Pre ban chinese ak

[ilovemy45]

I was given a type 56 Chinese pre- ban rifle. It is in bad shape. Rust on the barrel, & no front sight. While trying to clean it, I removed the trigger assembly. Now I can't get it back in. Is this rifle worth messing with. Any help is appreciated.

[stinker]

I would.

Post some links to pics of it so we have a better idea what exact shape it's in.

[El Laton Caliente]

I would too, it would be a great shooter...

[imanaknut]

Welcome to the group !!! :welcome:

The Norinco you are talking about is a very nice to have rifle, and carries a nice value as they were banned from being imported into the land of shall not be infringed. Guessing there is an "S" after the 56, the fixed stock versions are selling for $1000 in used but very good condition.

If you have the Norinco 56, with no "S" it is worth a few dollars more as fewer were imported with the orange/red plastic stock set.

The fact that there is some rust on the barrel is not a problem. It can be cleaned off with many of the gun oils, and probably smoothed with a very fine steel wool.

The big problem is the missing sight. I assume the complete front sight block is missing? If so that is a big problem as you have a better chance of winning the lottery than finding a replacement for the original Norinco front sight block. If you are talking about just the sight pin that you aim with, that threads into the front sight block, this isn't a problem as many are available.

There are many sites on the net dealing with getting the trigger group back together. Sometimes getting the wire that retains the trigger and hammer pin isn't the easiest to install, but with care you can do it. The Chinese used a different method than the Europeans, so look around the net for how it goes in.

And after further consideration, since the Chinese always enjoyed messing with the mind of the Americans, you have the AK 56 or the SKS 56? If the SKS, ignore the above stuff. :D

[ilovemy45]

It is the type 56 AK. The entire front block is missing. I have searched the web, & I cannot find a replacement. I took the rifle to a gun smith this afternoon. He said if buy the furniture &I the front sight block, he would restore the rifle for $400. I have known him for a few years now, and trust him. He was adamant that the front sight needed to be original. I am at a loss, looking for this sight block. I found a barrel assembly with the block on it for $150, but that is out of my budget. He also mentioned that the furniture should be norinco as well. But I am guessing I can probably sand almost anything to fit.

[imanaknut]

Original Norinco wood is available. Check Gunbroker as it shows up there pretty often.

As for the front sight block, like I said you have a better chance of winning the lottery than finding an original.

Also be careful if you buy a barrel just for the front sight that you get the correct one. There are a lot of Poly Tech Legend barrels around, but again that lotto thing on a true 56S barrel.

[WB!]

The Chinesse AKs had the thicker AK-47 barrel. You should be able to find the same sized (barrel diameter) European AK-47 front sight (for milled receivers) and put on it. It won't be original, but it will make it usable, for a lot less money. The European AKMs (stamped receiver) had a thinner barrel.

[jojo]

Got to Polytech in Atlanta for your front site assembly. Hell you can buy a complete preban front assembly for it.

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-AK-dsh-47/Categories.bok

Like someone else said Gunbroker will have some wood on there sometimes. There is a vendor from Finland on there that I have bought stuff from very reasonably priced

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-408/Spring%2C-AKS-Barrel-Bushing/Detail.bok

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-548/Tier-dsh-3/Detail.bok

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-555/70-dsh-BD-dsh-SET/Detail.bok

[imanaknut]

Got to Polytech in Atlanta for your front site assembly. Hell you can buy a complete preban front assembly for it.

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-AK-dsh-47/Categories.bok

Like someone else said Gunbroker will have some wood on there sometimes. There is a vendor from Finland on there that I have bought stuff from very reasonably priced

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-408/Spring%2C-AKS-Barrel-Bushing/Detail.bok

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-548/Tier-dsh-3/Detail.bok

http://stores.polytechparts.com/-strse-555/70-dsh-BD-dsh-SET/Detail.bok

jojo, do you have a link to that complete preban front assembly other than just the link to Poly Tech Parts? Searching for front sight assemblies comes up with nothing. Thanks!

[jojo]

Sorry Nut. That's all I have. I called them and got a FSB and a complete front end last year sometime. Try calling them. As I recall the FSB was hidden somewhere like in the receiver section or combo section.