PSA AK-47 Official Build and information thread : (Page 2 of 9)
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Originally Posted By papasasquatch:
Yeah, I'd love to see one in their red furniture to see if it looks like plastic still. I wanted to get another range trip in with it to see if the replacement recoil spring works well (which I did yesterday), but I should have a video up about my experience with the build here in a few days. Mine has the red furniture. I like it okay, but I don't know that the red furniture was worth the extra cost for me. Darin. |
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Okay, for anyone interested, I've got two vids up on my channel now about the PSA ak47. One is an unboxing just to show how the receiver and build kits come shipped and the second video is of the completed rifle and my thoughts on it as well as some range reports. My build wasn't without issues. I was having some trigger reset issues that I have mostly worked out, but I'm still considering upgrading the trigger since I'm not a huge fan of the trigger even when it does reset right. Also, my recoil spring assembly broke at the base. PSA was quick in sending me a replacement and I have close to 300 rounds through the new spring assembly with no issues.
The build itself required some fitting at the gas tube and the dust cover and the front sight was very tight going in. Anyway, enjoy or ridicule, ymmv, lol. Darin. PSA ak47 completed review PSA ak47 unboxing |
| Dang, that looks like strawberry red stain on there. Gonna have to wait for the blonde wood stock kit to come back in or get this red one, strip it and refinish it with some dark red and orange. Otherwise, the fit and finish looks nice after what appears to be some real work fitting it. Looks like the tapco trigger group will have to be purchased too. Ugh, still dreading what I'm putting myself through with this. Wish I hadn't ordered that barreled receiver. lol |
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Originally Posted By papasasquatch:
Dang, that looks like strawberry red stain on there. Gonna have to wait for the blonde wood stock kit to come back in or get this red one, strip it and refinish it with some dark red and orange. Otherwise, the fit and finish looks nice after what appears to be some real work fitting it. Looks like the tapco trigger group will have to be purchased too. Ugh, still dreading what I'm putting myself through with this. Wish I hadn't ordered that barreled receiver. lol Yeah, I've considered that, stripping and restaining. The red just isn't red enough. It still seems like a good deal to me though, if you can get past the cast barrel trunnion that is. I think if I could do it over I would've either purchased the standard 200 dollar polymer furniture kit, or just sourced the components from the kit from other sources, since so much fitting was required anyway. The barrelled receiver still seems to be a good deal. Darin. |
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Originally Posted By XDsPocketCarry:
Any plans to change the trunnion and bolt to forged? I won't buy anything that has those two parts are cast. The fit and finish on PSA built guns look nice and I'd like to add one to my collection in the future. The bolt is forged, but the front and rear trunnions are cast |
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Originally Posted By check-raiser:
A couple questions: Is the PSA AK47 a AKM pattern? Has anyone tried using a milsurp bayonet? Second question first, they missed it on the bayonet lug. It's a little too "thick". I took a small file and slowly removed metal from the "bottom" until the bayonet snapped on. I then used a little touchup cold blue on it. (common issue, others have seen it) On the second question, what are you looking for? I would say it's a semiautomatic AKM. I've swapped bolt carriers on mine during the breakin period. Furniture I used is a standard Magpul Moe furniture group. Bolt is a regular forged bolt, all the internal bolt parts are the same as other AK bolts, nothing special. The bolt is forged, not cast. I'm not concerned with the cast front trunnion, PSA said it's gtg, that's good enough for me. Obviously if you start swapping bolts around, check the headspace. This IS NOT an AR. The gen1 does not come with a front sling loop on the handguard ferrule. The gen2 comes with the sling loop. Which one you want would depend on which furniture you're going to use. PSA says more models are coming, so we all are waiting. Lifetime warranty backed by PSA, I don't think you can go wrong. With that said, there's more work and experience involved, it's not like snapping an AR lower together in a few minutes, some fitting is required. But when I got through, I had a brand new rifle. MOE kit: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ak47-moe-furniture-kit.html |
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Originally Posted By 4356:
