I find it amazing that you are blind and still know all the little fine details that you would think would only be known by sight like the color of the bolt and all the other fine details. Keep it up I love your Channel
I am an ak collector and I definitely love my 2 type 56's people can hate on them all they want but try to price one out, they are expensive for a reason and they are super reliable
Misha, I love your videos. Not to down on other channels, but ever since I've found your channel I've found it fulfills all of my interests in gun related videos. I've stopped watching a lot of the bigger gun channels on youtube and stick to mainly yourself and Rob at AKOU. I really enjoy your historical standpoint on everything. Keep up the excellent work, I watch every one of your new videos!
I just recently discovered his channel, I'm right there with you. The only 2 firearms channels I actively watch and look forward to are Misha's and AKOU. I'm more into the history of guns and technical details, than actually shooting. Watching some bum shoot a handful of rounds in the woods and say a gun feels great in the hands is just kinda... not interesting to me.
I'm really glad I'm not a collector. I would have gone insane obsessing over all these details. I run my AKs only as AKs, they are scratched up, worked on top to bottom and inside out with spare part on the ready. My AKs are meant for one thing and it's freedom from tyranny.
Hi Misha, I have the norinco 84S-1. I bought it in the late 80’s and it’s been my flagship weapon ever since. .556 is a badass caliber that shoots like a laser beam. The gun is always flawless, I’m glad to see the price reflecting their worth. Plus well pre ban bragging rights, ya there’s that.
Hello Misha, Came across your channel this morning. It is the most informative and knowledge filled video I have seen on this subject. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and educating me and the rest of your audience. Regards,
Love the Chinese AK's and SKS's. My father still has his Norinco Type-56 AKS-47 in it's original box with everything, including the receipt from when he purchased it in California. (Before they were a bunch of communists.) I've got my Type-56 SKS. Great video!
Another great video on the AK variants. Thank you so much for all the information provided. As a pre-ban AK collector myself, I agree with you on the Chinese AK being lower quality. I would rank from best to lowest being Hungarian, Yugoslavian, then Chinese. I love how much you know on AK, AR, FAL, M14, Galil, Valmet, AR180, and all the other guns you have experience with.... you are truly a walking encyclopedia of guns.
Thank you for watching. Also, while I didn't have it in time for this video, we will be posting another episode on just the Clayco AKS w/ the bakelite furniture, cheers.
Yeah it was very expensive but for me, it's like owning a piece of history. That's priceless. I'll make that money back thousands of times in my lifetime. But they're not making any more of those rifles.
@@TheActualJesus Oh I understand fully and feel the same way , I see it as you said a piece of history as well as an investment, I searched it last night after seeing Misha review it, they are Beautiful pieces and I see quality just in the images. Congratulations on your purchase, I am fairly new with the AK variant and it is addictive I can say Haha and I am gonna visit the next gun show if and when it is allowed back due to this virus problem, do you know if these are normally on display at most gun shows or not, thanks for the information and again congrats, I'd be proud of such an awesome Rifle!!!!
No, definitely not. You may see some here and there, especially at gun shops that make a point to buy these kinds of firearms but your run of the mill, or big gun store isn't going to have anything like that. Most around my area don't even sell AK's and the ones that do it's just WASR's. It's all about AR's in this country. GunBroker is the place to find all this stuff.
It should be noted that for the Global/European market there are some Chinese AK that clone Russian designs quite well in terms of parts, but the rivet pattern is still distinctly Norinco. What's funny is that the high quality airsoft repros have the correct Soviet/Euro pattern.
+Alexandru Ianu Intetesting. Funny how some of those airsoft copies get some small particulars extremely right. No wonder they have a history of customs issues!
Interestingly my local indoor Range has a polytech milled underfolder, with wood handguard and wood grip new in box never been fired, that was way out of my price range lol
Please tell me that I was not only one singing Adams Family theme? "They are quirky and assaulty, They come from factories all about me, The Chicom AK Family."
Great video, was really excited to see this one done! Have you tried taking the Legend out shooting again? I think I remember this specific legend for sale on gunbroker from a guy out in North Carolina.
