NPAP any good? Should I trade for one?

[Brandon B]

Hello all
I have a decision to make in the next week or so. I have a RH10 ak47 by century. It’s badically a WASR10 with Magpul MOE furniture. I’ve been looking for a WOOD FURNISHED ak for a while now, as all of my other 3 ak’s are either Magpul or some other sort of polymer furnished.

I have the option to trade straight across for a newer model wood NPAP with ~200 rounds through it.
Should I? Should I not? And why?

I don’t want to hear any bashing about the two guns or anything negative that doesnt have proof. If you’ve experienced something negative about the NPAP just please tell me what it was and why! This is why I’m posting this, I’ve had AKs for years now and still have not owned a NPAP yet.
I won’t get butt hurt if you say the NPAP sucks, I’ll just keep my RH10, but I DO want to hear WHY it sucks or WHY it’s awesome?

I need your experienced opinion on if I should keep my RH10 or trade it off for a NPAP and why.

What are common problems with the npap, if any?

I already have two WASR10s and two Arsenal SLR’s so I don’t need to hear about how I should just “get an Arsenal” because I already have two! I’m not expecting this to be in anyway comparable to my Arsenal’s, I understand it’s not as well made.

Thanks ahead of time for your information!

 

[FROGO207]

No experience with a NPAP here. There is a youtube video showing the cheezy wood stock Century puts on them coming apart after 5K rounds. Could you just buy a set of the original wood furniture and convert your present AK you are wiling to trade? Just make sure it is still 922r compliant with enough other US made components. More money to do this? Sure but you already own it and know it works OK. So I would think that you will end up with a better firearm doing this. Just sayin.

 

[Scooter22]

If you like your gun just put wood on it. Cheapest thing to do and you already know how it shoots.

 

[Brandon B]

No experience with a NPAP here. There is a youtube video showing the cheezy wood stock Century puts on them coming apart after 5K rounds. Could you just buy a set of the original wood furniture and convert your present AK you are wiling to trade? Just make sure it is still 922r compliant with enough other US made components. More money to do this? Sure but you already own it and know it works OK. So I would think that you will end up with a better firearm doing this. Just sayin.

You know I was thinking about that BUT I don’t want to put wood on my Arsenal’s or wasrs I like how those are already.
And as for my RH10, it’s an all around weird gun. The front sight base/gas block combo and the 90 degree gas tube really just makes it hard to throw wood on it without making it look like some ugly red headed step child HA. I threw a wood hand guard on it from my friends wood wasr just to see but it just looked gross.

That’s why I want to trade instead. Get something that originally came with wood and looks good with it.

 

[dekibg]

I have NPAP DF for several years, no issues whatsoever.
Not the most accurate rifle, but I shoot exclusively the cheapest Tula steel cased ammo.
With DF ( underfolder model) you really don't have much options to mount optics, but if you get wooden stock one, I would definitely take advantage of the rail on the side of the receiver to mount some red dot or optics.

 

[FROGO207]

OP got you there. I just feel that there are better trades out there. OR trade with the thought you will eventually want a set original wood furniture for it to be dependable and robust. Just keep an eye out for a good used set to purchase before the crappy one breaks.

 

[DPris]

The stock angle is different on NPAPs, to accommodate an optic sight that the model's intended for.
It's higher, and what that means is you have to get your head down lower on the iron sights.

I found with two of them that it put my cheekbone right on top of the wood, and it was mildly painful to shoot,
With the one I shot the most, it actually gave me a visible bruise.

I'm not the only one who's encountered this.

If you intend to use an optic, it puts your head up higher, no problem.
If not, I'd advise against the trade.

The rest of the guns are usually fine, just be aware of that stock angle, and the fact that the NPAP doesn't take standard wood replacements, if you try to change it out.
Denis

 

[Brandon B]

The stock angle is different on NPAPs, to accommodate an optic sight that the model's intended for.
It's higher, and what that means is you have to get your head down lower on the iron sights.

I found with two of them that it put my cheekbone right on top of the wood, and it was mildly painful to shoot,
With the one I shot the most, it actually gave me a visible bruise.

I'm not the only one who's encountered this.

If you intend to use an optic, it puts your head up higher, no problem.
If not, I'd advise against the trade.

The rest of the guns are usually fine, just be aware of that stock angle, and the fact that the NPAP doesn't take standard wood replacements, if you try to change it out.
Denis

Thanks man good to know. I’ve heard of the famous cheek slap. Had no idea it was enough to bruise haha.

 

[DPris]

In that model, cheek slap is a widespread probability.
The recoil of an AK is generally not a problem, in a conventional stock angle.
In the NPAP, it is.

My wife noticed the beginning of the bruise as soon as I got home from shooting.
In all of the standard AKs I've fired over the years, I never encountered it.
The NPAP I'd own only if I intended to put optics on it.

