I am about to buy an AK. I have my choice of a Norinco and a Wasser. I know ARs, but am working in the dark with AKs. Any advice would be appreciated.
F13

Norinco, Polytech, any of the Chinese imports are the Cadillac of AKs.

They will command a premium over the WASR because their importation was banned in 1994 by Slick Willie.

Even if it has a thumbhole stock, you can convert it an make it 922® Compliant. Ironwood makes some of the best furniture around, and it counts as 3 US parts; Stock, Hand-guards, Pistol grip.

http://www.ironwooddesigns.com/IWDsite/IWDHome.html

The Chinese have the best triggers, and superb fit and finish.

Go with the Chi-Com. You wont be disappointed.

If you can get more info, it would help. Things like Importer, Arsenal Marks which could be 66 in a triangle, 385 in an oval, etc. Pics are great, too.

Like Slinger said ( to the Armory by the way), I would roll with a Norinco a WASR any day.

Go with the Chicom. I've had both and still have the Rommanian. Wish I'd stayed Chinese. I hopeing to get a Bulgarian or East German 74.
Just taded into a new production Norenco M14 look pretty good. Yeah I know it was a Knight inline. I just didn't like the rifle. Besides it only cost me $60.

I agree the Chinese rifles are nice. They actually have heavier guage sheet metal than other AKs, the trunions are also sturdier, and the barrel steel is harder. Triggers also seem nicer than Romanian triggers, but the Tapco G2s are very nice.

Edit: removed some bum info that I fact checked.

This post has been edited by SSGN_Doc: October 30th 2009 7:01 PM

Norinco! I've owned their AK's & SKS's, and wish I had 'em BACK!

I would go with the Norinco.

The Norinco is 1000x better than the WASR. I have a Norinco and the fit, finish, and accuracy is far better than my WASR. Norinco's rock!

If you end up with a WASR really look them over, check the front site block for a cant (most have it), check the gas rod for rubbing (I have seen many with the gas rod installed incorrectly), check the mag well (many look like a drunk chimp cut them out with a drimel too - mag wobble is common and does not hurt the operation of the weapon), and the finish is normally needs some work. If you pick thru the WASRs you can find a nice one, and they do run great. I'm not trying to offend any one but the WASR is the bottom of the barrel AK platform, but they do run, and run, and run....

I would agree on the Norinco, but depending on price I would really check out the sale that k-var has on their converted Saigas. For the price of a Wasr you get a de-converted Russian AK for $500, heckava deal.

This post has been edited by R.J.: November 1st 2009 6:01 AM

norinco all the way baby

having never shot or handled a norinco, i can only tell you this.

i have 2 wasr's. they are both tanks. maybe they have canted sites? i dont know, or care. its a sub 400$ gun, that does EVERYTHING i ask of it. it shoots straight (lol as much as it can) it never jams, it fires anything i put in it. its a great gun. personally to me, i wanted a cheap gun, that was cheap to shoot. and thats what i got. my ar is far more accurate, and all that jazz. but my 2 ak's cost less then my 1 ar. if u have a chance at a wasr, or you want to save money, dont be afraid. if you have more money for a nicer one, its up too you.