NHM-90 Norinco in 223...opinions?

[Volvoguy]

I have asked this on other firums, but I know you guys are the experts, so here goes...

I found a nearly new NHM-90 in 223 at a local pawn shop. The thing has the stamped receiver and a Bishop walnut stock and an excellent bluing/finish on the metal...the best I have ever seen on an AK variant...ditto for the wood. It has a threaded muzzle as well. One 30rd mag comes with it as does a green Chinese sling.

The guy will take 350 dollars out the door.

Are these considered good Ak variants? (I know SKSs and Mausers...not AKs)

HOw common are the Norinco stamped NHM-90s in 223? I have never seen one in the flesh before...only in photos on the web.

How expensive is a normal pistol grip stock set for this rifle? Is a laminated on available?

How about the 223 versions? Reliable as the 7.62mm AKs?

If so, wouldn't it be safe to assume this is the best of both worlds - the reliability/simplicity of the AK design with the low recoil and long range accuracy of the 223 round?

I am probably going to pick this rifle up anyways, because I simply do not see nice Chinese AK variants for sale around me very often. Especially one in 223 caliber.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

- Volvoguy

[Mbsk01]

For $350, BUY IT!!!

If nothing else, buy it and sell it to me for $350.

[preokc]

from my experience they are fine guns. two downs to me over the 762 rifle. 1. the ejector is the same as the 762 rifles but the 223 casing is slightly smaller in diameter so when i used brass cased ammo sometimes the ejector would just cut a slice in the casing and not eject it. i never hand this problem with metal cased ammo. 2. magazines are pricier. sounds like a good deal. also becareful buying mags as not all chinese ak 223 mags are interchangable. so dont buy a mag without trying it first. just out of curiousity does it have the knock outs for a folding stock? good luck. PE

[Packrat]

I have one of the Norincos marked "BWK-92", imported by B-West, and while I haven't shot it a lot, it seems to act just like it's bigger 7.62x39 brother. Norinco mags, while a little pricier than 7.62x39, are just as sturdy and dependable. It's certainly worth $350 in good condition.

It can be converted to PG and standard stock with the replacement of at least 4 BATFE parts. I'd replace the buttstock, and FCG (try to get an AK-47/double-hook trigger FCG; all Chinese AKs, stamped or milled, are AK-47s, not AKMs). The PG is an added, not replaced, part, as long as it's US-made. It's too bad you have to replace the FCG; Chinese FCGs are among the best.

[demented]

I had one a year ago and was able to get the brown bakelite SAR .223 magazines to work in it. I had to file the magazine locking lug down to get it to lock into the rifle. This might be a source for spare magazines for the Norinco if you decide to buy it. The particular rifle I had would give just about any out of the box AR-15 a run for its money as far as accuracy. Reliability seemed to be on par with other AK's I have owned.

[Bret]

I've had a new one and just got around to firing it last weekend. I fired 140rds through it without any malfunctions. As an added bonus, the sights were dead on. I didn't have to adjust them at all. I was told at the time that you need to make sure that you get the correct Chinese magazines. I was fortunate to have someone set me up with the right ones. I'd definitely snatch it up for $350. The only gripe that I have is that it puts big dents in the side of the brass cases when they're ejected. So, I can't reload them. Oh well, my Galil does that too. :small_gri

[socandyman]

the dents in case isnt commin
the only prob your gonna have is the mags(hard to find)

[JA]

Check the Chinese rifles page of my web pages for info on your rifle.http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jfreeman246/index.htm
If a Chinese rifle has a Bishop stock on it there is no way it can have a underfolding stock receiver that is denoted by the "knock outs" on each side of the reciever. The underfolding stock rear trunion has a steel plate the closes up the back of the reciever so the part of the Bishop stock that goes into the receiver couldn't. All post ban rifles with underfolding stock receivers had Chinese made thumbhole stocks on them when imported. The only stocks that will fit on them is a Chinese,Choate,and Fiberforce thumbhole stock or a underfolding stock.
All AK rifles dent the fired cases as they hit the edge of the receiver cover during ejection. The dent is not a problem when reloading brass cases fired in a AK rifle. The resizing die will not remove the dent but it has no effect on the function of the reloads.
http://ironwooddesigns.com/2Aprodpage/1zAKproduct.html
Makes lamanated stock sets for your rifle and the straight cut stamped receiver MAK-90 stock set is the one to fit your rifle.
The price sounds about right and I would jump on it as they are really good rifles.