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Romanian Draco AK conversion

Big Bore and "Assault" Rifle discussions - If you don;t know why "Assault" is in quotes, then read on...

Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:04:19

Since the ATF has "graced" us with the PISTOL TO RIFLE= GOOD, RIFLE TO PISTOL= BAD decision, I'm thinking of taking a Century Arms Romanian built Draco AK Pistol, putting a permanent flash hider out to 3 1/2 inches (The bbl on the pisol is 12 1/2), and mount a side folder.

I think this would be a GRAND "car/trunk" gun for about $550-$600.

Opinions? Comments? Any one done this before?


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby OakRidgeStars » Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:16:39

Vewwy intewesting... So you want to convert this to a side folder?

Image

I guess I need to read that latest ATF document again :dunno:

It does sound like a nifty truck gun though :thumbsup:
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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Jakeiscrazy » Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:45:09

Sounds cool! Personally I would lay down the extra $200 and SBR it be that's just me. I sorta kinda for half a second or two looked at this and I kept seeing "ACE folding stocks" come up. I think they screw into your existing trunnion but since they at hardened is supposedly a difficult task.
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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:57:11

Actually if you permanently attach a flash hider, the ATF consider that "barrel".

So you add 3 1/2 inches to a 12 1/2 bbl, VIOLA! 16" Bbl.

Now the tricky part comes in the fact of OVERALL length! hence the folder with a 1" keeps it legal.

There are Machinists/Gunsmiths that can make the mod easily.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Jakeiscrazy » Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:06:13

Reverenddel wrote:Actually if you permanently attach a flash hider, the ATF consider that "barrel".

So you add 3 1/2 inches to a 12 1/2 bbl, VIOLA! 16" Bbl.

Now the tricky part comes in the fact of OVERALL length! hence the folder with a 1" keeps it legal.

There are Machinists/Gunsmiths that can make the mod easily.

Yeah I know I but SBR it and you can keep that snubby barrel's compactness. :clap: As long as you don't weld it to well you could still SBR it at a latter time I suppose
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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Diomed » Sun, 07 Aug 2011 01:27:27

Reverenddel wrote:Since the ATF has "graced" us with the PISTOL TO RIFLE= GOOD, RIFLE TO PISTOL= BAD decision, I'm thinking of taking a Century Arms Romanian built Draco AK Pistol, putting a permanent flash hider out to 3 1/2 inches (The bbl on the pisol is 12 1/2), and mount a side folder.

I think this would be a GRAND "car/trunk" gun for about $550-$600.

Opinions? Comments? Any one done this before?

That was always legal. The only thing that's changed is that you can make it a pistol again, something that is not particularly convenient where AKs are concerned.

Most Draco sidefolders look like cobbled-together bubba projects, which they are. The right way to do it is to get one of the Dracos with an underfolder trunnion, cut the receiver, and install an underfolder stock. Permanent install of a barrel extension can be done by welding or high temp silver solder. I guess you could pull the barrel and install a regular rifle barrel, though - like installing the underfolder - that requires some tools, more specialized than for cutting sheet metal, and some knowledge.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby OakRidgeStars » Sun, 07 Aug 2011 10:27:08

Before you go and reinvent the wheel (or the AK), find an AKS-74U instead.

Unless you are dead-set on 7.62x39.

Image

Or, you can call Krebs Custom shop and have them modify one of their Krinkov pistols.
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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Diomed » Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:12:09

OakRidgeStars wrote:Before you go and reinvent the wheel (or the AK), find an AKS-74U instead.

Not a great choice for a trunk gun, since 5.45 is seriously weak out of a short barrel. May as well use a .22WMR or get a PS90 (you get higher mag capacity too).


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:54:43

I'm dead set on 7.62x39... when looking at the ballistics... that round is better out of SHORTER barrels than the 16".

HEY! I resemble that "bubba". HAHHAHA

I know they make an AR stock adapter, but I'm not an "underfolder" fan. I like to keep my stocks out of the mag area. Personal preference, not anything other.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Fri, 11 May 2012 11:25:12

Doing the build.

I decided to go with U.S. Machinegun's 5.5 inch vented muzzle brake, the "AR"stock conversion, the Ultimak 5.75 inch gas port tube, putting on a Magpul "MOE" in OD, and gonna search out a Galil style heat shield lower handguard in OD. Still contemplating the grip. I like the AK style grip, but I may change that as well.

Asking now, Does anyone know of a decent red dot sight that can handle high temps? Bushnell, and Barska are the only two I know about...


