I bought one of these the day I turned 18. I paid 199.99 new in the box. 75 rnd drums were 30 each and the 30 rnd mags were 5 dollars,this was retail. 1000 rnds of 7.62x39 steel core ammo for 90 dollars. I fired this stamped receiver rifle thousands of times,never a jam. These are excellent guns. They are the exact same as the earlier pre ban rifles,just put on that God awful stock and they milled the bayonet lug off and welded on the muzzle break. If you can get one for a decent price do it
I inherited one of these from my grandfather. My uncle and cousin (who had first dibs on his guns) dismissed it because of the sporter features and gave it to me, while keeping the other "cool" AK. The "cool" AK they kept was junk, jammed every other round, and handled like a rattly box of nails. It turns out I got a real solid AK. I almost sold it, but decided to do some research first. I now plan on keeping it. Thanks for the video.
Right on. Back in 2002 my grandfather picked one up and it quickly became the favorite gun to go shoot.later on traded it off to a cousin that kept it for a 15 years tell I came and got it back
Somebody kick me...I worked for a distributor back in the mid-'90s, just as the bans and laws were going down, and could buy them for $179...But noooo; I didn't want that 'cheap Chinese Commie junk'. NOW, I understand something of their quality. My boss, BTW, got rich selling AKs and SKS' by the truckload.
I’ve gotten away from those “commie, Foreign junk” scams. Cause, that’s all it is, a scam. Poll some of those “patriots” to see how many Glocks, H & K, Benelli etc they have.
Me, my brother, and all of our friends bought these by the dozens long with the RML and ARM Maadi's. Very short purchase windows on these in the early 90's. Along with extremely cheap surplus ammo ($89for 1600 rounds) we put 10's of thousands of rounds through these. It was always a hunt to find them without the cut receiver under the thumbhole stock. Typical was the light wood 1.5mm stamped receiver version Mishaco shows here but we would pickup forged versions with dark wood on occasion. Some were even stamped for the under folder. As a test, One of the mak-90's was fired over many thousands of rounds over 4-5 years without cleaning just to see how well they held up and it was impressive. The rails and bolt was literally caked with old fouled powder residue with the consistency of muddy crud and eventually the bolt would not go into battery. Very impressive, military grade stuff here!
Yeah I remember buying one at a gun show when I was in the corp in NC in 94. The guy literally open a crate with his foot and picked one out and gave me the gun for 225$ and mags were 5$ and if you bought 5 you got one free. God I was I could go back and buy that entire crate!
I got the squared trunion but they shaved the bayonet lug. Mine is a fixed stock. Got rid of that dumb thumb hole stock and got rid of the barrel nut (not welded) and threw on a slant brake and haven't messed with it since
I've been looking for a Mishaco Mak 90 video as I just bought one last month. I found one unfired, like new, still in the box with all original accessories for $700. Thank you for the information.
While hillbillies call MAK-90s wrongly as the non-existent "mac-90" as it's ONLY REAL NAME is MAK-90 which as Mishaco says means the "Modified AK-47 of 1990" !!!
I bought a case of 5 Norinco milled receiver MAK90’s in the early ‘90’s for $275 ea. They are marked on the receiver 386 from the factory they were produced in. I still own 3. Sold 1 and gave one to my son. I also bought 2 underfolder Norinco MAK90’s for $175 ea. The receiver was plugged where the underfolder is installed. A tang was welded on the receiver so it could be sold as a MAK90. Another caught in transition gun. I bought the original Chinese underfolder stocks about the same time (1990’s). Installed it on one and the other is untouched as I bought it. The barrels were also threaded but were slightly “distorted” to comply as a “non threaded” barrel. A 14x1 left hand thread cutter restored it back to original threading. Just thought I’d share this little piece of history as you shared to me. Thank you for your videos as I really appreciate the time you spend and your love for these great, so called by our gun grabbing government, “assault rifles”!
I got one of the Poly Tech “caught on the boat” AKSs in 1997. It had a thumb hole stock, the spike was ground off and the nut was welded. The gun was called a “Sporter”. It’s the Poly Tech AKS-762 model imported by KFS of Atlanta Ga. but they laser cut “SP” right after the AK-762 on the receiver. It did come with the cleaning rod. And what they did was take the box and turn it inside out and cut the styrofoam to fit the thumbhole stock. There was the green plastic oil bottle but only one 5 rd magazine. But there was a space for the three 30 rd mags in the styrofoam . As soon as I got it I put on the correct Chinese chu wood furniture set sold by Kengs firearms parts. I removed the destroyed front sight and replaced it with an East German AK47 sight with the correct 3/4” pin spacing. And the East German sight is the correct barrel diameter for this Chinese gun. I’m an AK collector and of all the AKs I have, this particular firearm is the most accurate AK I have.
Do you know that your MAK-90 is a violation of 18 USC 922 (r) & subjects you to a Felony unless you have 5 ATF-approved parts on you Kengs Firearms MAK-90 ???
The first one I bought in 1992 was a Norinco for $189. I traded it for a 44 mag pistol... which was dumb. But, it wasn't half as accurate my Norinco SKS I bought a few weeks earlier for $89. I still have the SKS. My buddy just sold me his for Norinco MAK90 for $400...Score! Love the channel, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Hey Misha the thing I love the most about your channel is that you respond to people's questions and comments. On behalf of gun enthusiast everywhere can you please tell Tim at MAC to make a video talking about the ban on chinese firearms as well as creating a movement to remove the ban on chinese guns. If the ban were removed it would have so many benefits to the 2nd amendment community firearms and ammunition will be inexpensive and widely available. I am 100% sure people will listen to his movement. Just like when he told people to call representatives and the NRA over bump stocks people listened and I belive enough people will get behind this movement if it is created. Thank you for everything Misha your more important and awesome then you think.
That was corrupt chinese officials who sold them that dosent mean you stop importing guns from an entire country and remember operation fast and furious when the usa government sold guns to cartels in Mexico. All I'm trying to say is that governments are corrupt and will do stupid things like this that should not be a excuse to infringe our second amendment rights.
Sorry but never going to happen. That sanction has been around for 24+ years and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Ontop of that, China has all but stopped making the Type 56 in the 21st century. It is only built at 1 factory today, and reports from Europe and Canada say the quality is pretty hit/miss.
@someone Exactly that's what I am trying to tell people but they think it's a lost cause which it's not if gun owners put enough demand into it the ban will be overturned. We just need to unite and make it happen.
@Doom In case you haven't noticed, 'No Gun-Grabz', Chump's Bump-Stock ban betrayal has become Feral Law. And now a piece of plastic that you paid $200-$450 dollars for, will earn you 10 years and a $10,000 fine if you're caught with it in a 'Red-Flag' raid! Also, if you don't think Crypt-Keeper Nancy and Satan's Son Chucky and ALL Demonrats aren't emboldened to come full-force after ALL SEMI-AUTO'S, Standard-Capacity magazines, etc.,etc.,with Chump and most Recucklican's full endorsements, you're Mentally Masturbating! This country's FINISHED!!💀💀💀💀💀💀
I bought mine in 1994 right before bubbas ban for under 300 dollars. At the time i wasnt thrilled because of its appearance but now i am so happy i kept it.
Hey Misha one thing I wanted to mention is that there ARE in fact a small number of MILLED MAK-90s with the standard "straight cut" receiver and will accept any standard fixed stock for a milled receiver. I've personally witnessed and handled 1 of these and 2 others have been found online by collectors. At least 2 of them have been converted back into "legend configuration" with type-3 barrel parts installed in place of their neutered mak-90 barrel parts. You can easily spot these rifles when in their original condition because they will have the sling swivel on the side of the receiver.
