AK underfolders pre-ban who's the best and why?

[hvac]

I would like to get everyone's thoughts on this subject of which one's where the best pre-ban underfolders and why do you think a certain one was better than an other

[preokc]

HVAC, underfolders or downfolders as there also known are my favorite aks. personaly to me the poly legend down folder is the sweetest ak variant ever produced. that being said the yugo down folder and the hungarian down folder are also beautiful rifles. i have several down folders now and have traded off several over the years. the only problem i ever had with one was a 223 norinco 84s-1 that was ultra picky about magazines. it would scrape off the top of the casing instead of picking it up sometimes. i feel you cant go wrong with any pre ban down folder. if you can find a poly , yugo, or hungarian and afford it i would get it.i love my norinco down folders too.i prefer the poly because of it milled receiver but the stamped receiver guns are also sweet rifles. watch out for transition guns!!!!!! these were caught on the docks when the ban went into place. some of the preban features will have been modified like the barrel nut will be tack welded on or the bayonet lug ground off. even if the stock still folds these are not true pre bans. good luck! if you find some and dont want them let me know as i could always use another one in my collection. PE

[Packrat]

If you're talking about the mechanics of the stocks, I think they are all about the same. The exploded view of an E German or Polish looks the same as that of the Chinese (probably because they are Russian originally). If you're asking about the underfolder rifles, they're the same as the rifles with fixed stocks, except for the stocks and necessary modifications.

The only caution I will give is if you plan on using the rifle as a serious shooter. A friend had a 56s and brought it to the range often. I had no problem with it, but several people could not get a good cheekweld with it. But later I found I also had no problem with the Romanian sidefolder, so I may just be able to adapt to different stocks easily.

Also remember that if you live in a cold area you can get frozen to the stock, a less than pleasant occurance I would imagine.

[WJ (AK-a) Polish Guy]

If you're talking about the mechanics of the stocks, I think they are all about the same. The exploded view of an E German or Polish looks the same as that of the Chinese (probably because they are Russian originally).....


Those are copies of German MP40 folder, commonly know as "Schmaisser". Good for 9mm not to good for anything more powerfull, hence made no more.

[Packrat]

They may not be sturdy enough to hold up in combat, but the ones I have seen were OK. They certainly have no trouble soaking up x39 recoil in the short run. I've never used one that had a problem.

The people who use them for combat certainly don't seem to have a problem--there are plenty of them in photos from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc. I suspect that if they didn't work they would have been traded in for fixed stocks.

[WJ (AK-a) Polish Guy]

They may not be sturdy enough to hold up in combat, but the ones I have seen were OK. They certainly have no trouble soaking up x39 recoil in the short run. I've never used one that had a problem.

The people who use them for combat certainly don't seem to have a problem--there are plenty of them in photos from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc. I suspect that if they didn't work they would have been traded in for fixed stocks.


The "loops" in the folder are getting ovalized causing the play in the stock with time.

I do not understand what do you mean "traded in" for fixed stocks? You mean folder replaced with fixed stock or whole gun traded? Trunion is different so no stock repleacment is possible.
I do not think Africans or Arabs particular care for some play in the stock.

Every manufacturer replaced them with sidefolders long time ago.

[matt]

Would agree with PREOKE!The Legend 47S milled AK is the one to buy!
For every (10) AKM stamped only (1) 47 milled legend was mfgd.
They're the gold standard of Kalashnikovs!

[billmill]

Ever think about a side folder like the AMD 65?

[DaWoof]

If you can find one; how about a Yugo Zastava?

[patm41]

http://img21.photobucket.com/albums/v64/patm41/Guns_UnderFolder-1_003.jpg
ya can go the cheap way also... one of my Romanian Wasr -10 with a polish underfolder(pinned open)

[matt]

Preokc
Yes, you are right. These AKs aren't strictly pre-ban AKs, but if they were caught on the docks prior to the 1994 AWBs passage and you can prove your ownership, it is a paramilitary/grandfathered AK.

[OODA_Loop]

Yugo/Zastava is the best barrel steel.