Second question first, they missed it on the bayonet lug. It's a little too "thick". I took a small file and slowly removed metal from the "bottom" until the bayonet snapped on. I then used a little touchup cold blue on it. (common issue, others have seen it) On the second question, what are you looking for? I would say it's a semiautomatic AKM. I've swapped bolt carriers on mine during the breakin period. Furniture I used is a standard Magpul Moe furniture group. Bolt is a regular forged bolt, all the internal bolt parts are the same as other AK bolts, nothing special. The bolt is forged, not cast. I'm not concerned with the cast front trunnion, PSA said it's gtg, that's good enough for me. Obviously if you start swapping bolts around, check the headspace. This IS NOT an AR. The gen1 does not come with a front sling loop on the handguard ferrule. The gen2 comes with the sling loop. Which one you want would depend on which furniture you're going to use. PSA says more models are coming, so we all are waiting. Lifetime warranty backed by PSA, I don't think you can go wrong. With that said, there's more work and experience involved, it's not like snapping an AR lower together in a few minutes, some fitting is required. But when I got through, I had a brand new rifle. MOE kit: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ak47-moe-furniture-kit.html Originally Posted By 4356:
Originally Posted By check-raiser:
A couple questions: Is the PSA AK47 a AKM pattern? Has anyone tried using a milsurp bayonet? Second question first, they missed it on the bayonet lug. It's a little too "thick". I took a small file and slowly removed metal from the "bottom" until the bayonet snapped on. I then used a little touchup cold blue on it. (common issue, others have seen it) On the second question, what are you looking for? I would say it's a semiautomatic AKM. I've swapped bolt carriers on mine during the breakin period. Furniture I used is a standard Magpul Moe furniture group. Bolt is a regular forged bolt, all the internal bolt parts are the same as other AK bolts, nothing special. The bolt is forged, not cast. I'm not concerned with the cast front trunnion, PSA said it's gtg, that's good enough for me. Obviously if you start swapping bolts around, check the headspace. This IS NOT an AR. The gen1 does not come with a front sling loop on the handguard ferrule. The gen2 comes with the sling loop. Which one you want would depend on which furniture you're going to use. PSA says more models are coming, so we all are waiting. Lifetime warranty backed by PSA, I don't think you can go wrong. With that said, there's more work and experience involved, it's not like snapping an AR lower together in a few minutes, some fitting is required. But when I got through, I had a brand new rifle. MOE kit: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ak47-moe-furniture-kit.html Thanks 4356, This is my first experience with an AK. I built up the gen 1 receiver with a gen 2 MOE kit with great success. I.m not concerned about the cast trunnions, considering PSA has great customer service and quality. The reason I ask about the bayonet lug is that the surplus bayonets state either a AK or AKM lug for compatibility. Did you try a aftermarket flash hider? The website doesn't state the threading on the barrel, but I assume it's 14-1 LH. = |
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Yes, it's the 14-1LH. The Tapco slant one you see everywhere fits fine. Be careful Apex has some 1-14RH ones listed.....
I have type I and type II AKM bayonets along with a Yugo, the lugs are the same size and snap on. http://worldbayonets.com/Misc__Pages/ak_bayonets/ak_bayonets.html |
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Originally Posted By 4356:
Yes, it's the 14-1LH. The Tapco slant one you see everywhere fits fine. Be careful Apex has some 1-14RH ones listed..... I have type I and type II AKM bayonets along with a Yugo, the lugs are the same size and snap on. http://worldbayonets.com/Misc__Pages/ak_bayonets/ak_bayonets.html Anyone collecting all of the tips to make a sticky on PSAK47? Just data and tips and tricks we share. Like a C-clamp to start the front site base, bolt carrier channel needing polishing because too hard to slam into battery, slowly file the front of the dust cover, fix the bayonet lug, feed ramp rivet blocking cleaning rod insertion, 922(r) parts list, ideas on getting around the missing gen1 front sling loop, etc. PSA can have the list resolved in their gen3 rifles.... 
(I prefer to fit the dust cover) |
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Just an update on my PSA AK build. I've got around 600 rounds through it now and no more issues. The replacement recoil spring that PSA sent me after the original broke, is working just fine. The trigger reset issue I was having initially has worked itself out, at least I haven't experienced it in the last 200 rounds or so. I did remove the trigger and clean it very well and polished the sides and where it rotates on the pin to help things. Anyway, it's fine now. The rifle is very smooth now after 600 rounds, to me the action actually is smoother than a milled AK I have.
