View Full Version : Century Arms Yugo AK's
I know Century Arms has a horrible rep for their HK clone builds, but how are their AK's?
They have a sweet fixed wood stock AK47 for $430.
They've been getting generally good reviews. The Yugo builds by Century are on the DCI receivers (top of the line) and new US made barrels.
Bear in mind that the barrels aren't hard chrome lined.
I think you're still rolling the dice a little, but early reports have been more positive than negative.
Bear in mind that the barrels aren't hard chrome lined.
Marc just emailed me this to break my heart.
Is that really a show stopper? I see you own a Yugo.
I do believe that Templar has a Yugo.
In my opinion the lack of chrome-lining isn't a show stopper. The reason being is you care for, clean and maintain your weapons. You're not running around the Congo or south-east Asia so when you return from a class or practice session you clean your rifle.
As long as the bore is in great shape to begin with and you clean it like you're suppose to I really don't see that much of a problem.
I wouldn't have a problem buying and building up a Yugo kit if I found the right deal and knew the bore was in great shape.
Marc, thanks for the heads up.
I’m now seriously leaning towards the fixed wood stock Yugo. At least for getting my feet wet in the AK world again. It's been five years since I owned one.
Best photo I could find:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/pix1358459625.jpg
If you are buying a Century rifle make sure you can touch it first. They have a terrible (and well deserved) history so a bit of caution should be taken before buying the rifle sight unseen.
If you are buying a Century rifle make sure you can touch it first. They have a terrible (and well deserved) history so a bit of caution should be taken before buying the rifle sight unseen.
Bingo, that’s the problem although Templar reports that these are getting good reviews so far.
I would love to find a local dealer with one in stock, BUT that’s a pipe dream and the relatively cheap J&G Sales price of $430 also goes out the window. They would charge $650 at least and I could buy an Arsenal for that from the right dealer.
I just found out another desirable feature about Yugo AK's; the bolt hold open feature. While I’m along ways off from being an "AK Guy" this seems like a big deal. It alleviates one of my serious complaints about the AK weapon system.
My question is this: Is it the Yugo rifle or the Yugo mags that gives this feature? If it’s the mags, does it work the same in other countries/manufacturers AK’s?
It's the Yugoslavian magazines that have the bolt hold open feature, not the rifle itself. The follower on most Yugoslavian magazines is raised so that when it's empty, the bolt slams to a stop on the follower.
As soon as you remove the magazine, the bolt slams home on an empty chamber. It doesn't matter which AK you use, if you use Yugo magazines they will hold the bolt open until removed.
I do have a "real" Yugo AK, a Zastava imported by Mitchell Arms "back in the day".
The original Yugo barrels are made from extremely high quality steel, and can be quite accurate. They never had chrome lining though. I've shot a couple thousand rounds of corrosive ammo through my non chrome lined Yugo barrel and haven't had an issue with corrosion.....just clean it as you would anything you cared about.
I cannot comment on the quality of the US made barrels that Century is using....no one knows what kind of steel they got their hands on.
If you maintain the weapon, no biggie. I think that chrome lining is much more important on a higher pressure round like 5.56mm to help stop throat and bore erosion. In fact, the Yugoslavian M95 in 5.56mm use chrome lined 1/7" twist barrels.
I'll once again recommend an Arsenal Inc. SA-M7 Carbine.......think of the milled Arsenal rifles as the top tier for AK manufacturers. If you want to hook up sometime before the class I'll let you try mine out.
Here's a young man in Liberia using a Yugo M70AB2, which if it were lucky, it got cleaned with gasoline or kerosene and lubed with axle grease.....it still works....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Africa/62sn3vd.jpg
Mine......
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Yugo%20and%20Classic/MVC-020S.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Yugo%20and%20Classic/MVC-028S.jpg
I'm going to have to admit that I love the wood stocked Yugo's. I will have to make a decision in the next month or so.
