jason41987
member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,293
im going to start this thread as my last AK related thread on this new AK build of mine.. trying to put extra care, focus, and attention to detail into this one and would love some input, opinions, or advice on some of the ideas i had for it
i have an extra kit i purchased december of 2012 (yeah.. as soon as i heard the talk of new legislation, first did i did was went out and bought some AK kits.. figured the bolt actions, lever actions and other such rifles on my list could wait)
so my kit is a bulgarian AK-74 with the wooden furniture.. overall very good condition, only a few areas where the finish has been worn off from cycling, all matching numbers.. nice rifle, or atleast it will be
originally i had planned to build this as a 5.56mm kit, turns out the 5.45x39s bolt face is suitable, but unfortunately no one makes a good 5.56mm barrel for 22mm AK-74s yet and i refuse to "make do" with something like than ideal (like non chrome lined)
since i no longer have most the tools i used for the first one, im working on getting enough to do this build.. decided to go with the ReCreator pre-bent blank as it was made to perfectly replicate the original bulgarian receiver, including bulgarian lettering, a bend in the receiver above the trigger thats missing on ak builder flats, and claimed that all radius's, all cuts, all bends are true to the original bulgarian..
also figured since i still have my drill press, drilling and shaping the holes in the receiver would be easier than bending a flat, and less risk of error as i can take extra time and care into locating the holes on the pre-bent blank where flats always seem to come down to how good is your method for bending?
anyway, my other idea was to build this as an AK-74M type rifle, with the military polymer furniture and eventually install the side folding stock that goes with it, but im actually thinking i might go with the wood, found a 922R worksheet that says so long as i replace the grip, trigger group, with the US made barrel, im within 922R compliance to keep the wooden stock and forearm (and likely use a SAW style grip)
does anyone have anymore information on the bulgarian wood furniture?.. it appears to be laminate of course, but what kind of finish did they use for these?.. was it shellac?.. im also thinking i might get some figured hardwood like maybe tiger stripe walnut or curly maple and carve new furniture that matches the original
i was also wondering if anyones ever used the pre-bent blanks from ReCreator, id love a review on them?.. and also looking for some advice on welding the rails in.. im really thinking im probably going to plug weld them since ill either be dura-coating or maybe even powder-coating the receiver when its finished, so im not worried about weld marks or discoloration
oh.. and im going to try to find someone local with a kiln i can use to give the receiver a full heat treat after the rails are added
so any questions, comments, answers, advice, or information anyone is willing to ask, make, or share?
i have an extra kit i purchased december of 2012 (yeah.. as soon as i heard the talk of new legislation, first did i did was went out and bought some AK kits.. figured the bolt actions, lever actions and other such rifles on my list could wait)
so my kit is a bulgarian AK-74 with the wooden furniture.. overall very good condition, only a few areas where the finish has been worn off from cycling, all matching numbers.. nice rifle, or atleast it will be
originally i had planned to build this as a 5.56mm kit, turns out the 5.45x39s bolt face is suitable, but unfortunately no one makes a good 5.56mm barrel for 22mm AK-74s yet and i refuse to "make do" with something like than ideal (like non chrome lined)
since i no longer have most the tools i used for the first one, im working on getting enough to do this build.. decided to go with the ReCreator pre-bent blank as it was made to perfectly replicate the original bulgarian receiver, including bulgarian lettering, a bend in the receiver above the trigger thats missing on ak builder flats, and claimed that all radius's, all cuts, all bends are true to the original bulgarian..
also figured since i still have my drill press, drilling and shaping the holes in the receiver would be easier than bending a flat, and less risk of error as i can take extra time and care into locating the holes on the pre-bent blank where flats always seem to come down to how good is your method for bending?
anyway, my other idea was to build this as an AK-74M type rifle, with the military polymer furniture and eventually install the side folding stock that goes with it, but im actually thinking i might go with the wood, found a 922R worksheet that says so long as i replace the grip, trigger group, with the US made barrel, im within 922R compliance to keep the wooden stock and forearm (and likely use a SAW style grip)
does anyone have anymore information on the bulgarian wood furniture?.. it appears to be laminate of course, but what kind of finish did they use for these?.. was it shellac?.. im also thinking i might get some figured hardwood like maybe tiger stripe walnut or curly maple and carve new furniture that matches the original
i was also wondering if anyones ever used the pre-bent blanks from ReCreator, id love a review on them?.. and also looking for some advice on welding the rails in.. im really thinking im probably going to plug weld them since ill either be dura-coating or maybe even powder-coating the receiver when its finished, so im not worried about weld marks or discoloration
oh.. and im going to try to find someone local with a kiln i can use to give the receiver a full heat treat after the rails are added
so any questions, comments, answers, advice, or information anyone is willing to ask, make, or share?