I'm going to pick up a SAR-2.  I'd like to buy a Bulgarian RPK-74 barrel assembly.

Can the RPK-74 barrel be installed on the SAR-2?

I'm not talking about doing it myself, but having it sent off to some of the known builders.

As soon as some of them start accepting work again!

I realize it won't be a 100% correct, but then again I'm not taking it into combat.

Sooo.... before I spend the bucks on RPK parts, I'd like to know before hand.

Thanks!

Besides... everyone is doing an AIMS-74 clone with their SAR-2s.  I want to something different!

damn keyboard!

After struggling with this very build that you are considering, I would answer yes it can be done but definitely send it to an experienced builder to do. I thought I could just pop the barrel in and be good as gold but that was not the case, at least not for me. There was a lot of modification and fitting that was involved.  If I were to do it again, some options I would consider would be:

VeprK =600.00
kvar barrel = 329.00
Kreb's custom build estimate = 800.00

OOW 74 receiver
AK-74 kit
kvar barrel
Turn barrel down to 22mm. I haven't tried this but I think it would work out ok.

What I ended up with:
SAR-2 receiver
Kvar 23 mm 5.45x 39 front trunnion
A modified bullet guide
Kvar ak-74 bolt, top cover, bolt carrier
Red Star Arms trigger group
USA plum pistol grip
USA AK-74 modified muzzle break
USA gas piston
Soviet wood furniture.
Shoots well and looks pretty good. I still have to refinish.

My major problem initially was that I could not get proper headspacing using the SAR-2 trunnion and SAR-2 bolt combination. You have to use an AK-74 bolt and that would not lock up into the SAR-2 trunnion.

The point of all this is to answer your question. Yes it can be done but you are smart letting someone else have all the headaches.
www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=974

And another link.

www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1035

Quoted: After struggling with this very build that you are considering, I would answer yes it can be done but definitely send it to an experienced builder to do. I thought I could just pop the barrel in and be good as gold but that was not the case, at least not for me. There was a lot of modification and fitting that was involved.  If I were to do it again, some options I would consider would be: VeprK =600.00 kvar barrel = 329.00 Kreb's custom build estimate = 800.00 OOW 74 receiver AK-74 kit kvar barrel Turn barrel down to 22mm. I haven't tried this but I think it would work out ok. What I ended up with: SAR-2 receiver Kvar 23 mm 5.45x 39 front trunnion A modified bullet guide Kvar ak-74 bolt, top cover, bolt carrier Red Star Arms trigger group USA plum pistol grip USA AK-74 modified muzzle break USA gas piston Soviet wood furniture. Shoots well and looks pretty good. I still have to refinish. My major problem initially was that I could not get proper headspacing using the SAR-2 trunnion and SAR-2 bolt combination. You have to use an AK-74 bolt and that would not lock up into the SAR-2 trunnion. The point of all this is to answer your question. Yes it can be done but you are smart letting someone else have all the headaches. www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=974 And another link. www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1035

Either expensive or near impossible.

I read your story Dirtalert.  That was some story!!  I'm glad you were able to complete your build.

Now, I have to figure out what I am going to do.  

Ripcode,
All turned out well and I think you would be pleased with the end product. It is a pleasure to shoot and more accurate than I would have thought. An accomplished smith might be able to take the SAR-2 and just replace the barrel, make a few mods and Voila--piece o cake. And might be able to do it inexpensively. Consult with a few and be sure to let us know what you ended up doing.
Good Luck

Well I sent an e-mail to Krebs to see what the cost would be using a VEPR.

Inrange - not taking work
ORF  - not taking work

Who else could I contact????

Here are a couple Chris at AK-USA did for me...  

Will post when Hunt101 is back up...

Spooky

Quoted: chris at ak-usa.

Thanks Campy!

I've sent him an e-mail.  I hope it's something he can do.

Man!!!  I want an RPK bad!!  Now I just hope I can get one of the good guys to build it.

I wonder if JoeKen is busy?

I wonder if JoeKen is busy?

He's probably at the bank cashing some checks....

Quoted: VeprK =600.00 kvar barrel = 329.00 Kreb's custom build estimate = 800.00

Well, I did get a response back from Kreb's.

An RPK-74 built from a VEPR is about $1600.00.

Ouch!  I'm not going to be able to do that route right now.

Quoted: Have you asked ORF about using a milled 74 receiver?

I would, but they are not taking any work right now.

Quoted: Quoted: VeprK =600.00 kvar barrel = 329.00 Kreb's custom build estimate = 800.00 Well, I did get a response back from Kreb's. An RPK-74 built from a VEPR is about $1600.00. Ouch!  I'm not going to be able to do that route right now.

DAMN!!  Was that with you providing the barrel and the Vepr or what?

That was providing just the cash (I think).  They didn't give me breakdown on the price.

Doing the math it is slightly cheaper than what you were quoted, but still pretty pricey.

Here is a picture or two of my RPK-74 Chris at AK-USA built for me.  You can not go wrong with him - I will get some more pictures tomorrow and post the finished version...  It wasn't cheap!








Spooky

Quoted: Here is a picture or two of my RPK-74 Chris at AK-USA built for me.  You can not go wrong with him - I will get some more pictures tomorrow and post the finished version...  It wasn't cheap! Spooky

Beautiful...!

You're killing me.  

I want an RPK bad.

Hey Spooky, where did you get the Plum RPK stockset?