I did, with one of the two NPAPs I had here, the problem went away.
Denis

 

[mshootnit]

As mentioned the comb is very high on some NPAPs, to accomodate cheek rest for optic use. On some it is not.

 

[someguy2800]

I was just looking at one in the store the other day. The cheek did not seam high on the one I looked at. It fit me better than any of the other AKs I looked at and looked to be of nice build quality. Never shot one but I decided I'm going to pick one up when the budget allows.

 

[DPris]

The stock didn't seem high on those two I had here either, visually, till I fired 'em.
Denis

 

[Brandon B]

The stock didn't seem high on those two I had here either, visually, till I fired 'em.
Denis

This may be a big part of my consideration. One of my Arsenal’s has had optics on it and one of my wasrs actually had a scope (I laugh at myself for this because seeing a scope on an AK just makes me cringe sometimes)
But the wood furniture ak I am looking to pick up is strictly going to stay stock and be a truck gun / range toy. A little beater that I’ll most likely never put optics on or convert. So I guess we will have to see. They guy trading me offered to meet me at the range one day to check each other’s out and test fire. If his continuously slaps my cheek then this may be a no-go.
Although I’d love to come back to work and when all my anti-gun co workers ask where my bruise came from I get to say “AK47” hahaha

 

[DPris]

The most practical way to decide would be to fire the thing with a few rounds, if you can.
That'll give you an idea of how far down you have to go to get on the irons & if the thing'll beat your cheek.

If you're happy with how it does on your face, then go for it if it interests you.

I wouldn't normally run optics on an AK, and that's why I wouldn't own an NPAP.
Not pleasant to shoot, had to scrunch down further on the gun, couldn't acquire the irons quite as "instinctively" or quick, zero advantage over other standard AKs.

The Polish underfolder I have that puts my cheek on a steel stock rail is more comfortable to shoot than the NPAP.

Beyond the stock angle, the quality should be fine.
I'd have to dig out my test results, which I'm too lazy to do, but my hazy memory recalls decent accuracy with the optic (worth twice what the gun was worth) at 100 yards.
Denis

 

[FL-NC]

To me, they are just AK's. Not a world of difference in any of them, as far as I have seen- but most of my experience has been with "real" ones overseas. Get what you want.

 

[hq]

And as for my RH10, it’s an all around weird gun. The front sight base/gas block combo and the 90 degree gas tube really just makes it hard to throw wood on it without making it look like some ugly red headed step child HA.

Not trying to throw you off from your plan, but RH10 doesn't look like a bad candidate for Galil-style handguard swap if you insist on having wood furniture on your rifle?

 

[mshootnit]

On the NPAPS with raised comb you should know it immediately because you have to mash your face on it to even see the sights.

 

[DPris]

That's the point of physically trying one before you commit to one.
Denis

 

[Brandon B]

Not trying to throw you off from your plan, but RH10 doesn't look like a bad candidate for Galil-style handguard swap if you insist on having wood furniture on your rifle?

I’ve neber really considered that option. It might be something I’m interested in entertaining. With the combo gas block it might honestly look pretty good. But with a standard AK platform the galil handguard (to me) might look funny. But I never thought about trying it with this one. Maybe I’ll check online. Do you know if the galil furnitures are compatible with AKM style rifles?

 

[Brandon B]

By the way thanks guys I’m loving all this info. Maybe it’s cause I’ve stated I’m already very familiar with the AK platform and I’ve also stated that I don’t expect much out of the rifle, but these are the types of answers I was looking for!! Thanks folks. Keep em coming!

 

[hq]

Do you know if the galil furnitures are compatible with AKM style rifles?

You'll have to swap the retainers and the handguards bolt right on.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Probably not an issue, but I'd make sure any new AKs are compatible with the stash of mags you already have. Irrational worries of "mag wobble" have caused tighter mag wells which don't fit everything. I've never heard of this issue with Yugos, but I'd check given previous experience --- I hate having 3-4 sets of different AK mags.

I don't believe Yugo AKs are chrome lined, newer AKs with us made barrels (circa 2006 or thereabouts when ATF stopped allowing import of intact barrels) are not either. I'd keep an old chrome barreled AK. But it doesn't sound like you have one, so I'd make the trade.

 

[Ignition Override]

Ask these questions at "AKfiles".

You will also learn from Moderator "Nalioth" that there has Never been a single prosecution of "non-compliance" with 922r, unless you operate a gun import business.

 

[FROGO207]

Good thread. Learned more about NPAP's and I need all that relevant info should I choose to scratch the AK itch one of these days. So far my stash of SKS's has done a fair job of keeping it at bay for me.

 

[mshootnit]

Good thread. Learned more about NPAP's and I need all that relevant info should I choose to scratch the AK itch one of these days. So far my stash of SKS's has done a fair job of keeping it at bay for me.

Once you shoot an slr-95 you are gonna be hooked for good.