Summary of "I bought the cheapest AK in 2024: US Military Contract M70 AB2, FIRST LOOK."

Video subject

First-look review of a US military–contract M70 AB2 (a Yugo M70 underfolder AK kit) recently sold as surplus in the U.S. market. The reviewer purchased one from the batches sold by dealers (Atlantic Firearms, AIM Surplus, Buds) and performs a close inspection.

Product overview / context

These rifles are non-matching Yugo M70 AB2 parts kits that were assembled (speculation: by Century Arms or Two Rivers) and sold to the U.S. military around 2010 for base training (blank-fire use). They have now been surplused to American buyers.
The reviewer highlights the novelty of American-military–used AKs being offered as surplus and the “battlefield pickup” character these present.

Main features noted

Yugo M70 AB2 configuration: underfolder stock, bayonet lug, grenade sight, gas cutoff, flip-up night sights (similar to Yugo SKS), push-button recoil rod retainer.
Non-matching parts kit build (receiver, furniture, etc., don’t match).
Trunnion dated 1989; rack numbers and paint marks present.
Original plastic handguards with a functional folding mechanism and a fairly tight underfolder fit.
Bolt and carrier in the reviewer’s example looked nearly new (good lug condition).
Muzzle device removable; flip-up sights and grenade sights were straight on the reviewed rifle.

The video repeatedly shows a sale price of “$5.99” in the subtitles, indicating a highly discounted surplus price that sold quickly through dealers.

Price & availability

Sold via Atlantic Firearms, AIM Surplus, and Buds Gun Shop.
Many sold very quickly during the surplus sale; the subtitles repeatedly show “$5.99” as the sale price.

Condition variability and cosmetic notes

Typical wear: heavy patina, pitting, paint/rack markings, dents and wear consistent with years of training use.
Many examples show welds/tacks or ground areas on the front sight posts from blank-firing adapter use.
Large variance across batches: some cosmetically “cool” beat-up guns, others with bent sights, upside-down installed parts, or loose furniture.
Reviewer’s specific oddities: charging-handle knob shaved to a sharp point (made charging harder), a small groove/dip near the muzzle where someone ground or welded, lower handguard slightly loose/dropping, a unique yellow paint mark on the safety, and no electro-pencil serialization visible on the receiver.

Safety and functional concerns discovered across the batch

Several rifles were found with heavily modified/dremeled chambers and feed ramps — potentially unsafe to fire.
Community response: photos and warnings circulated (notably by Jim Fuller), and dealers reacted by pulling obviously unsafe guns and offering refunds or exchanges.
Atlantic Firearms and Buds proactively inspected shipments and offered refunds; AIM Surplus also communicated with buyers.

Inspection & testing performed by the reviewer

Inspection steps:

Field-strip and visual inspection of the chamber, bolt, carrier, and extractor.
Headspace testing using a go gauge and a no-go gauge (and mentions of a field gauge).
Suppressor-alignment rod check for muzzle/bolt alignment.

Results for the reviewer’s rifle:

Tight on the go gauge (seated tightly but workable).
No-go gauge would not close — interpreted as within safe limits for that example.
Bolt locks and rotates properly with a round; extractor holds the case; bolt lugs looked very good.
Alignment appeared adequate for suppression use (implied).
Reviewer strongly emphasizes: check headspace with proper gauges before firing any of these.

Pros

Historical/collectible appeal: genuine US-military–used training AKs with authentic wear/patina.
Extremely affordable at the surplus sale price (as shown in the subtitles).
Useful features included: bayonet lug, grenade sights, flip-up night sights, underfolder stock.
Functional example in the reviewer’s hands: straight sights, solid rivets, strong bolt lugs, tight underfolder fit.

Cons / risks

Wide quality variance across units; some are damaged, improperly modified, or unsafe to fire.
Serious safety risk if the chamber/feed ramp has been crudely dremeled.
Cosmetic wear, pitting, and corrosion common.
Some units show blank-firing adapter mods (welds, ground front sight posts).
Non-matching parts kits will disappoint collectors seeking matching numbers.

User experience & impressions

Reviewer enjoyed the authenticity and “rode hard and put up wet” character.
Initially concerned about reports of bad chambers, but relieved after gauges confirmed the reviewed rifle was safe.
Excited to shoot and suppress the rifle in a follow-up video and to try different stock options.
Praised Atlantic, Buds, and AIM for customer service in handling unsafe examples.

Comparisons and references

Flip-up night sight compared to Yugo SKS sights.
Other coverage: Dixie Mouser (comparison across multiple examples); Jim Fuller (calling out bad chambers).
Henry Chan (N9 Hole) commented these are authentic battlefield/pickup examples and noted he’s seen worse guns still functioning.

Specific numerical / test results

Sale price in video subtitles: $5.99.
Headspace: “tight on the go gauge” (go closes tightly); no-go does not close — accepted as within spec for the reviewed rifle.

All unique points (concise list)

Origin: non-matching Yugo M70 AB2 kits assembled and sold to U.S. military for training.
Used for blank-fire training on a California base for roughly 20 years.
Surplused via Atlantic Firearms, AIM Surplus, Buds Gun Shop and sold quickly.
Wide condition variance: from attractive patina to unsafe dremeled chambers.
Dealers pulled bad examples and offered refunds after issues were found.
Typical wear includes weld marks from blank-firing adapters, rack numbers, paint marks, pitting, bent grenade sights, and upside-down leaf sights on some rifles.
Reviewer’s rifle specifics: straight grenade sight, flip-up night sight, bayonet lug, 1989 trunnion date, shaved charging-handle knob, mostly good rivets and bolt lugs, minor chamber clearancing/groove.
Inspection procedure used: field-strip, visual chamber check, bolt/carrier/extractor check, go/no-go/field gauge tests, suppressor-alignment rod check.
Safety guidance: check headspace; return/refund if chamber is bad.
Reviewer plans a follow-up live-fire and suppressed test, possibly with a wood stock.

Contributions / who said what

Reviewer: purchased and inspected an M70 AB2, performed disassembly and gauge tests, described features/condition, recommended checks, and plans follow-up shooting content.
Atlantic Firearms / Buds / AIM Surplus: brought these to market; Atlantic and Buds pulled bad guns and offered refunds/inspections; AIM communicated with buyers.
Jim Fuller: publicized photos of badly dremeled chambers and warned people not to shoot unsafe guns.
Dixie Mouser: produced a video showing variance across multiple examples.
Rodrigo (friend): also bought one.
Cody: assisted the reviewer with gauge checks and chamber inspection.
Henry Chan (N9 Hole): commented on the authentic battlefield-pickup nature and historical appeal.

Concise verdict / recommendation

These M70 AB2 surplus rifles are an interesting, authentic, value-driven buy if you want a true “battlefield pickup” AK with history and patina. Condition varies widely and some are unsafe to fire due to crude chamber modifications. Do not assume any unit is safe — inspect and test headspace with proper go/no-go/field gauges before firing. If a unit passes gauges and the bolt/carrier look good (as in the reviewer’s example), it can be a fun, collectible shooter and good value. If it shows heavy chamber dremeling or crude modifications, return it for a refund.