A note about the problem fitting the dustcover I had initially, and may be the same issue others are having. I had my PSA AK out cleaning it and was cleaning another AK at the same time. I decided to try the recoil spring from the other AK in the PSA, it fit of course. The thing is it actually fit better than the telescoping one PSA sends with the build kits. When I went to put the dust cover on, it went on with no issues. Then I got to noticing that the recoil spring assembly that PSA sends doesn't slide in the channel of the receiver as well as the other one, which was causing the dust cover to not fit as well. Anyway, just thought I'd point that out. Keep an eye on my youtube channel for a follow up video that I'll post later today or tonight. I break the rifle down and show the internals and how much wear has occurred since new. Darin. |
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Originally Posted By darink300zx:
Just an update on my PSA AK build. I've got around 600 rounds through it now and no more issues. The replacement recoil spring that PSA sent me after the original broke, is working just fine. The trigger reset issue I was having initially has worked itself out, at least I haven't experienced it in the last 200 rounds or so. I did remove the trigger and clean it very well and polished the sides and where it rotates on the pin to help things. Anyway, it's fine now. The rifle is very smooth now after 600 rounds, to me the action actually is smoother than a milled AK I have. A note about the problem fitting the dustcover I had initially, and may be the same issue others are having. I had my PSA AK out cleaning it and was cleaning another AK at the same time. I decided to try the recoil spring from the other AK in the PSA, it fit of course. The thing is it actually fit better than the telescoping one PSA sends with the build kits. When I went to put the dust cover on, it went on with no issues. Then I got to noticing that the recoil spring assembly that PSA sends doesn't slide in the channel of the receiver as well as the other one, which was causing the dust cover to not fit as well. Anyway, just thought I'd point that out. Keep an eye on my youtube channel for a follow up video that I'll post later today or tonight. I break the rifle down and show the internals and how much wear has occurred since new. Darin. Good video Darin. Seems PSA locked my thread asking were we going to see more rifles. Better hold onto the ones we have, may be rare collector rifles some day, being first run of a rifle we may never see again. 
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Originally Posted By 4356:
Good video Darin. Seems PSA locked my thread asking were we going to see more rifles. Better hold onto the ones we have, may be rare collector rifles some day, being first run of a rifle we may never see again. Funny you should say that, i was just thinking that today, lol. I think I will hang on to it for now, shoot it and have fun. Worse case scenario is PSA comes out with gen 3 kits that have forged trunnions, then the gen 1 and 2 kits will be worthless, at least among AK folk I guess. Oh and thanks for the compliment on the video. Here's a link to anyone who hasn't seen the follow up. PSA AK follow up Darin. |
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Originally Posted By darink300zx:
Funny you should say that, i was just thinking that today, lol. I think I will hang on to it for now, shoot it and have fun. Worse case scenario is PSA comes out with gen 3 kits that have forged trunnions, then the gen 1 and 2 kits will be worthless, at least among AK folk I guess. Oh and thanks for the compliment on the video. Here's a link to anyone who hasn't seen the follow up. PSA AK follow up Darin. Originally Posted By darink300zx:
Originally Posted By 4356:
Good video Darin. Seems PSA locked my thread asking were we going to see more rifles. Better hold onto the ones we have, may be rare collector rifles some day, being first run of a rifle we may never see again. Funny you should say that, i was just thinking that today, lol. I think I will hang on to it for now, shoot it and have fun. Worse case scenario is PSA comes out with gen 3 kits that have forged trunnions, then the gen 1 and 2 kits will be worthless, at least among AK folk I guess. Oh and thanks for the compliment on the video. Here's a link to anyone who hasn't seen the follow up. PSA AK follow up Darin. I try to hope for the best and plan for the worst. At best, I wish PSA continues forward, maybe comes up with an upgrade program, or an inexpensive process to refit these earlier modules if we choose. I wasn't expecting much for $260, I'm very satisfied with mine. After about 400 rounds, the headspace is still very tight on a Go gauge, so mine is good to go I think, but I'll never shoot thousands of rounds through it; I can't afford very long the process of throwing a quarter into the woods every time I pull the trigger. I would like to participate with PSA on gen3 as well I'm sure a lot of other people would too. Send out an email to everyone who has a PSAK47, simply ask how they could improve it. I'll pay more for better. There are some issues we've all seen with gen1 and gen2, if there comes a gen3 and it has the same issues, I think I'll know for sure PSA is following the money (think I/O). Good luck to them, but this isn't the PSA of the past I remember. I can understand PSA probably lost their butts on this first go round, but I think in the long run they'd own the AK market with a competitive US AK47 if they do it like everyone expects they should. I mean wasn't everyone excited until Jim Fuller wrote his facebook post? Maybe the cast front trunnion combined with the forged bolt is satisfactory. I refuse to believe the PSAK47 is another IO; it's clearly not when I see all the things PSA got right on the first! run model based on my experience. Of course the squeaky wheel gets all the grease, and what PSA did right doesn't even get mentioned. |
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I always like a spare complete bolt for rifles I own, a leftover from my AR days.