I love your videos thanks for all the hard work ,I am a Chinese AK Junkie I had a milled mak-90 underfold a few stamped Mak 90s, never had the extra cash to buy a pre band Spiker, now I just have a Arsenal Bulgarian slr107fr.
This video brought back some memories. I used to own three Mak 90s that I bought from Carolina Firearms in 1996 / 97. They had a case of them on the floor there going for about 300 or so a piece.
They were downright common in the '90s. I remember deciding on either a Maadi or Romie Cugir gun at first over a MAK90 just because either was less common and therefore seemed more unique. Plus they looked more original to the AKM than the MAK90 did right out of the box.
I originally purchased my MAK-90 in 1996 @ Will-Rodgers TX gunshow for $179, with bipod. Enjoyed it for a while. Had a drilled & tapped side scope mount fitted to it. Then my Chinese buddy I grew up with wanted it. Purchased it from me & changed the furniture out to a Dragunov style stock & fore-grip. He had it for ~ 18 years before I recently got it back from him. Brought back lots of memories when I shot it all over again the other day. Love that gun! I will be threading the barrel soon for a muzzle break. But I don’t care much about the bayonet, so I won’t worry with that.
I picked up a lightly used one for less than 800 doll hairs. I did get rid of the funky paperclip BS and put the plate in. My safety lever comes off normally now. I got the Tapco G2 trigger in and I shaped the hammer so it's more rounded off, like Jim Fuller mentioned in one of his videos. I did a Ritt dye job on a tan magpul grip and it came out nice and bakelite brownish. I have the bonesteele right hand folder stock and I love how it fits the slant cut receiver I have. The stock is very solid and smooth. For shits and giggles I installed a strike industries recoil buffer and I got a few Hungarian tanker mags too, the hard to find and expensive 20 rounders of course. I did install the Romanian dong hand guard/vertical grip combo, it took some sanding but it finally fit nice and smooth. I've had Bulgarian, Russian, Romanian, and now Chinese. Of course the Arsenals and Saigas were nice but my Mak90 is pretty sweet. I like the build quality and I can't find anything wrong with it. I know 922R is lame but I didn't want to have anything to worry about so my Mak90 is fully converted and compliant. I did take a round file to the rear sight notch and opened it up. My eye is drawn into my sight alignment much easier now. The slightly extended mag release is also very nice. Only issue I have is that my Romanian drum mags do not want to click into place. So once I figure out where on the rear latch I have to file, I will make sure one of the drums fit. If you want to get one, you should get one now while supplies last and the prices are under a grand.
Fun fact, in an original 3 pin (select fire) AK, the safety can't be removed until the FCG is removed (most cases). So really, the MAK90 style is more authentic, if also less convenient.
The MAK90 was the rifle that is partially responsible for starting my passion for firearms. I was shooting at a public range when I was around 8 years old with my father, who only owned hunting rifles and revolvers. A young man, looked very military, was shooting a MAK. Saw my excited eyes and offered if I would like to shoot it. It was a magical moment. There was no recoil, butter action, and every shot hit dead center. I was hooked. Got my first Tula side folding SKS within a couple years. Just never got around to buying a MAK90. Sadly now they cost easily 3X what they did then.
Just picked up a Mak90 and LOVE it! I'm an average shot and was able to hit clays at 200 yards with open sights all day long! Thanks for a great and thorough review.
I got one at a pawn shop . looks new. Low serial # & numbers matching only one original 30 rd mag has not been altered. has the threaded barrel & it's in 5.56×45 mm. Works awesome I don't plan on changing anything on it. I love the way it looks with the thumb hole stock .& did I mention that its awesome !!!!! Sweet trigger too
I bought mine back in 92 for $220.00 and a case of ammo for 80.00. Being a 18 year old who could not cough up the 1k price tag for a colt anything it was my only option. I have shot countless hogs in Georgia and Florida, deer in Missouri and Washington. I bet the snapping turtle population has fallen greatly due to this rifle. I will keep mine forever.
Trying to watch this video with terrible wifi. My late father bought a milled Mak90 386. I'm glad I know what it is. He would have loved to know his was a under folding gun. He liked the thumb hole stock since he had big hands. Thanks for the great video.
I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge you have on many platforms and glad to see you did a video on one of my favorite collector items. I thought it was interesting you went into conversion vs. buying preban as well and touched on the nuances with that. I've personally done a few with the milled MAK90 being my favorite turning out a few "double folders" with spike bayonet and Chicom folding stocks. As you've highlighted, parts alone are nearly impossible to find or cost more than the entire gun back in the day. My first Chinese AK type was a B-West import that I have to this day and have added close to 100 or so of all different importers and models. As ugly as the thumbhole stock looks - they are VERY comfortable to shoot from my experience.
Misha, you stand alone in your quality of info and video presentation. Thanks for professionals like you. I hope you pass this level of common sense to a future great like you. Thanks mishaco.
man this is really making me miss my norinco mak-90 . i loved that rifle sooo much. one of the best rifles i have ever owned. and believe me ive owned many. lol. this was an awesome and very interesting all inclusive video. keep it up, this is awesome. you have earned yourself a new subscriber.
Hey guy, I threaded my MAK90 barrel with a kit from CNC warrior kit (14x1LH) and like you said the sight post doesn’t have the detent pin so I had to use red locktight to keep the brake in place. Thanks for sharing!!
6.4L HemiPower I did the same thing to my MAK. Did you remove you front site to thread the barrel? I didn't on mine. The barrel gets a little thicker right under the site base. I was thinking of going back and removing the site base and filing some of the barrel down so I can get the treads just under the front site like a factory one. I wonder how hard it would be to drill the hole for the locking pin on the front site?
I would get a 14x1 LH jam nut too if the lock tight doesn't keep it in place. I would imagine heat and the vibration of regular use would loosen up red locktight eventually.
Desert Fox Outfitters also makes adapters for both milled and stamped Mak 90's with slant cut receivers. i own one of each, and almost a dozen chinese maks and they work great.
Been waiting for this video for a while. Excellent information as usual. I have a 1994 dated MAK90 and it is a beautiful gun thank God. Hard to find reliable information on them on the internet though until this video but I always wondered what the history behind those guns were. I remember the 1994 ban and being in a gun shop that year with crates of these for sale for $200 each. I sure miss those days. Thank Earl for the cameo as well.
Bought one in 1994 still have it had the hole for the folder and i put a folder on it . If could only have one gun it would be my norinco type 56 or my moss berg 88. Almost forgot my norinco is one of the most accurate guns I’ve ever fired. Type 56` are what the seals choose when in the Middle East. You’re awesome buddy.
I acquired a MAK 90 last year from the original owner who didn't shoot it much. I was surprised that it had a blued bolt and carrier. Unfortunately, it's the slant cut receiver so I need to bite the bullet and pick up a Ironwood furniture set.
Hey brother check out desert fox outfitters. They have adapters for the slant cut , straight cut mak 90. They also have other accessories. They really helped me out with mine.
One thing to watch out for if you're in the market for a MAK 90 are the third pin guns. These are all very late guns that date from just before the 94 import ban, and they're considered contraband as they're on machine gun receivers with the L/D selector markings and sometimes a trunnion where the original model designation has been scrubbed and MAK 90 has been stamped over it. They're typically imported by Labanu, but I have seen a B-West example as well.
got a mak 90 in 2017 for $600 not a bad price put a kvar stock desert tan and it looks fantastic thanks for the history misha always enjoy it since I just barely started watching also have one of the norinco/Maadi kits and had Northwestgunsupply build it turned out beautiful he will be excited to hear about the history he was telling me that this kit was like half norinco and half Maadi but it has CIA on the left side hence your story fits good stuff would love to talk one day. From northern az thanks
I’m glad you talked about it not being a good idea to spend the money to deban.i have a beautiful mak90 that’s unfired and I still haven’t converted it.its threads were never turned down either.i have a nhm90 that I shoot.it actually had threads
I knew back then at my local gun dealer that this was a renamed AK 47. I laughed when i saw it and how ugly it was but bought it immediately for $300.00 the owner said he had 2 left and they were being discontinued. I grabbed them both right then and there. Around the same time i purchased a Colt AR 15 that had been re-packaged as a "sporter" H-bar .223 for $1100.00 i knew that was a way around the nonsense laws at the time. Unbelievable. Sometimes you can just feel it in your gut to just buy it.
