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Posted: 12/1/2008 8:42:58 PM EDT
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Hello everyone,
So my AR-15 build is coming to a close, only need a rear site and lots of magazines and ammo. But I am a man who needs to stay entertained and the thought of not having a gun to work on doesn't fit. So I got the AR build out of the way and am looking to add a AK to the collection. However, I know next to nothing about building one myself. I am looking to buy the parts separately and assemble it that way rather than mill my own receiver as I know some like to do. I would end up with a missing limb at the end of the project if I tried that. So basically I just need to know: What parts do I need to get? IE: Reciever, Upper, LPK (Using AR terminology so I dont know if it fits here) Where to get them? (I live in California so the only thing I would have a problem with is the receiver) And how much am I looking at for a good build? Not high end but enough to kill the zombie in the closet or to make some Ruskies proud. I already own the Grandfather and the Great Grandfather to these weapons so I think it will fit in just fine with the rest of the collection. Thanks -LRB |
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Ouch, Californication does not allow thinking this way, you better check what you wrote.
Everything you need to know is covered in the tacked part of this forum. Ideally you would need: a kit (they used to come with barrels, but if they don't you will need one of those) a receiver of some kind (can be a flat piece of metal known as, well, a flat or a 100% receiver) rivets or screws (or some industrial strength adhesive) US parts (trick is you can't have too many imported parts, something you don't learn when building an AR) some mags some ammo and maybe a lawyer if you upset the California Gods |
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Quoted:
Hello everyone, Where to get them? (I live in California so the only thing I would have a problem with is the receiver) Thanks -LRB We ship 100% AK and RPK receivers to California dealers. Thanks. Harlan NoDak Spud LLC |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Hello everyone, Where to get them? (I live in California so the only thing I would have a problem with is the receiver) Thanks -LRB We ship 100% AK and RPK receivers to California dealers. Thanks. Harlan NoDak Spud LLC I have to say if you go the 100% receiver route (which would be advised with this being your first build) you can't go wrong with a Nodak Spud receiver (I have used several of those and have no complaints). Why Nodak Spud, I have always wondered how that name came about? |
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Harlan used to be a potato farmer in North Dakota.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=245&t=157069 I have a romy g that I built with a nodakspud flat(old?). I also have an Yugo underfolder built on a DCI/NoDakSpud reciever. I don't think there has been anything but praise for all of their products. I wouldn't order AK receivers from anyone else. |
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I love these "I built and AR and now I want to be an AK" threads.
Man these are two very different activities that really don't relate to each other. Building an AR is like making a statue by pouring concrete into a mold. Building an AK is like making a statue by carving it out of a block of concrete with a hammer and chisel. Yes, at the end what you have are two concrete statues, but one actually requires some hammer swings and artistry. So, read up and check out the BuildYourOwnAK videos on Youtube. This will give you a better idea of what you're in for. As for aquiring the parts - AK's are not AR's. AK's come into the country as torch-cut remnants of rifles that were once in service in a variety of foreign countries (Romania most commonly). These remnants contain all the parts your need to build a new AK (with the exception of the receiver). You'll need to become aware of the legal issues of 992r compliance, so that you'll understand which parts need to be replaced with US-made parts. These parts kits have all dried up in the last 6 months - no dealers have them anymore. Your only choice is to buy a kit in an auction on Gunbroker, or in the for sale ads on the various AK forums. Good luck in your endeavor, but realize two things: 1) You are very very late to the game - actually, the game is realistically already over and you're just pulling into the parking lot of the stadium. 2) The learning curve is steep - there are way more details you'll need to understand as compared to an AR... and there are a variety of different ways to build an AK. If you really want to build an AK, the best advice I could give you is to start with a 7.62 Saiga and convert it to a pistol-grip configuration. This might be a bit better for your situation in Kalifornia as well (since you'll be starting with a rifle that is already Kalifornia legal) -Thirtycal |
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Thanks for the information everyone.
I know California has laws restricting certain things pertaining to AW's but as long as I use 10 round magazines and keep a magazine lock on I am 100% Cali legal. As for the American parts I will need to look into that. I know AK's are a entire difference species and that is why I would like to build one. I've been collecting milsurp rifles for the last couple years and the AR-15 brought me into the whole other world of new production semi auto rifles. I'll keep reading the sticky's and see if I am up for the challenge. And yes I know I am late to the game, the AR build took much longer than expected (going on 6 months now) and I told myself I would not buy anything else until it was done... Other than a Mosin and Mauser here and there Thanks again |
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Well I read through some of the sticky's (still have a lot of reading to do) and am feeling excited to get started.
I've been looking around gun broker and found a couple used part kits from Poland and Yugoslavia going for $200-$300. I do not know what the part kits where selling for before the panic but if they are anything like the AR parts I fear I will be paying too much for some heavily used parts. Is there anything I should look for or ask about before buying a parts kit? |
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Just get a numbers-matching kit. A Romanian G-kit would be perfect for a first time builder. Expect to pay $275-$300. Then buy a Nodak NDS-3 economy receiver. Then read up on 922r compliance and buy the US parts (generally speaking, a trigger group, muzzle break, and gas piston).
Anything else, like a yugo kit, a polish underfolder, a milled kit of any variety, an RPK, or any type of AK-74 (due to the forked rear trunnion) would probably be an advanced course (and more expensive). -Thirtycal |
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Hello again
So I have another question for you guys; Since I live in California I am restricted some to some things. One thing I need to make sure of is that if I build a fold stock model the rifle then the rifle has to be 30" long with the stock folded in. So do the Polish or Yugo kits fit that length with a folded stock? Or should I just stick with a fixed stock? Also, is there a place to get Russian parts? Or are they the holly grail of the AK world and only pop up once in a blue moon? Thanks again for putting up with these stupid questions. |
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