Building a G3 Rifle from a Parts Kit?

[RooK]

I've seen a step-by-step building of an FAL from a parts kit, and besides compliance parts and a few tools (around $150 worth), it didn't seem that hard for a competent person to complete in their home.

Is building a G3 just as easy? I can get a parts kit for around $200 (sans receiver), and I would rather build one of them than an FAL if I decide to build a rifle. Anyone have some nifty links or perhaps a step-by-step tutorial?

 

[Destructo6]

If you get a complete reciever with the trunion and cocking tubes welded in place, it isn't terribly difficult.

Gunplumber has a little rundown on it. Look under "notes" and "G3 clone build."

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/

 

[Feanaro]

Is building a G3 just as easy? I can get a parts kit for around $200 (sans receiver), and I would rather build one of them than an FAL if I decide to build a rifle. Anyone have some nifty links or perhaps a step-by-step tutorial?

If you use just a parts kit, the compliance parts and a raw receiver, it can be hard. Depends on your skills and abilities. There will be welding. And you'll have to press the barrel into the trunion unless you can find a good barrel already in the trunion. Most are shot out though, or real close. And you then you have to replace various parts, lest the BATF hound you for a "readily convertable" full auto and such. And the trigger pack is not something I would want to take apart to remove said parts.

Or so I understand it. I used to have a link to a site that had rebuild instructions but when I reformated my computer not long ago I forgot to move it over.

 

[RooK]

Thanks for the info. Guess I won't be building a G3. Welding is somewhat beyond what I'm willing to try.

 

[Feanaro]

Thanks for the info. Guess I won't be building a G3. Welding is somewhat beyond what I'm willing to try.

Me too man, me too. You could get the receiver, kit and parts and send it up to IGF or Arizona Expert Arms . They make great builds, so I hear. But at that point you are pretty much paying the same as you would for a PTR-91.

 

[Destructo6]

If you can find an FMP receiver, which has the trunion and cocking tube installed, all you really need to do is press the barrel into place and braze the front sight/triple frame into place. Not easy maybe, but not impossible.

POF-USA has new parts kits for $430 and new barrels for $175.

If it's too much for you, you could always send the parts out to be assembled and refinished. There are several gunsmiths that can do a competent build. If you go this route, inquire about having a paddle mag release installed during the build.

 

[NozlerAtClemson]

I am planning on building one this summer. I know certain things will require welding/brazing like the the parts to convert the trigger frame to semi-auto style but I was planning on having a local machine shop doing the hard parts.

 

[Destructo6]

If you use a plastic frame, you accomplish a few things at once. Two parts, gripframe and pistol grip, become one for the parts count. You don't have to braze to convert it to a clip-on. You have an updated look.

SW is selling plastic gripframes, in the Navy style, that will accept a SEF style trigger pack. FYI, the Navy style requires ambidextrous packs, not SEF.

Converting the trigger pack to semi is quite easy and should take no more than a drill, hacksaw, and file to accomplish.