AK Build Party?

[safaridave]

How many people would be interested in a Virginia AK Build Party? I, for one, have been to a couple in CA and they are LOTS of fun. Come to build, come to help or come to just hang out.

I think that VA gun owners need more fellowship... more face time. Can we get one going here? Here is what we need-

Location- preferably one with on-site ability to test fire.

Tools- Jigs, shop presses, Drill presses, Spot welders, Blast cabinets etc...
I have- bench grinder, 12-ton press, drill press and some knowledge of the process.

Attendees- Is there enough interest to pull this off? Would YOU want to spend most of the day with your VGOF buddies building rifles and having fun?

Lets discuss this! I will monitor this thread and answer questions. In fact let me answer the first one-

How much experience do I need to build an AK?

NONE. It has been said on numerous occasions that the AK was designed to be built by alcoholic monkeys. The loose tolerances of the AK design make it a forgiving platform.
As long as you listen to advice, follow directions, and have a decent parts kit... you can walk away with an AK in 12 hours or less.

SafariDave

[Remek]

I'm in. Just tell me where and when, and any advice on parts kits, and what I need (I am so busy with political stuff, I am unsure I have time to find a good parts kit).

[safaridave]

I'm in. Just tell me where and when, and any advice on parts kits, and what I need (I am so busy with political stuff, I am unsure I have time to find a good parts kit).

Best parts kit to get is a Romanian "G" parts kit with original barrel. Try the marketplace on akfiles.com, whatacountry.com may still have some. ak-builder.com has some with new US barrels installed as well. The key here is to get a parts kit WITH a barrel that is already drilled for the FSB, GB and RSB. Drilling for those takes quite a bit of time and experience.

Please be sure to get parts kits for a STAMPED AK build... NOT a milled one.

If you find some that you think may work PM me and I will lend advice.

P.S. To be optimally prepared for a build party you should have your kit "demilled" before you come... i.e. reciever tabs should be pried off, rear trunnion rivets drilled out... etc. I would be willing to help host a few demils in my garage using my tools.

[Kreutz]

Sounds cool but assembling Ikea furniture is enough frustration to spike my blood pressure.

[jdonovan]

How many people would be interested in a Virginia AK Build Party?

interested, but depends on location.

[Snakester]

This is a very good idea. Something I would really be interested in doing. But I blew my Financial WAD earlier this month on 30 acres of land .....I will not be building , buying or even trading any firearm for a while. I would still love to attend and learn or just Socialize !

[TallEd]

I am interested... I have a parts kit and receiver blank, but don't know how many US made parts I need to add to be 922r compliant...

[dmharvey]

I may be interested if this event is in my general area and I may know of one other person.

[OakRidgeStars]

I am interested... I have a parts kit and receiver blank, but don't know how many US made parts I need to add to be 922r compliant...

http://www.tapco.com/section922r/

[RWBlue01]

I don't believe it is financially advisable at this point.

You can get a built AK for $499.
Romanian parts kit I saw was listed at $540.
AMD without barrel $300 when you add a barrel...


I think a full sized UZI has potential, but I haven't added up all the parts and I don't weld.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I don't believe it is financially advisable at this point.

You can get a built AK for $499.
Romanian parts kit I saw was listed at $540.
AMD without barrel $300 when you add a barrel...


I think a full sized UZI has potential, but I haven't added up all the parts and I don't weld.

With that said, the AK you buy for 500 is likely not as nice as the one you build.

I'm interested, like others said location dependent. Seems like the best time for this would be the New Year, maybe tax return time? Just throwing out suggestions, I think it would be fun!

[Snakester]

What's a Tax Return ???

[Jakeiscrazy]

What's a Tax Return ???

Meant to say tax refund**

[arkypete]

Is this anything like the church ladies knitting circle?

Jim

[bryanrheem]

I'm interested

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[OakRidgeStars]

Is this anything like the church ladies knitting circle?

Jim

Only up to the point where we fire up the welder.

[762]

I'm in. I have the ability to test fire where I'm at. I have the rivet squeezer tool for all the rivets. A rivet hole alignment tool, too.

safaridave - I intend on using the method I described in the other thread on AK builds.

[RWBlue01]

I don't believe it is financially advisable at this point.

You can get a built AK for $499.
Romanian parts kit I saw was listed at $540.
AMD without barrel $300 when you add a barrel...


I think a full sized UZI has potential, but I haven't added up all the parts and I don't weld.

With that said, the AK you buy for 500 is likely not as nice as the one you build.

Please enlighten me because I am just not seeing it.

The $499 gun was a Yugo. As I understand it, it comes with a heavier built receiver and a new American non-chrome lined barrel.

The Romainian kit, has the chrome lined barrel if you want it, but I haven't seen corrosive ammo on the market in a while. I still have some, but then again, I clean my gun after shooting the corrosive ammo. The Romanian had a forward grip. I don't think it is for me, but maybe others like it better.

The AMD requires a barrel and as stated above requires some skills to get it straight. I will admit a little bias against the AMD because it is different than my other AKs.

A couple years ago there were great parts kits around. If I had those kits.....

I will add...If you want to do if because you want a gun off the books.....there is that benefit, but I wouldn't be discussing that subject online. And there is the I want to do it just because I want to do it myself....This is a VERY valid reason to do things.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I don't believe it is financially advisable at this point.

You can get a built AK for $499.
Romanian parts kit I saw was listed at $540.
AMD without barrel $300 when you add a barrel...


I think a full sized UZI has potential, but I haven't added up all the parts and I don't weld.

With that said, the AK you buy for 500 is likely not as nice as the one you build.

Please enlighten me because I am just not seeing it.

The $499 gun was a Yugo. As I understand it, it comes with a heavier built receiver and a new American non-chrome lined barrel.

The Romainian kit, has the chrome lined barrel if you want it, but I haven't seen corrosive ammo on the market in a while. I still have some, but then again, I clean my gun after shooting the corrosive ammo. The Romanian had a forward grip. I don't think it is for me, but maybe others like it better.

The AMD requires a barrel and as stated above requires some skills to get it straight. I will admit a little bias against the AMD because it is different than my other AKs.

A couple years ago there were great parts kits around. If I had those kits.....

I will add...If you want to do if because you want a gun off the books.....there is that benefit, but I wouldn't be discussing that subject online. And there is the I want to do it just because I want to do it myself....This is a VERY valid reason to do things.

Well I get the only $500 aks I have seen were cheap WASRs. Truth be told I'm not informed on the in and outs of AKs which would be yet another reason to be a part of a build party for me. I really like building things, even if it cost me extra some times because it's fun!

[dmharvey]

Would a RPK build fit in with an AK build party? Not real familiar with the build process but I'd like an RPK and I'd like to learn how to build.