MAADI MISR Egyptian AK-47 clones

The Walrus · January 21, 2002, 11:21 AM

Anybody own one of these? afaik, the MAADI MISR is a copy of a Romanian AK design, which is of course a regular AK-47.

I've seen some nice ones on gunbroker with skeletonized stocks (post-ban, brand new) for under $500.

thoughts?

Joe Demko · January 21, 2002, 04:12 PM

I had one. I got it for a little under three bills. It was no bargain. The front sight was canted. It suffered from trigger slap. The finish was some kind of spray paint that began to come off immediately. Accuracy was lackluster. I refinished it, replaced the front sight with a gasblock sight, replaced the pee-wee pistol grip with an FAL-style one, replace the rear sight with an RPK sight, and added a permanent muzzle brake. When I was done, I had something resembling a (sort of) Valmet or Galil. Accuracy was still lackluster. I sold it at a profit and want no more to do with Maadis.

halfcocked · January 21, 2002, 06:25 PM

I have a MISR S/A which has the 2-piece pistol grip stock as Golgo most likely had. It was imported in pieces and assembled by Century arms. I also had a canted front site with mine, but only cost me $7 at the local gunsmith (and I'd probably do it myself if I had to do it again). The finish is a crappy spray paint job which many people refinish, although I left mine alone. The worst part was the wood which they put on a huge amount of varnish. A couple of hours refinishing the wood left a nice laminated stock. Another problem with them is that the U.S. parts they use to legally put on the pistol grip stock can be soft and will need to be replaced after a number of rounds (about 300 for me). However, a new quality set can be purchased for about $40.

The ones you are referring to with the thumbhole stock are post ban rifles imported as complete rifles and don't contain any U.S. parts, therefore a pistol grip stock can't be installed unlessl the proper amount of U.S. parts are added. I have not owned one of these but from what I read they are generally better quality than the MISR S/A and don't usually have the problems with them that I listed above. I believe the model numbers for these are the RML and the ARM (don't know the exact differences, but one comes with a 20" bbl.) and were imported by Intrac and Pars. I would like to get one someday, but I personally don't think they are worth the $500 people are asking. If you keep your eyes open you may be able to find one cheaper.

Other Maadis that are out there that you may want to stay away from are the MISR-10 which is a single stack 10-round magazine only rifle and the MISR-90 which was a Chinese parts kit installed on a Maadi receiver.

One advantage to the Maadi is that it is built on Soviet machinery and manufactured by people trained by the Soviets. The Maadi is about the closest example of the Russian AKM as us westerners will get (especially the collectable preban Steyer Maadi).

FireForged · January 21, 2002, 09:02 PM

MAADI's are dead-last on my list of AK variants. They will 'of course' go bang when you pull the trigger but come on. You can spend the same money and get a better AK.

My List of Best to Worst post ban AK's (quality, fit, finish)

1. Polytech AKS $349-399
2. Norinco MAK-90
3. 2000-up SAR Series
4. WASR's Hi-Cap
5. MAADI

There is a Hungarian Variant but I have never owned one, so I left that one out.

Fred S · January 22, 2002, 04:46 PM

I have one. When I ordered it from SOG through my local FFL I had to send it back twice as the front sight was canted too bad so it wouldn't zero. The third one came slightly canted but zeroed nicely and is pretty accurate. it is butt ugly though with the balck paint and glossy wood. But you don't mind taking it out in the woods and banging it around either.

January 21, 2002, 11:21 AM	#1
The Walrus Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2001 Location: North of Seattle, WA Posts: 189	MAADI MISR Egyptian AK-47 clones Anybody own one of these? afaik, the MAADI MISR is a copy of a Romanian AK design, which is of course a regular AK-47. I've seen some nice ones on gunbroker with skeletonized stocks (post-ban, brand new) for under $500. thoughts?

January 22, 2002, 04:46 PM	#5
Fred S Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Location: New Baltimore, MI Posts: 570	I have one. When I ordered it from SOG through my local FFL I had to send it back twice as the front sight was canted too bad so it wouldn't zero. The third one came slightly canted but zeroed nicely and is pretty accurate. it is butt ugly though with the balck paint and glossy wood. But you don't mind taking it out in the woods and banging it around either. __________________ Fred S GO ARMY

January 21, 2002, 04:12 PM	#2
Joe Demko Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 1,088	I had one. I got it for a little under three bills. It was no bargain. The front sight was canted. It suffered from trigger slap. The finish was some kind of spray paint that began to come off immediately. Accuracy was lackluster. I refinished it, replaced the front sight with a gasblock sight, replaced the pee-wee pistol grip with an FAL-style one, replace the rear sight with an RPK sight, and added a permanent muzzle brake. When I was done, I had something resembling a (sort of) Valmet or Galil. Accuracy was still lackluster. I sold it at a profit and want no more to do with Maadis.

January 21, 2002, 06:25 PM	#3
halfcocked Member Join Date: June 26, 2001 Location: NE PA Posts: 55	I have a MISR S/A which has the 2-piece pistol grip stock as Golgo most likely had. It was imported in pieces and assembled by Century arms. I also had a canted front site with mine, but only cost me $7 at the local gunsmith (and I'd probably do it myself if I had to do it again). The finish is a crappy spray paint job which many people refinish, although I left mine alone. The worst part was the wood which they put on a huge amount of varnish. A couple of hours refinishing the wood left a nice laminated stock. Another problem with them is that the U.S. parts they use to legally put on the pistol grip stock can be soft and will need to be replaced after a number of rounds (about 300 for me). However, a new quality set can be purchased for about $40. The ones you are referring to with the thumbhole stock are post ban rifles imported as complete rifles and don't contain any U.S. parts, therefore a pistol grip stock can't be installed unlessl the proper amount of U.S. parts are added. I have not owned one of these but from what I read they are generally better quality than the MISR S/A and don't usually have the problems with them that I listed above. I believe the model numbers for these are the RML and the ARM (don't know the exact differences, but one comes with a 20" bbl.) and were imported by Intrac and Pars. I would like to get one someday, but I personally don't think they are worth the $500 people are asking. If you keep your eyes open you may be able to find one cheaper. Other Maadis that are out there that you may want to stay away from are the MISR-10 which is a single stack 10-round magazine only rifle and the MISR-90 which was a Chinese parts kit installed on a Maadi receiver. One advantage to the Maadi is that it is built on Soviet machinery and manufactured by people trained by the Soviets. The Maadi is about the closest example of the Russian AKM as us westerners will get (especially the collectable preban Steyer Maadi).

January 21, 2002, 09:02 PM	#4
FireForged Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 1999 Location: Rebel South USA Posts: 701	MAADI's are dead-last on my list of AK variants. They will 'of course' go bang when you pull the trigger but come on. You can spend the same money and get a better AK. My List of Best to Worst post ban AK's (quality, fit, finish) 1. Polytech AKS $349-399 2. Norinco MAK-90 3. 2000-up SAR Series 4. WASR's Hi-Cap 5. MAADI There is a Hungarian Variant but I have never owned one, so I left that one out.