Thanks much for watching. No sorry, haven't had time to try it again. We have a number of guns to try out always. Just finished a big thing on the Ace actually. Not sure on the Legend, but I am sure it was on GB at some point? I didn't buy it off their site. I grabbed it off a fellow FFL.
Misha, maybe you could do a video describing the process of Russia setting up production of rifles in various soviet republics. Was the whole process just funded by communism or did Russia require payment or formal alliance with the host country? What were the logistics like setting up the production factories? Did they require the host to import Russian machine tools?
Yes, sounds like a good idea for a video. And yes, Russia did require payment and/or an alliance (i.e. Russian troops on their soil). Trust me the AKs weren't free-free.
Republics did not have to pay, the factories was built there, where it was convienient in terms of a production line and population. Example: Eastern ukraine, coal, iron, tanks, ammunition, engines vor aircraft, titanium. Maybe poland or czech had to pay, but they Are not republics of ussr.
There was payment for both the transfer of factory equipment and plans and bulk purchases of equipment, but the political part varied from country to country. Egypt was offered a lot to buy political influence, Poland, EG, and Hungary were pretty good allies, so they were given priority, Romania mostly received equipment based on Warsaw Pact obligations, even though there were no freebies due to the fact that the leadership didn't play nice with the Soviet Union (Soviet troops were kicked out by 1958, in 1962 an independent foreign policy was announced, then throughout the 60s-80s, Romania revoked military access to WP nations, refused participation in common military exercises, blocked Soviet "advisors" from entering, and vetoed Mongolia from joining the pact).
All nice ak family but I have problem do u know website for gunpowder shipping online which one for send to middle East brother my regard ur video very nice
I have a 56s that has a knife bayonet and serial number is 300xxx can you tell me roughly what year it was made and how common are the knife bayonet ones. Thanks
Yes, at least relatively early. The B-West imports were every bit as good as any of the others exported by Norinco. I like them for their minimalist rollmarkings too.
Hello Misha my name is John and I have an Egyptian maddi Egyptian ak-47 it still has the band that lug would like to know more about it anyway you have a UA-cam channel that we can talk since you know so much about these rifles just wondering if it's a pre-ban? Thank you very much sir please if you have time get back to me!!
Even if i tried no way i will have the knowledge this man posses when it comes to Ak. To me they all look the same other than the color of wood furniture and the addition of bbq skewers at the end of barrel.
What would you like to know about it? I have had the 84S in the past. Basically just the same as a 56S, but in .223 for the US market. Not really any service history to talk about or mechanical differences to point out. The birdcage flash hider is probably the most unique feature, and it was copied from the Russian RPK-74, cheers.
That was the original style Russia had on the AK milled guns. Pretty much the Type 56 is just a milled gun with a 1.5mm stamped receiver instead (also the different FSB and bayo lug too of course). So the answer is it is a carry over feature from the original AK Type III (Type II gas tubes were similar but a bit different).
Oh boy I have found my new love in Rifles and I never felt it coming on that Soviet China built Rifle you have is it something that is available pretty much nowadays?
As with the original Russian AK, yes the earlier Type 56 rifles did not have the out of battery safety (i.e. rate reducer), but it does seem like later/more recent production ones can come with this device, cheers.
Interesting that people in US hold the Chinese AK in high regard, whereas where they are in use in the mideast and africa, they are considered sub-par compared to most combloc aks. I don't know if that's just the rarity in US talking, or the fact that Chinese AKs have been floating around for decades.
In 1994, Chinese AK's changed in quality. China was made a most favored nation, and therefore acquired a near monopoly on manufactured goods sold. Their focus on quality firearms was left by the wayside as they began making most of the things you own. consequently, all Chinese AK's in the US are these older, higher quality AK's. Also, you bring up a good point, it's also about scarcity
@@lioncelica5170 You are right about that, I remember seeing at a gun show one of the last of the Chinese imports a milled receiver in one of those ugly thumbhole stocks, the lightening cut was done so bad. I think the cutting tool was worn out. The cut barely removed any metal in the middle. The early imports were very nice. Maybe they knew the exporting was coming to an end, so they just threw together what ever parts were on hand, and shipped them off. The Clintons were in bed with the Chinese, so maybe some party members got a heads up?
