ezypikns
Member
so I just bought this. What's the next step in completing an AK? I'm looking to go as quickly & inexpensively as possible......ideally. Please educate me
Midway AK Parts Kit
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wally
Member
Should have done your homework first! Building an AK is far more tooling intensive than assembling an AR from a pile of parts.
Can you set rivits? Press in a barrel? Verify headspace? Starting with a finished receiver? 80% or flat?
Shotgun News had a nice series on doing so awhile back, youTube has lots of videos, Google will turn up lots of howtos and tips, but do you have the tools and skills to do it?
Can you set rivits? Press in a barrel? Verify headspace? Starting with a finished receiver? 80% or flat?
Shotgun News had a nice series on doing so awhile back, youTube has lots of videos, Google will turn up lots of howtos and tips, but do you have the tools and skills to do it?
ezypikns
Member
I thought that I'd start with
a finished receiver and barrel assembled together.
a finished receiver and barrel assembled together.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Unfortunately, that's not how AKs work. The part that holds the barrel into the receiver shell (the front trunion) comes in the parts kit. And the receiver shell (probably) will need to be drilled to locate the rivet holes and then the trunion will need to be riveted into the shell which requires a pretty specialized tool. Then the barrel set to the correct depth in the trunion, headspace verified, and then the barrel pin hole MILLED (not drilled) to locate the new virgin barrel properly.
Then you'll rivet in the rear block to hold the stock, and the trigger guard and mag catch. Looks like you'll also need to mill the pin holes to install the front sight block and gas block onto the barrel.
And so on. It is a fairly intense bit of work unless you're experienced with metal working.
There are pretty substantial information resources available through any google search on building an AK, but wally is completely right. You will need a variety of shop and specialty tools to do the job. It is considerably more complicated than assembling an AR.
I did build my first one in my garage, with a hammer, but that was years back when the kits came with the original barrel and things were still pretty involved. Now it's about 30% more complicated than even that was.
Then you'll rivet in the rear block to hold the stock, and the trigger guard and mag catch. Looks like you'll also need to mill the pin holes to install the front sight block and gas block onto the barrel.
And so on. It is a fairly intense bit of work unless you're experienced with metal working.
There are pretty substantial information resources available through any google search on building an AK, but wally is completely right. You will need a variety of shop and specialty tools to do the job. It is considerably more complicated than assembling an AR.
I did build my first one in my garage, with a hammer, but that was years back when the kits came with the original barrel and things were still pretty involved. Now it's about 30% more complicated than even that was.
AK's are fun to build, but as pointed out will require some tooling no matter what. Nothing like assembling an AR. If you are building to save money on one rifle, it's not going to happen. A barrel will be $150 +/-, pre-bent receiver with rails around $100, plus 922r compliance parts another $100. At a minimum for tooling, you will need a drill press, rivet staking tool, headspace gauges, and some sort of press. If you plan on bending the receiver from a flat, you will need a jig.
hamp sandwich
Member
Hi ezypickins. The guys have brought up some great points. Building an AK will take some effort, tooling and with that, a budget.. What is your budget? Keep in mind, some tools that you would need can be used for other things too. So, you might be able to justify more based on that. What do you have so far? A press, rivet jigs, head space gauges, etc?? Also, some research, as mentioned, is essential. Have you looked anywhere specific online yet? There's a lot of documented builds online, and you'll find that there are lots of resources.
There is hope.
There is hope.
Now that the fun of telling you how deep a hole you dug for yourself has been had, try starting at these places for information on how to build an AK.
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4
http://www.gunsnet.net/forumdisplay.php/41-Build-It-Yourself-Forum?
Maybe even find someone local to do just the dreaded riveting.
In the end you can have a rifle that is truly yours in ways others cannot be. Good Luck.
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4
http://www.gunsnet.net/forumdisplay.php/41-Build-It-Yourself-Forum?
Maybe even find someone local to do just the dreaded riveting.
In the end you can have a rifle that is truly yours in ways others cannot be. Good Luck.
Sovblocgunfan
Member
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Is this the kit you bought?
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/90...polish-under-folding-stock-parts-kit-762x39mm
The guys above are right. You can't start w/ a barreled receiver.
This part in your kit:
holds the barrel with a pin that is oversized for the hole it goes in and is riveted to the receiver. You'll need to know how to do all of that. Also you'll need to know how to populate the barrel with rear sight block, gas block, front sight block.
You'll also need to know how to measure and adjust for the single critical dimension in the whole build (honestly-there's only one. all the rest can be worked around, but that on is a major deal). Mess that up, and you will have a potential safety problem on your hands.
You'll also need to develop a knowledge of 922r and how to comply with it. This involves incorporating certain combinations of US-made parts.
You are going to spend another large chunk of money to do this right. And that's if you don't screw up a part and need to re-buy it.
There are bubba ways to do some of the operations, but they don't always produce the best product and take practice to get right.
Honestly, man. You could keep the kit for spares, buy another AK, and still be ahead on this. Or sell the kit and recoup most of your investment in a complete rifle.
Not telling you what to do here, but please kindly consider what the membership is saying.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/90...polish-under-folding-stock-parts-kit-762x39mm
The guys above are right. You can't start w/ a barreled receiver.
This part in your kit:
holds the barrel with a pin that is oversized for the hole it goes in and is riveted to the receiver. You'll need to know how to do all of that. Also you'll need to know how to populate the barrel with rear sight block, gas block, front sight block.
You'll also need to know how to measure and adjust for the single critical dimension in the whole build (honestly-there's only one. all the rest can be worked around, but that on is a major deal). Mess that up, and you will have a potential safety problem on your hands.
You'll also need to develop a knowledge of 922r and how to comply with it. This involves incorporating certain combinations of US-made parts.
You are going to spend another large chunk of money to do this right. And that's if you don't screw up a part and need to re-buy it.
There are bubba ways to do some of the operations, but they don't always produce the best product and take practice to get right.
Honestly, man. You could keep the kit for spares, buy another AK, and still be ahead on this. Or sell the kit and recoup most of your investment in a complete rifle.
Not telling you what to do here, but please kindly consider what the membership is saying.
carbine85
Member
Check out akfiles.com. You have to be thick skinned over there. Also check out youtube.com. There are a few good videos over there. That's where I learned how to build them. You need the proper tools or you need to be able to build the tools. My first one took several attempts and many hours, the last one took about 4 hours on and off and came out right the first time.
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