) Bush1 ban rifles.

You can refer to it as a Norinco underfolder, or Norinco 56S-1.

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Laufer

· #7 · Feb 19, 2021 (Edited)

mishaco chinese preban ak - Bing video. Indykid might know as much about these as the "human AK/AKM encyclopedia" Mishaco. Some of you are familiar with him.

This video might enhance what you read here (not just in a graphic sense), or maybe not. The gent (a highly-experienced FFL 01 dealer in nw AR) has created many very informative videos.

Sidenote: he and his brother have Separate videos on the VZ-58, both the true Czech and the Century version.

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