I'm going to have to admit that I love the wood stocked Yugo's. I will have to make a decision in the next month or so.
How many AR's do you own?
You know, it's ok to have more than just ONE AK..............:D
How many AR's do you own?
You know, it's ok to have more than just ONE AK..............:D
Good point.
I really like the wood as well.
Is it a big deal to remove the grenade launcher sight? Is there an advantage (like protect the gas tube or something) to having one on the rifle?
Another newbie question, is it impossible to fire the underfolder AK with the stock closed? It looks like the safety has to be on for the stock to be folded? I also notice some of the AKs in these pics have plastic grips while others have wood. Is there a reason for this? My inital thoughs are so there are enough USA made parts, is that correct?
I really like the wood as well.
Is it a big deal to remove the grenade launcher sight? Is there an advantage (like protect the gas tube or something) to having one on the rifle?
Another newbie question, is it impossible to fire the underfolder AK with the stock closed? It looks like the safety has to be on for the stock to be folded? I also notice some of the AKs in these pics have plastic grips while others have wood. Is there a reason for this? My inital thoughs are so there are enough USA made parts, is that correct?
AK's with underfolding stocks can be fired with the stock folded, there's a cut on the right stock strut on the inside so that the safety clears.
Flygunz over on AKforum just built this Yugo M70AB2....here's a good pic of the safety and the folding stock:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/Tim_Orrock/Yugoslav%20Stuff/Mnto2.jpg
As far as grips, early grips were made of wood, then bakelite and plastic came along.
Parts count does have something to do with it on kit built rifles. A US made plastic grip is an easy part to add.
The grenade launching sight cuts off gas flow to the piston when in the up position, to keep the rifle from battering itself to death. I guess you could remove the grenade sight if you really wanted to, but it's not hurting anything being there.
OK, I've got the Yugo M70 fixed wood stock bug again.
What is the best place to buy one? It seems Century only has under-folders.
I did find this one for $479
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/va_dinger/pix1347790626.jpg
I just got a Yugo under folder in stock! :D
C4
I just got a Yugo under folder in stock! :D
C4
Order me a fixed stock. :cool:
Curtis is great guy, and he has a couple:
http://www.akforum.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13963&highlight=
I got my fixed stock century Yugo last week, after a bit of consternation about the chrome lining (or lack therof) I overall am happy with it. 1st trip to the range is wednesday
edit: oops, didn't realize how old this thread was....
I do believe that Templar has a Yugo.
In my opinion the lack of chrome-lining isn't a show stopper. The reason being is DINGER SHOULD care for, clean and maintain HIS weapons. You're not running around the Congo or south-east Asia so when you return from a class or practice session you DON'T clean your rifle.
As long as the bore is in great shape to begin with and you clean it like you're suppose to I really don't see that much of a problem.
I wouldn't have a problem buying and building up a Yugo kit if I found the right deal and knew the bore was in great shape.
I'll bail you out agian mister!:cool:
Scattergun
03-31-08, 22:44
I picked up a Yugo Underfolder last week. I haven't fired it yet, but it looks nice, other than the fore-end. I don't really care much for the plastic, I prefer wood.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/allproblemsolved/guns/AK/underfolderonwall.jpg
I prefer the wood myself, its easy to change out for a reasonable price.
Bill
Scattergun
04-02-08, 14:33
yea, I have a set on order. They should be here anyday now.
Soulrack223
04-02-08, 16:16
I have 2 Yugo M70's that are great shooters, and in my opinion, of all the AK variants out there, the Yugos are the best. One is fixed and the other is an underfolder and do not have chrome lined barrels. They are not Century built however, though I've heard good things about the Century built rifle from my FFL dealer--he has several.
David Thomas
04-02-08, 16:18
A local FFL has 3 in stock. The one I saw today had a DCI receiver and looked very nice. The only negative comment I can make about it is that the handguard was a little loose. Everything else looked great. I may check out the other two and take the best of the three home with me.
