I have been thinking about buying a used Norinco semi auto "AK 47" rifle from my local shop. It looks rather old...says imported by Norinco on the reciever, has full wood stock, forend, and pistol grip.(No thumbhole). Don't recall if it had bayonet mt or flash suppressor. My question is are there any legal concerns I should have concerning when, where, and if this rifle was assembled at a time other than when it would have been legal to have been assembled? I read somewhere that if you are buying a "pre-ban" used rifle to take caution that it may have been assembled "post ban". Is there any sure way to know or what to look for to avoid a possible problem aside from just asking the seller?
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Concerned about buying a semi auto AK47
- Thread starter LaCane
- Start date
My Norinco MAK 90 has the "sporter" thumb-hole stock. And I have an older Norinco that has the East German "pebble" stock, as the old wood was bad to start with and had to be replaced. Yours sounds like an older model as well. They are good arms and the upgrades probable will be fine as long as the correct number of parts are used. It's been a long time since I kept up with the legal issues.
Destructo6
New member
It would help to know the model of the rifle.
All "MAK90"s were post-1989, hence the "90."
There were quite a few Norinco AKs imported prior to 1989, too, so legal configurations can vary with model.
All "MAK90"s were post-1989, hence the "90."
There were quite a few Norinco AKs imported prior to 1989, too, so legal configurations can vary with model.
The only thing I remember was China imported by Norinco. The old wood stk looked weathered and the foreend had a little wobble to it. Did all Mak 90's have thumbhole stks? I guess it would not be good if it was a Mak 90, then was changed over to pistol grip correct? The dang laws are too confusing...just might not be worth all the hassle and bother.
Correct me if I am wrong, but is it wrong for me to expect the company selling to ensure they are selling a rifle in a legal configuration?
I know, caveat emptor when it comes to things like this, however, they should have some responsibility to ensure the AK isn't in violation shouldn't they?
I know, caveat emptor when it comes to things like this, however, they should have some responsibility to ensure the AK isn't in violation shouldn't they?
Ive also heard about some legal issues with this norenco mak 90s. I have one and researched on the web. Dont remember exactly what it was, something about a hole that was filled and it made it illegal. If there is a whole by the trigger, (some extra hole that would allow the weapon to be modified to be full auto, or if it was converted from a full auto to semi auto the hole would be filled which made it illegal) basically that hole should not be there filled or not. Sorry if i sound like an idiot, i know im not making sense....lol.
Ok, lets try again. Mak 90 recievers that are illegal were converted from full autos to semi auto. When the conversion was made it left a hole abovce the trigger on the reciever, it is illegal to have that hole in the reciever. If you fill that hole up, it is still illegal. Legal mak90s never had "that" hole.
If you own one that had that hole filled or not go throw it in the river. j/k I just read it is illegal, ILLEGAL, ILLEGAL. The one i have is legal...lol just wanted to clear that up.
Ok, lets try again. Mak 90 recievers that are illegal were converted from full autos to semi auto. When the conversion was made it left a hole abovce the trigger on the reciever, it is illegal to have that hole in the reciever. If you fill that hole up, it is still illegal. Legal mak90s never had "that" hole.
If you own one that had that hole filled or not go throw it in the river. j/k I just read it is illegal, ILLEGAL, ILLEGAL. The one i have is legal...lol just wanted to clear that up.
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Indi, he's referencing legal in respect to 922r, not full auto anything.
Here do yourself a favor and read this link. Parts count and their place of manufacture depending on when imported. When you change an AK you need to be careful to be in compliance with 922r or you're in trouble with the BATF.
It really isn't that hard to be compliant or figure out what it takes, I did it when I ditched the thumb hole stock on my SLR-95. Heck, even magazine floor plates count! The hard part would be knowing when it came into the country........and if it was modified if the person doing it did it correctly.
922r Compliance
Here do yourself a favor and read this link. Parts count and their place of manufacture depending on when imported. When you change an AK you need to be careful to be in compliance with 922r or you're in trouble with the BATF.
It really isn't that hard to be compliant or figure out what it takes, I did it when I ditched the thumb hole stock on my SLR-95. Heck, even magazine floor plates count! The hard part would be knowing when it came into the country........and if it was modified if the person doing it did it correctly.
922r Compliance
I can make it simple.
You take the thumb-hole stock off and you need to do the following to ensure it complies legally (or replace it with another thumb hole stock that's better)
1. 5 US made parts.
Example: I remove the OEM thumbhole stock and buy a Deadwood stock. That is only 3 US made parts by definition as the upper wood part does not count.
I then need two more US made parts. A US made AK magazine has 3 (yes 3) US made parts ( body, the follower and I believe the bottom plate).
If its an MAK90 do not replace any other parts, none are better than the OEM ones which are all as good as they get (trigger fire group is often mentioned and the actuation rod, waste of money).
There are some other combinations that work as well as long as its 5 US made parts. Keep your purchase papers on the parts you have so if any questions you can prove it.
I have yet to hear of anyone getting challenged, but it may happen.
You take the thumb-hole stock off and you need to do the following to ensure it complies legally (or replace it with another thumb hole stock that's better)
1. 5 US made parts.
Example: I remove the OEM thumbhole stock and buy a Deadwood stock. That is only 3 US made parts by definition as the upper wood part does not count.
I then need two more US made parts. A US made AK magazine has 3 (yes 3) US made parts ( body, the follower and I believe the bottom plate).
If its an MAK90 do not replace any other parts, none are better than the OEM ones which are all as good as they get (trigger fire group is often mentioned and the actuation rod, waste of money).
There are some other combinations that work as well as long as its 5 US made parts. Keep your purchase papers on the parts you have so if any questions you can prove it.
I have yet to hear of anyone getting challenged, but it may happen.