@@kevinwilson9589 They knew it was coming. And it wasn't a ban per se, but rather something like making China a most favored nation. They jumped at the chance to dominate all manufactured goods to the US for the small price of not being able to sell us guns anymore. So they made the most of it by cranking up production. There was this cool interactive globe I found online that showed arms exports from country to country and by year. I plugged in China to USA and 1994 for the year and there was the largest line I found on there lol I also had an SKS-M made in 1994 and it was a massive pile of shit compared to another from 1993. But none of the AK's marked 1994 I've seen every had any issues
Best or worst is pretty subjective. These days though, the AK collecting community is quite in love with the Chicom guns. I can't say much as I do own some too lol.
No best AK are from Poland (Radom made wz 88 Tantal), Hungaria (AMD), and former East Germany (MPi). They are better then Russia made Izhmash AKs. Im from Slovakia (central Europe). I know. We have addopted vz. 58 assault rifle, Cz 805 BREN and now we produce in Slovakia KA 17 Kalashnikov assault rifle ;) Company name is Kolarms.
Mikhail thought so... I think everyone had there own preferences since Manny have their own purpose esp in own turrain and elements.. mine is the Finland M62 with bicycle grip
I love your knowledge, your guns, and most of all that you talk about. Indo however grunge every time you rack the actions over and over followed by a dry fire. It happens 2-3 times a video..Why do you feel the need to do this?. Do you think it's cool? It's not really. Learn to Decock, the our a gun guy you know better...now quit that stupid crap..
I find it amazing that you are blind and still know all the little fine details that you would think would only be known by sight like the color of the bolt and all the other fine details. Keep it up I love your Channel
I am an ak collector and I definitely love my 2 type 56's people can hate on them all they want but try to price one out, they are expensive for a reason and they are super reliable
They're expensive because it's illegal to purchase from Nirinco as an American citizen
Misha, I love your videos. Not to down on other channels, but ever since I've found your channel I've found it fulfills all of my interests in gun related videos. I've stopped watching a lot of the bigger gun channels on youtube and stick to mainly yourself and Rob at AKOU. I really enjoy your historical standpoint on everything. Keep up the excellent work, I watch every one of your new videos!
I just recently discovered his channel, I'm right there with you. The only 2 firearms channels I actively watch and look forward to are Misha's and AKOU. I'm more into the history of guns and technical details, than actually shooting. Watching some bum shoot a handful of rounds in the woods and say a gun feels great in the hands is just kinda... not interesting to me.
I'm really glad I'm not a collector. I would have gone insane obsessing over all these details. I run my AKs only as AKs, they are scratched up, worked on top to bottom and inside out with spare part on the ready. My AKs are meant for one thing and it's freedom from tyranny.
Not for everyone..... I lived for it
I cannot believe I have not discovered this channel before now.... Misha is brilliant. I have a Norinco and a Poly Tech. Subscribed immediately!
Thanks!
Hi Misha, I have the norinco 84S-1. I bought it in the late 80’s and it’s been my flagship weapon ever since. .556 is a badass caliber that shoots like a laser beam. The gun is always flawless, I’m glad to see the price reflecting their worth. Plus well pre ban bragging rights, ya there’s that.
Thank you for your interests on Chinese light arms. Your professional knowledge is really amazing. Respect from China.
Hello Misha,
Came across your channel this morning. It is the most informative and knowledge filled video I have seen on this subject.
Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and educating me and the rest of your audience.
Regards,
Misha your knowledge is incredible! I keep watching your videos and cant stop to be amazed! Good job mate!
Love the Chinese AK's and SKS's. My father still has his Norinco Type-56 AKS-47 in it's original box with everything, including the receipt from when he purchased it in California. (Before they were a bunch of communists.) I've got my Type-56 SKS. Great video!
Thank you much, cheers.
excellent videos, my dude
Another great video on the AK variants. Thank you so much for all the information provided.
As a pre-ban AK collector myself, I agree with you on the Chinese AK being lower quality. I would rank from best to lowest being Hungarian, Yugoslavian, then Chinese.
I love how much you know on AK, AR, FAL, M14, Galil, Valmet, AR180, and all the other guns you have experience with.... you are truly a walking encyclopedia of guns.
