Vector Arms Polish PMKS builds?

[VA_Dinger]

Does anybody have any experience with the Vector Arms built Polish PKMS AK's? I have wanted a Polish under-folder for over a year now. Vector seems to do some nice work building them up. I'm hoping one of you guys actually owns one, so I can get the straight scoop before I take the plunge.

[M4arc]

Does anybody have any experience with the Vector Arms built Polish PKMS AK's? I have wanted a Polish under-folder for over a year now. Vector seems to do some nice work building them up. I'm hoping one of you guys actually owns one, so I can get the straight scoop before I take the plunge.

No first hand experience but I remember Templar posting that a lot of the barrels where shot out of the Polish kits coming into the country and to be careful. However, this was probably two years ago so that could have been with one shipment or it could have been a fluke. Most places and I'm assuming Vector would do the same will charge a little extra to look it over and pick out a beauty for you. I might be worth the extra $5-$25.

[TOrrock]

The Polish barrels that were having "issues" were the Tantal 5.45mm kits that came in a couple of years ago....for some reason they exhibited a lot of chrome flaking.

The PMKMS kits that have recently been imported have had pretty damn good barrels from what I can tell.

If you get a Vector, go through Atlantic Arms since they specify decent receivers being used.

Vector also gives you a 5 year warranty.

Very decent rifles for the money.

[SuicideHz]

My PMKMS barrel seemed to shine better than my SS 16" WOA AR barrel. It's probably the fact that more light can shine through the 7.62 opening than the 5.56 but I was damn impressed when I cleaned it really well and looked through it.

I also don't recall anyone complaining about anything on any of the Polish kits other than Bayonets not matching.

[Nitrox]

I've had a dozen or so Vector underfolders, my opinion is that you should get pictures of the exact rifle you are buying before hand. Vector makes a good product and stands behind it but they are at the mercy of the kits they have on hand. Usually they will build guns from complete kits but when things run short or there is a problem with a kit they substitute parts. Case in point is when they ran out of trunnions for stamped receivers so they started machining trunnions for milled kits. I have also seen mismatched stocks and such. The guys in the shop that actually do the building don't really care if you get all the correct parts for that type AK, just that it is an AK with AK parts and it functions. Finish is usually pretty good too.

I would have no qualms about buying or selling the underfolders again but if you are looking to collect a period correct gun or rifle with all matching parts then CYA is definitely in order. However, if you do get a lemon they will make it right.

Here's a few pictures from said rifles with mismatched parts.

[VA_Dinger]

Nitrox, thanks for the photo.

That is one damn nice PMKMS you have. I hope to own one just like it this fall.

Tim, thanks for the heads up on Atlantic.

[buddyhoohaw]

Check out the Yugo M70 AB by Century. Mine has a nicer fit and finish than the Vector Polish undefolder that I once owned. The Yugo's have new US made barrels, however they are not chrome-lined. I cannot remember if the Vector was chrome?

[TOrrock]

Check out the Yugo M70 AB by Century. Mine has a nicer fit and finish than the Vector Polish undefolder that I once owned. The Yugo's have new US made barrels, however they are not chrome-lined. I cannot remember if the Vector was chrome?

Yup, Vectors use the barrels from the AK kits, so they're chrome lined.

The only country that did not chrome their barrels was Yugoslavia, there are a number of theories as to why they didn't but no one has really come up with a definitive answer.

[VA_Dinger]

Wow, thats news.

I never knew that Yugoslavian AK's did not have chrome lining.

[Mooneys]

For what it's worth here is my past history with Vector.

Purchased 3X Vector Under folders (one with a cracked receiver). My customer sent it back and was replaced w/o issue.

Purchased 3X V53 series (V53, V53LS and V53SBR). Both the V53 and the 53LS front sights were visibly leaning to the right. Customer fired the weapons and was not able to even come close to sighting in. Both V53’s were returned. Several weeks past by and I was not able to get an answer from anyone at Vector. This resulted in a call to Rex who got to the bottom of things only to find that neither weapon was able to be repaired. I was refunded my money + their return fee.

My SBR finally showed up at the Class III dealer (a personal friend). I visited to see the V53SBR and it appears that the front sight is leaning to the right as well. It’s hard to tell on the short barrel. I asked the dealer to fire the weapon on his next range visit so I’m eagerly waiting the results.

In closing I would never bad mouth another dealer or manufacture but I would advise a word of caution when looking at Vector.

This is my experience with Vector and does not mean that they don’t produce quality weapons; I have heard many good things about them but it is not my experience.

Good Luck.