The stamp on the guns is the number 386 in a small circle on the left side of the front trunion, close to the serial number. All Legends are stamped (386), and designated AK-47/S. Their original factory magazines are marked 'Poly China' on the bottom of the floor plate, and the magazine followers are Chrome. Norinco Mak-90 Sporter 7.62x39 16' Barrel Semi Automatic AK-47 Rifle Pre-Ban w/2 Mags Description: Norinco Mak-90 Sporter 7.62x39mm semi automatic rifle, made in China and imported by Interstate Arms. This rifle was manufactured and imported prior to the 1994 AWB, making it Pre-Ban. Help Identifying this AK - posted in AK - Rifles: I’m trying to determine if this Norinco MAK-90 is pre or post ban. I’ve had this rifle for longer than I can remember and recently thought about selling it, so I brought it out and figured I’d do a little research on it before I did. I always thought this was a post-ban rifle because of the thumb-hole stock, but I read that the year of.
By Geremy Chubbuck ([email protected]) Excel Version
Disclaimer: This list is correct to the best of my knowledge, however, I accept absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy of this information or for the consequences and/or damages occurring from any inaccuracies. I have compiled this list for the purposes of sharing information only. This is not intended to be used in any way except for personal entertainment. It is a compilation of both personal information and information submitted from others from the Internet. ALL SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE VERIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO ANY PURCHASE OR ASSEMBLY. It should be noted that it is a felony to possess a Post-Ban (newly assembled after Sept 13, 1994) assault weapon.
If any information presented here is found to be incorrect or you have additional information to contribute, please contact me via E-Mail ([email protected]) and I will update and re-issue the list.
Note: All items marked with a single asterisk (*) are taken from http://home1.gte.net/bblakley/ban/index.htm. The year/serial numbers under Colt SP series was forwarded to me by an individual whose return address I no longer have. Double asterisk (**) under Bushmaster, a person on the internet e-mailed me that he had a lower that was shipped stripped (thus not a complete rifle) in 1991 from Bushmaster with serial #0327XX - ALWAYS CALL TO VERIFY.
Advanced Armaments
No information - Apparently machined from bar stock aluminum, lowers are marked as M-15.
No information - Apparently machined from bar stock aluminum, lowers are marked as M-15.
American Spirit Arms(Formerly 'Sun Valley Traders')
ALL lowers are Post-Ban. Began introduction of lowers and rifles in mid/late 1998. Noted as having good fit & finish. Also, reported to be manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool.
ALL lowers are Post-Ban. Began introduction of lowers and rifles in mid/late 1998. Noted as having good fit & finish. Also, reported to be manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool.
Armalite/Eagle 800-336-0184
Slightly over S/N 30,000 was the Pre-Ban cut-off, call to verify.* (Some Eagle lowers below the 30,000 range were determined to be POST ban by BATF - call to verify) Armalite sells Eagle lowers, but sells factory complete rifles with Armalite lowers.
Slightly over S/N 30,000 was the Pre-Ban cut-off, call to verify.* (Some Eagle lowers below the 30,000 range were determined to be POST ban by BATF - call to verify) Armalite sells Eagle lowers, but sells factory complete rifles with Armalite lowers.
Bohica
Made stainless steel lowers, rumored to have also made AR-15 pistols. Lower marked M16-SA. This is NOT verifiable info as it came from the Internet. Out of Business.
Made stainless steel lowers, rumored to have also made AR-15 pistols. Lower marked M16-SA. This is NOT verifiable info as it came from the Internet. Out of Business.
Bushmaster 800-998-SWAT
Below L051000 - Assembled Pre-Ban Rifles and some pre-94 lowers.**
L051001-L063000 - Mixed Pre-Ban Assembled Rifles and Pre-Sept 94 Lowers (Call to verify)
L063001 and Up - Post-Ban
Below L051000 - Assembled Pre-Ban Rifles and some pre-94 lowers.**
L051001-L063000 - Mixed Pre-Ban Assembled Rifles and Pre-Sept 94 Lowers (Call to verify)
L063001 and Up - Post-Ban
Century Arms
Lower marked CIA. All are Post-Ban. Made with Olympic Arms Receivers under contract.
Lower marked CIA. All are Post-Ban. Made with Olympic Arms Receivers under contract.