I guess I got lucky with mine. Got the MAK 90 with the ugly butt and the shaved nose for $190 at a show in 91 or so. A few years later, at an automotive swap meet I found a hacked off barrel with the spike, and all the wood shown in the video in a box of junk for $25. The seller didn't know what it all was and neither did I, but it looked cool so I bought it all. It all fit together and looks better than original. Thanks for the information.
Thanks Misha. Picked up an unfired 1994 Mac 90 a 1-1/2 years ago for $700. Had the square back receiver. Ordered a Ironwood stock, fore grips and pistol grip. I'm in it for around $1050. Here in Idaho its pretty dry so I don't have to worry about rust. I love mine, great quality and I would like to own a preban Chinese some day. Really love my wum and romak the best of my collection. My sa85 m is pretty also but the first Romy's is the closest to a true mill spec Ak in my opinion. Thanks!
I bought a MAK-90 brand new in box sometime around 1990. The box was a little rough but not bad and the gun is just like it came from the factory including the wrapped up green strap and tool kit (IIRC). It looks brand new and it's never been fired. I would have never thought it would be appreciating over the years which makes me wonder what a brand new in box MAK-90s is worth. I haven't had it out of the box for years, so I might be wrong on what's in the box, but I know it looks like brand new. It has a funky wood stain just like the one in this video. When I bought it I got a brick of Russian ammo wrapped up in paper or something and thought it would be cool to keep them together over the years.
I love my NHM91. I forget whether I had saved money or if my father bought it for me at the time, but it was 92', 93', or 94'. I saw the ad in a roses paper ad for $199 MAK 90. Went up there and bought it and it took me years to realize it was not a mak 90 but a 'mak 91' and then as I got older to adulthood I realized no, when it says NHM 91 on the gun, it's a NHM 91. I guess I lucked out on it because it had a threaded barrel and could fit any AK magazine in it. I don't remember getting a 75 round drum with it, but I may well had and if I did it ended up with my uncle for one reason or another. But I don't think it had the drum, just the two magazines. Today I have placed a muzzle brake on it, typical AK style furniture, and due to it's great accuracy and weight, I decided to attach a bipod and for it to have drum duty if shit ever hit the fan. It's one heavy gun. I finally bought my first 'AK47' rifle last year so that desire has finally been filled after all these years. I always get that itch to buy the MAK90 I always wanted but I have to remind myself that they are not friendly to the things I want from a AK, so instead I remember that I want a chinese pre ban, not a post ban. I'll get around to buying one one of these days... The only downside is for some dumbass reason I decided to put a M4 style muzzle brake on it. Maybe at the time I really liked it but shortly after I bought my first M4 soo....yeah. The problem is the threads were damaged getting the welded nut off, which was an extreme chore. There's just this one tiny section that's damaged. It seemed like somehow they got a weld into the nut itself that I could not be aware of because I cut through the welds around the nut and it still would not move and it irritated me and I finally hemaned it and it came loose. I want to hope that putting the current brake on it sort of improved the situation and will more so when I take it off. IF I take it off. I really do not want to take it off and the threads become so damaged that I can't install an appropriate, GOOD AK brake that actually works and it not for show. Seems kind of hard to shop for the AK brakes... shrug FYI CORRECTION: It finally came back to me. No I did not receive a drum with my gun, nor did I get 30 round mags. All I got was the 5 round magazine. It's been so long I forgot about that. In those days you didn't get big mags with your chinese AK purchases.
Botie Master have you tried to clean up the treads? You can buy a reverse threaded14x1 die at CNC Warrior for like 30.00. Also buy the thread guide too. I'm think that's maybe 10 to 15 extra. Maybe cheaper than that. Apex I think has them too.
I have thought about it through a gunsmith but I didn't realize somebody had a product for DYI. I will look to CNCW though since you recommend them. For the most part, 90% of the thread is there. It's just an odd problem to have because I know they didn't weld at the spot because it's impossible yet something was done where I was forced to force it loose and the result was a damaged thread, pretty much exactly center at the top of the thread. I can say that it was loose and would rock back and forth before I used arm strength to break it loose.
Thank you Misha. Appreciate the import info along with the info on the features. My Mak-90 was a China Sports import and it still has the threads on the barrel at the front sight base. Ive kept it the same as how it was sold. Ours came with Russian 30 rd mags in the styrofoam lined box with the short mags, an oil bottle and a sling. You never mentioned the vent holes in the gas system!
I talk about the gas tube ports in the original Chinese Type 56 video. Its in the playlist if you haven't seen it yet? All AKs have ports. Its just a matter if they are on the gas block or gas tube. Its a self-regulating system really pretty simple and neat.
I had a stamped and milled mak90 that i got for less than $550 each, sold both. Now I have one of those transition type 156-1 that's just missing the bayonet lug which I picked up for about $1200.
You address something I'd recently been thinking - putting in all the costs for new furniture, a new front site block with the spike bayonet, plus labor...you might as well buy a pre-ban. It's certainly put me on hold on any future conversions for my MAK.
Nice video man. Good info. I miss the days of cheaper AK’s. Prices certainly haven’t come done, but thankfully MAK90’s haven’t risen as much as others. $799 Wasr 10’s is insanity. I’ll gladly spend 200-300 more and get a nice MAK90
Wow...I am impressed with your channel. I learned a lot about AK's thier modern history, what's out there and pros and cons of each!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am going to subscribe to your channel
I changed the stock, hand guards and trigger, threaded the barrel myself and made it 922r compliant. Don’t have a collectors mindset. The gun is a workhorse and it’s very accurate.
Misha, I have two MAK90’s chambered in 5.56. One is stamped with triangle 66 on the trunion and the other is stamped with the norinco symbol on the receiver. Both imported by KSI Pomona CA. Both have factory threaded barrels with detents and the cleaning rods. The bayonet lugs have been cut off. Both have original pistol grips and stock but I suspect they were added by previous owners.
Two things about Mak 90s: 1. You can use a regular stock with slant cut recievers. It will have an ugly gap but it will work. You can cover it up with paracord or your own creative way. 2. You can thread the muzzle in 4mm left handed thread. My buddy has a MAK 90 and he rocks a Wasr10 Stock on it and had a gun smith thread it for him. He even had the front sight drilled for the muzzle brake spring loaded detent. However he noticed that the ak was shooting way high when he put a suger scoop style break on it so maybe it isn't on straight. He has no problem with the tapco AK-74 style brake though.
@Mishaco Hello. I just found a Mak 90 in a moving box that I had forgotten about. Never hot it. Still wrapped in plastic. Did I hear you correctly (at 22:14 on the video) that they are worth $9000? How do I know which version of Mak 90 do I have? Many thanks!
I know this is crazy old but I thought I'd reply for anyone else reading this today. No, he was not saying $9000. He was saying $800, $900, $1000. He just abbreviated it as "8, 9, 1000 bucks.".
Bought alot of AK and Mak 90 and SKS. Years ago still in boxes with all the goodies. And 762x39 for 49.00 for a wooden case containing two tuna cans . Oh the good ole days.AK were 129.00 Mak 90 were 149.00 and SKS were 49.00
I have 1 from my father and I love it. I struggled when I was in my early teens to keep my rifles on target. But the mak90 felt right. To this day I still out shoot myself with the mak90 compared to my higher end AKs & ARs. Here I am early 20s and mak90 still feels like home. I can’t bring myself to convert it do to the fear I have of losing the feel I have for the rifle. Only gun I could never part with
I remember mine before I debanned it great gun it was Sept 12th when I shipped it out in 2004 sent it with a Polytech complete under folding bayonet barrel assembly on Sept 22 2004 I had an Unbanned MAK 90 gun.
