[Commissar Gribb]

OK OK this week I'm trading in my 5.56 AKS74U kit with another48hrs for his 5.45 kit. because his has the super long 16" barrel configuration, I'll be able to legally build it into a rifle without getting legal permission first.

My problem is this- I'll still need to get a 5.45mm barrel mount to connect the barrel to a stamped receiver. Can I use ANY AK74 barrel block or will only a special barrel block fit this?

the other option is a milled receiver- however these cost a LOT more. and I'm not certain that the triangular stock I have will fit a milled receiver.

[PAC 762]

The 74 was never designed for a milled receiver. Retrofitting will be difficult to say the least. Buy a global trades 5.45 stamped reciver or build from a flat.

Edit: Not sure about the trunion/barrel size. I'm guessing the kit you're getting is Bulgarian? If so, I belive k-var has bulgy trunions in stock.

[Commissar Gribb]

arsenal makes a rifle based off the AKS74U with a milled receiver using a similar parts kit. It can be done

arsenal milled AR - SF in 5.56mm (http://www.arsenal-bg.com/defense_police/5.56_arsenal_assault_rifle_ar-sf.htm)
yes- it's a bulgie kit.

and no, I'll probably get an OOW kit as the last one I bought works great and I've sent them my FFL's paperwork a long time ago.

though if anyone knows the answer to the question about the barrel/trunnion guide, that would be useful!

[another48hrs]

I'm pretty sure an ak74 trunnion block will work with the barrel I sent you. But I will make sure on ak47.net for you just to make sure. Here is a link to k-var for the trunnion.

http://www.k-var.com/product.asp?0=216&1=269&3=429

As for milled receivers, their are ones for the ak74 and 5.45 krink. These are firingline receivers. They have both underfolder and side folder. These are really expensive though.

http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/firingline/page2.html

[clange]

I think the trunnion is just a standard trunnion, the problem is the rear sight block correct? The krink uses a much smaller one.

As far as receivers go, the global 1.0mm is better than the OOW in pretty much every way except how the dimple looks. The biggest plus is the global is fully heat treated, the OOW is not.

[Commissar Gribb]

As far as receivers go, the global 1.0mm is better than the OOW in pretty much every way except how the dimple looks. The biggest plus is the global is fully heat treated, the OOW is not.

Never had any problems with my OOW receiver that's in my tantal. never heard of any problems with them.

as far as heat treating:

Heat treated (Trigger and hammer holes are heat treated, then the whole receiver is drawn down at 600 degrees for 1 hour. The receiver is now heat treated but not brittle. If you heat treat the whole receiver, the minute you quench it you will warp the entire thing.)

Not brittle but very hard. Before I say anything stupid I'm going to test it and come back. I'm supposed to get a crate of 5.45 silverbear 60gr sometime soon. After 4-800 rds I'll let you know if the receiver has had any problems. OOW claims that their receivers are good to fire 3000 continuous rounds.

http://www.ohioordnanceworks.com/parts/akm/akm.htm

[clange]

Dont waste ammo on my account. :)

They're still good receivers, i dont mean to sound like they arent. Its just the globals are a little better. Most of the issues are build related, and so most of the builders have moved over to globals, or even the ewbanks gen2. Heres a review from a well known builder on ak47.net.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=93&t=70695

All of the pics are down unfortuantely, but he lists some of the minor issues. They only heat treat the trigger and hammer axis holes. Despite what their website says, pretty much everyone in the AK world will tell you full heat treating is better. If the russians, chinese, bulgarians, etc, could have gotten away with spot heat treatment they would have.

In reality, you'd probably never shoot one enough in your lifetime to wear it out, but if theres a fully heat treated option on the market, why not go with that one?

They also meantion the dimension issues which can cause problems every once in awhile. I've heard of vectors (built on OOW, that apparently werent cut to proper length) that wont keep the dust cover on while firing, since the receiver is slightly too long. Its rare, but it happens.

In short, it will probably make a good weapon, but there are slightly better options now.

[Commissar Gribb]

Dont waste ammo on my account.

it's not a waste if I have fun

and especially if I use said ammo to exterminate certain unruly freedom-hating soda cans and bottles ;)