To make a long story short, I'm assuming the PSA bolt is a hair larger than other comblock bolts. I tried all of my used surplus bolts, all failed the Field gauge. I ordered a new unused Polish bolt and received it yesterday. The new bolt failed and closed with a Field gauge. The PSA rifles are headspaced properly, and are just fine if you use the matching bolt and receiver. My PSA rifles are snug with a Go gauge, perfectly fine as built. My safety issue is to suggest that you do not start swapping bolts around without gauges and the knowledge. I also wouldn't suggest wasting money trying to find another bolt that will substitute. After all, you do have a lifetime warranty as I understand. I'm not holding my breath, but I hope PSA fixes some of their dimension issues on gen3 *if* PSA chooses to remain in the AK market. |
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Ok, finally bought a kit..the only one available for months now...the ugly Zhukov ALG one. Even uglier in person..i mean look at this ugly crap. Oh well, onward!
Spent a couple hours making things fit..the original bolt ordered with the barreled receiver did not come with the extractor/firing pin parts, those had to be sent. No biggee...PSA was quick to do so. I had to order the front sight kit along with this Zhukov ALG kit for another 10 bucks. The Zhukov stock went in ok...the magpul directions could be improved, but thankfully it was intuitive enough to go well. The Zhukov handguard went on after I cut off the old handguard retainer plate with no issues. Good 'fitment' (word first used by Rob Ski I think). The gas tube piece was tight and I ground down some of the edge to fit in the slot. Very hard to get it off without shaving away more metal so It stays the way it is..getting tiresome having to shave off metal to make things work and exposing unfinished metal to corrosion. Dust cover was the worst fit, but had to flatten out the tip that goes into the slot at the trunnion which was just a poor choice of dust cover (the raised lines) and then grind off along the whole way. The cover's left side (rail side) does not cover the internals..again, poor choice in dust cover. What's more is where it doesn't cover the inside is where things are most critical and you don't want dirt getting in. Rear sight was easy to install. The barrel for the front sight had to have all the finish sanded off to be able to hammer it in, but it went in. Hopefully the clp i put on it keeps it from corroding. Sight screwed in fine. ALG trigger is pretty nice...didn't use any of the setting pins or anything because it doesn't need it. There's no overtravel or take-up on it...and it's a consistent 2.2lbs pull every time. In short...I'll be chucking the magpul grip, stock and handguard for some better looking and more functional stuff...i had no choice of the wood kit that I waited months for...and I could care less about the ALG trigger kit so i'm pissed that i spent so much on this kit to just chuck crap. Getting the rubbery magpul K grip instead and a nice wood stock kit. The slant brake will be replaced by a spikes dynacomp. The bolt and carrier are nice and have good lock up and 'fitment.' The firing pin stuck protruding so i had to spend lots of time troubleshooting it...my guess is the bolt is out of spec because the firing pin doesn't bounce around freely in the bolt. My test firing consisted of two round per mag repeatedly to see if the pin stayed forward of the bolt face and luckily it didn't and i didn't make a machinegun. I think its a little looser now...going to be spending a good 50 rounds (2 at a time) to see if it slam fires. I did get a cracked case that jammed and failed to eject so I'm thinking the headspacing wasn't correct despite that being what was promised from the factory. Will watch for more cracked case necks and FTEs. Otherwise, excellent quality rifle for a first 'go-around.' I'd estimate that if PSA ever makes more like they say, things will improve. This pic sucks, maybe when I get proper looking furniture on it and a muzzle device then I'll get a proper picture. 
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Originally Posted By Click2Boom:
I like psa ar stuff but I can't imagine wanting one of these with all the issues people have with crucial parts like bolts and stuff. Maybe it's a work in progress. I really liked the barreled receiver idea What problems like bolts and stuff? Some fitting was required, a lot of people didn't know what they didn't know even though PSA tried to warn them. gen1 uses a forged bolt. It isn't cast like the IO and others' crap but now that PSA decided to yield to a few youtubers, everything will be forged and the PSAK47 will end up costing as much as everyone else's you'll never see a $259 barreled receiver with complete bolt again imho if you wanted one AK costing almost as much as two ARs, I'm afraid you will get your wish..... |
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Robski posted a video of our latest AK47
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3183728#post3183728 
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Palmetto State Armory
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
| Thank you for your patience. As we have firm dates for release, we will announce them. |
Palmetto State Armory
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
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Originally Posted By PalmettoStateArmory:
Thank you for your patience. As we have firm dates for release, we will announce them. Gotta point out that on April 4, you guys announced (actually promised) that the Gen2 PSAK was 2 weeks away. |
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Originally Posted By Fishbed77:
Gotta point out that on April 4, you guys announced (actually promised) that the Gen2 PSAK was 2 weeks away. Originally Posted By Fishbed77:
Originally Posted By PalmettoStateArmory:
Thank you for your patience. As we have firm dates for release, we will announce them. Gotta point out that on April 4, you guys announced (actually promised) that the Gen2 PSAK was 2 weeks away. DDI is very late too. I'm guessing PSA and DDI are using the same foundry....... |
| We took care making sure all of the new components are to spec. We have rifles in production now. |
Palmetto State Armory
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
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Originally Posted By wpnsdog:
You say rifles in production, what about barreled receivers? yes |
Palmetto State Armory
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
| Thanks for the offer, but our system does not accommodate pre-orders. |
Palmetto State Armory
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
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Still waiting on the AK Operators Union 5000-rd test on this one (or any videos other than the NKOTB video you posted above). Hopefully, Rob got one from the runs you have done. I am crossing my fingers that it comes out the new king of the hill and has all decent-quality parts and nothing cast like the crap Century put out.