They also banned Chicom ammo as well I cried when Norinco 223 cal ammo was gone smelled horrible when shooting like passing gas but a $2 a box was awesome and the steel core dirt cheap 762x39 $69 a crate of 1,000 rnds man I truly wept ! One million maybe right Chicom AKs where the first AKs imported unless your talking Valmets yeah they were first also you gotta think all the 5.56 ,762x39 and bull pup models it could be true I could remember Polytech AKs in gun stores back then. I Believe the company AA-OK had imported the Chinese AK74 5.45x39 version they had two models one was fixed the other was a folder version. I wish I could find the picture of them at the SOF convention shoot they were brought in as LEO or post dealer samples I think that's what they call it for Police to evaluate for purchase? They also had a real Romanian 5.45 gun as well I had no clue to what they were thought they were just a weird AK47.
I own three MAK 90s, a milled Norinco, a stamped square back Norinco, and an early caught in customs stamped Polytech. I actually am more than happy to have paid $700-$800 for them considering WASR’s are going for $1200 here in MA now. The Chinese AK’s are my favorites of all countries. Of the AK’s I have shot they have been the most accurate, have had the best fit and finish, and are built like tanks. My only gripe is that on my Polytech they turned the threads off so it would have to be threaded to 1/2x28, not something I have full confidence in doing on a .30 cal barrel and that little meat left. I may have the barrel cut back and have it pinned back to 16” with a flash hider. I love my 14.5” pinned BCM AR, I wouldn’t mind having a 14.5” pinned AK as well.
Extremely informative, interesting, and well presented. While I am an AKphile and build AKs, I know very little about the Chinese counterparts. I just cannot believe the prices said rifles can go for now.
very enjoyable informative history presentation on the MAC 90. I appreciate your personal opinion on whether or not to convert rifle, price value pre and post ban, and quality of the rifle. tell Earl meow for me. goooooooood job Misha side note. one of the more interesting facts I learned today. Last summer I went all vepr acquiring a 12 gauge shotgun and ak47 versions. I know that the molot vepr's use a 1.5 mm stamped receiver, leaving me to think that the vepr's had the thickest ak stamped receiver. So it was fun to learn today that the MAK-90 has a 1.6 mm stamped receiver. The power of knowledge Rrrr Rrrrr Rrrr
To be fair, many sources say the Chinese 56 receiver is 1.5mm, while others say 1.6mm. Hardcore Chicom fans always like that second number, so i figured I'd make them happy in this video and go with it. Truth is, both are probably within factory spec as the tolerance is usually about 0.1" for any milspec stamped AK receiver.
Hey thanks for the qualifier. One of the accolades of a Molot Vepr is the 1.5mm receiver. Yet its seems in the beginning the Chinese 56 receiver did not get he same respect for its thickness until later on in time. Misha, 1.5, 1,6, good job.
Yes as both Norinco & Poly-Tech (like your's) are both MAK-90 "Modified AK-47s of 1990", but your MAK-90 is WORTH MORE $$$ because it's a Poly-Tech with the Chinese Premium barrel that usually makes your Poly-Tech MAK-90 worth more than a Norinco MAK-90.
I clicked on your video bc of the AK with the thumb hole stock. The reason is that I have one that looks just like that but mine says Egypt stamped on it and was trying to find information on that particular one but thank you for the information
You probably have an Egyptian ARM or RML, RPM & usually they're worth more than an MAK-90 because some of the Egyptian Post-Ban Sporters have some of their bayonet lugs on that you can add a little spot weld to fix the bayonet lug to accept bayonets.
There were also the norinco hunters, 3 versions i believe came in post ban. They have a valmet style reciever and use standard akm mags. Pretty pedestrian looking but mate it with a galil parts kit and the required us parts....
Me and my wife purchased a mak-90 caught in the import restriction either right before or right after import. It has a factory threaded barrel and minimal amounts of the bayonet lug removed. They also just took an electric pencil and lines out the original receiver makings and stamped Mak-90 on it. I have another milled variant but the early imported one is much nicer.
If it has MAK90 on it, then yes it was a postban gun, probably imported in 1991. The caught in customs guns have the original 56S marking w/ a prefix or suffix added. For example 156S-1.
Earl @ 15:25.
...and at 28:35 :)
I bought one of these the day I turned 18. I paid 199.99 new in the box. 75 rnd drums were 30 each and the 30 rnd mags were 5 dollars,this was retail. 1000 rnds of 7.62x39 steel core ammo for 90 dollars. I fired this stamped receiver rifle thousands of times,never a jam. These are excellent guns. They are the exact same as the earlier pre ban rifles,just put on that God awful stock and they milled the bayonet lug off and welded on the muzzle break. If you can get one for a decent price do it
It's properly known as a Muzzle "brake", not a Muzzle "break"!!!
I inherited one of these from my grandfather. My uncle and cousin (who had first dibs on his guns) dismissed it because of the sporter features and gave it to me, while keeping the other "cool" AK. The "cool" AK they kept was junk, jammed every other round, and handled like a rattly box of nails. It turns out I got a real solid AK. I almost sold it, but decided to do some research first. I now plan on keeping it. Thanks for the video.
Right on. Back in 2002 my grandfather picked one up and it quickly became the favorite gun to go shoot.later on traded it off to a cousin that kept it for a 15 years tell I came and got it back
Awesome, apex gun parts has stock sets to make it more normal looking
I just inherited one of these too. It was added to my ak collection.
I bought a parts kit just like the sport one, like holy shit i couldn’t find the original gas block so I’m able to use a cleaning kit
Somebody kick me...I worked for a distributor back in the mid-'90s, just as the bans and laws were going down, and could buy them for $179...But noooo; I didn't want that 'cheap Chinese Commie junk'. NOW, I understand something of their quality.
My boss, BTW, got rich selling AKs and SKS' by the truckload.
Pete Sheppard I remember those days. If we only would've known.
@Doom Our whole Bill Of Rights is Going, Going, Gone!
I’ve gotten away from those “commie, Foreign junk” scams. Cause, that’s all it is, a scam. Poll some of those “patriots” to see how many Glocks, H & K, Benelli etc they have.
Thanks for taking the time for the deep history and explanation! Very much appreciated.
people thoughts back in the day was childish
Me, my brother, and all of our friends bought these by the dozens long with the RML and ARM Maadi's. Very short purchase windows on these in the early 90's. Along with extremely cheap surplus ammo ($89for 1600 rounds) we put 10's of thousands of rounds through these. It was always a hunt to find them without the cut receiver under the thumbhole stock. Typical was the light wood 1.5mm stamped receiver version Mishaco shows here but we would pickup forged versions with dark wood on occasion. Some were even stamped for the under folder. As a test, One of the mak-90's was fired over many thousands of rounds over 4-5 years without cleaning just to see how well they held up and it was impressive. The rails and bolt was literally caked with old fouled powder residue with the consistency of muddy crud and eventually the bolt would not go into battery. Very impressive, military grade stuff here!
I remember when these norinco mak-90 carbines were on sale locally for $225.00.....hindsight is 20-20
To be fair, remember what min. wage was back then and what a full tank of gas ran us? haha
Angus Dewangus what a deal! You scored on that one! Luck you! 😊
Yeah I remember buying one at a gun show when I was in the corp in NC in 94. The guy literally open a crate with his foot and picked one out and gave me the gun for 225$ and mags were 5$ and if you bought 5 you got one free. God I was I could go back and buy that entire crate!