Heres my best attempt to show my disappointments with Century's Yugo underfolder...
Immediately when I picked up the rifle at my ffl, I played with the grenade sight like any kid with a new toy would, and to my dismay I found it to be extremely canted to the right, making it impossible to be useful.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/DSC04713.jpg
Later that week, I found at the range that I needed to set the front sight windage as far left as possible, indicating that I now had a canted front sight post along with my gas block/grenade sight combo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/DSC04715.jpg
Finally, I realize due to the inherent design of the underfolding stock that it will have a little play after some time and use. Unfortunately for me, mine came with the slop from the factory. Compared to my buddies' 6 year old Arsenal underfolder that sees frequent use running around Texas shooting hogs I would have thought my gun was the one that had been abused in the bush, not his. His locks up tighter with much less play than my NIB Century Yugo had.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/DSC04718.jpg
What I really would like is a Yugo M70AB2 with a real blued finish as that of a gun coming fresh from the Zastava factory, and still retains the factory markings on the front trunnion as they were from the Zastava factory. Preferably one that has everything lined up, needing minimal adjustment from mechanical zero, and a underfolding stock that doesnt let me change from a 100m shot to 800m shot by pivoting the rifle up with the stock securely seated on my shoulder. If I could find someone to do the work I would probably send this rifle off to be fixed by a real professional gun builder, but most likely I will sell this rifle off to a co worker and use the money to complete my purchase of the Khyber Pass rifle I ordered over at theakforum. I really want to like this rifle, but it seems like a real hackjob compared to a lot of the rifles I have seen from Arsenal, Krebs, or some of the smaller, less known AK builders around the forums and gunbroker.
Here is what I got for $450 off of gunbroker, not too bad of a deal but the saying stays true, you get what you pay for.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/nf9648/DSC02933.jpg
With Century guns its always best to buy one in person where you can check them out fully before buying even if it costs you a few more bucks.
Immediately when I picked up the rifle at my ffl, I played with the grenade sight like any kid with a new toy would, and to my dismay I found it to be extremely canted to the right, making it impossible to be useful.
Don't feel bad, mine is canted to the left. I was disappointed too, because it's one of the first things I did when I got it home also...hehe. Plus the lower handguard isn't straight either (it doesn't line up flush with the wood of the upper handguard.)
PLUS they did a hack job on the front of my gas tube. I guess it wouldn't fit, so they cut it, which would've been fine had they cut it straight and not crooked. I'm a perfectionist, so even little things that don't effect the performance and/or function still bother me. :-D
Later that week, I found at the range that I needed to set the front sight windage as far left as possible, indicating that I now had a canted front sight post along with my gas block/grenade sight combo.
My front sight seems a little canted also, I've only shot it at about 30 yards and it was a few inches off (to the left), but I haven't had the time to zero it in or shoot at further distances.
What I really would like is a Yugo M70AB2 with a real blued finish as that of a gun coming fresh from the Zastava factory, and still retains the factory markings on the front trunnion as they were from the Zastava factory.
I hear you, although I'd take the parkerizing over bluing from a durability/rust resistance standpoint. I was ticked too that my Zastava markings were removed; seems some people got lucky.
Mine is a fixed stock, and was (and technically still is) my first AK. So while I guess I can't complain too much for the money, I was a bit disappointed; but I had done my research and knew what I was getting into. I'm looking to pick up possibly one of the new Arsenal SLR-107FRs, but I'll wait on that for obvious reasons. I have a bugarian 74 kit being built now also.
Generally I agree with Shihan and prefer to buy locally so I can inspect, but no one around here seems to carry the things I want, and when they do they're OVERPRICED. I wasn't paying $600 for a Yugo, because that's the local price at shops and gun shows. Mine was about $470 after shipping and transfer fee.
