Building an AK from scratch

[giggitygiggity]

I am thinking about embarking on an endeavor to build an AK underfolder from scratch. What I mean from this is that I will make everything from a bunch of parts and put it together piece by piece. My aim is to make the underfolder for less than $250. Can it be done?

Also, where can I find AK receivers that can fit the underfolding stocks? Is there anything that I should be aware of in this process? Obviously, I am not going to make it full auto, SBR, or violate any other laws. I know about the limit of only 10 foreign parts and what not. I am open to suggestions and ideas. Thanks.

 

[Rubberberner]

I saw in one of the catalogs i get monthly you can get a Bulgarian kit for $179, no barrel or receiver. If you're going to make it from scratch, a barrel will be about $120, and a receiver will be about 100. so under 250? not likely, but if you'd like to build one, here is a website that will tell you the difference in the underfolder receiver, and sell you one!
http://www.ak-47.us/AK-47Receivers.php

 

[Pronghorn]

Right now Ak prices are coming down into the 300's. I just went through the same exact thing, except that I built a traditional stamped AK with a standard butt stock. I learned a lot but the parts that I bought made the job pretty difficult. I used a milled bulgarian parts kit, along with a romanian trunnion, yougo barrel, homemade buttstock with romanian metal parts, a polish rear trunnion that I salvaged out of the back half of a torch cut receiver, an arsenal gas piston, and K-var internals. What I ended up with was a hybrid of old and new parts from all over the globe. It works fine, but the appearance is a bit rough. I also used screws/bolts to hold the thing together (blasphemy I know) and I ended up making/ fitting all the parts together by hand. I also had to make a safety stop and some other parts with sheet metal that I had laying around. All in all it was an awesome experience. www.Ar15.com has a great section for AK homebuilders and those guys helped me alot. Your gonna run into a bunch of people who say its not possible without specific/custom made tools. Also people always say that its impossible to build a stamped parts kit out of a milled receiver/parts. This was the most frustrating question to get an answer too. After doing it myself I can tell you that YOU CAN BUILD A KIT OUT OF MILLED PARTS WITH A STAMPED RECEIVER. This is or course assuming that you will buy separate front/rear trunnions. An under folder which you are describing requires an under folder cut receiver/ receiver flat. after that, it'l all go together with some fitting.

As for under 250, apex gun parts has plenty of kits (around 200) and centerfire systems has cheap barrels ($9). plus some compliance parts ($60). You wont make the $250 mark but you may be able to do it less than buying one new. That being said prices for AKs are falling so right now I would just buy one of them. You wind up with a better product with less hassle. However, you do not get the experience and the appreciation for the firearm like you would if u built it yourself. I would never part with the AK that I built (for legal reasons also) because of the connection that I have with that rifle. After you salvage such a magnificent weapon out of broken, old, and scraped parts; ul never want to put it down

 

[Sam1911]

My aim is to make the underfolder for less than $250. Can it be done?

On the face of it, probably not. If you're counting tools you'll need to buy, make, or modify, almost certainly not.

There was a time that you could get parts kits (even underfolders) for little enough to maybe do this, but that time has passed, especially so now that the barrel import ban is in place.

Also, where can I find AK receivers that can fit the underfolding stocks?

THE place for AK receivers: http://www.nodakspud.com/page2.htm

Is there anything that I should be aware of in this process?

Yes, lots. I'd spend a lot of time reading through AKfiles.com and/or other AK builder sites to make sure I understood the process and what tools will be required. It isn't rocket surgery but it isn't completely intuitive.

Going into it to have fun and learn something is great. Going into it on a tight budget might be disappointing.

 

[Moose458]

Unless you already have, or know somebody that has all the tools and jigs you will need to do this, it will not be worth it. I had this same idea back when I could get a complete kit for $110, receiver for $85 and all the 922r parts for about $60. Then I found out about all the tools and jigs and riveters, and all of a sudden, to do just one build became ridiculous. Trust me, you will save a lot of money just buying a complete AK. However it is your money and you WILL learn all about AKs and the real final cost. You might check into a Saiga and do the conversion yourself. It will still cost you well over $250, but it will be a lot cheaper than what you are planning now and you will end up with a MUCH BETTER AK.

 

[Sembilan9]

I am glad I ran into your post I am also ready to start a build and probably have the same questions you have. I have seen an AMD Hungarian AK 47 kit on numerous web sites for approx 179 to 200 dollars that include the barrel. All it was missing was the reciever. I have read numerous articles on the recievers that should be used with the gun your looking for since your gun will be used in pistol format in relation to the thickness of the reciever.
I am not sure about the tools that you will need according to my cousin it is s super simple gun to put together hence why they were made.
FYI the guns you and I are looking to build are Variants of the originaly AK 47. I heard to stay away from the Romanian kits I hear they are of poor quality.
Good luck my friend