Building an AK47

[VBshooter]

Has anyone here ever built an AK47 or variant using an 80% receiver? Looks like a bit of a challenge but not impossible by any means.... If someone has some input it will be greatlly appreciated...

[jdonovan]

Very little of the build is impossible, but its dependent on your skills, and tools available.

The first, and most important question, is whats your goal. i.e. why do you want to build vs. buy an already complete receiver?

[Jakeiscrazy]

I think the coolest part would be that you could claim to have built your own AK. Way more difficult than an AR build. I looked into the AK building and couldn't really find a great source for info like you can with AR builds, Here is a youtube channel that has some info. http://www.youtube.com/user/BuildyourownAK

[OakRidgeStars]

Another good resource from SurplusRifle.com is their Soup to Nuts series

http://www.surplusrifle.com/ak47/index.asp


And for parts, tools and such, AK-Builder.com

http://ak-builder.com/index.php

[Jakeiscrazy]

Another good resource from SurplusRifle.com is their Soup to Nuts series

http://www.surplusrifle.com/ak47/index.asp

Great link, just read the whole thing end to end. Definitively the best instructions I've read so far.

[VBshooter]

it would be good project and seeing as I already have the tools it won;t be diffficult.. I 've built a few AR's and look at the AK as another new challenge,,, And it does give the builder the option of making it in any variant they like,,Plus the bragging rights to having built it instead of getting a store bought. This site has some good info for those interested also..http://www.ak-47.us/

[Hiwaytahell]

Are you doing a screw build, or rivit?

[VBshooter]

Leaning heavily towards a rivet build.. Little more difficult but worth the extra effort in the long run. More like the original and a cleaner looking rifle.

[jrswanson1]

I thought about doing something like this, since I've built six or seven ARs. Decided to just buy a Saiga and convert it myself. I don't have the tools to do an AK build, but I do have a drill and a punch, plus the Saiga is actually made in the same factory as the AK.

Jim

[VBshooter]

That's a good option...Looked into that too.. I like to build stuff so that is most likely the way I am gonna go... Theres a good bit more invoved doing an AK and it appears to be a decent challenge to get right...

[jrswanson1]

That's a good option...Looked into that too.. I like to build stuff so that is most likely the way I am gonna go... Theres a good bit more invoved doing an AK and it appears to be a decent challenge to get right...

Building your own AK from parts also requires you to figure out 922R compliance parts. With what I'm doing, I know the conversion parts will keep me compliant and out of Federal confinement. 10 or fewer foreign parts since you're building a non-sporting rifle.

Jim

[VBshooter]

Thanks, I am aware of that little tidbit. That was the first thing I checked before I even gave this project another thought.. Gotta keep the guv'mint boys happy. Gonna be a" take my time" thing so the research and locating the proper parts won;t be an issue...If it takes a year to build I'm fine with it..

[rromeo]

In California, AK "build parties" are popular. A few people with knowledge and tools will invite others over to build their own rifles. I suppose that building is more common there because they're limited on what rifles they can buy.
Check the gunsmith forum on Calguns.net

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[VBshooter]

Good site,,,,,,Considering the Draconian laws in CA I am willing to bet there is a lot of gun related activity going on under the radar... people can only be opressed so much before they act out against that opression in advance to removing it

[rromeo]

So did you ever build your rifle? I have decided to jump in. I'm in the parts collecting phase right now, have a pre-bent Polish receiver blank from AK-Builder.

[FredVegas]

AK build party would be fantastic. Not a huge fan of the platform, but I learned a lot from my AR build. Would be great if we had someone with the knowledge and tools willing to donate their afternoon one Saturday. Nothing like building it from a chunk of metal to complete.

I've been lurking in the MD shooters thread waiting to see if that materializes. Would be worth the drive.
http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=77490&page=3

[VBshooter]

Got my parts and tools pretty much in hand,,Problem is I spend a lot of time on the road working and when I get home there are always other priorities to take care of... I think an AK party would be freaking cool as hell!!! When I get back to VA I'll look into it further and see whats the support level//// A group buy prior to it would be good too... Most AK stuff (at least to me ) is reasonable although there are the low lifes that are charging too much but there are more than enough sellers out there to make up for the jerks...It never hurts to get it a little cheaper though,,,,,,,,,

[Jakeiscrazy]

I could afford AK parts as long as I got them bit by bit. What's cooler than building a rifle yourself? I wonder how large of a good you need before people start offering discounts.

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[VBshooter]

Good question, ,,Its hard to build a good rifle and save any money ,,Parts add up to a complete rifle in alot of cases.. I shop different suppliers for certain items and can usually get an AR15 in for around a $100 under a built one,,That;s using good Mil Spec parts..Of course there are "other" things out there but I tell people to avoid them as the old saying "You get what you pay for " applies to gun building pretty much all the time.. My biggest issue is I keep what I build when I think I am gonna offer it for sale/ Oh well .it beats stamp collecting by a long shot... Maybe a group buy could be organized here?

[762]

I would be very interested in a build party. I've always wanted to build an AK from scratch.