Topic: AK Build Party

[Deadheadmatt]

I floated this as a possibility a few weeks ago, now looking to gauge the total number of people interested.  There are some cheap kits out there and maybe a few of us can get together and put some of these together.

I also need to know who out there have some/all of the tools required to get one of these built.  We obviously need someone familiar with working with rivets.  The barrel assembly requires a press and we may also need access to a end mill or drill press to drill some of the required holes.

No commitment is necessary at the moment, just looking for a heads up as to how many are interested.

Matt

[luckypunk]

I'd totally be in.  Spiff has the skills, but he is kinda squirrely 

[Deadheadmatt]

Cool.  If you are looking for kits, Apex has some great prices now.  Of course, you will need to track down a barrel and the other compliance parts, but they are out there.  Nodakspud has great prices on receivers.  See the links below:

https://www.apexgunparts.com/index.php/cPath/51 - AK kits for $94

http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?products_id=3205  - Barrels for $60

http://www.nodakspud.com/page2.htm - Receivers $55-100 depending on model

Matt

[mopeman440]

My recommendation is you get a kit with the original barrel or a kit with a barrel that already has been installed and drilled like the ones from ak-builder. Like these: http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=231 . Don't forget, if you get a blank barrel, you will need to set the headspace with go-no-go gauges, which will cost extra too.

[luckypunk]

47? 74? wood? folder?

looks like I got shopping to do

[Deadheadmatt]

47? 74? wood? folder?

looks like I got shopping to do

I have a Bulgy 74 kit, have ordered a set of the original plum furniture.  Does anyone have headspace gauges for a '74 (5.45x39)?

Matt

[luckypunk]

Yeah, there seems to be a plethora of 5.45 kits.  and that is the cheaper ammo now.

 

this thing was bitchin until he bleached it.  http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=1154050&page=1

[emathey]

If this is still going on in May I'd be interested.  I have a -47 kit I need to put together, and if it goes well I'd be interested in building up some more 47s and 74s.  I have a 12 ton press but that's the only tool I have for this.

[luckypunk]

I have a Bulgy 74 kit, have ordered a set of the original plum furniture.  Does anyone have headspace gauges for a '74 (5.45x39)?

Matt

so can you give some details of your bulgy 74 kit?  I found some between 350 & 500 depending on what it is.  Are you going for a khyber pass gun?  I found one with good dark wood, matching #s & barrel...but it's not a folder

[Deadheadmatt]

It came with the wood furniture, but my set was a little rough.  I have since tracked down an original polymer set in the Russian plum.  Have an Arsenal US Made trigger group and a Nodakspud NDS2-EZ receiver.  It did not come with the original barrel, but did come with a US made new barrel with the extractor cut, handguard cuts and the gas port drilled.  I plan on using a K-Var plum pistol grip for the last compliance part.

Kit looks like it is almost new.  Parts are non-matching.  Finish is 98%.  I don't think parts were used much.  May have been originally assembled for US import, but with barrel ban in effect, they cut them up to send them in as kits.  All original receiver portions have been demilled.  Trunnions still have what's left of the rivets.  Kit is complete as far as I can tell, minus the receiver and barrel.

I have a Romanian AK47 built from a kit and the finish and quality of the Bulgarian tooling is much better.  AIM Surplus is running a good deal on surplus polymer mags.  They describe them as Bulgarian or Russian in origin, but the ones I have received all have Russian factory marks.

The hardest part of the build (assuming someone here knows/has the tools for riveting) will be cutting the barrel pin hole on the barrel and setting headspace.

Hope that is enough detail.

Matt

[luckypunk]

thanks for the info, I was just wondering what you were planning on doing.  I've boiled it down to a few types I want to build, but am having a hard time justifying it due to the fact I can buy the damn thing for about the same price now that the kits are so much.

I really want the build experience but don't have the tools or know-how.

I can buy/replace the bits/punches that are possibly consumed in the build...but does someone have the press? 

I'm actually looking at a milled kit as a frontrunner choice

someone needs to teach me the ways of the AK build

[MadMax]

I have a press as well, but none of the other tools that would probably be needed. Thinking of doing a screw build. Anyone had experience (good or bad) with those?

[jeepdawg]

Bump - 

Any news on this?
I'm really liking the pricing of the 5.45x39 i see available -
http://gun-deals.com/ammo.php?caliber=5.45x39

[luckypunk]

bumping this to see if anyone out there has the tools/knowhow.

I see a kit or 2 I wouldn't mind building.  not going to save me much money, but just to have my custom touch on it.

[p8riot]

I'm down. I just need enough notice to order the US parts/rivets/etc I need. Sorry I don't really have any machinery though.