It's a sample size of one... so you had better pick a really good one to send him. 
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Originally Posted By PalmettoStateArmory:
Thanks for the offer, but our system does not accommodate pre-orders. I got two gen1 barreled receivers, I need two gen2 barreled receivers. Blems probably fine.. ASAP! Let's not wait until I blow the money on something else again...... |
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Rob Ski finally got one. Looks pretty good so far, except for too many threads on the end of the barrel so you can't screw the brake all the way on. Cosmetic issue, I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nndf9P84Ztg |
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Originally Posted By skcusloa:
I bought a gen1 kit and never got a barreled reciever, will my gen 1 parts work with gen 2, which parts in the gen 1 kits were you having problems with? I've had a barreled receiver for close to a year now without a parts kit. Hopefully they're released soon and I can actually get. I'm getting really close to selling the receiver. |
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Originally Posted By Jennack:
I've had a barreled receiver for close to a year now without a parts kit. Hopefully they're released soon and I can actually get. I'm getting really close to selling the receiver. Originally Posted By Jennack:
Originally Posted By skcusloa:
I bought a gen1 kit and never got a barreled reciever, will my gen 1 parts work with gen 2, which parts in the gen 1 kits were you having problems with? I've had a barreled receiver for close to a year now without a parts kit. Hopefully they're released soon and I can actually get. I'm getting really close to selling the receiver. Let me know if you decide the sell the receiver. |
I'm not prejudiced, I hate everyone equally!
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Originally Posted By skcusloa:
I bought a gen1 kit and never got a barreled reciever, will my gen 1 parts work with gen 2, which parts in the gen 1 kits were you having problems with? The difference in kits was the parts count. We tried to make the AK receiver easier to build for the average home user, so we pre-installed parts on the later receivers. A gen one kit will have extra parts left over if assembled on a later barreled receiver. None of the parts in the gen1 kits should be a problem. Our revisions were for the front trunion and bolt - both part of the barreled receiver. While we thoroughly tested these parts, we listened to the AK community and deferred to their preferences. |
Palmetto State Armory
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
200 Business Park Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
Web Sales: 1-803-724-6950
[email protected]
|
Originally Posted By PalmettoStateArmory:
The difference in kits was the parts count. We tried to make the AK receiver easier to build for the average home user, so we pre-installed parts on the later receivers. A gen one kit will have extra parts left over if assembled on a later barreled receiver. None of the parts in the gen1 kits should be a problem. Our revisions were for the front trunion and bolt - both part of the barreled receiver. While we thoroughly tested these parts, we listened to the AK community and deferred to their preferences. Originally Posted By PalmettoStateArmory:
Originally Posted By skcusloa:
I bought a gen1 kit and never got a barreled reciever, will my gen 1 parts work with gen 2, which parts in the gen 1 kits were you having problems with? The difference in kits was the parts count. We tried to make the AK receiver easier to build for the average home user, so we pre-installed parts on the later receivers. A gen one kit will have extra parts left over if assembled on a later barreled receiver. None of the parts in the gen1 kits should be a problem. Our revisions were for the front trunion and bolt - both part of the barreled receiver. While we thoroughly tested these parts, we listened to the AK community and deferred to their preferences. from what ive seen, the new gen stuff is gonna be off the chain. I cant wait to get my hands on some of them! |
"Stand your ground. Don't Fire unless Fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, Let it begin here." - Capt. John Parker
| I'm hoping to get another barreled receiver too. However, I wish that the barrel threading was changed so the muzzle device sat flush to the front sight block instead of leaving a gap. It's just a small cosmetic issue that hasn't affected function on my gen 1. Also, the bayonet lug on my gen 1 barreled receiver required filing to fit either of my milsurp AKM bayonets -- the lug dimensions should be changed to spec. A pre-installed front sight drum will be great too. |