Colt 800-962-COLT
CC001616 and Below - Pre-Ban
CH019500 and Below - Pre-Ban
GC018500 and Below - Pre-Ban
LH011326 and Below - Pre-Ban
MH086020 and Below - Pre-Ban
NL004800 and Below - Pre-Ban
SL027246 and Below - Pre-Ban
SP360200 and Below - Pre-Ban
1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
ST038100 and Below - Pre-Ban
TA10100 and Below - Pre-Ban
BD000134 and Below - Pre-Ban (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model)
MT00001 and Above - Post-Ban
BK000001and Above - Post Ban (CAR-A3)
CST000001 and Above - Post-Ban (Began Late 1997 Production)
CMH000001 and Above - Post Ban
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production
CC001616 and Below - Pre-Ban
CH019500 and Below - Pre-Ban
GC018500 and Below - Pre-Ban
LH011326 and Below - Pre-Ban
MH086020 and Below - Pre-Ban
NL004800 and Below - Pre-Ban
SL027246 and Below - Pre-Ban
SP360200 and Below - Pre-Ban
1963 SP00001-SP00023**
1964 SP00101
1965 SP02501
1966 SP05600
1967 SP08250
1968 SP10750
1969 SP14000-SP14653
1970 SP15001-SP15473
1971 SP16001
1972 SP19401
1973 SP24201
1974 SP32601
1975 SP43801
1976 SP55301
1977 SP67651
1978 SP83400
ST038100 and Below - Pre-Ban
TA10100 and Below - Pre-Ban
BD000134 and Below - Pre-Ban (AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - very rare model)
MT00001 and Above - Post-Ban
BK000001and Above - Post Ban (CAR-A3)
CST000001 and Above - Post-Ban (Began Late 1997 Production)
CMH000001 and Above - Post Ban
CCH010000 and Above - Post Ban MT6700, MT6700C and MT6700CH series, 1998 production
Dalphon (360) 427-6867
All are POST ban. Cast 356-T6 Aluminum, hardcoat anodized per mil-spec A-8625
All are POST ban. Cast 356-T6 Aluminum, hardcoat anodized per mil-spec A-8625
DPMS 800-578-3767
Below 10300 - Pre-Ban.
Some or all lowers are cast. Black in color. Some lowers are Stainless Steel.
Below 10300 - Pre-Ban.
Some or all lowers are cast. Black in color. Some lowers are Stainless Steel.
Eagle Arms 309-944-6939
Now called ArmaLite. They will not give out a list, but will look up on an individual basis. Lower receiver serial numbers DO NOT begin with EA.
Now called ArmaLite. They will not give out a list, but will look up on an individual basis. Lower receiver serial numbers DO NOT begin with EA.
Essential Arms
All are Pre-Ban as they went out of business in 1993. (DPMS bought them prior to the Ban) Call DPMS Lower receiver serial numbers begin with EA. Some or all lowers are cast. Light gray coloring. It is rumored that Ruger investment casted the lowers for Essential Arms.
All are Pre-Ban as they went out of business in 1993. (DPMS bought them prior to the Ban) Call DPMS Lower receiver serial numbers begin with EA. Some or all lowers are cast. Light gray coloring. It is rumored that Ruger investment casted the lowers for Essential Arms.
Frankford Arsenal
All are pre-ban. As rumor has it, Olympic Arms produced the lowers for Frankford Arsenal Call Olympic Arms and then Frankford assembled the weapon. A2 configuration lower. Frankford Arsenal went out of business in 1987. (Info from [email protected])
All are pre-ban. As rumor has it, Olympic Arms produced the lowers for Frankford Arsenal Call Olympic Arms and then Frankford assembled the weapon. A2 configuration lower. Frankford Arsenal went out of business in 1987. (Info from [email protected])
Hesse Arms
All AR-15's are post ban. Manufacturing began late 1997/early 1998.
All AR-15's are post ban. Manufacturing began late 1997/early 1998.
J.L.M & Sons* (603) 425-1860
SC001 thru SC250 are Pre-Ban. All others are post ban.
SC001 thru SC250 are Pre-Ban. All others are post ban.
Knights Armament Co.
All AR-15's are post ban, very few AR-10's are pre-ban. No further info at this time.
All AR-15's are post ban, very few AR-10's are pre-ban. No further info at this time.
Military Manufacturing (M2) (FAX 702-263-7875)
All were military/law enforcement only. Full auto lowers were standard, semi were optional. Lowers were machined form raw bar stock with improvements incorporated - 18deg magazine angle and square mag release. (See: http://www.m2corp.com/HOME.htm)
All were military/law enforcement only. Full auto lowers were standard, semi were optional. Lowers were machined form raw bar stock with improvements incorporated - 18deg magazine angle and square mag release. (See: http://www.m2corp.com/HOME.htm)
Nesard
See 'Sendra' below.
