Archived Posts » 59,821,464
Polytech legend keep or sell?
7/25/2011 8:08:40 PM
this is not a for sale thread.
i obtained a polytech legend from someone i know. the person had this rifle for years. it came in the box, had all of the parts and so forth. the rifle itself had been removed from its plastic covering and handled. there were a few minor marks on the stock and foregrip. all the parts and pieces were there with the original box. the rifle had not been fired. my guess is the rifle was kept in its box under a bed or in a utility closet.
frankly, i was impressed with it, but had never seen a legend before. basically the rifle seemed stouter and better made than the few aks i had seen.
i took a number of photos and put it up for sale. the rifle sold, but the individual requested a return after examining it. Issues were 'rust'. he returned the rifle and i refunded his payment.
the rifle itself at the time i obtained it and when i got it back from the buyer had no rust. however it does some pitting and discoloration that is visible if you look very close and shine a bright light on various parts. issues i did not see under a 200 watt bulb, but i did see with a surfire flashlight and a very close inspection. The cover in particular which is seen here had the 'pitting' is not visible. the very end of the gas tube also has some 'discoloration' which is not visible in any picture but is visible with a very bright light. other parts had similar 'wear'.
my question is this. i dont know how to honestly state its condition. i've never seen one of these before so i have nothing to compare it to. if the rifle is indeed 'blemished' or whatever you'd call it, ill keep it and use it as a shooter. but upon first examining it and realizing what it was i figured it was too nice to shoot and i dont keep safe queens. so i sold it.
any suggestions appreciated. is this wear normal for a rifle of its age? what 'percent' would it be described as. attached are a couple of pictures. the rifle is NOT FOR SALE AT THIS TIME. so dont ask.
i obtained a polytech legend from someone i know. the person had this rifle for years. it came in the box, had all of the parts and so forth. the rifle itself had been removed from its plastic covering and handled. there were a few minor marks on the stock and foregrip. all the parts and pieces were there with the original box. the rifle had not been fired. my guess is the rifle was kept in its box under a bed or in a utility closet.
frankly, i was impressed with it, but had never seen a legend before. basically the rifle seemed stouter and better made than the few aks i had seen.
i took a number of photos and put it up for sale. the rifle sold, but the individual requested a return after examining it. Issues were 'rust'. he returned the rifle and i refunded his payment.
the rifle itself at the time i obtained it and when i got it back from the buyer had no rust. however it does some pitting and discoloration that is visible if you look very close and shine a bright light on various parts. issues i did not see under a 200 watt bulb, but i did see with a surfire flashlight and a very close inspection. The cover in particular which is seen here had the 'pitting' is not visible. the very end of the gas tube also has some 'discoloration' which is not visible in any picture but is visible with a very bright light. other parts had similar 'wear'.
my question is this. i dont know how to honestly state its condition. i've never seen one of these before so i have nothing to compare it to. if the rifle is indeed 'blemished' or whatever you'd call it, ill keep it and use it as a shooter. but upon first examining it and realizing what it was i figured it was too nice to shoot and i dont keep safe queens. so i sold it.
any suggestions appreciated. is this wear normal for a rifle of its age? what 'percent' would it be described as. attached are a couple of pictures. the rifle is NOT FOR SALE AT THIS TIME. so dont ask.
7/25/2011 8:33:57 PM
Odds are if you spray the inside (not the barrel) and outside with CLP, then wipe it down with a cotton cloth, any "rust" that has formed on the surface will wipe away.
I don't see any rust in the photos, certainly no pitting, but if a collector bought it as new unfired and paid the Legend premium, I certainly understand their side also.
If I were you, I'd probably buy a few cases of ammo and break it in.
I don't see any rust in the photos, certainly no pitting, but if a collector bought it as new unfired and paid the Legend premium, I certainly understand their side also.
If I were you, I'd probably buy a few cases of ammo and break it in.
