Question about buying an old rifle

[the Scholar]

A coworker of mine has an old AK that he has had for a long time but hasn't shot it in over 20 years. He keeps it locked up ad it just sits. He mentioned that he would sell it to me if I was interested but I am curious about what needs to be done to keep it legit.

I know that it would need to be converted to featureless before we can start a transfer (he isn't into guns at all so he has no idea on the new laws and definitely hasn't applied for it to be an RAW). Or can it just be sold as a lower receiver and I can convert it before I reassemble it.

Also, I was curious on what prices typically are for a Chinese made AK. Searching the classified they look like they typically go for around $700'ish but I have no idea as I am not familiar with AK's at all.

Thanks for any help up front.

[highpower]

An AK does not have a "lower receiver". Much like most other rifles, the barrel is fixed to the receiver and isn't easily removable. If your friend has a Chinese AK and it has never been registered as a RAW, it is illegal in Commiefornia. He can't sell it or give it away as it is banned by name in your socialist paradise.

Even if it was registered as a RAW, (which according to you it's not,) it still cannot be sold in Commiefornia.

This is just my opinion, but if I was your friend, I would smuggle it out of state and sell it to a dealer in a free state like Nevada. There just isn't any other option unless he wants to cut it up into a parts kit, destroying the value, or he wants to get really stupid and try to sell it within the PRC's borders. Which will alert the authorities that he has an illegal weapon.

[splithoof]

Some of those Chinese AK's from back in the day had some rare variants, and could be worth a bunch more than anything now on the market. Assuming this is a RAW from the Roberti-Roos era, and indeed it is, your friend should legally transport it (with his RAW documents) out of state and sell it to a local FFL. A resident from another state who can legally purchase it will then have an interesting piece.

[Califpatriot]

There are at least two Chinese AK variants that were not banned by name--bwk-92 and nhm-91. If those have any features removed(I think they had thumbhole stocks), they can be transferred like any other long gun without any disassembly.

If he registered it under the previous registration periods, his only choice is to sell it out of state.

If it is banned by name and not registered, then he should speak to a lawyer. Trying to transport it out of state runs the risk of being pulled over, and it's a potential felony. Handing it over to the police for destruction is equivalent to self-incrimination. Probably best to get a saw that will cut through metal and destroy it himself in the ATF compliant manner.

[the Scholar]

Very interesting to know. I have no idea about AK's and I don't think that he knows anything about them either to be honest.

I will chat with him later about it. Maybe I can get more information about which model it is. He has had it since 1994 or 1995 I believe and mentioned he had only shot it probably about 3 times. I am not sure how he acquired it though.

[sigstroker]

There are at least two Chinese AK variants that were not banned by name--bwk-92 and nhm-91. If those have any features removed(I think they had thumbhole stocks), they can be transferred like any other long gun without any disassembly.

If all it has is a thumbhole stock, just plug the hole.

[beardog308]

I have a question. When the term "banned by name" is used, does it have to be exact? The flow chart reads, "Poly technologies". The receiver reads, "Polytech", for example.

[230infantry]

[cannon]

Find out what model name/number it is and check it against the list of banned weapons above.

If it is there (Exactly) he'll need to move it out of state, surrender to authorities or cut up and sell as a kit.

If it is not named. Bring it into compliance and enjoy.

[the Scholar]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. When I see him, I will ask him to figure out what exact model it is and go from there.