I got the squared trunion but they shaved the bayonet lug. Mine is a fixed stock. Got rid of that dumb thumb hole stock and got rid of the barrel nut (not welded) and threw on a slant brake and haven't messed with it since
dont tell the democrats but that old clunky thumbhole stock can easily converted into a bumpfire stock
I've been looking for a Mishaco Mak 90 video as I just bought one last month. I found one unfired, like new, still in the box with all original accessories for $700. Thank you for the information.
YOU ARE MORE THAN LUCKY!!
MY OPINION THERE BETTER THAN ANY RUSSIAN AK47 BEING SOLD HERE IN AMERICA!! COMPARE THE ACTION!..
THE QUALITY!! NO PAINT FINISH
4 years late but I fired this beauty last weekend as my friend has one and I fell in love immediately
Great story brother. I have a mac-90 since 91. I have shot 1000's of rounds and I love my mac-90. Thank you for the history. great video
Could you remove butt stock and put a pistol grip on it without a stock?
@@marquezamos7 you could...the back of the receiver would be wide open. Vulnerable to deformation and dirt.
While hillbillies call MAK-90s wrongly as the non-existent "mac-90" as it's ONLY REAL NAME is MAK-90 which as Mishaco says means the "Modified AK-47 of 1990" !!!
I bought a case of 5 Norinco milled receiver MAK90’s in the early ‘90’s for $275 ea. They are marked on the receiver 386 from the factory they were produced in. I still own 3. Sold 1 and gave one to my son.
I also bought 2 underfolder Norinco MAK90’s for $175 ea. The receiver was plugged where the underfolder is installed. A tang was welded on the receiver so it could be sold as a MAK90. Another caught in transition gun. I bought the original Chinese underfolder stocks about the same time (1990’s). Installed it on one and the other is untouched as I bought it. The barrels were also threaded but were slightly “distorted” to comply as a “non threaded” barrel. A 14x1 left hand thread cutter restored it back to original threading.
Just thought I’d share this little piece of history as you shared to me. Thank you for your videos as I really appreciate the time you spend and your love for these great, so called by our gun grabbing government, “assault rifles”!
I got one of the Poly Tech “caught on the boat” AKSs in 1997. It had a thumb hole stock, the spike was ground off and the nut was welded. The gun was called a “Sporter”. It’s the Poly Tech AKS-762 model imported by KFS of Atlanta Ga. but they laser cut “SP” right after the AK-762 on the receiver. It did come with the cleaning rod. And what they did was take the box and turn it inside out and cut the styrofoam to fit the thumbhole stock. There was the green plastic oil bottle but only one 5 rd magazine. But there was a space for the three 30 rd mags in the styrofoam . As soon as I got it I put on the correct Chinese chu wood furniture set sold by Kengs firearms parts. I removed the destroyed front sight and replaced it with an East German AK47 sight with the correct 3/4” pin spacing. And the East German sight is the correct barrel diameter for this Chinese gun. I’m an AK collector and of all the AKs I have, this particular firearm is the most accurate AK I have.
Davy Jones I've got the same gun. I paid 540.00 back in 03. If you don't mind what did you pay for yours?
Davy Jones I also seen that front site and lug for 200.00 at classicfirearms and APEX.
In 1997 I paid $306 out the door from a dealer. I knew what it was, the dealer said it was one of those MAK 90’s.
qiu wood
Do you know that your MAK-90 is a violation of 18 USC 922 (r) & subjects you to a Felony unless you have 5 ATF-approved parts on you Kengs Firearms MAK-90 ???
The first one I bought in 1992 was a Norinco for $189. I traded it for a 44 mag pistol... which was dumb. But, it wasn't half as accurate my Norinco SKS I bought a few weeks earlier for $89. I still have the SKS. My buddy just sold me his for Norinco MAK90 for $400...Score! Love the channel, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Hey Misha the thing I love the most about your channel is that you respond to people's questions and comments. On behalf of gun enthusiast everywhere can you please tell Tim at MAC to make a video talking about the ban on chinese firearms as well as creating a movement to remove the ban on chinese guns. If the ban were removed it would have so many benefits to the 2nd amendment community firearms and ammunition will be inexpensive and widely available. I am 100% sure people will listen to his movement. Just like when he told people to call representatives and the NRA over bump stocks people listened and I belive enough people will get behind this movement if it is created. Thank you for everything Misha your more important and awesome then you think.
Hmm norinco killed that horse forever selling rocket launchers to street gangs.
That was corrupt chinese officials who sold them that dosent mean you stop importing guns from an entire country and remember operation fast and furious when the usa government sold guns to cartels in Mexico. All I'm trying to say is that governments are corrupt and will do stupid things like this that should not be a excuse to infringe our second amendment rights.
Sorry but never going to happen. That sanction has been around for 24+ years and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Ontop of that, China has all but stopped making the Type 56 in the 21st century. It is only built at 1 factory today, and reports from Europe and Canada say the quality is pretty hit/miss.
@someone Exactly that's what I am trying to tell people but they think it's a lost cause which it's not if gun owners put enough demand into it the ban will be overturned. We just need to unite and make it happen.
@Doom In case you haven't noticed, 'No Gun-Grabz', Chump's Bump-Stock ban betrayal has become Feral Law. And now a piece of plastic that you paid $200-$450 dollars for, will earn you 10 years and a $10,000 fine if you're caught with it in a 'Red-Flag' raid! Also, if you don't think Crypt-Keeper Nancy and Satan's Son Chucky and ALL Demonrats aren't emboldened to come full-force after ALL SEMI-AUTO'S, Standard-Capacity magazines, etc.,etc.,with Chump and most Recucklican's full endorsements, you're Mentally Masturbating! This country's FINISHED!!💀💀💀💀💀💀
I bought mine in 1994 right before bubbas ban for under 300 dollars. At the time i wasnt thrilled because of its appearance but now i am so happy i kept it.
Hey Misha one thing I wanted to mention is that there ARE in fact a small number of MILLED MAK-90s with the standard "straight cut" receiver and will accept any standard fixed stock for a milled receiver. I've personally witnessed and handled 1 of these and 2 others have been found online by collectors. At least 2 of them have been converted back into "legend configuration" with type-3 barrel parts installed in place of their neutered mak-90 barrel parts.
You can easily spot these rifles when in their original condition because they will have the sling swivel on the side of the receiver.
I love your videos thanks for all the hard work ,I am a Chinese AK Junkie I had a milled mak-90 underfold a few stamped Mak 90s, never had the extra cash to buy a pre band Spiker, now I just have a Arsenal Bulgarian slr107fr.
Thank you for watching, cheers.
This video brought back some memories. I used to own three Mak 90s that I bought from Carolina Firearms in 1996 / 97. They had a case of them on the floor there going for about 300 or so a piece.
They were downright common in the '90s. I remember deciding on either a Maadi or Romie Cugir gun at first over a MAK90 just because either was less common and therefore seemed more unique. Plus they looked more original to the AKM than the MAK90 did right out of the box.
I originally purchased my MAK-90 in 1996 @ Will-Rodgers TX gunshow for $179, with bipod. Enjoyed it for a while. Had a drilled & tapped side scope mount fitted to it. Then my Chinese buddy I grew up with wanted it. Purchased it from me & changed the furniture out to a Dragunov style stock & fore-grip. He had it for ~ 18 years before I recently got it back from him. Brought back lots of memories when I shot it all over again the other day. Love that gun! I will be threading the barrel soon for a muzzle break. But I don’t care much about the bayonet, so I won’t worry with that.
My first AK, and it still has a special place in my heart...if not my collection. Thanks Misha.
Have had mine for over 20 years....still my favorite rifle to shoot.