7/26/2011 12:37:03 AM
It is a 20 year old rifle, what do people expect? Thats awesome that you returned his money though but I would have no problem selling that rifle as a 98-99% condition NIB rifle. Just describe it how you desribed it here, you did a good job and take doog pics of the areas you mentioned so people can see as best they can what it is you are talking about. Also if you don't need the money I'd hold on to it
7/26/2011 10:58:34 AM
How much did you originally ask for it?
7/28/2011 9:40:55 AM
My Norinco also shows this when you shine a Surefire on it.
You can't see it in normal light and even sunlight, but shine a really bright flashlight and it's like the blueing has a rust tone when it's lit up.
Mine was also NIB and it was like that from day one. CLP has no effect and nothing comes off on a rag like rust would.
That's just the way it is for whatever reason.
I would not sell your AK, nor would I ever sell mine. The Polys and Norinco's are the best ever made
Enjoy!
You can't see it in normal light and even sunlight, but shine a really bright flashlight and it's like the blueing has a rust tone when it's lit up.
Mine was also NIB and it was like that from day one. CLP has no effect and nothing comes off on a rag like rust would.
That's just the way it is for whatever reason.
I would not sell your AK, nor would I ever sell mine. The Polys and Norinco's are the best ever made
Enjoy!
7/28/2011 9:43:01 AM
Of course you should sell it. That's a $1,200 gun at least. Buy a cheaper AK if you want to shoot one.
7/28/2011 12:28:54 PM
Originally Posted By globe512:
Of course you should sell it. That's a $1,200 gun at least. Buy a cheaper AK if you want to shoot one.
Of course you should sell it. That's a $1,200 gun at least. Buy a cheaper AK if you want to shoot one.
Little Low.
44
7/28/2011 2:19:25 PM
Finish is SO variable on any chicom, it shouldn't be a deal killer, more based on total overall condition, wood free from dings, low wear on the hammer face from firing, etc.
I have seen some with one finish on the sides, another on the bottom, where it appeared they rebrushed one surface, and reblued, etc.
Also, my Legend has slightly canted sights, I called Kengs at THE TIME, way back, and they told me they were all that way, and no, they wouldn't exchange the rifle, it was a hit or miss problem, and seeing mine wasn't "Collectable" at the time, I did shoot it, before safing it later, as their value went nuts.
IF it APPEARS TO BE UNFIRED, you WILL destroy value if you shoot it, that is a FACT! So choose whether making it a shooter, and lowering its value is a concern or not.
That said, even though the barrels in the legends are PINNED and not threaded like true early AK's, they are still considered to be one of the best variants you can own, as the heavier, stiffer receiver is thought to provide some accuracy improvement.
And, to be truthful, I have never seen actual proof of those claims.
I myself, unless in dire need of the cheese, would keep it, they just continue to escalate in value, especially since new production ones like the Arsenal "Krink" variants are commanding CRAZY prices, 107UR's that were a grand last year, are two thousand this year, and when they go up, so do older prebans.
One dealer in the SGN just advertised the release of NIB, pre ban Legends, fixed stock ones were 2200, which, actually seemed like a good price, compared to the cost of some that went during the Obama election scare of 2008-2009.
I have seen some with one finish on the sides, another on the bottom, where it appeared they rebrushed one surface, and reblued, etc.
Also, my Legend has slightly canted sights, I called Kengs at THE TIME, way back, and they told me they were all that way, and no, they wouldn't exchange the rifle, it was a hit or miss problem, and seeing mine wasn't "Collectable" at the time, I did shoot it, before safing it later, as their value went nuts.
IF it APPEARS TO BE UNFIRED, you WILL destroy value if you shoot it, that is a FACT! So choose whether making it a shooter, and lowering its value is a concern or not.
That said, even though the barrels in the legends are PINNED and not threaded like true early AK's, they are still considered to be one of the best variants you can own, as the heavier, stiffer receiver is thought to provide some accuracy improvement.
And, to be truthful, I have never seen actual proof of those claims.
