JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
Hello guys! I have been looking for a historical AK-47 example for some time and have always been drawn to how compact the underfolders are. The Romanians built many of them and their version features a characteristic vertical foregrip design and is designated the Pistol Mitralieră model of 1965, shortened to PM md. 65:
Well I decided to spring on a genuine Romanian military surplus demilled parts kit from Arms of America. I asked for a 1970s-1980s kit in nice shape and it arrived recently:
The condition of all parts is extremely nice and they are all matching with a date of 1977. The bolt, bolt carrier, dust cover, and various small parts have little to no wear. The wood handguards and Bakelite grip look great. The barrel is a US made example from Green Mountain which is renowned for excellent quality, and is nitrided.
Of course the kit did not come with a receiver as this guns original had to be destroyed due to BATF regulations. I ordered a highly detailed and excellent quality one from Childers Guns out of West Virginia. These guys use authentic Polish-made receiver blanks and can add all the small details for each build. I ordered mine with correct Romanian military markings and they even matched the serial number to the parts in the kit.
I am an apartment dweller and construction of a Kalashnikov from a parts kit does require some heavy duty tools and knowledge, so I elected to send it off to a qualified builder last week. After much deliberation I sent everything off to Troy Sellers at In Range Inc. out of Tennessee. Troy has an excellent reputation and is considered one of the top AK builders in the country.
I am INCREDIBLY excited to see the end result and plan to pair the rifle with a historically correct leather sling and 2-cell magazine pouch, cleaning kit, oil bottle, and magazines all sourced from Romania. Should make an awesome historic gun and a wicked close in defensive weapon if need be.
Of course, it will be semi-auto only vs the select-fire originals, but in truth for this style of weapon semi-automatic fire is in general most efficient anyway. In fact, Romania modified many of their AKs to semi-automatic only for use in their national militia, the Patriotic Guards. The build will take a few months for Troy to do. Expect a thorough review and range report when the build is complete.
La revedere!
-JCF
Well I decided to spring on a genuine Romanian military surplus demilled parts kit from Arms of America. I asked for a 1970s-1980s kit in nice shape and it arrived recently:
The condition of all parts is extremely nice and they are all matching with a date of 1977. The bolt, bolt carrier, dust cover, and various small parts have little to no wear. The wood handguards and Bakelite grip look great. The barrel is a US made example from Green Mountain which is renowned for excellent quality, and is nitrided.
Of course the kit did not come with a receiver as this guns original had to be destroyed due to BATF regulations. I ordered a highly detailed and excellent quality one from Childers Guns out of West Virginia. These guys use authentic Polish-made receiver blanks and can add all the small details for each build. I ordered mine with correct Romanian military markings and they even matched the serial number to the parts in the kit.
I am an apartment dweller and construction of a Kalashnikov from a parts kit does require some heavy duty tools and knowledge, so I elected to send it off to a qualified builder last week. After much deliberation I sent everything off to Troy Sellers at In Range Inc. out of Tennessee. Troy has an excellent reputation and is considered one of the top AK builders in the country.
I am INCREDIBLY excited to see the end result and plan to pair the rifle with a historically correct leather sling and 2-cell magazine pouch, cleaning kit, oil bottle, and magazines all sourced from Romania. Should make an awesome historic gun and a wicked close in defensive weapon if need be.
Of course, it will be semi-auto only vs the select-fire originals, but in truth for this style of weapon semi-automatic fire is in general most efficient anyway. In fact, Romania modified many of their AKs to semi-automatic only for use in their national militia, the Patriotic Guards. The build will take a few months for Troy to do. Expect a thorough review and range report when the build is complete.
La revedere!
-JCF
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