Got a new polytech AK at a gunshow today... what model is this and whats it worth?

[KowHunter]

Im totaly new to AKs as I am a total AR15 fan.. but at an Auction (not gunshow like the topic says, dont know what i was thinking when i wrote that) today they had a polytech AK there and i bidded on it and got it!! THe kicker is that its like new... couple tiny scratches here and there.. nothing realy visable though... and I only paid $575 for it. Did I get a good deal? Here are the specs for the gun.

On the receiver it says
AKS - 762
7.62x39mm
SEMI-AUTO

it also says POLY technologies
and KFS
Atlanta GA
Made in China

It also has a 386 in an oval on it and a C.W. or O.W (i cant quite tell)

The serial number is 91XXX

It has a fixed stock and a spike bayonet on it. Can any of you experts tell me the current value of an AK like this and if its a good variant or not? I love this gun more than my AR already after shooting it today and am glad to be able to join your great forum.

[This message has been edited by KowHunter (edited 10-09-1999).]

[This message has been edited by KowHunter (edited 10-10-1999).]

[Destroyer]

Well, for starters I can tell you the gun is not a B-West since it says "made in China". That's very good BTW. Other, more educated, folks can fill in the rest. Enjoy your new firearm!

------------------
Anything less than an AK-47 is uncivilized!

[Tampstick]

If it's preban it is worth about 900 or postban it's worth about 450. Unless someone installed the spike,sounds like a preban,but you sometimes can't tell even by looking. Just today at a gun show there was a poly tech with the spike lug ground off and a tack welded collar over the barrel threads. It had black plastic pistol grip and stock{about 2" longer than a normal chinese stock} The guy behind the table said it was preban and he would take 500 dollars. There were no Mak 90 markings or modified sn or even the telltail grind marks on the receiver
that would lead you believe that it was a postban rifle other than the spike lug missing and the tacked collar. Sometimes it is just hard to tell post from preban.

[KowHunter]

The barrel sticks out about 3/4 inch from the front sight post. There is some sort of nut on there.. i think there might be threads under it but i cant realy tell. There are no welds or anything like that on this nut.

[Necron99]

Kowhunter you got yourself a bargain. That is a preban Polytech with a stamped receiver. The nut on the end of the barrel is called.....a muzzle nut. Real original huh. It is held in place by a spring loaded metal stud, that protudes out of the front sight assembly. Just push down this stud or "button" and the muzzlenut will screw right off. REMEMBER THOUGH IT IS A REVERSE THREAD, which means righty loosy, lefty tighty. This muzzle nut should be left on unless you want to put on a flash supressor or muzzlebrake. Thread pattern is 14x1" reverse thread, basically all 7.62x39 AKs have this thread so any muzzle attachment made for 7.62x39 AKs should fit. They just screw right on and off. Most lock in place by having a notch in the muzzle attachment that fits the retaining button. Kind of a nice feature. I've switched muzzle attachments on ARs and it takes a towel and a monkey wrench to torque those off (its the thread locker, usually Loctite Blue). All the muzzleattachments are good, they all have their own pros and cons. There is one muzzle attachment to stay away from though. That is the genuine military Krinkov flash hiders (not the Krinkov lookalikes). The reason is the real military Krinkov flash hider serves two purposes. One reduce flash and two increase backpressure in order for the gun to cycle properly. You see the Krinkov has a very short barrel, (there is a picture of one in the upper left hand corner of this discussion sight) and this attachment makes sure enough gas goes back to cycle the bolt. This is NOT necessary or even wanted on a normal AK, it will only increase wear and felt recoil.

[KowHunter]

Thanks for the help guys... a few more questions. Is there any real difference in quality and durability between milled and stamped receivers? Do you know of any places online or otherwise where I could find an original polytech manual for my gun. I would also like to find some real good 30 round mags for it. The mag that came with the gun is awesome and its labeled POLY CHINA. I would also like to find one of the original AK slings for my gun.. perhaps like the one that originaly came with the gun. The guy who sold the gun to me at the auction said the owner threw away the box and manual and cant find any other accessories that came with the gun. ANother thing, what types of flash hiders are there available and which types are the best to get? 1 last question.. can any of you tell me what the current market value on this gun would be? Its like new.. probably only been shot 100 times. Thanks for all the help.

[Destroyer]

Worth about $800-1000+ depending on actual condition and local you're in.

[Necron99]

The two flash supressor varieties I am familiar with are the birdcage style flashhider. These can be had from Tapco. The best one available is the Vortex which also makes muzzlebrakes, it is available from a vendor in Shotgun News, I can't recall who though.