Thank you for watching. Also, while I didn't have it in time for this video, we will be posting another episode on just the Clayco AKS w/ the bakelite furniture, cheers.
you mind showing us your preban in some videos in the future? :)
Really love your vids Misha !!!! Love the history and passion you share.
Thank you very much, honestly thank you.
Love love looove your content. Just picked up my very first pre ban 2 days ago. Norinco 56s Sile import. I'm in love!
Is that the first Rifle he reviewed, the one you have now?
Never mind, just searched the Model 56 on Gunbroker only to have my feelings hurt, of course something that sweet would have to be financed, WOW $$$$
Yeah it was very expensive but for me, it's like owning a piece of history. That's priceless. I'll make that money back thousands of times in my lifetime. But they're not making any more of those rifles.
@@TheActualJesus Oh I understand fully and feel the same way , I see it as you said a piece of history as well as an investment, I searched it last night after seeing Misha review it, they are Beautiful pieces and I see quality just in the images. Congratulations on your purchase, I am fairly new with the AK variant and it is addictive I can say Haha and I am gonna visit the next gun show if and when it is allowed back due to this virus problem, do you know if these are normally on display at most gun shows or not, thanks for the information and again congrats, I'd be proud of such an awesome Rifle!!!!
No, definitely not. You may see some here and there, especially at gun shops that make a point to buy these kinds of firearms but your run of the mill, or big gun store isn't going to have anything like that. Most around my area don't even sell AK's and the ones that do it's just WASR's. It's all about AR's in this country. GunBroker is the place to find all this stuff.
It should be noted that for the Global/European market there are some Chinese AK that clone Russian designs quite well in terms of parts, but the rivet pattern is still distinctly Norinco. What's funny is that the high quality airsoft repros have the correct Soviet/Euro pattern.
+Alexandru Ianu Intetesting. Funny how some of those airsoft copies get some small particulars extremely right. No wonder they have a history of customs issues!
There is Russian prototype AKM with Chinese style. Prob the one they got and based off of. Would make sense lol
Thanks for sharing.Some of my favorites.Something about the blueing on these and my smith revolvers like a work of art.
Thank you, cheers.
Amazing content, Thank you for this!!
Hi Misha, awesome information. Have you ever done a video on the poly tech with the Galil side folder?
Interestingly my local indoor Range has a polytech milled underfolder, with wood handguard and wood grip new in box never been fired, that was way out of my price range lol
The blued finish is definitely good looking. I hope I'll get a 56-2 one day, i wish i lived in the US or some place with reasonable laws.
Thank you for an excellent video of the Chicom rifles. Well done.
Excellent review, Misha. Appreciate your knowledge and look forward to all your videos.
thank you,
Please tell me that I was not only one singing Adams Family theme?
"They are quirky and assaulty,
They come from factories all about me,
The Chicom AK Family."
HAoww do the pre-ban R.A.I. type 56 AKM rate in quality as in high round count endurance on the trunions for example ? Thanks
just need a fixed stock 56 to call my collection complete now
thank you for watching
Great video, was really excited to see this one done!
Have you tried taking the Legend out shooting again?
I think I remember this specific legend for sale on gunbroker from a guy out in North Carolina.
Thanks much for watching. No sorry, haven't had time to try it again. We have a number of guns to try out always. Just finished a big thing on the Ace actually. Not sure on the Legend, but I am sure it was on GB at some point? I didn't buy it off their site. I grabbed it off a fellow FFL.
16:38 were can I get that ak with the bayonet?
Check out gun broker.
Hey Misha, might be a dumb idea, but I'd love to see a video with a breakdown on weight comparisons between popular AK's that exist in the US market.
Misha, maybe you could do a video describing the process of Russia setting up production of rifles in various soviet republics. Was the whole process just funded by communism or did Russia require payment or formal alliance with the host country? What were the logistics like setting up the production factories? Did they require the host to import Russian machine tools?
Yes, sounds like a good idea for a video. And yes, Russia did require payment and/or an alliance (i.e. Russian troops on their soil). Trust me the AKs weren't free-free.