I went shopping for a fixed stock Yugo M70, and after picking up three different Yugo's my dealer had in stock, I found one with a tight handguard. Thats the one I bought. :D
I took it out to the firing range and found it to be DEAD ON with the iron sights. I hate to say it, but I had to screw around with my Bushmaster's sights more than I did my Century's.
I had an issue with the magazine catch, but it was easily fixed. There was a bit too much metal on the edge of the catch, so the catch wouldn't fully engage, causing the magazine to pop out after firing the first shot. I just lightly filed the catch to fix the problem.
I would recomend this gun to anyone looking for a first AK, I've been very happy. My only caution would be to buy locally so you can handpick yours.
Now I plan to find an underfolder to make a matching set.
David Thomas
04-06-08, 07:57
After looking at AK's for a little over a year trying to find the "right one" with the "right price," I finally bought this yesterday:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/DavidThomas/YugoM70015.jpg
I should be able to give a range report after today or maybe late this evening.
BoyScout4Life
04-07-08, 02:06
I picked up a M70 underfolder today at gun show. Has Zastava marking and appears new never fired Century buid on DCI receiver. 1st. AK, will take her to the range soon and report back...:D
BS4L...
David Thomas
04-26-08, 22:46
I finally got a chance to shoot my new Yugo today along with another Yugo my shooting partner bought (same day I bought mine from the same dealer). Both guns have been very impressive so far. I was hoping for a quality Ak and it looks like I scored a very good one (as did my shooting buddy) for a decent price. Both rifles surprised us with their accuracy. We were both hitting the 150 meter gong with ease and were able to rapidly hammer the swinging A zone of a reactive 3/4 size IPSC steel target at 50 meters. He was using the stock sights, and I was using XS big dot sights that I installed prior to heading to the range.
Nothing is canted on these rifles. Not the front sight, gas block, rear sight... nothing.
However, both of these carbines had a tendency to whack us in the face with each shot. We both agreed it would be less painful to just puch each other in the face 30 times than continue shooting the rifles without modifying the stocks to fix the problem. A few minutes with a wood plane and a couple of strokes with some sand paper, and we were back to the firing line making steel targets dance.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/DavidThomas/YugoAK4708005-1.jpg
David, you learned two things....
1) AK's aren't as inaccurate as alot of people think.
2) The fixed stock Yugo's will slap the hell out of your cheek. :D
Glad you were able to modify them to be more comfortable. I'd like to find the guy who thought putting such a high comb on the stock was a good idea.
Enjoy your AK! :)
David Thomas
04-27-08, 11:17
Yugo after the surgery.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/DavidThomas/YugoAK47rev023.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/DavidThomas/YugoAK47rev009.jpg
I bought a Century Yugo underfolder yesterday, and it didn't have a DCI receiver, it had a Global Machine and Tool one. Still seems to be as thick as the DCI one on my other Yugo, just thought I'd mention it.
I couldn't find anywhere on the gun a marking indicating Century had assembled it, I wonder if they had Global do a few builds, and if that affects anything else, like barrel type or fire control group.
The new underfolder did have the Zastava-Kragujevac engraved on the area below the rear sight, though. My other Century Yugo didn't have that.
The sights looked fine, and the gas block and grenade launcher sight look ok. I'll put up some pics whenever I find my camera.
ETA; after reading on (that other site, who's name must not be mentioned), it appears that Global did more than just a few of these. I still haven't ascertained whether this is good or bad, though. The one I got seems nice, too bad I wasn't able to hit the range this morning. It'll have to wait til next week I guess.
I still wouldn't mind hearing from the AK gurus the difference between the(built-with-Global) and the (built-with-DCI) Century Yugos
pics
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/Scott_SVT/008.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/Scott_SVT/003.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm83/Scott_SVT/005.jpg
Scattergun
05-01-08, 21:10
got wood now
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/allproblemsolved/guns/AK/yugowood800x600.jpg
I will refinish it a little later.
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