See 'Sendra' below.
Olympic Arms 360-459-7940
Olympic Arms Manufacturer's Notes:
1. There were some odd variations and some custom serial numbers mixed in thru the years also. And, some receivers manufactured after the ban have the year stamp after the model name, not in the serial #. And if you don't see a year stamp on the receiver, it is not necessarily pre-ban.
1. There were some odd variations and some custom serial numbers mixed in thru the years also. And, some receivers manufactured after the ban have the year stamp after the model name, not in the serial #. And if you don't see a year stamp on the receiver, it is not necessarily pre-ban.
2. Serial numbers that end in 'D' were duplicates and one was changed using this letter.
3. Recently some serial numbers have left with one or two letters followed by FIVE numbers. The last numbers are either 5's or 0's. 99.9% of these are post-ban.
4. 'Older' does not always mean pre-ban as per Corey Sattler.
5. 'BL' serial number series lowers are transitional with some pre and some post ban. If you have a 'BL' you'll have to call to verify for certain.
Professional Ordinance
All are post ban (including all of the pistols).
All are post ban (including all of the pistols).
PWA (360) 438-3983
35222 and Below - Pre-Ban (Note:Some lowers are cast not forged. Out of business) Post-ban have a year prefix in the serial number. Rumored to have only sold lowers.
35222 and Below - Pre-Ban (Note:Some lowers are cast not forged. Out of business) Post-ban have a year prefix in the serial number. Rumored to have only sold lowers.
Rocky Mountain Arms
Producer of AR-15 type pistols.
Producer of AR-15 type pistols.
Sendra
Post-ban receivers have a circle milled into the side of the magwell. They were originally bead-blasted to a non-glare finish. All others are pre-ban. (This is unverified info...) Also, they used to be NESARD. Rumored to have been owned by Dick Drasen (currently M&A Parts) and produced lowers only out of Barrington, Illinois. No complete guns were sold (again, unverified info).
Post-ban receivers have a circle milled into the side of the magwell. They were originally bead-blasted to a non-glare finish. All others are pre-ban. (This is unverified info...) Also, they used to be NESARD. Rumored to have been owned by Dick Drasen (currently M&A Parts) and produced lowers only out of Barrington, Illinois. No complete guns were sold (again, unverified info).
This is an exclamation we hear quite often regarding products that have been imported from China. For decades U.S. companies have commissioned Chinese manufacturers to produce products, for a fraction of the cost, rather than produce them domestically. While a lot of these cheaply-produced goods are garbage, not everything that comes from the Far East is. Let’s talk about the Chinese AK.
It’s no secret that Apple produces most of their electronic devices in China. The iPhone has been the most popular smartphone for almost a decade, and aside from the opinions of several Android snobs, the iPhone does not even remotely suck. So is it possible that China produces some great products? Absolutely! Just look at their amazing AK platform guns, which some consider to be the best imported AKs (even over Russian models).
So what makes the Chinese AK so great?
Attention to detail. They did not follow the eastern-European standards for Kalashnikovs. Chinese AKs used a 1.5 mm-thick sheet metal receiver as opposed to the 1.0 mm that is used in Europe. Right off the bat, this gives you a sturdier base — it makes the heart of your rifle tougher and more accurate.
Chinese AKs also came with much thicker barrels than most imported AKs. The barrels were pressed a lot tighter into the trunnions or milled receivers than any other AK out there. Having that super-tight fit and a thicker barrel, without a doubt, is one of the reasons the guns are so accurate. Their actions are smooth and their triggers are fantastic. Chinese AKs make a lot of other Kalashnikov-style guns look like and feel like pieces of shit.
The first Chinese AK was called the Type 56 assault rifle. It was created in 1956 and is still in service today. A rough estimate of 10-15 million of these were produced. Countless numbers were exported to countries all over the world, including many African, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian nations. These guns, unfortunately, were the ones primarily used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. They ended up having a stigma for Vietnam War veterans that continues to this day.
Although a lot of the imported Chinese guns might look similar, their quality is a completely different story. Some might call the Polytech Legend the finest AK-platform gun that was ever imported to the States, while the B-West is a “hit or miss” purchase. All Chinese AKs are collectable, but not all are as valuable as others. Here are some of the companies who have exported or imported Chinese AKs into the United States, along with some info about their models:
Poly Technologies (Poly Tech)
These had the finest quality parts that were meticulously built into guns and brought into the States — the Holy Grail of Chinese AKs:
The most collectable of all the Chinese AKs.