Damn I remember seeing them for less than $200 at the time.....25 years ago...
Just BoooSTIng gun shops in MA selling them for 1200.
I picked up a lightly used one for less than 800 doll hairs. I did get rid of the funky paperclip BS and put the plate in. My safety lever comes off normally now. I got the Tapco G2 trigger in and I shaped the hammer so it's more rounded off, like Jim Fuller mentioned in one of his videos. I did a Ritt dye job on a tan magpul grip and it came out nice and bakelite brownish.
I have the bonesteele right hand folder stock and I love how it fits the slant cut receiver I have. The stock is very solid and smooth. For shits and giggles I installed a strike industries recoil buffer and I got a few Hungarian tanker mags too, the hard to find and expensive 20 rounders of course. I did install the Romanian dong hand guard/vertical grip combo, it took some sanding but it finally fit nice and smooth.
I've had Bulgarian, Russian, Romanian, and now Chinese. Of course the Arsenals and Saigas were nice but my Mak90 is pretty sweet. I like the build quality and I can't find anything wrong with it. I know 922R is lame but I didn't want to have anything to worry about so my Mak90 is fully converted and compliant.
I did take a round file to the rear sight notch and opened it up. My eye is drawn into my sight alignment much easier now. The slightly extended mag release is also very nice. Only issue I have is that my Romanian drum mags do not want to click into place. So once I figure out where on the rear latch I have to file, I will make sure one of the drums fit.
If you want to get one, you should get one now while supplies last and the prices are under a grand.
Fun fact, in an original 3 pin (select fire) AK, the safety can't be removed until the FCG is removed (most cases). So really, the MAK90 style is more authentic, if also less convenient.
The MAK90 was the rifle that is partially responsible for starting my passion for firearms. I was shooting at a public range when I was around 8 years old with my father, who only owned hunting rifles and revolvers. A young man, looked very military, was shooting a MAK. Saw my excited eyes and offered if I would like to shoot it. It was a magical moment. There was no recoil, butter action, and every shot hit dead center. I was hooked. Got my first Tula side folding SKS within a couple years. Just never got around to buying a MAK90. Sadly now they cost easily 3X what they did then.
Just picked up a Mak90 and LOVE it! I'm an average shot and was able to hit clays at 200 yards with open sights all day long! Thanks for a great and thorough review.
Great info and a nice visit from the coolest cat in town, Big Earl
great video man. Learned a ton and I love the MAK-90. Shoutout to Earl!
I got one at a pawn shop . looks new. Low serial # & numbers matching only one original 30 rd mag has not been altered. has the threaded barrel & it's in 5.56×45 mm. Works awesome I don't plan on changing anything on it. I love the way it looks with the thumb hole stock .& did I mention that its awesome !!!!! Sweet trigger too
You sir are a gift to the gun community! Thank you for all the informative videos. I learned a lot today thanks to you ✊.
I am amazed by this guy his knowledge is incredible wow just wow
I can remember when the MAK-90's were going for $ 157 tax included with one 5 round magazine and 2 / 30 round magazines brand new in the box
Magnificent reliable rifle. Love the thumb stock
I bought mine back in 92 for $220.00 and a case of ammo for 80.00. Being a 18 year old who could not cough up the 1k price tag for a colt anything it was my only option. I have shot countless hogs in Georgia and Florida, deer in Missouri and Washington. I bet the snapping turtle population has fallen greatly due to this rifle. I will keep mine forever.
Thanks much for watching & sharing, cheers.
Trying to watch this video with terrible wifi. My late father bought a milled Mak90 386. I'm glad I know what it is. He would have loved to know his was a under folding gun. He liked the thumb hole stock since he had big hands. Thanks for the great video.
Got one around 1994-95 at a gun show new in box for $185., still have it , it was my first AK .
I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge you have on many platforms and glad to see you did a video on one of my favorite collector items. I thought it was interesting you went into conversion vs. buying preban as well and touched on the nuances with that. I've personally done a few with the milled MAK90 being my favorite turning out a few "double folders" with spike bayonet and Chicom folding stocks. As you've highlighted, parts alone are nearly impossible to find or cost more than the entire gun back in the day. My first Chinese AK type was a B-West import that I have to this day and have added close to 100 or so of all different importers and models. As ugly as the thumbhole stock looks - they are VERY comfortable to shoot from my experience.
Misha, you stand alone in your quality of info and video presentation. Thanks for professionals like you. I hope you pass this level of common sense to a future great like you. Thanks mishaco.
man this is really making me miss my norinco mak-90 . i loved that rifle sooo much. one of the best rifles i have ever owned. and believe me ive owned many. lol. this was an awesome and very interesting all inclusive video. keep it up, this is awesome. you have earned yourself a new subscriber.
Hey guy, I threaded my MAK90 barrel with a kit from CNC warrior kit (14x1LH) and like you said the sight post doesn’t have the detent pin so I had to use red locktight to keep the brake in place. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for watching
6.4L HemiPower I did the same thing to my MAK. Did you remove you front site to thread the barrel? I didn't on mine. The barrel gets a little thicker right under the site base. I was thinking of going back and removing the site base and filing some of the barrel down so I can get the treads just under the front site like a factory one. I wonder how hard it would be to drill the hole for the locking pin on the front site?
I would get a 14x1 LH jam nut too if the lock tight doesn't keep it in place. I would imagine heat and the vibration of regular use would loosen up red locktight eventually.
I came close to selling mine a few times. I bought it for about $275 a long time ago. Glad now that I didn't sell it.
Desert Fox Outfitters also makes adapters for both milled and stamped Mak 90's with slant cut receivers. i own one of each, and almost a dozen chinese maks and they work great.
I was laughed at for buying one around 1994-95 for $225 . I traded it for a super nice dirt bike and now I am regretting it..LOL
Very informative video, your channel is one of my favorite ones....Very well produce..
Been waiting for this video for a while. Excellent information as usual.
I have a 1994 dated MAK90 and it is a beautiful gun thank God. Hard to find reliable information on them on the internet though until this video but I always wondered what the history behind those guns were. I remember the 1994 ban and being in a gun shop that year with crates of these for sale for $200 each. I sure miss those days.
Thank Earl for the cameo as well.
My mak90 was manufactured in 94 as well. My first ak I’ve ever purchased. Beautiful rifle.
thanks so much for this video. you answered some questions about my MAK90 milled reciever. I really appreciate your videos.
Just inherited one of these from my dad. Really excited about it!
Bought one in 1994 still have it had the hole for the folder and i put a folder on it . If could only have one gun it would be my norinco type 56 or my moss berg 88. Almost forgot my norinco is one of the most accurate guns I’ve ever fired. Type 56` are what the seals choose when in the Middle East. You’re awesome buddy.
I acquired a MAK 90 last year from the original owner who didn't shoot it much. I was surprised that it had a blued bolt and carrier. Unfortunately, it's the slant cut receiver so I need to bite the bullet and pick up a Ironwood furniture set.
Thanks much for watching & sharing.
Hey brother check out desert fox outfitters. They have adapters for the slant cut , straight cut mak 90. They also have other accessories. They really helped me out with mine.
I bought an Ironwood set for my mak 90 a few weeks ago...pricey, but well worth the money
Just ordered the set for mine now waiting for it to arrive!
"People didn't know shit about AK's back then" made me lol
It's 100% true though, I remember hearing some really off the wall stuff about AK's in the late 90's early 00's.
One thing to watch out for if you're in the market for a MAK 90 are the third pin guns. These are all very late guns that date from just before the 94 import ban, and they're considered contraband as they're on machine gun receivers with the L/D selector markings and sometimes a trunnion where the original model designation has been scrubbed and MAK 90 has been stamped over it. They're typically imported by Labanu, but I have seen a B-West example as well.
