FINALLY got my group buy tantals/polish kits from MGS

**yosuthnmasa** · 08-02-2005, 10:09 PM

Yep, they finally came in. When I got home, I saw the box and decided to wait as I've been really worried about how they would turn out. Normally its like Christmas all over again. But, after reading some of the reviews I've been a little apprehensive. So, I waited almost 2 hours before opening them up. Now, I wish I wouldn't have.

I got 3 tantals and polish underfolder. First off, let me tell you that I think these were the worst packed kits I have ever received..especially for higher dollar kits. They got a couple of LARGE zip lock bags and put everything in them. Then wrapped the barrel and trunnion in a trash bag and dumped them all into this gunny sack. Then they rolled the gunny sack up and taped it shut. They put 2 of these each in one box. Everything was oversized so all of the parts got the tumble job all the way from Texas to Georgia.

Tantals

First kit: Top cover, folder, and most small parts probably had around 50% paint left. Matching numbers

Second kit: Top cover, folder, and most small parts probably had around 40% finish left. Non-matching numbers

Third kit: Entire kit probably had 80% finish. Matching numbers

Each kits trunnion were nicked, one really bad with the saw or grinder from cutting the trunnion rivets out.

I have yet to determine which parts I'm missing and not missing. I know the small parts don't exactly match from kit to kit.

Mags don't have much finish and some have dings in them.

Polish kit: Looks really nice. Matching number with probably 90% finish. Magazine is new, no marks at all. Bayonet is nice but doesn't match.

It appears that I got overcharged for the kits too. I did add an extra one to my order after the order was initiall placed, but they all were shipped together.

Can anyone remind me what these were advertised as far as condition? Were they advertised as matching numbers too? How did the rest of you guys fare. At this point, I could really hang on to all of them but the one that doesn't match. It has the worst finish and really got ate up by the grinder on the trunnion. You win some and lose some with these group buys on weaponeer. I have no issues with weaponeer, but sometimes wish these companies would do a better job of representing what they are selling us.

**Chiroone** · 08-02-2005, 10:42 PM

Can only tell you about Tantal.
As I remember, they were to be in very good condition, with excellent bores, cleaning rod one mag and bipod.

The one I got seemed to be consistant with that discription. It was packed the same as yours, but since I only ordered one kit it was not a big problem

08-02-2005, 10:44 PM

My tantal was packed the same and by itself also. It is in great shape. I thought the gunny sack was interesting.

**RLB** · 08-02-2005, 10:50 PM

Well I didn't get in on the group buy but I did get one from MGS recently. They weren't
rated according to their ad on their website other than being matching kits. My kit came wrapped the same as yours but overall I was pleased. They had plenty of packing to keep things from knocking around. The bore looks excellent! As for the
finish I'd have to say 70-75%. When I talked to them on the phone they said the finish was rather ruff but the bores looked vg to excellent. So I would say the description I got was accurate.

**yosuthnmasa** · 08-02-2005, 10:59 PM

So, these were suppose to be matching kits right? I just got done running a few swabs through the barrels. Barrels appear to be ok except in the Tantals. The tantals are great except for the beginning of the barrel past the bore(right where the rifling starts). 2 of mine are pitted pretty bad. I really got at one of them with a brush, and it is definitely pitted in the area I mentioned. Pitted barrels don't fall in "my" category of very good to excellent? Do they for you? I don't know..you read the condition...very good condition with excellent bores...and I just sit here and scratch my head and wonder how what I got was classified as that. I really get tired of people bitching about their kits..this that and the other...but I guess maybe I understand now. I think its just been such a long time since I got a kind of crappy kit you know.

One more question...is there a latch on the RSB for the gas tube. Or, are these a completely different setup. I just noticed there wasn't anything there for me to secure the gas tube with.

And, how much was Bob selling his kits for with one magazine? As I mentioned before, I really enjoy Weaponeer and have gotten some really good deals through them. They are not the problem, IMO.

**dutchkma** · 08-03-2005, 12:43 PM

I was in first buy for 1 of each, and only had time for quick inspection. Tantal is NEW except for the folder, I don't believe it is from this rifle. haven't checked through all the parts to see if all promised was included. The PMKMS has been arround the block, but not bad, #s all mach so far. Will be doing a complete inspection tonight.
Full inspection completed, as follows. Tantal is new, folder is used. Upper hand gard and gas tube is different than any AK I've encountered. Both are held in by front retainer. Got 1 mag, decent shape. Will build into exellent rifle if I don't screw it up.
PMKMS kit is used, not too bad for wear as describe above. Bayonet does not match, all other parts do. I am not too picky when it comes to buying kits on-line. I have gotten for the most part, decent kits. [Yugos aside]
Seems best value right now is rommy kits. Scored one off of GunBroker, it still had the oil paper tube in the bore. Might have been test fired, no wear on hammer face at all. Paint still in carrier slots.
My.02

alpine18 · 08-03-2005, 01:11 PM

I received a Tantal from Centerfire packed the same way and about in the same condition. I'm guessing they were packed that way either in Poland or by the importer. Supposedly it was in "very good" condition. For the $239 + shipping I paid, I think I'd rather have another polish underfolder than this tantal kit.

Sangrun Hunter · 08-03-2005, 01:15 PM

Polish potato sacks is what I was told about the sacks they came in.

**DrugRunR** · 08-03-2005, 01:19 PM

Tantal's are chrome lined
The problem is not with pitting, but with the chrome flaking off of them.

I just got in 2 tantal kits from DPHARMS.
They are both 10x better then the kit I built my tantal on.

**yosuthnmasa** · 08-03-2005, 06:19 PM

You might want to take a look at my bore. The actual lands and grooves look like they have deteriorated and corroded badly around the opening to the bore.

So was matching numbers a requisite of this group buy? i.e. this was the way they were advertised?