can i make one without a buttstock ?
by definition, a rifle is meant to be shoulder fired. building one without a buttstock 'may' be legal, as long as the weapon is a minimum of 26" in length and can be fired from the shoulder. a letter to the batfe that requests information on the legality of what you plan may be in order.
what do they call the piece that makes it no buttstock...?
this is a special trunnin that is riveted in place of the std. akm rear trunnion. you could make a piece, yourself, and weld it in place.
those bulgarian 7.62x 39 mags ....waffle ones.... do i have to have a certain ak for these?
the bulgarian polymer magazines will fit all 7.62x39 ak's and function fine.
what is that tube under the barrel on some aks?
a gp-25 or gp-30 underbarrel grenade launcher? or, are you referring to the cleaning rod?
does it matter if i have one?
the cleaning rod is there for looks on most ak's. most owners clean their firearms with an aftermarket rod.
the klystor grenade launcher is illegal unless owned on a dd form. and demilled versions are rare and exspensive.
what aks should i stay away from?
hesse built ak's.
do they make better grips for these instead of the wood ones?
yes. ace and soupbowl both make polymer and wood replacement grips in various styles.
can i have a folder on any one ?
only ak's imported prior to the 1989 import ban can have functional folders. you can install a folder on your post ban as long as the folding mechanism is permanently disabled (i.e. welded in the open position).