Strange name of "Le Banu", as it seems like French for "The Ban" ???
got a mak 90 in 2017 for $600 not a bad price put a kvar stock desert tan and it looks fantastic thanks for the history misha always enjoy it since I just barely started watching also have one of the norinco/Maadi kits and had Northwestgunsupply build it turned out beautiful he will be excited to hear about the history he was telling me that this kit was like half norinco and half Maadi but it has CIA on the left side hence your story fits good stuff would love to talk one day. From northern az thanks
I’m glad you talked about it not being a good idea to spend the money to deban.i have a beautiful mak90 that’s unfired and I still haven’t converted it.its threads were never turned down either.i have a nhm90 that I shoot.it actually had threads
I owned one of these for number of years. Loved it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I knew back then at my local gun dealer that this was a renamed AK 47. I laughed when i saw it and how ugly it was but bought it immediately for $300.00 the owner said he had 2 left and they were being discontinued.
I grabbed them both right then and there. Around the same time i purchased a Colt AR 15 that had been re-packaged as a "sporter" H-bar .223 for $1100.00 i knew that was a way around the nonsense laws at the time.
Unbelievable. Sometimes you can just feel it in your gut to just buy it.
I guess I got lucky with mine. Got the MAK 90 with the ugly butt and the shaved nose for $190 at a show in 91 or so. A few years later, at an automotive swap meet I found a hacked off barrel with the spike, and all the wood shown in the video in a box of junk for $25. The seller didn't know what it all was and neither did I, but it looked cool so I bought it all. It all fit together and looks better than original. Thanks for the information.
Love my Poly Technologies MAK-90
Thanks Misha. Picked up an unfired 1994 Mac 90 a 1-1/2 years ago for $700. Had the square back receiver. Ordered a Ironwood stock, fore grips and pistol grip. I'm in it for around $1050. Here in Idaho its pretty dry so I don't have to worry about rust. I love mine, great quality and I would like to own a preban Chinese some day. Really love my wum and romak the best of my collection. My sa85 m is pretty also but the first Romy's is the closest to a true mill spec Ak in my opinion. Thanks!
I picked one up a few months ago, and I really like it. The bluing is a little splotchy. Hopefully, I can figure out how to make it better
That underfolder is beautiful
I've been waiting for this video. Thank you sir.
Glad to deliver it to you, cheers.
I bought a MAK-90 brand new in box sometime around 1990. The box was a little rough but not bad and the gun is just like it came from the factory including the wrapped up green strap and tool kit (IIRC). It looks brand new and it's never been fired. I would have never thought it would be appreciating over the years which makes me wonder what a brand new in box MAK-90s is worth. I haven't had it out of the box for years, so I might be wrong on what's in the box, but I know it looks like brand new. It has a funky wood stain just like the one in this video. When I bought it I got a brick of Russian ammo wrapped up in paper or something and thought it would be cool to keep them together over the years.
I love my NHM91. I forget whether I had saved money or if my father bought it for me at the time, but it was 92', 93', or 94'. I saw the ad in a roses paper ad for $199 MAK 90. Went up there and bought it and it took me years to realize it was not a mak 90 but a 'mak 91' and then as I got older to adulthood I realized no, when it says NHM 91 on the gun, it's a NHM 91. I guess I lucked out on it because it had a threaded barrel and could fit any AK magazine in it. I don't remember getting a 75 round drum with it, but I may well had and if I did it ended up with my uncle for one reason or another. But I don't think it had the drum, just the two magazines.
Today I have placed a muzzle brake on it, typical AK style furniture, and due to it's great accuracy and weight, I decided to attach a bipod and for it to have drum duty if shit ever hit the fan. It's one heavy gun. I finally bought my first 'AK47' rifle last year so that desire has finally been filled after all these years. I always get that itch to buy the MAK90 I always wanted but I have to remind myself that they are not friendly to the things I want from a AK, so instead I remember that I want a chinese pre ban, not a post ban. I'll get around to buying one one of these days...
The only downside is for some dumbass reason I decided to put a M4 style muzzle brake on it. Maybe at the time I really liked it but shortly after I bought my first M4 soo....yeah. The problem is the threads were damaged getting the welded nut off, which was an extreme chore. There's just this one tiny section that's damaged. It seemed like somehow they got a weld into the nut itself that I could not be aware of because I cut through the welds around the nut and it still would not move and it irritated me and I finally hemaned it and it came loose. I want to hope that putting the current brake on it sort of improved the situation and will more so when I take it off. IF I take it off. I really do not want to take it off and the threads become so damaged that I can't install an appropriate, GOOD AK brake that actually works and it not for show. Seems kind of hard to shop for the AK brakes... shrug
FYI CORRECTION: It finally came back to me. No I did not receive a drum with my gun, nor did I get 30 round mags. All I got was the 5 round magazine. It's been so long I forgot about that. In those days you didn't get big mags with your chinese AK purchases.
Botie Master have you tried to clean up the treads? You can buy a reverse threaded14x1 die at CNC Warrior for like 30.00. Also buy the thread guide too. I'm think that's maybe 10 to 15 extra. Maybe cheaper than that. Apex I think has them too.
I have thought about it through a gunsmith but I didn't realize somebody had a product for DYI. I will look to CNCW though since you recommend them. For the most part, 90% of the thread is there. It's just an odd problem to have because I know they didn't weld at the spot because it's impossible yet something was done where I was forced to force it loose and the result was a damaged thread, pretty much exactly center at the top of the thread. I can say that it was loose and would rock back and forth before I used arm strength to break it loose.
That danged ol cat's tryin to steal the show. As always, great vid guys.
haha yep and waht's new? Thanks for watching, cheers.
Thank you Misha. Appreciate the import info along with the info on the features. My Mak-90 was a China Sports import and it still has the threads on the barrel at the front sight base. Ive kept it the same as how it was sold. Ours came with Russian 30 rd mags in the styrofoam lined box with the short mags, an oil bottle and a sling. You never mentioned the vent holes in the gas system!
I talk about the gas tube ports in the original Chinese Type 56 video. Its in the playlist if you haven't seen it yet? All AKs have ports. Its just a matter if they are on the gas block or gas tube. Its a self-regulating system really pretty simple and neat.
Can you tell me about MAK-90 and AK56 barrel comparison plz.what the difference in quality or technology button or CHF.
I had a stamped and milled mak90 that i got for less than $550 each, sold both. Now I have one of those transition type 156-1 that's just missing the bayonet lug which I picked up for about $1200.
*Another AK VIDEO!! Thank youuuu Misha*
Thanks much for watching
You address something I'd recently been thinking - putting in all the costs for new furniture, a new front site block with the spike bayonet, plus labor...you might as well buy a pre-ban. It's certainly put me on hold on any future conversions for my MAK.
DarkWizard83 I've seen the spiked kit go for 200.00 with a punch you could easily swap out. I believe the front site pins only punch out one way.
Excellent video once again Misha. Thank you.
Love the Info & your take on the MAK90.. Thank You..& Earl
Thank you for watching, cheers & meow
Best 🐈 ever love your channel and your beautiful cats stay awesome greetings from Slovenia
As always, thank you very much.
I have one of these from ‘84 and it has always been one of my favorites out of my collection.
PIcked up one as the "Sporter AK47" in May of 91 ... am keepin it
Nice video man. Good info. I miss the days of cheaper AK’s. Prices certainly haven’t come done, but thankfully MAK90’s haven’t risen as much as others. $799 Wasr 10’s is insanity. I’ll gladly spend 200-300 more and get a nice MAK90
Well wasrs are now $1000 lol
Wow...I am impressed with your channel. I learned a lot about AK's thier modern history, what's out there and pros and cons of each!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am going to subscribe to your channel
Thank you!
