Considering building a 5.56 AK as my first build. I understand parts are harder to come by and more expensive, obviously.
























 

The 5.56 bolt appears to have a large stem, which would require an AKM bolt carrier.  The 74 bolt stem is narrower than the AK 47/AKM bolt stem.  

It is my understanding that while the 5.45 bold face is slightly larger than a 5.56mm casing, it can be used without mods, as 5.45 and 5.56 are fairly close to the same size when it comes to the case head.  I know that others have used a 5.45 bolt on a 5.56 rifle without doing any mods.  Going this route could save you some cash.

I have used the an AK Builder barrel before, and they are GTG.

My 74 kits were pretty easy to put together, once I got the flat bending down.  I did not use a What.A.Country kit, instead I went with one from RGuns.  Delivery was fast, and when I found that they had sent the wrong stock, they were quick to make it right.  Additionally, it appears that the What.A.Country kits are used, while RGuns are new.  Mine had never been fired.  Here is a link for you to look at.  http://www.rguns.net/gunparts/rifle-parts-AK.shtml

The NDS receiver should work well for this build.

Figure out which mags you are going to use before you build, as AK 5.56 mags are not as interchangeable as the AKM and AK 74 mags.  Believe it or not, my AK 74 in 5.45 runs Magpul gen 2 windowed PMags.

So, to answer your question, those parts could work together, if you added in an AMK bolt carrier to replace the 74 bolt carrier.  But then you would no longer have a matched serial number kit.

Thanks for the info on the bolt/carrier. How are you running pmags in a 5.45 gun? I plan on using galil mags if I can. If that doesn't work, I'll mod the receiver for a stanag mag adapter.

 

Galil mags should work.  If not M85 mags should also work.

Plus 5 extra rounds per mag.

 

Personally, I use the Canis adapter found at http://www.canisdesigngroup.com/m4-conversion-for-ak.html , while it takes a while for the backorders to fill, and requires some work on the front trunnion, it is well worth it.  Last round bolt hold open, AR pistol grips, AR style mag release, and ability to take STANAG mags are the benefits if this item.  I was able to install it and I have very little experience working with metal.  It is easier to install if you are building it from the ground up, as the front trunnion will be easier to access while it is not installed in the receiver.

Another option is a removable STANAG mag adapter from Canis, http://www.canisdesigngroup.com/m4-magazine-adapter-for-ak.html

As for how do I get 5.45 to run in a 5.56 mag? Well, there is an easy mod that works on Magpul windowed gen 2 mags.  It only works on these mags for some reason.  It requires cutting a little bit off of the follower so that it can tilt a little.  I am able to fit 29 to 30 rounds of 5.45x39mm ammo in the mags.  A video of the process can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UFBSNrGgPU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVAziseKvWI

If I had it to do over again, I would not change the direction that I went with that 74.  In fact, I am thinking of buying another adapter and attempting to build an AK in 458 SOCOM.  I think it would make an awesome brush gun.

I've seen both of these products before and they seem like quality parts. I would like to see how the permanent stanag adapter functions and how it is attached to the gun. good luck with the 458 socom build lol

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f180/daveygunit/597%20charger/83050B36-AFB0-43EA-9F2B-7D9566A8FE26.jpg
I used a Bulgarian 74 parts kit, ($60 at the time) Galil 5.56 barrel, machined my trunnion to accept Galil mags ($8 for Tapco ones) and then just started winging it, I cut the 18" barrel down to 13.5, machined up a pin/weld 3" muzzle booster (kinda like a one piece version of a krink flash hider) still considering switching to a integrated FSB/GB to clean the look up a bit better. Still got a bit of smoothing to do, but it does fire and feed from the Galil mags, with the factory 74 bullet guide, factory 74 bolt, factory 74 carrier, factory 74 trunnion... My Norinco 84s has a large stem bolt, with a 5.56 bolt face, but that's a whole 'nother animal...

Ever thought about using a fsb/gb combo with a tech sight rear sight?

 

It's still not done yet, but I've put 60rds thru it. I'm going to beef up the top cover and make it hinge off of the RSB so my AR rear peep will stay zeroed, and the jury is still out but I think I'm gonna get one of the unfinished FSB/GB from centerfire.