Republics did not have to pay, the factories was built there, where it was convienient in terms of a production line and population. Example: Eastern ukraine, coal, iron, tanks, ammunition, engines vor aircraft, titanium. Maybe poland or czech had to pay, but they Are not republics of ussr.
There was payment for both the transfer of factory equipment and plans and bulk purchases of equipment, but the political part varied from country to country. Egypt was offered a lot to buy political influence, Poland, EG, and Hungary were pretty good allies, so they were given priority, Romania mostly received equipment based on Warsaw Pact obligations, even though there were no freebies due to the fact that the leadership didn't play nice with the Soviet Union (Soviet troops were kicked out by 1958, in 1962 an independent foreign policy was announced, then throughout the 60s-80s, Romania revoked military access to WP nations, refused participation in common military exercises, blocked Soviet "advisors" from entering, and vetoed Mongolia from joining the pact).
@@ozarkbeararms8840 Denek (money) or machinery including tractors.
I’m always waiting for him to put a round through his ceiling. Had a buddy do that once.
Fantastic lecture.
All nice ak family but I have problem do u know website for gunpowder shipping online which one for send to middle East brother my regard ur video very nice
Thank you for watching. Sorry, i do not know of any website like that.
Great arms collection and very informative, thank you.
I love that poly Bakelite 56-2 😍
I have a 56s that has a knife bayonet and serial number is 300xxx can you tell me roughly what year it was made and how common are the knife bayonet ones. Thanks
Thank you for the informations. Very good knowledge
Do those venting holes in the gas tube make any difference?
Great video Misha, love my chicoms.
If you had to only keep 1, would you go for a Chinese or one of your Maadis?
Ozark Bear Arms maadi
What can you tell me about GSAD MAN BEA.
Excellent videos.
Hi Mishaco your videos are obviously awesome and I am gonna ask to plz make a video on russian AKM(7.62) especially 1975 model if you can .
Please do a video on the Polytech AKS-223 rifle. There is next to nothing out there on that rifle.
Another Great video before Nap time! I was curious if your going to add the NDM-86.
Misha, any insights on Armco imported chicom AKs, out if Boylston Massachusetts?
Sorry, no special knowledge here. There were over a dozen importers of the Chinese AKS/56S. Same guns, just different ports of entry into the USA.
I totally just found this guy and some of his items on gun broker and I’m buying a surplus off him! So fucking cool
Do you own of the guns shown in your videos? If so; REALLY nice collection..!!!!
Misha, I’ve got a double folder as well. All that’s on it is the importer (B West), made in China and ak47S. Is this an early import as well?
Yes, at least relatively early. The B-West imports were every bit as good as any of the others exported by Norinco. I like them for their minimalist rollmarkings too.
I have an Chinese ak stamped "CGA 1###" then "ak47s and made in China " that's it. Wish I knew more about it
Another great video keep it up
Thank you, we'll keep trying....
I like your knowledge of guns,you know your shit
Wish i could bring some Canadian type 81's down to you guys to trade for some AK's lol
Hello Misha my name is John and I have an Egyptian maddi Egyptian ak-47 it still has the band that lug would like to know more about it anyway you have a UA-cam channel that we can talk since you know so much about these rifles just wondering if it's a pre-ban? Thank you very much sir please if you have time get back to me!!
That's an easy one to answer. Who was the importer? That info will be on the side of teh receiver, cheers.
THE CHINESE PERFECTED THE CRAFT!!. .THERE MORE JUST AS VALUABLE AS THE ORIGINAL RUSSIAN
Even if i tried no way i will have the knowledge this man posses when it comes to Ak. To me they all look the same other than the color of wood furniture and the addition of bbq skewers at the end of barrel.
How about a video about the Polytech AKS-223 rifle?
What would you like to know about it? I have had the 84S in the past. Basically just the same as a 56S, but in .223 for the US market. Not really any service history to talk about or mechanical differences to point out. The birdcage flash hider is probably the most unique feature, and it was copied from the Russian RPK-74, cheers.
Un cordial Saludos
Bonito arma
Thanks for another informative vid.Question...why do the chinese perforate their gas tubes?