I myself, unless in dire need of the cheese, would keep it, they just continue to escalate in value, especially since new production ones like the Arsenal "Krink" variants are commanding CRAZY prices, 107UR's that were a grand last year, are two thousand this year, and when they go up, so do older prebans.
One dealer in the SGN just advertised the release of NIB, pre ban Legends, fixed stock ones were 2200, which, actually seemed like a good price, compared to the cost of some that went during the Obama election scare of 2008-2009.
7/29/2011 9:50:00 AM
Originally Posted By frick:
Finish is SO variable on any chicom, it shouldn't be a deal killer, more based on total overall condition, wood free from dings, low wear on the hammer face from firing, etc.
I have seen some with one finish on the sides, another on the bottom, where it appeared they rebrushed one surface, and reblued, etc.
Also, my Legend has slightly canted sights, I called Kengs at THE TIME, way back, and they told me they were all that way, and no, they wouldn't exchange the rifle, it was a hit or miss problem, and seeing mine wasn't "Collectable" at the time, I did shoot it, before safing it later, as their value went nuts.
IF it APPEARS TO BE UNFIRED, you WILL destroy value if you shoot it, that is a FACT! So choose whether making it a shooter, and lowering its value is a concern or not.
That said, even though the barrels in the legends are PINNED and not threaded like true early AK's, they are still considered to be one of the best variants you can own, as the heavier, stiffer receiver is thought to provide some accuracy improvement.
And, to be truthful, I have never seen actual proof of those claims.
I myself, unless in dire need of the cheese, would keep it, they just continue to escalate in value, especially since new production ones like the Arsenal "Krink" variants are commanding CRAZY prices, 107UR's that were a grand last year, are two thousand this year, and when they go up, so do older prebans.
One dealer in the SGN just advertised the release of NIB, pre ban Legends, fixed stock ones were 2200, which, actually seemed like a good price, compared to the cost of some that went during the Obama election scare of 2008-2009.
Finish is SO variable on any chicom, it shouldn't be a deal killer, more based on total overall condition, wood free from dings, low wear on the hammer face from firing, etc.
I have seen some with one finish on the sides, another on the bottom, where it appeared they rebrushed one surface, and reblued, etc.
Also, my Legend has slightly canted sights, I called Kengs at THE TIME, way back, and they told me they were all that way, and no, they wouldn't exchange the rifle, it was a hit or miss problem, and seeing mine wasn't "Collectable" at the time, I did shoot it, before safing it later, as their value went nuts.
IF it APPEARS TO BE UNFIRED, you WILL destroy value if you shoot it, that is a FACT! So choose whether making it a shooter, and lowering its value is a concern or not.
That said, even though the barrels in the legends are PINNED and not threaded like true early AK's, they are still considered to be one of the best variants you can own, as the heavier, stiffer receiver is thought to provide some accuracy improvement.
And, to be truthful, I have never seen actual proof of those claims.
I myself, unless in dire need of the cheese, would keep it, they just continue to escalate in value, especially since new production ones like the Arsenal "Krink" variants are commanding CRAZY prices, 107UR's that were a grand last year, are two thousand this year, and when they go up, so do older prebans.
One dealer in the SGN just advertised the release of NIB, pre ban Legends, fixed stock ones were 2200, which, actually seemed like a good price, compared to the cost of some that went during the Obama election scare of 2008-2009.
thanks for all the answers. for now im gonna keep it. which is a sort of precedent. i dont collect safe queens. if i buy something its for use. if somehow i come into the possession of something thats too valuable to use i sell it. this is the second time its happened to me. im the local and family gun nut, so from time to time someone offers me firearms. the last time this happened, a relative had a grey box sig 9mm preban manufactured in west germany unfired. the owner bought guns from time to time and just put them away. one day he just up and gave it to my brother in law, who offered it to me at whatever i wanted to pay. after doing research, i sold it and gave him the money. otherwise i would have been taking advantage of him.
the polytech has a similar story behind it.
8/8/2011 3:54:29 AM
Keep it, shoot it, enjoy it! I love mine. Polytech Legends are the best you can get and hold their value.
