Just joined the PolyTech AK cult

[spleenandideal]

I just purchased a supposed Pre-ban Poly Tech AKS-762 PW85 762-5***. Very pretty, but how do I know if it is truly pre-ban? Is there a number I can call? ( I've been an AR15 man for a long time, and am slowly learning about the AK). It has all of the preban features--threaded muzzle, bayo, etc.

How do I tell if it is milled vs. stamped?

Should I worry about getting recoil buffers installed?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[SeattleSniper]

spleenandideal,
If the barrel is threaded and it has a bayonet lug, it is DEFINITELY a pre-ban. As for whether it is milled or stamped : If the receiver has a bunch of rivets holding it together, then it is stamped. If not, it is milled. Another way to tell is to look at the side of the magazine well. Look just to the right of the safety when it is on fire. If you see a little dimple about 1/4" by about 1/2", then it is a stamped receiver. Just to the right of this dimple on a stamped receiver there will be a rivet. If it is milled, it will have a large rectangle on the right hand side of the receiver. As for recoil buffers, they certainly can't hurt .. I don't have them in my rifles and I can see some wear on the rear trunnion from where the bolt slams back against it. A recoil buffer would protect the rear trunnion and add a little bit of life to the receiver. I hope this helps. Polytechs are great rifles, it looks like you made a good catch.

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SeattleSniper

[56s]

Hello spleen.
You have a Pre-Ban Poly-Tech AKS.
All of my Pre-Ban Poly-Techs have PW before the serial #.

Enjoy!

OUT in Vegas!

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56s

[spleenandideal]

Thanks guys! I thought it was a decent buy.

I also purchased a 75rd Chinese drum for $75, which apparently wasn't too bad either. A for standard 30 rounders, which brand/country would be the best? I have a couple of Bulgarian and E. German, which look somewhat the same but the E German finish is the same. Somewhat akin to comparing E.German and Bulgarian Makarov pistols.

Also, which bayonet is THE proper one for this rifle? I was told that the Chinese made a spike-only type bayo....wouldn't the blade-type fit on this rifle too?

Is the slanted style flash hider the proper one also? I hear that there are chinese-made flash hiders that were somewhat different from the standard 45degree slant. The only place I saw it was in a Tapco catalog, and the picture was discernible. Just forget about it and stick with the original?

And finally, what other 'must-haves' should I purchase for my new chinese orphan to make it feel at home?

Thanks in advance.... This new toy really stands out in my gun safe amongst a bunch of modified AR15s. I suppose I should buy a couple more AK comrades to even-up the battlefield! http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif

[Johan762]

Hey, there, spleenandideal:

Are you still in AR-15.com? Don't remember seeing much of your postings there anymore.


About the 30 rounds mags, I think as long as you don't buy USA mags you'll be fine, but you know that, already!

When I had my AK, I used the Chinese mags (cheapest) and they worked great. Some people in this BBS said that the Chinese mags rust easier than the rests and they recommend the (former) East German mags. They also said that East German mags have better follower than the Chinese.

Johannes

[spleenandideal]

Johannes~

Well, I've been away from AR-15 for a while--like most things, the info got kinda repetative, and I felt like I knew everything I needed to know. I put away the ARs for a while, and was getting a lot more into handgunning.

Then I discovered the world of hyperaccurate 'sniper' rifles, which kept me quite busy. But now and again I still visit AR15.com.

Well, from looking at all of the info here at AK47.net, it seems you cannot really lose with any of these mags. I had a box full of old 30 round AK mags and I never knew what country each of them was from. I never really gave the AK as much thought as the AR15, but now have developed a craving for more.

Well, I just took the Polytech out to the range this morning, and damn she shoots tighter groups than the cheap-o romanian or the milled Bulgarian AKs that I've owned. But I still have an old ChiCom SKS that outshoots any of them.

Question: Is it wise to treat this pre-ban as a shooter or leave it sitting in my safe?

And again, which bayonet do I need for this?
Good to see familiar faces out there. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif

[56s]

Hello.
Good buy on the drum.

The spike bayo is correct for that model and no other will fit. The Legend's and the side folders came with a clip on bayo.

The slant is what came on your gun but all others will fit.

Take care, OUT!

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56s