Norinco MAK-90 Sporter

The Norinco MAK-90 Sporter is a pre-ban Chinese AK-pattern semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, imported between 1990 and 1994 in response to the 1989 executive order that banned the importation of "assault-style" firearms. The MAK-90 configuration features a thumbhole wood stock, no bayonet lug, and a non-threaded muzzle, all modifications made to satisfy import restrictions while preserving the core AK operating system. The 16.34-inch round barrel, two-piece wood handguard, and chrome-lined bore are products of Chinese military factory production, held to the same close tolerances as arms built for the People's Liberation Army.

The MAK-90's receiver is built from 1.6mm stamped steel, significantly heavier than the 1mm thickness of Soviet and most European AKMs, contributing to the rifle's well-documented durability and resistance to the long-term wear that affects lighter-built variants. These rifles are increasingly collected as artifacts of a specific and unrepeatable era in American firearms importation, and examples in excellent condition continue to appreciate. The 7.62x39mm cartridge remains widely available and economically priced, making the MAK-90 as practical a shooter today as it was when first imported.