Norinco 56S AK47 Value Question

jcamer

Why do the Norinco 56S AK47 Preban rifles sell for so much? My friend has a Norinco 56S rifle he's offering to sell me for $600. It's in very nice condition but isn't $600 a little high for a stamped receiver? Why is the Norinco 56S Preban AK47 worth so much? I'm interested in buying a good high powered rifle but for $600 I'd almost rather pay $200 more and buy a AR15 Bushmaster.

What are your thoughts and suggestions? I like Norinco rifles, is this some type of collectible rifle, is that why it cost so much?

Thanks!

Joe
Kansas

rufe-snow

If it's factory original, very good condition or better. Buy it, thats a outstanding price. I had one of the same pre-ban Norinco's, that I had bought originally in the mid 80's. I easily sold it for $900 going on 4 years ago. Seems to me your friend, is doing you a favor. I wouldn't be looking a gift horse in the mouth.

jcamer

Yeah, he said it was a very good price. I'm just kind of torn between this $600 AK47 and a new Bushmaster for a $200 more. Why is this model worth $600 compared to a $300 AK47? What makes this Norinco 56S special? It appears to have a stamped receiver so it's not the more expensive milled receiver.

TWalker

Pre-ban Norinco AK's are worth a lot because they are collectible. They had all the pre-ban features and not a lot were imported before the ban. While the assault rifle ban was in effect, only modified Chinese/Norinco AK's could be imported. Then suddenly, Norinco rifles (the modified types) and all Chinese handguns were no longer allowed to enter the country by exectutive order of the President. Now that the assault ban has expired, there are still no Chinese Norinco AK's or handguns allowed to be imported. Other makes of AK's from other countries have seen imports resume and the prices on their pre-ban rifles has dropped as a result, but the Norinco prices have stayed high because there was no post-ban importation. If I wanted an AK to shoot, I wouldn't buy a Norinco, I'd get a post ban made on a U.S. receiver. I'd only buy a Norinco as a collectible.

jcamer

Great, thanks for the advice. That's very useful information. I usually shoot about 10 times a year and I wouldn't want to put wear on a collectible rifle to degrade the value.