$2200-$5000 price range based on 2016 prices. Each day that passes the prices just increase.
Imported from 1988-1989.
Models
Legend- Milled receiver. They also had a national match that featured longer hand-selected and air-gauged barrels.
AKS-762-stamped receiver (7.62×39 mm).
AKS-223-stamped receiver (.223 Rem 5.56×45 mm).
Norinco
They brought in more guns and more models than any other company.
The Mak 90 is the most common Norinco AK. They came in multiple calibers. A milled receiver and two different style stamped receivers were available.
“Angle Cut” and “Straight Cut” describes how the rear of the stamped receivers were cut. The straight cut is the more desired of the two, because it can be retrofitted to more standard AK accessories.
NHM91 was the model that was available during the 1994-2004 ban.
They had thumb-hole stocks, non-threaded barrels, and bayonet lugs removed.
Some had bi-pods attached and longer barrels similar to the RPK-style Russian guns.
Type 86S Bullpup-style gun.
Standard AK parts, like the bolt and bolt carrier, can interchange with this platform.
NDM86; a Dragunov clone in 7.62x51mm (308).
Some had issues with firing pins often piercing primers.
Norinco also had the responsibility of importing for many smaller importers listed below. Many firearms that were imported could have multiple importers’ names engraved onto the receiver.
The following are importers that are “notable mentions,” but were not heavy hitters like Norinco or Poly Tech. Some have pasts that are unknown or somewhat shady.
![Pre Ban Norinco Ak 47 Serial Numbers Pre Ban Norinco Ak 47 Serial Numbers](/uploads/1/3/5/1/135119930/627289804.jpg)
Clayco Sports
These had warning instructions stamped into the top cover.
Imported during ‘83-’84.
Came with synthetic black stocks, not wood.
Had blued bolt carrier.
Open front sight (as opposed to the covered on all other Chinese AKs).
B-West
U.S.-manufactured ones had non-heat-treated guide rails and axis pin holes, which caused malfunctions after moderate use.
You want to find a B-West imported as opposed to a B-West manufactured.
Serial numbers that started with BWA, BWB, BWC or BWD are the ones you want.
Serial numbers that started with 989 or 999 were the bad ones. They are still collectable, but were not heat treated correctly.
G.S.A.D. (Golden State Arms Distribution)
Thought to be imported before or around the same time as Clayco Sports guns.
No import/export markings on the gun.
Most of these were purchased by the film industry for use in movies.
Came in fixed-stock and underfolder models.
GLNIC
Based out of California, it was an import company owned by the People’s Liberation Army of China.
Earlier models were imported by GCA (“GCA” can be found stamped on the front trunnion). Later models were imported by Norinco.
Unknown quantity or dates of importation.
CJA, Armco
Both companies were shut down due to legal issues.
Unknown quantity of imports.
The only negative about Chinese AKs is that it can be difficult to find replacement parts for them. Good old Bill “Saxophone” Clinton signed some parchment that made it so that we cannot get imported Chinese AKs or AK-47 parts anymore. So, if you accidently lose the bolt of your gun, there is a good chance you will have to scour the earth to find one. And if you do find one, it requires you to take it to a very expensive, skilled AK builder to get it head-spaced to your gun.
Accessories
Pre Ban Norinco Ak 47 Serial Numbers Online
IMO, the Chinese AK mags are the best steel mags period! The spine of the magazine was smooth as opposed to having a knife-like ridge that went all the way down. The smoothness allows it to flow in and out of the kit with ease. The Chinese also make the best AK drum magazines. Their design allows you to pop open the back and throw in rounds as quickly as you can.
Warning
Pre Ban Norinco Ak 47 Serial Numbers Look
If you purchase a non-7.62×39 Chinese gun, be prepared to look through hell and high water to find magazines and replacement parts, and expect to pay a premium once you do. It will still be difficult to find replacement parts for a 7.62×39 gun, but this is still infinitely easier than finding them for a .223 or 7.62×51 Chinese gun.
Conclusion
If you’ve gotten crappy products from China, it’s because the company that had them made does not care about you or your customer satisfaction. It’s not because the Chinese are incapable of producing high-quality products. The Polytech AKs are a testament to that. So, if you are smart, start searching those small-town gun shows and maybe you will find a gem of a Chinese AK hidden in the “Chinese Junk/Commie Shit” pile. Or maybe, like me, you are praying that our new President will open up the gates so that we can get more awesome guns from China again. One can only hope — BC
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Pre Ban Norinco Ak 47 Serial Numbers List
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