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5/14/2026 4:14:53 PM EDT
Ok, while I've only built a couple dozen ARs, and five AKMs, when I saw the Iron Curtain Customs had trunnions and Childers has stamped Galil receivers, I was really intrigued. I inquired about the receivers and the trunnions, and things were looking promising, until questions about drilling jigs came up.
Childers says their FCG jigs (which I have) will do the hammer / trigger pins but not the safety holes, as it is in a different location.
Iron Curtain says the receiver is basically an AKM and everything should be the same.
No one seems willing or able to say how they drill the safety hole. A jig? A template? Does anyone know? IS the safety hole for the Galil in a different location than an AKM?
Thanks
5/14/2026 5:09:22 PM EDT
[#1]
It's close to an AK, but different size and shape hole, I drilled one in an 80% receiver and I think I used a Childers guide and rechecked with some sections of a demilled receiver.

I cut a flat demilled receiver piece with the safety hole  and pinned it into place with the FCG pin holes aligned.  I think I used two drill bits to drill two holes close to the size and filed/ground/cut to make the two holes into a single keyhole shape using the demilled piece as a guide and a Dremel with carbide Burr.
5/14/2026 8:52:56 PM EDT
[#2]
Wow, what a dumbass I am. It never occurred to me to use part of the receiver as a template. Thanks so much for the info!
By the way, how did yours turn out? Did you build it in 5.56 or 7.62?  I think in 7.62 a Galil would be the coolest AK....
5/14/2026 8:56:37 PM EDT
[#3]
I just went and looked at the parts kits I was thinking of buying, and of course, there's none of the receiver left with the kit. Did you pick up the receiver parts somewhere to make the template?
5/14/2026 8:56:37 PM EDT
[#4]
I just went and looked at the parts kits I was thinking of buying, and of course, there's none of the receiver left with the kit. Did you pick up the receiver parts somewhere to make the template?
5/16/2026 6:45:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: AEnemaBay][Edited] [#5]
You can just use the standard AKM safety cut. The Galil selector is exactly the same as a Type 3 selector except it has a longer small diameter end to interact with the left-side safety.

EDIT: Disregard what I said above about using an AKM safety cut. That only applies to the inverse selector (push to fire as opposed to push to safe). With the typical Galil selector, you do need the Galil type cut if you want to install the left side selector. If you have a 3D printer, or know someone that does, I made a jig to layout Galil receiver holes. You can use it just for the selector position. It indexes off of the top and front of the receiver, so it should be correct across both milled and stamped receivers:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4884589
AK building addict in recovery. Fell off the wagon.
5/19/2026 8:43:20 PM EDT
[#6]
That's cool, is it something I can buy? I don't know squat about 3D printing, even if I had a 3D printer I doubt I could figure out how to turn it on.
I'm a bit surprised with Iron Curtain and Childers. I had issues with a Childers template, completely trashed an AKM receiver. I ordered their jig and they sent me another receiver! But when I asked about a template or jig to do a Galil 47 all I got was "I don't know how people are locating the holes to drill the receivers." IC wouldn't comment at all except to say, "Just send your receiver and kit to us and we'll build it."
Well, yeah if I send a bunch of money too. And I know Childers offers 100% Galil receivers, so they're locating the holes somehow. I guess I expect too much, they are in business to make money. But I build myself because I can't afford to have the work done.
I have pretty much given up on the project at this point. IF I do another build it'll have to be an AKM as I have a jig for those.
5/20/2026 4:25:58 PM EDT
[#7]
This may be a dumb question, but if I forgo the left side Galil thumb safety, can I build it with just a standard AKM safety?
5/22/2026 11:00:39 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By roninsan:
That's cool, is it something I can buy? I don't know squat about 3D printing, even if I had a 3D printer I doubt I could figure out how to turn it on.
I'm a bit surprised with Iron Curtain and Childers. I had issues with a Childers template, completely trashed an AKM receiver. I ordered their jig and they sent me another receiver! But when I asked about a template or jig to do a Galil 47 all I got was "I don't know how people are locating the holes to drill the receivers." IC wouldn't comment at all except to say, "Just send your receiver and kit to us and we'll build it."
Well, yeah if I send a bunch of money too. And I know Childers offers 100% Galil receivers, so they're locating the holes somehow. I guess I expect too much, they are in business to make money. But I build myself because I can't afford to have the work done.
I have pretty much given up on the project at this point. IF I do another build it'll have to be an AKM as I have a jig for those.
View Quote


I can send you one. Just message me your address. To my knowledge (and I could be very wrong) Recreator and Childers use locating fixtures and CNC to machine the holes on their complete receivers.

You can also just lay it out with a scribe old school style following the drawings from Tortort. Just make sure you select the Galil specfic one, obviously:

https://tortort.com/pages/80-percent-ak-receiver-dimensions
AK building addict in recovery. Fell off the wagon.
5/22/2026 11:01:54 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By roninsan:
This may be a dumb question, but if I forgo the left side Galil thumb safety, can I build it with just a standard AKM safety?
View Quote


Yes, you could. It would leave a slot on where the left side safety went. But if you use a grip with a wide top (US Palm comes to mind) then it should cover most if not all of it.
AK building addict in recovery. Fell off the wagon.
5/22/2026 12:48:25 PM EDT
[#10]
The 80% Childers receivers have no safety cut whatsoever. I've tried again to talk to Iron Curtain about it, their only reply is "Just get a 100% receiver and send it to us."
What I can't get them to understand is how things work in Ga. I order the receiver, pay a transfer fee. Hand it right back to the FFL and ask them to ship it, transfer fee. It comes back from IC, transfer fee. I have to pay each time it changes hands. I don't care about the background check, I'm retired LEO I got nothing in my past. But nearly 200 bucks in transfer fees and shipping? That's two AKM receivers.
Then add on the 350 bucks for IC trunnions, that's another parts kit. A barrel, 250. I'm looking at two AKMs just to do one Galil.
I really like the sights on the Galil, thought it would make the best AK. But the cost is pushing me to forget the project and stick to AKMs. Hate it, really want one, but damn...

Thanks for offering me the jig, that's really awesome of you! I'm not a paying member so I can't IM.

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