Anyone ever had any luck with building an AK-47 variant from a parts kit?

[TheGewehrGuy]

How much would you save in doing it? Especially if you go the cheap route?

How difficult is it ususally? I am not aware of the tools to build it, but I am pretty sure my grandpa has them, he has every tool imaginable, every press, drill, and saw.

Does anyone know of a good how-to video they can provide the link for?



I was looking at maybe getting a Romanian parts kit, and assembling it on a cheap stamped receiver.

And disregard the 922r compliance laws in determining cost, I already have them, I want to see how much more it'll cost to build one.

Thanks for your input.

 

[nalioth]

You won't save anything today.

4 or 5 years ago, when you could get a Romanian kit for $29.95, you could bend your own flat and buy 922r parts and have an AK for less than a $100 bucks.

Today, the parts kits cost almost as much (if not more) than ready-made rifles, plus (thanks to an "opinion" by the revenuers), do not come with original barrels.

I doubt your Grandad has the tools necessary to build an AK from a kit, but if he has a well equipped shop, the tooling/jigs can be fashioned.

It's not hard at all to build an AK from a parts kit, if you have the tools.

It's a little harder with just a hammer, but it can be done.

 

[TheGewehrGuy]

Thanks Nalioth, for the info, I am probably going to stay away from an AK builds.

On the other hand, I can buy a VZ-58 from Century Arms, and I hear they are quality rifles, and that they actually use old Czech parts kits, minus enough parts to make it legal for 922r. Those things are $300 dealer cost, and probably about $400 if you can find the right dealer to buy from. The dealer near my house wants to charge me $525 for the thing! Talk about a rip off.


@Jeff56, that really sounds like quite the horror story! I feel bad for you there. I can kind of relate to you, but not really. I was assembling a lower parts kit on an AR-15 after watching the videos on how to do it, and my grandpa came over and grabbed it and took control of the project, and then he started screwing the buffertube way* too far in, and my uncle and I were both telling him he was wrong but he said he had assembled one before, and he got mad at both of us, and we turned out to be right when he was making mistakes.


Thanks for your input guys.

 

[akolleth]

Its definitely true that its just plain cheaper to buy than to build. Tooling costs alone will astound you on the first one. Obviously once you have the tools the per build cost of the tools drops significantly.

I am working on my 6th and 7th build as we speak. They are a 7.62 AKSU Krink and a Chinese Spike folder clone. If you like to build things, to tinker, you will love building them. There is just that certain level of satisfaction you get knowing you assembled and often troubleshot a pile of parts into a working firearm. It can get frustrating at times but the good outweighs the frustration in my opinion.

 

[rr2241tx]

If you're looking for a project, then locate someone near you who has the tools and has built some to host you and help you avoid the usual mistakes. If you are looking for a cheap AK, then building your own is no longer the best option. There's a lot of builders on AR15.com in their AK47 area.

 

[Sam1911]

Here's an current thread with lots of info: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=562280

And another: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=579451