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Posted: 11/8/2004 6:21:45 PM EDT
| Ok I decided I want to build an AK. I have been looking around at some different sites, and so far I found that K-Var has reasonable prices. I was looking at the "Bulgarian AK (5.45x39.5) Stamped part set. Complete w/ WOOD stock set" that they have. It looks like it comes with every thing except the receiver. Then I started looking around for a receiver, and damn those things are hard to find. it is also hard for me to decide What I should get. this is much different from building an AR, with my AR build I ordered and put together with little help and it turned out GREAT. This build looks way different, more difficult and detail. I have a question about the head spaceing, I found that it was better to order a complete upper with bolt for my AR because if I didnt I would have to head spaced. Is it the same for AKs? Has anyone here ordered from K-VAR? Do they have good kits? Where can I get a receiver that doenst require drilling, punching, or any of that sort of thing? Im sorry if I sound really ignorant when it comes to this, because I am. |
| Building Aks are loads of fun and addicting as hell. Like those potato chips(bet you can't build just one). They are very labor and tool intensive. Nothing like building ARs where you pretty much just put it together like an erector set. You really build AKs. You either rivet,screw, or weld them together. The receiver can start out as just a flat piece of steel or you can buy them ready for the barrel to be pressed in. Arsenal USA in Houston has a website that shows the receivers they sell at different stages of completion. 80% or less receivers can be had thru the mail direct but any more than that must go thru FFL. |
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There is no such thing as a "rear trunnion". The trunnion is the block that holds the barrel in the receiver. The piece that is incorrectly called a "rear trunnion" is actually the stock tang or rear block (for side or underfolders). OOW receivers are decent. You could also consider one of the Global Trades receivers. You can get the Global Trades (actually Arsenal USA) in 5.45, 7.62 or .223 with all the parts (trunnion, stock tang, and triggerguard) already installed. Headspacing on an AK is done by pressing the barrel into or out of the trunnion. Once the receiver is assembled, the barrel is pressed into the trunnion. The barrel position is adjusted in or out to get the bolt to close on the "go" gauge and not on the "no-go". Once the barrel position is set, the hole for the retaining pin is drilled/reamed and the retainer pin is pressed in. That's it. On a kit that has matching numbers (mainly the bolt and trunnion), the headspace should be correct. In theory you should be able to remove the barrel from the trunnion and reinstall it and the headspace should still be correct. On a matching kit, the barrel was already drilled and pinned so the headspace should be correct when the parts are lined back up during reassembly. You should always check the headspace, even with a matched kit. It's cheap insurance compared to an Emergency room visit and reconstructive surgery. Take a look at Jerry's page: pookieweb.dyndns.org:61129/ He's got a lot of good information stockpiled. There's a lot of DIY receiver construction info, but all the assembly stuff relates to commercial receivers as well. |
| This doesnt seem so hard... I think I will give it a go. About the parts kits on K-VAR, all I need for those is a receiver (with front trunnio, and stock tang)? With rivets, how hard are thoes to do? I heard of soem people using screws with bluelock tight and waht not. I would on lean toward the screw idea because I have never had any rivet exp. The only thing that seems a little hard is the headspacing but I think I can handle it once I have all the parts infront of me. |
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i buy all my stuff from DPHArms, he has super nice 74 kits with all the accessories and better shipping!!!! DPH Arms |
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