Home build ak47

[KaBar]

I picked this job up from another form. Apparently The last owner was a real butcher and managed to distroy 70% of the parts in the kit including the barrel, trunion, and rsb. I opted to cut the old rivits off and do a weld build. Got the first kit for $115 shipped. I then picked up some replacement parts that had some character and a replacement parts kit to finish the build.

 

[KaBar]

The second parts kit will be here by the 17th so I've only been able to go this far so far.

 

[Unk]

Brother, that is a labor of love.

I have an AK, just because, alternately a truck or trunk gun. Not so sure I'd ever do more than shoot and clean it however hate to see abused firearms...glad to see you trying to rehab yours.

Keep us in the loop as you progress.

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

That looks like a LOT of work. Good luck with that.

 

[KaBar]

It's actually not that bad, the reciever is a nodak 100% and the barrel is already headspaced to the bolt.

The easiest build to do is a weld build, If you can find a matching numbers parts kit or a kit thats already been headspaced like mine all you have to do is slide the front and rear tunions in to the reciever, clamp, then weld. It only takes about 30 minutes to do and 25 of those are waiting for each weld to cool before you make the next weld. I would be done now If I had the barrel assembly from the second parts kit.

I wish I had one of the welders where I used to work, I could do a much better job. That welder I'm using is a 110v $80 craftsman rig I bought used off of craigslist.

This is going to be a "red dawn" urban resistance build, something somebody could build with a pile of spare parts and a welder in there basement. I've always liked the look of a been there done that gun. When its done I'll plug the barrel, coat the inside with RIG grease and chain it to a tree next to my creek until it rusts solid.

After alittle cleaning and rust removal I should get something along the lines of this.

 

[richard j]

that looks like it was a fun project to work on. back in the mid 90's you could buy complete factory kits for about the same price you paid for the parts you have.

i had a buddy that owned a gun shop and shooting range. one day a customer comes in with one if these kits. he had no clue how to put it together so i put it together for him. the only problem was peening the rivets so i came up with the idea to use threaded studs instead.

he built race cars so that part was no problem for him to do. that made the gun easy to take apart completely. if it is not too late, you might want to try that in case you need to take it apart to replace or repair something .

 

[KaBar]

I'll pass on a screw build, they like to work themselves out over time. That rear trunion lets go and you will get a bolt to the face. I always hear people talking about how easy they are to take apart incase you have to replace something but for the life of me I cant figure out what you could break that would require the removal of either of the trunions.

The only thing screwed togeather on mine is the trigger guard. They were all loose and one was missing its nut. I thought about removing them and welding the trigger guard but they look so much like rivits I figured it would look cleaner if I just welded them from the inside.

On another forum somebody tried using u drives. The guy swore this way was just as strong as using rivits, I think he got about 3 months use out of it before the trunion let go while he was firing from the hip, the bolt carrier ripped his wrist open and he nearly bleed out at the range, had to be airlifted to a hospital. I welded the HELL out of the rear trunion on the inside, its NOT going anywhere lol.

 

[JohnnyMayhem]

Now the important question is, where can you find a parts kit on the cheap?

I want to build a 74 but at this rate, I'll take what I can get.

 

[KaBar]

Well, cheap is a realitive term. The days of the matching number $89 parts kits are gone.

A barrel less kit will go for $125 and you can get NEW barrels for $55 BUT you have to have the skills and tools to finish the build.

I paid $270 for my kit with a new US barrel that was already headspaced. A matching numbers kit will cost $300 and up. If you want to do a screw or weld build these kits are ideal because you dont have to remove the barrels.

If you want to build one its got to be for the fun of it because with the cost of tools (especially if you do a rivet build) will be way more than what you can buy a ak for.

Bare minimum your looking at roughly $300 for a kit, $100 for a 100% reciever, add on the price of 922r compliance parts (I'm doing barrel, reciever, flash hider, and trigger group) (roughly $50)

Why spend $450 on a beater welded ak when I could get something like a polish underfolder for $50 more? Just because I want to build my own gun.

 

[JohnnyMayhem]

Well that's the thing, I want to build one as my first one so I know what I'm getting into when I have a complete one so I can work on it if I need to without having to go see a gun smith.

Plus around here there are shops selling underfolders for 800 bucks (and they are from century) (at that rate I'll just go buy an arsenal)

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

I've always liked the look of a been there done that gun. When its done I'll plug the barrel, coat the inside with RIG grease and chain it to a tree next to my creek until it rusts solid.

