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Posted: 5/25/2008 4:45:43 PM EDT
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When NDS asked for input on a upcoming AK74 receiver I blew it off, having had a manufacture ask for input before and then turned around and totally ignored what we wanted in regards to a AK74 receiver. Once the NDS 74 receiver came out I was impressed, and later when NDS announced they were doing a reproduction early AR-15 receiver myself and others spent quite a bit of time with suggestions/requests. NDS accommodated all the requests I can recall, save removing the flash from the trigger area (no big deal), and even went further by ordering up custom forging dies from Harvey, and even using 6061 aluminum. I finally got around to ordering two 601 receivers. As requested NDS is offering them in the white, I prefer them in the white so I can have US Anodizing match them to my uppers, and they will have to be anodized after "corrective surgery" anyhow. Here are some photos of an unmolested in the white NDS-601 receiver compared to one I just got back from US Anodizing:    US anodizing did the following work (if you need close up pictures of the details let me know): opened up the counter sink holes on the right side for the pivot and take down pins removed forging flash from trigger area rounded off the boss for the bolt stop lowered the renforcement ridge on the back of the receiver were the recever extension screws in anodized to match upper Got the lower back about a week after I sent it. Here are some pictures of the matched upper and lower prior to assembly:   I had to hand pick trigger and hammer pins that would fit. Not sure if this is a issue regarding finish thickness or the size of the holes drilled. Other then the trigger guard roll pin the rest went together with no problems. The mag well seems a bit tight, will play around with that some more later. There are two things that have me a bit concerned. While the pivot pin and take down pin holes appear to be the correct diameter, some uppers would not snap on, either the front or rear pin would not go in. This was not an issue in this situation in that this lower is a perfect fit to my lower. The other is that the hole for the spring guide/buffer retaining detent is too far back for comfort. While the front pin is in place and closing the action the back of the carrier barely makes contact pushing the spring guide/buffer back off the detent perhaps 1/16 of an inch. That ain't much, and could get you intro trouble with different combos of parts leading to a stacked tolerance situation were the spring guide/buffer may stop on the detent instead of the carrier leading to a failure in the detent. Enought of that, here it is completed:      Will be sending the other NDS-601 lower off this week to complete my 602 parts kit. |
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I am waiting on my NDS-601 lower to come back from Victor, I hope it turns out as nice as yours. Is all of your furniture original 601 pieces? Looks very nice BTW!  ETA: Never mind my question, is see now that the furniture is original, from the brown poking out on the HGs. |
Ekie, That is a beautiful rifle! Great job. Were your trigger and hammer pins loose in the holes? My were after the lowers came back from anodizing. Also had the lower steel parts including the pins refinished. I had two LPKs from Stag and a couple of spare no name pins and all were/are loose in my NDS-601 lowers (Haven't tried them in other lowers). Was there a particular brand of pin that gave a satisfactory fit? |
No, they were real tight. My stash of hammer/trigger pins are USGI. |
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Great looking build Ekie. FYI; We drill the hammer/trigger pins undersized and finish ream to .156" The spec on our prints is .156 +/- .0015" We have tried other dimensions, and this seems to be the best when anodizing is thrown into the equation. Tight is better than loose. The rear TD pin countersink has been opened up to .410" diameter to allow better clearance for larger headed pins. |
Thanks, and the lower is quite the looker, we appreciate all the work you have put into it. We spend quite a bit of time and money putting our 601 kits together, and a proper lower to go with them is iceing on the cake.
Opening up the rear countersink to .410" should allow compatibility with more rear pins. I suggest going to at least .440" for cosmetic reasons, that is what Victor did on the lower pictured above, I think it looks about right. Victor also opened up the front countersink to .440", I am thinking something around .475" is what it should be, for cosmetic authenticity any how. |
I just got my NDS-601 receiver back from Victor today, the trigger & hammer pins were really tight, as was the bolt catch roll pin hole. I had to drive them in with a hammer & punch. The parts function smoothly & freely, so I don't think it hurt anything that I had to drive them in. At least I will not have to worry about the pins walking out  . ETA: The fit between the upper & lower was really tight too. Tight enoungh that some of the finish was removed from the sides of the front lug on my upper when they were put together. It wasn't as tight before I sent the lower to be finished. |
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