PreBan Norinco 84S-5A AK47 Bakelite Side Folder 5.56×45 Rifle Chinese AKM
SOLD FOR: $3,345
WOA#: WY231028DC007
Make: Norinco, Factory 66
Model: 84S-5A
Serial Number: 84S-5A AQ000173
Year of Manufacture: Pre 1989 Ban
Caliber: 5.56×45/.223
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Long Stroke Gas Piston
Markings: Left side of the receiver is marked with a “66” in a triangle, “84S-5AAQ000173 / 5.56mmx45 / MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO / CSI L.A. CA”. The left side of the dust cover is marked “0173”. Right side of the receiver is marked “S” and “F” near the safety lever. The rear of the front sight is marked, “2”. There is a “B” proof mark on the right side of the receiver. The left side of the bolt is marked “0173”. The left side of the recoil spring lug is marked “0173”.
Barrel Length: 16.34”. 17.25” with birdcage flash hider.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable hooded post. The rear sight is a “U” tangent notch leaf sight marked from “1 – 8” and “D”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The buttstock is a metal framed black bakelite side folding stock. The pistol grip is serrated polymer. The handguard is a two piece black bakelite handguard. The muzzle device is a removable “BirdCage” style flash hider screwed onto the threaded barrel. It has the cleaning rod underneath the barrel along with the bayonet lug. The left side of the buttstock folding assembly has a sling ring. The left side of the gas block has a sling loop. The LOP measures about 12.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the unfolded buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition. There are no chips or cracks. There are a few scuffs and scratches on the synthetic surfaces. This rifle comes with its bayonet, however the bayonet does not want to latch to the bayonet lug.
Magazine Quantity and Condition: One 30rd Original Chinese 5.56mm AK Magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. The bore does need a light cleaning.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some minor wear including typical import marks on the receiver. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. There is some light operation wear. The mag release has some slight wear where the mag slides and on the paddle. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a total of one magazine and a bayonet with scabbard.
Our Assessment: If you look at the tag on a Chinese import from the retail store you might think, “chintzy, cheap, junk.” As true as that can be said about furniture and electronics, nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Chinese firearm imports. What’s the difference? Well, I am glad you asked. At heart, Chinese import made weapons were produced on the same manufacturing lines as their military – simply modified to meet the semi-auto requirement to be sold in the U.S. These same factories, particularly Norinco – a conglomerate of about 150 factories, produced everything from military rifles and small arms to artillery, tanks and missiles. This means the quality of Chinese imports are still the same quality produced and needed to fight and win wars. If you didn’t know why Chinese AK’s are the most sought after AK platform on the AK market, now you know. The Norinco 84S-5 was among the first wave of AKs ever imported into the US. The Norinco and PolyTech surge of imports rode upon the shoulders of the first Valmet and Maadi AK’s. Valmet came first because it was coming from our Finnish buddies, a Non-Soviet-Good-For-Nothin-Commie country. Maadi then came to us from exotic Egypt but were way too expensive. Unsatisfied with the Valmet AK that didn’t fit the classic look and the Egyptian AK as expensive as a car back then when gas prices were desirable, the US firearms market was hungry for an AK that truly fit the bill for the famous Kalashnikov Rifle. Like Manna from heaven given to the Israelites, Chinese imports hit the shores of the U.S. and the market boomed and gun loving citizens of the United States were satisfied. The 84S-5 came a little bit later in the import craze because Chinese markets saw how well and loved their initial batch of AK type rifles were received and they decided that they were going to create an AK chambered in a more U.S. friendly caliber, the 5.56 through reverse engineering. It was such a HUGE success that even the Nigerian Police adopted this rifle as their standard rifle for a time. The 84S-5 was the black bakelite side folding variant and was only imported from the beginning of 1989 to when the 1989 import Ban was imposed in July later that same year. This particular 84S-5 was made in Factory 66 and is still shining in all its Preban glory. This 84S-5 was built on the military spec type 56 receiver from stamped sheet metal. Win this rifle and make her the safe queen that all safes in the world need. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
