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Posted: 11/26/2012 5:53:59 AM EDT
| Hi all. Ok so far I've "built" to AR15s. I own one Romy AK and its ok, but I've always wanted a 74, They just seem too sexy and ammo is relatively cheap. I just ordered a Bulgarian parts kit and will be getting the barrel and receiver as time permits, as I've done with my ARs. So my question is how hard is it exactly to put together and AK74? Reading through this forum it seems like theres a lot of special skill involved, or at least special tools. I'm up to the challenge, but is it something a layman can do without having to invest in a whole machine shop? Thanks |
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First, a point of clarification. ARs aren't built, they are assembled. Building an AK requires more than just putting all the pieces in the right places.
Are you going to make your own receiver or buy a completed receiver? There's more involved if you make your own, but after that the steps are pretty similar. The overly simplified explanation of the process and required tools are as follows (assuming you're not making your own receiver): 1) Fit and rivet the trunnions to the receiver. Riveting Jig and shop press -or- Riveting tool made from a bolt cutter Drill press Tutorial for this step 2) Press the barrel into the trunnion Shop press Drill press Youtube video on how to do this 3) Press all the parts onto the barrel (front sight, gas block, and rear sight) Shop press Drill press Youtube video for this step So do you need an entire machine shop? You could get by with less, but using the right tool for the job will be easier and less likely to ruin/destroy parts of the build. Hopefully that helps bring things into focus, if you've got other questions let us know. |
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Quoted:
First, a point of clarification. ARs aren't built, they are assembled. Building an AK requires more than just putting all the pieces in the right places. Are you going to make your own receiver or buy a completed receiver? There's more involved if you make your own, but after that the steps are pretty similar. The overly simplified process and required tools are as follows (assuming you're not making your own receiver): 1) Fit and rivet the trunnions to the receiver. Riveting Jig and shop press -or- Riveting tool made from a bolt cutter Drill press Tutorial for this step 2) Press the barrel into the trunnion Shop press Drill press Youtube video on how to do this 3) Press all the parts onto the barrel (front sight, gas block, and rear sight) Shop press Drill press Youtube video for this step So do you need an entire machine shop? You could get by with less, but using the right tool for the job will be easier and less likely to ruin/destroy parts of the build. Hopefully that helps bring things into focus, if you've got other questions let us know. I'll be buying a receiver. And I know ARs aren't built and just assembled. That's why I said "built" 
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Quoted:
Thanks for asking the question ... I too have assembled a few ARs , and am looking at a Bulgarian AK74 kit as my Xmas present ... That's exactly what I'm doing. Bulgy 74 kit should arrive tomorrow. Probably use a Nodak receiver. Great company bought AR parts from them before |
| I started on AK's when they were retooling the FAL lowers a few years ago. I have built several and they have all turned out good. Hardest part for me was getting old rivets out of rear trunion. A drill press and carbide bits are very helpful here. Cant remember where I got the pattern (crufflers.com I think) but I installed new rivets with cheap bolt cutters with pattern ground in teeth and crafted dies to go with it. All of my receivers were nodak spuds and A++. Another option I have seen but not done was a screw build. Have seen pros and cons and have thought about doing one just to compare. Good luck |
 WOW ....sure is'nt an ar ... built my first ak few weeks ago from a flat.Had a good frien help in which he's done many .Lots to learn with min tools ...But some are really needed caliperes to ck pin dia for drilling etc 12 ton press ,crimpers,or air crimping tool ,welder,or spot welder ,dremil tool .guages to set head space and a drill press is a big plus .We parked mine than coated with blue ,came out sweet .well worth it
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Spend $100 on a cheap shop press if you don't have one... you may need to weld or bolt it up to make it stay square... it's worth the hassle. I did my first 3 builds without one and my 4th build with one... an while I made some stupid mistakes, the press made it sooo much easier.
Building an AK is easy enough to do in a weekend, but hard enough that you will feel proud of your build and will probably never consider selling it. |
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