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby kelu » Fri, 11 May 2012 12:42:42

Can someone tell me if a non-citizen can legally buy one of these?
I had strong relationship with one of these, I carried one for 9 months, and sometimes slept with her :hysterical:
And it is true: they are very faithful; bayonets not so much, they tend to get lost sometimes.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Fri, 11 May 2012 14:09:10

Kelu, (sigh) No, unfortunately, I had to prove I was an "..'Murican" with my voter registration because Virginia has a silly-azzed "Assault Weapons" law.

I too have strong relationships with carbines... I cheat though, I luveded both M4's, and AKM's in itty-bitty packages.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby kelu » Fri, 11 May 2012 15:46:37

Crap. But a rifle can I buy? I have a handgun for now, but looking for more fun.
And what is sold here as AK can barely named as assault weapon, without full fire feature.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Sat, 12 May 2012 11:23:29

Agreed! Anything that looks "Evahl" is considered an "assault rifle", but it lacks three things to make it OFFICIALLY one:
-Short Barrel
-Selector switch
-Bayonet lug

You CAN buy a SAIGA, and then "convert" it.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Diomed » Mon, 14 May 2012 02:51:39

Reverenddel wrote:I decided to go with U.S. Machinegun's 5.5 inch vented muzzle brake...

Ouch, the blast will be brutal.

Can someone tell me if a non-citizen can legally buy one of these?

Are you lawfully admitted for permanent residence? It's either that or be a citizen (or keep it to a fixed stock and mags that hold less than twenty rounds). Of course, finding a dealer who will actually transfer to anyone who isn't a citizen may be an issue...


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:49

"Ouch, the blast will be brutal. "

Yeeeaahhh, ain't it? MUHAHAHAHAH! It'll be like the 4th of July in a night shoot.

I've gotten most of the parts, I'm putting it together on my vacation at the end of the month.

The Red Dot's I'm looking at are a Barska (Cheap), and a Burris (Mid-range).


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby kelu » Mon, 14 May 2012 10:34:47

Diomed wrote:
Can someone tell me if a non-citizen can legally buy one of these?

Are you lawfully admitted for permanent residence? It's either that or be a citizen (or keep it to a fixed stock and mags that hold less than twenty rounds). Of course, finding a dealer who will actually transfer to anyone who isn't a citizen may be an issue...

Yes, I am a legal permanent resident. But there are too many laws to learn, and probably I will die before I can learn what is supposed to know. It is easier to learn what I CAN do, it would be a much shorter list. But I can't find one.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Diomed » Tue, 15 May 2012 00:53:23

kelu wrote:Yes, I am a legal permanent resident. But there are too many laws to learn, and probably I will die before I can learn what is supposed to know. It is easier to learn what I CAN do, it would be a much shorter list. But I can't find one.

As a legal permament resident, you're able to purchase and possess what Virginia considers "assault weapons". If you want to save up the money you can also have a select-fire AK; budget around $15,000 for it (a bit more if you want something specific, assuming there are any available).


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby Reverenddel » Tue, 15 May 2012 08:17:16

People who pay all that money for Fully-auto, can just write me a check....

A well tuned trigger can launch a barage of lead down range just shy of a fully auto. Sure, not as much fun as holding the trigger down, but the cost is too much. Besides, I believe in use only as much force as necessary. Hitting someone in the chest with a mag dump? Lil' overkill.

The key to any foreign weapon build is to make sure you have enough "922r" parts on the gun. That way you're not doing some passable violation you didn't intend.

You know? Firearms are so regulated, down to the types of sights, it doesn't stop criminals, just citizens.


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Re: Romanian Draco AK conversion

Postby kelu » Tue, 15 May 2012 09:30:01

Man, that's expensive!... 10 years ago while the short secession war between our sister country Moldova (it was actually part of Romania before Stalin took it) and a southern part called Transnistria, you could buy an AK for 1 bottle of vodka, a bazooka for 2.
And for $1000 I had an offer for a tank :)
Moldova had a very bad financial crisis and people tried to sell everything they had around home. Our flea markets were flooded with people that crossed border selling anything imaginable, for very good prices, to survive. What else can you do when you are a teacher and you did not get your salary in the last 6 months, although you go to work every day?
Regarding full fire, we were trained anyway to shot in short bursts, for multiple reasons. One is that is not need more than 2 bullets that hit the target. Second is that after 2-3 rounds recoil will make you to miss. Third, you better save some ammo for the next filthy capitalist that came into sight :machinegun:


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