@@MishacoOBA do you know the twist rates on these mak90 barrels
I changed the stock, hand guards and trigger, threaded the barrel myself and made it 922r compliant. Don’t have a collectors mindset. The gun is a workhorse and it’s very accurate.
11:00 I still tilted my screen away from me. Universal precaution
Misha, I have two MAK90’s chambered in 5.56. One is stamped with triangle 66 on the trunion and the other is stamped with the norinco symbol on the receiver. Both imported by KSI Pomona CA. Both have factory threaded barrels with detents and the cleaning rods. The bayonet lugs have been cut off. Both have original pistol grips and stock but I suspect they were added by previous owners.
Another good video sir! I think pre ban Chinese Ak’s are some of the best looking variants.
AceCOman best looking for sure.
Two things about Mak 90s:
1. You can use a regular stock with slant cut recievers. It will have an ugly gap but it will work. You can cover it up with paracord or your own creative way.
2. You can thread the muzzle in 4mm left handed thread.
My buddy has a MAK 90 and he rocks a Wasr10 Stock on it and had a gun smith thread it for him. He even had the front sight drilled for the muzzle brake spring loaded detent. However he noticed that the ak was shooting way high when he put a suger scoop style break on it so maybe it isn't on straight. He has no problem with the tapco AK-74 style brake though.
It's not 4mm left hand thread because it's 14mm not 4mm left hand thread.
Great informative video. I just inherited one from my pops and you broke everything down.
@Mishaco Hello. I just found a Mak 90 in a moving box that I had forgotten about. Never hot it. Still wrapped in plastic. Did I hear you correctly (at 22:14 on the video) that they are worth $9000? How do I know which version of Mak 90 do I have? Many thanks!
I know this is crazy old but I thought I'd reply for anyone else reading this today. No, he was not saying $9000. He was saying $800, $900, $1000. He just abbreviated it as "8, 9, 1000 bucks.".
Bought alot of AK and Mak 90 and SKS. Years ago still in boxes with all the goodies. And 762x39 for 49.00 for a wooden case containing two tuna cans . Oh the good ole days.AK were 129.00 Mak 90 were 149.00 and SKS were 49.00
My MAK-90 stock did have a chunk of wood come of when firing it. No biggie, I just glued it back on. Great Vid though, Thank You.
I have 1 from my father and I love it. I struggled when I was in my early teens to keep my rifles on target. But the mak90 felt right. To this day I still out shoot myself with the mak90 compared to my higher end AKs & ARs. Here I am early 20s and mak90 still feels like home. I can’t bring myself to convert it do to the fear I have of losing the feel I have for the rifle. Only gun I could never part with
I remember mine before I debanned it great gun it was Sept 12th when I shipped it out in 2004 sent it with a Polytech complete under folding bayonet barrel assembly on Sept 22 2004 I had an Unbanned MAK 90 gun.
They also banned Chicom ammo as well I cried when Norinco 223 cal ammo was gone smelled horrible when shooting like passing gas but a $2 a box was awesome and the steel core dirt cheap 762x39 $69 a crate of 1,000 rnds man I truly wept ! One million maybe right Chicom AKs where the first AKs imported unless your talking Valmets yeah they were first also you gotta think all the 5.56 ,762x39 and bull pup models it could be true I could remember Polytech AKs in gun stores back then. I Believe the company AA-OK had imported the Chinese AK74 5.45x39 version they had two models one was fixed the other was a folder version. I wish I could find the picture of them at the SOF convention shoot they were brought in as LEO or post dealer samples I think that's what they call it for Police to evaluate for purchase? They also had a real Romanian 5.45 gun as well I had no clue to what they were thought they were just a weird AK47.
My uncle gave me one 10 years ago, it’s 26 years old and only ran 300 rounds thru it
Mine looked exactly like this. I got it in 96 for 250. Those were the days.
Great stuff my friend.
Thank you for your expertise. Very well done! I am looking at one of these right now
I own three MAK 90s, a milled Norinco, a stamped square back Norinco, and an early caught in customs stamped Polytech. I actually am more than happy to have paid $700-$800 for them considering WASR’s are going for $1200 here in MA now. The Chinese AK’s are my favorites of all countries. Of the AK’s I have shot they have been the most accurate, have had the best fit and finish, and are built like tanks. My only gripe is that on my Polytech they turned the threads off so it would have to be threaded to 1/2x28, not something I have full confidence in doing on a .30 cal barrel and that little meat left. I may have the barrel cut back and have it pinned back to 16” with a flash hider. I love my 14.5” pinned BCM AR, I wouldn’t mind having a 14.5” pinned AK as well.
Mines came with a 75 round drum and two 30 round mags. I love it still works perfectly.
Does anyone know where I can buy the folding stock for this?
Extremely informative, interesting, and well presented. While I am an AKphile and build AKs, I know very little about the Chinese counterparts.
I just cannot believe the prices said rifles can go for now.
Good delivery, a lot of good information. Thanks
very enjoyable informative history presentation on the MAC 90. I appreciate your personal opinion on whether or not to convert rifle, price value pre and post ban, and quality of the rifle. tell Earl meow for me. goooooooood job Misha
side note. one of the more interesting facts I learned today. Last summer I went all vepr acquiring a 12 gauge shotgun and ak47 versions. I know that the molot vepr's use a 1.5 mm stamped receiver, leaving me to think that the vepr's had the thickest ak stamped receiver. So it was fun to learn today that the MAK-90 has a 1.6 mm stamped receiver. The power of knowledge Rrrr Rrrrr Rrrr
To be fair, many sources say the Chinese 56 receiver is 1.5mm, while others say 1.6mm. Hardcore Chicom fans always like that second number, so i figured I'd make them happy in this video and go with it. Truth is, both are probably within factory spec as the tolerance is usually about 0.1" for any milspec stamped AK receiver.
Hey thanks for the qualifier. One of the accolades of a Molot Vepr is the 1.5mm receiver. Yet its seems in the beginning the Chinese 56 receiver did not get he same respect for its thickness until later on in time.
Misha, 1.5, 1,6, good job.
Friend has one that says poly technologies with the thumb hole stock and says mak 90 . Does that make sense?
Yes as both Norinco & Poly-Tech (like your's) are both MAK-90 "Modified AK-47s of 1990", but your MAK-90 is WORTH MORE $$$ because it's a Poly-Tech with the Chinese Premium barrel that usually makes your Poly-Tech MAK-90 worth more than a Norinco MAK-90.
I clicked on your video bc of the AK with the thumb hole stock. The reason is that I have one that looks just like that but mine says Egypt stamped on it and was trying to find information on that particular one but thank you for the information
Oh and one more thing is holy cow does the front wood get so hot that you can’t even touch it let alone hang on to it
You probably have an Egyptian ARM or RML, RPM & usually they're worth more than an MAK-90 because some of the Egyptian Post-Ban Sporters have some of their bayonet lugs on that you can add a little spot weld to fix the bayonet lug to accept bayonets.
There were also the norinco hunters, 3 versions i believe came in post ban. They have a valmet style reciever and use standard akm mags. Pretty pedestrian looking but mate it with a galil parts kit and the required us parts....
I picked up an almost mint condition Mac 90 with converted stocks and original stocks for 900$ a couple years ago. I love it and will never sell it.
found the MAK 90 in a local gun ship, first time I have ever seen one in a gunshop before
After reading your comment, i really want to turn an old boat into a gunshop.
Me and my wife purchased a mak-90 caught in the import restriction either right before or right after import. It has a factory threaded barrel and minimal amounts of the bayonet lug removed. They also just took an electric pencil and lines out the original receiver makings and stamped Mak-90 on it. I have another milled variant but the early imported one is much nicer.
If it has MAK90 on it, then yes it was a postban gun, probably imported in 1991. The caught in customs guns have the original 56S marking w/ a prefix or suffix added. For example 156S-1.