[Nick1911]

Anyone ever done one of these? I've been wanting to for a long time - and now since surplus parts look like they'll be drying up soon, I figure it's now or never. :uhoh:

Does anyone have any suggested reading? Overall this looks like a fairly straight forward kind of thing (finish receiver (http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=AK0665&variation=) blank, and with assemble parts (http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=ZAK0603&back=yes) ), but I want to make sure I keep it legal. :) Any further tips would be appreciated.

Does the whole parts count thing apply since I'm not the one importing, and the weapon is being built on a US made receiver? :confused:

Thanks,
Nick

[Jim K]

Start with the BATFE web site (www.atf.gov) where you will find answers to some of your questions. Since the receiver blank is (I assume) not serial numbered and not purchased on a 4473, you will fall under the category of making your own rifle, which is legal, but you must make sure you do not make an NFA firearm, like a short barrel rifle, without getting prior OK from BATFE and paying the tax. You cannot legally make a full auto rifle under any circumstances unless you get a Class 3 manufacturer's license. You also cannot make a rifle for sale unless you have a manufacturer's license.

Also, you must do the work yourself. If you involve anyone else, like a gunsmith, he must have a manufacturer's license.

I believe the parts source issue only involves imported guns, not those manufactured here, but contact BATFE (phone # on web site) for correct info.

Good luck. Legal questions aside, I think you are going to find out that DIY is not anywhere near as easy as the people who sell those receiver flats claim it is. You will probably end up trashing the flat and just buying an AK clone - easier, and in the long run cheaper.

Jim

[wally]

Correctly bending the flat only gets you half-way there. Other major problems, proper heat treating of the reciever after its bent, and locating the holes for the barrel trunion -- it they are pre-drilled its a serious crap shoot if they will locate correctly for your particular kit. Enlarging/elongating the holes to fit leaves you with a weakened reciever.

Adding up the cost of a parts kit, the compliance parts and a finished reciever I decided I'd be better off selecting from finished guns displayed at gun shows. Starting with a flat to save maybe and extra $60 is a tremendous increment of extra work.

OTOH if you work in a machine shop and have all the proper equipment and can use it for free after hours why not, it'd be a learning experience, but if you have to buy pretty much any tools to complete the project you've blown your savings. Do it only if you want to learn and are willing to pay the price in the school of hard knocks.

I like getting experience and would try it except I've no place to work to do a decent finish, and am at a loss for how to do the heat treating.

Supposedly "real" AK recievers are bent, then the holes located and drilled.

--wally.

[jpIII]

I wouldn't suggest doing it for monetary reasons. It is cheaper to buy a finished rifle when you calculate time and tools.

But if you want to walk away knowing the AK47 inside and out, backwards and forwards, and through and through, then there is no better way to learn.

Pm me if you have any other questions.

[Nick1911]

As it stands I think I’m already fairly well equipped with tooling. I have access to a vast array of hand tools, as well as vices, a drill press, a grinder/sanding equipment, and a MIG welder. Although I don't have access to a mill or lathe, I don't really foresee needing that kind of tooling.

Do it only if you want to learn and are willing to pay the price in the school of hard knocks.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. :confused: To the best of my knowledge this is perfectly legal – although I need to find out about the compliance parts.

Good luck. Legal questions aside, I think you are going to find out that DIY is not anywhere near as easy as the people who sell those receiver flats claim it is. You will probably end up trashing the flat and just buying an AK clone - easier, and in the long run cheaper.

Actually I already bought a SAR-1. :) I'm not really doing this to save money per say, more so just looking for a good mechanical project. I’ve been spending far too much time in front of computers over the last year. :uhoh: (I think this will be more useful then the jet engine I built last summer :neener: )

[jpIII]

Legality is fine. If you build it into a rifle, compliance parts are needed.

For pistols there is no parts count. (yes you can built an AK pistol, just make sure the oal and barrel length are within limits).

You will not need a mill or lathe, although a dremel tool is probably a must.

There are several ways to build an ak kit.

here are your options.
receiver - 1) use a pre-drilled flat. you must do the bending and heat treating
- 2) use a pre-bent blank. you must drill the holes and heat treat the holes
- 3) use a laser cut flat. you must weld the edges and heat treat
-4) buy a pre made receiver, and have it shipped to your FFL and fill out 4473 form

attaching parts to receiver
1) screw method - drill out rivets, thread holes and use machine screw to hold everything together
2)use rivet method - this requires a 12 or 20 ton press to press out the barrel from the front trunnion. This is considered the "authentic" way to do it as this is how the are made at the arsenal.

Overall easiest and cheapest method is using a laser cut (you can MIG) receiver and use the screw method to assemble. I suggest one of the short barreled AMD kits. You can use these to build a pistol and forgo the compliance parts.

This is the cheapest way to learn.

The most authentic is to purchase one of the longer barreled kits and buy compliance parts, and press the barrel and use rivets.

Either way it is a lot of work, and a ton of fun.

[Nick1911]

Sounds pretty good. :)

Does assembly using screws still provide a fairly sturdy rifle?

On heat treating - is there a generally acceptable way of doing this in a home workshop or will the receiver have to be sent off to have this done?

Also, what do people normally use as a finish?

Thanks!http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ncleone/phpimage/hitme/gen.php

[jpIII]

Some say screws are not acceptable, however I have never heard of a screw build failing. ( and I did my research for a LONG time)

You have to put some sort of lock tite on it to prevent them from backing out, but beside that screws and rivets should have virtually the same shear strength which is what they're there for.

Heat treating is done with a MAPP torch and oil. Which can be purchased at about any hardware store. There are several different methods of heat treating, depending on the steel of the receiver.

finishing is usually done with gunkote from brownelle's. or you could have it park'ed.

I suggest ak47.net (http://ak47.net/forums/forum.html?b=4&f=51) for more reading info.

But buy your kit now!!! before prices rise!

[Nick1911]

But buy your kit now!!! before prices rise!

Indeed, I'm considering buying 2 parts kits, and keep one around to finish later. They probably won't be getting any cheaper...

[jpIII]

I was considering buying a 1919 kit (http://1919a4.com/) , but I decided now is not the right time for me to plunk down $1k for everything needed.

I might kick myself later, but I just have to many other things right now.

[Nick1911]

The 1919 kit looks awesome.

jpIII, have you built an AK from parts? i might be bugging you with PM's over the next few weeks! :D
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ncleone/phpimage/hitdb/gen.php?cheese=thrAK

[Nick1911]

I ended up going with a laser cut receiver, and had to have it TIG welded. (The metal didn’t take too well to the MIG machine :uhoh: ) All in all it runs great now and is rock solid – smooth as a factory build. I still have to put a finish on it, but functionally it's done.

My dad ended up doing a lot of work on it to get it done this fast. Thanks Dad! ;) :D

Pics:

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ncleone/DSC01616.JPG

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ncleone/DSC01618.JPG

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ncleone/DSC01620.JPG

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ncleone/DSC01622.JPG

:D

[clange]

Looks good man. I like seeing guns built from flats. Wish i had the tools and skills to do it.

[Commissar Gribb]

I just finished my tantal this weekend. Had a guy I know weld the receiver to the trunnions. seems like he did a very clean/reliable job on it.

now the wait to "functional test" it :P