That was the original style Russia had on the AK milled guns. Pretty much the Type 56 is just a milled gun with a 1.5mm stamped receiver instead (also the different FSB and bayo lug too of course). So the answer is it is a carry over feature from the original AK Type III (Type II gas tubes were similar but a bit different).
Oh boy I have found my new love in Rifles and I never felt it coming on that Soviet China built Rifle you have is it something that is available pretty much nowadays?
The Type81 is just a straight-up VZ58 clone.
THE BULGARIAN DONT HAVE SHIT ON THE CHINESE WEAPONS
Chinese Ak's dont have hammer retarders, and Chinese bakelight mags are all over the middle east
They are a sought after item in the US. Typical asking price is upwards of $200
As with the original Russian AK, yes the earlier Type 56 rifles did not have the out of battery safety (i.e. rate reducer), but it does seem like later/more recent production ones can come with this device, cheers.
Thanks for saying that. I realise I didn't word things properly in this video regarding those mags, cheers.
It’s the rifle one most USA troop be shot at with in Nam
👍keep it up good job
Interesting that people in US hold the Chinese AK in high regard, whereas where they are in use in the mideast and africa, they are considered sub-par compared to most combloc aks. I don't know if that's just the rarity in US talking, or the fact that Chinese AKs have been floating around for decades.
I don't have an answer either, but agree it is an interesting comparison and opinion.
In 1994, Chinese AK's changed in quality. China was made a most favored nation, and therefore acquired a near monopoly on manufactured goods sold. Their focus on quality firearms was left by the wayside as they began making most of the things you own. consequently, all Chinese AK's in the US are these older, higher quality AK's. Also, you bring up a good point, it's also about scarcity
spiritof78 its because they are preferred assault rifle in Mideast ,African and south America.
@@lioncelica5170 You are right about that, I remember seeing at a gun show one of the last of the Chinese imports a milled receiver in one of those ugly thumbhole stocks, the lightening cut was done so bad. I think the cutting tool was worn out. The cut barely removed any metal in the middle. The early imports were very nice. Maybe they knew the exporting was coming to an end, so they just threw together what ever parts were on hand, and shipped them off. The Clintons were in bed with the Chinese, so maybe some party members got a heads up?
@@kevinwilson9589 They knew it was coming. And it wasn't a ban per se, but rather something like making China a most favored nation. They jumped at the chance to dominate all manufactured goods to the US for the small price of not being able to sell us guns anymore. So they made the most of it by cranking up production. There was this cool interactive globe I found online that showed arms exports from country to country and by year. I plugged in China to USA and 1994 for the year and there was the largest line I found on there lol I also had an SKS-M made in 1994 and it was a massive pile of shit compared to another from 1993. But none of the AK's marked 1994 I've seen every had any issues
needs more cats
Bayonet lug with bayonet
I dont find stalin in the comment section.
i thought the bulgarian ak's were best after the russian ones
Best or worst is pretty subjective. These days though, the AK collecting community is quite in love with the Chicom guns. I can't say much as I do own some too lol.
No best AK are from Poland (Radom made wz 88 Tantal), Hungaria (AMD), and former East Germany (MPi). They are better then Russia made Izhmash AKs. Im from Slovakia (central Europe). I know. We have addopted vz. 58 assault rifle, Cz 805 BREN and now we produce in Slovakia KA 17 Kalashnikov assault rifle ;) Company name is Kolarms.
Mikhail thought so... I think everyone had there own preferences since Manny have their own purpose esp in own turrain and elements.. mine is the Finland M62 with bicycle grip
The quality of the Chinese AK is overstated and overrated.
Its kind of funny how something can't just be 'good' any more. It ahs to be "great" or "shit" lol.
I would assume you probably never owned one. Just saying.
Mikhail guns
North Hollywood
Sorry, I don't know what that means.
Rifles used in the Bank of America robbery in North Hollywood CA were Chinese.
I love your knowledge, your guns, and most of all that you talk about. Indo however grunge every time you rack the actions over and over followed by a dry fire. It happens 2-3 times a video..Why do you feel the need to do this?. Do you think it's cool? It's not really. Learn to Decock, the our a gun guy you know better...now quit that stupid crap..
I have a Norinco Type 56s and need help dating it.
The serial is /66\ MS501XXX
Any one have a clue?