AMD 65 Straight Pull Conversion questions

[AJAX22]

I have two amd 65 parts kits that I purchased a while ago that I would like to build up into CA compliant rifles.

I also have a pile of magazines that I purchased before the ban.

With the current 'off list lower' legislation, I can purchase a receiver and do a build up with the kits I have, so long as I make them into CA legal.

Since I would Like to be able to use the magazines, I am left with either stripping them of folding stocks and forward handgrips as well as flash hiders, (which would be the most rediculous thing to do to an AMD 65 that I can think of) or figuring some way to build it as a straight pull bolt action rifle.

Is there a generally accepted way of non permanantly modifying the gas system to eliminate the semi auto function in the rifle?

Is this possible? has anyone done this? And yes I do know that the laws here are lame and I should just move, please don't turn this into CA bashing.

 

[Crosshair]

One possibility is to drill the gas tube so that there is not enough gas pressure to work the action. To convert to semi you will need to replace the gas tube, not hard by any means. Other than that I have no idea.

 

[PAC 762]

Drilling the gas tube won't work. An AK will cycle w/o a tube. You will need to weld up the gas port or build on a new barrel and do not drill the gas port.

 

[Third_Rail]

Really? How will an AK cycle without a gas tube?

 

[beerslurpy]

Remove the gas piston and replace the gas tube with a tube that is blocked in the middle. The gas piston is relatively easily removable and the gas tube also comes out quickly. It is a relatively reversable procedure that will render the gun CA legal. It will also look like an authentic AK. Will probably be a bit more accurate than a semiauto AK due to less gyration.

An alternative is to weld the gas port off the barrel shut and keep everything else stock. This requires drilling or maybe gunsmithing to reverse (depending on where you make the hole).

I dont think the bolt carrier relies on the gas piston to stay aligned as it travels back and forth- the stock rails should be more than adequate, especially if the only thing moving the bolt carrier is the force of your hand.

 

[AJAX22]

Instead of welding shut the gas port, would it be possible to tap threads into it and insert a brass plug?

or if it would be possible to get a comercially manufactured dummy gas tube?

I would just pin in an aluminum block off, but I worry that the gas piston would need the full length of the tube to travel in.

How do they do the straight pull AK's in the UK?

thanks for the help guys.

I'd much rather have a bolt action than a pile of parts and a receiver kicking around waiting for the legislators to say it's ok to do a full build.

 

[Third_Rail]

If you send me the gas tube, I'll make you a dummy one out of solid 1018 for the actual cost of the material to me. I'll even blue it, since I've been looking for a fun project to do! PM me.

 

[AJAX22]

Thanks Third Rail, PM sent, Now I just need to find someone with a press and buckingbar down in southern California.

 

[Third_Rail]

PM sent.