After alittle cleaning and rust removal I should get something along the lines of this.

So, you are intentionally going to allow the surface of the AK to rust over so you can remove the rust for a "weathered" finish?

I have never heard of that being done before. That sounds like an interesting project.

 

[KaBar]

So, you are intentionally going to allow the surface of the AK to rust over so you can remove the rust for a "weathered" finish?

I have never heard of that being done before. That sounds like an interesting project.

It's called a battlefield pickup, easiest way to "refinish" a parts build. Usually the parts kits are rather rough, no finish with pitting. You have two options, distressing the new reciever to match the rest of the rifle or do a total refinish job.

These parts and this rifle are one in the same.

 

[rookie4real]

I know this would be illegal but is it entirely possible to make it a full auto? What additional parts would be needed if so?

 

[rookie4real]

Beautiful job.

 

[Spark]

I've got few kits that I need to build up. I have everything I need but the flats, rivets and welder. I keep putting it off... which is a shame becase 3 of the kits are virgin 7.62x39 krinks.

 

[KaBar]

Would you be interested in selling one of those krink kits?

Yes they could be converted to FA, not going to tell you how exactly but its as simple as using a drill and the leftover parts in your kit. Understand that getting caught with a unregistered nfa item is a big time fine and big time jail time, best not to go there.

Now, If you take the time and pay all the fees you could become a type 7 class 2 SOT and build as many NFA/ full auto items that you wanted but your limited to selling those post samples to police departments and other dealers with demo letters. You can "have" those guns but they are not truly "yours"

NFA ownership is a pita sometimes, you have to keep them locked up at all times and keep a copy of the tax stamp with the gun. You cant legally leave it in a room and drive to the corner store if your wife is at home. NOBODY except for you can have access to it. You can let somebody shoot it but if your son takes off with it to the range with out your knowlage and he gets busted you are going to get legally REAMED.

This was my last buy. I still have about a month before I can pick her up. Colt commando LEO/military only marked.

 

[richard j]

kabar, my buddy put locknuts and locktite on the studs so they wont come loose.

spark, it only took me a few hours to put the ak together and it was probably the same kit you have. there were no instructions but you can look at the parts and pretty much tell what goes where. you should do a step by step build and post pictures.

 

[High Density]

Would you be interested in selling one of those krink kits?

Yes they could be converted to FA, not going to tell you how exactly but its as simple as using a drill and the leftover parts in your kit. Understand that getting caught with a unregistered nfa item is a big time fine and big time jail time, best not to go there.

Now, If you take the time and pay all the fees you could become a type 7 class 2 SOT and build as many NFA/ full auto items that you wanted but your limited to selling those post samples to police departments and other dealers with demo letters. You can "have" those guns but they are not truly "yours"

NFA ownership is a pita sometimes, you have to keep them locked up at all times and keep a copy of the tax stamp with the gun. You cant legally leave it in a room and drive to the corner store if your wife is at home. NOBODY except for you can have access to it. You can let somebody shoot it but if your son takes off with it to the range with out your knowlage and he gets busted you are going to get legally REAMED.

This was my last buy. I still have about a month before I can pick her up. Colt commando LEO/military only marked.

That Commando is sweet.

 

[tyr_shadowblade]

NFA ownership is a pita sometimes, you have to keep them locked up at all times and keep a copy of the tax stamp with the gun. You cant legally leave it in a room and drive to the corner store if your wife is at home. NOBODY except for you can have access to it. You can let somebody shoot it but if your son takes off with it to the range with out your knowlage and he gets busted you are going to get legally REAMED.

There was a case here last year where this idiot who worked at a Class 3 gun store "borrowed" an MP5 without permission to go target shooting on his 21st birthday. Afterwards, he went to the topless bar, leaving it in his Jeep. Apparently he had a good time there, and at about 1 AM a patrol car spotted his Jeep peeling out of the parking lot -- with a siren wailing and revolving light on the roof, so he got pulled over and searched and they found the SMG along with numerous handguns. Not only did he "borrow" the SMG without permission, but he wasn't licensed to possess it either. Claimed to be a volunteer fireman, which he was not, and had no authorization for the lights and siren either. But at least he wasn't DUI. Judge took it easy on him and IIRC he was only sentenced to 2 years in federal prison (could've gotten 10). As far as I know the owner was not charged, but it goes without saying he likely received a lot of unwelcome attention from the ATF over that incident.

 

[KaBar]

Found a few really good looking battlefield pickups.