(Polish) AK Parts Kit Question

[StopTheGrays]

How much cheaper is it to build a AK from a Polish AKMS parts kit than to just buy one that all the work has been done to?

DPHArms has a complete rifles for $550 but AKParts has a parts kit for $189. I have never built a rifle from a parts kit so I am not sure how much more money and time is involved.

Complete Rifle from dpharms

 

[Jim K]

First, what is your source for a receiver? The parts kit does not include the receiver, and so you have to have a compatible receiver. That means you need to remove the barrel from the old receiver stub and install it in the new receiver. Then you have to fit all the parts; all AK receivers are not the same and parts are not necessarily drop-in. And if you have problems, you are on your own, or you pay a gunsmith some hefty bucks to do the work. Believe me, when all is said and done, you will save money by buying the rifle and forgetting the parts kit. You would also get a warranty from the company.

One time, I gave this sort of advice and was flamed by the questioner, who haughtily informed me that he was a top notch gunsmith, a highly skilled machinist and design engineer, and was planning to machine the receiver out of stock and that I was an idiot. So if that applies here, I take back the above and wish you well. (I didn't ask why such a paragon of the gunsmith trade was asking how to put a gun together.)

Jim

 

[StopTheGrays]

First, what is your source for a receiver? The parts kit does not include the receiver, and so you have to have a compatible receiver. That means you need to remove the barrel from the old receiver stub and install it in the new receiver. Then you have to fit all the parts; all AK receivers are not the same and parts are not necessarily drop-in. And if you have problems, you are on your own, or you pay a gunsmith some hefty bucks to do the work. Believe me, when all is said and done, you will save money by buying the rifle and forgetting the parts kit. You would also get a warranty from the company.

One time, I gave this sort of advice and was flamed by the questioner, who haughtily informed me that he was a top notch gunsmith, a highly skilled machinist and design engineer, and was planning to machine the receiver out of stock and that I was an idiot. So if that applies here, I take back the above and wish you well. (I didn't ask why such a paragon of the gunsmith trade was asking how to put a gun together.)

Jim

I am neither a gunsmith nor even pretend to be one. Thanks for the input, no one ever really says how much work is involved and all I see is people saying "just buy a parts kit". So I guess that answers that question.

Now only question I have left on this issue is this: Is $550 too much for a Polish AKMS underfolder w/ a five year warranty? It seems a bit high since the last AK I bought was a SAR-2 for $330.

 

[Kurush]

It's not worth building it yourself if you only want one AK. There's a lot of stuff to learn, various tools you need, etc. If you have 5 kits it's much cheaper.

 

[Redlg155]

The Shotgun News recently ran an article concerning the building of an AK rifle and pistol in the Oct 3, issue. It was a good article with lots of pics of the process involved.

According to the article and accompanying pictures, the build isn't complicated provided that you can measure and accurately drill holes in the reciever for the trunion rivets. Barrel removal and installation from the trunion may also be a problem that could possibly involve the services of a machininst with a press. Other than that, it's pretty easy. No special tools involved other than a rivet head forming tool that you can make yourself.

To be truthful, I'd just buy the completely built rifle and be done with it. Expenses mount up once you figure in the kit, required US parts and reciever.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[demusn1979]

but its fun!

 

[db_tanker]

I have heard that the Polish Radom AK kits are very nice...this sounds like somthing that could be fun.

I am lucky in that I have a few friends up here at my work that are machinists, and I am an apprentice (in the dark, in an ally I can pass for a entry level machinist...) of sorts, but also have a nice 20 ton Enerpac press and other toys and such.

I can see it all coming together....

The question I have is this...is there a specific type/grade of rivet to be used in the trunion? If they are a particular critter, then where to get them? Brownells? Numerich?

D

 

[benEzra]

Now only question I have left on this issue is this: Is $550 too much for a Polish AKMS underfolder w/ a five year warranty? It seems a bit high since the last AK I bought was a SAR-2 for $330.

The Romanian AK lookalikes (SAR's, now WASR's) were/are the least expensive of all AK type civilian rifles. Fit and finish is often very spotty, but they work. Still, I paid $379 for a SAR-1 in 2002.

I would expect that the Polish AK's would probably be more directly comparable to the Hungarian AK's (Krebs) or the Russian AK's (VEPRs), both of which are much more expensive than the Romanian imports, so $550 seems like a decent price to me.

 

[Kurush]

I've been gearing up to do several of these myself so maybe I can help.

You can get good AK build stuff, including rivets, from this guy: http://www.ak-builder.com/

PookieWeb is the definitive AK build guide: http://pookieweb.dyndns.org:61129/

As far as cost, basically you need a kit ($100-$220), a receiver ($10-$70), rivets ($10), US parts for 922(r) ($40-$80), and tools ($200-$500)

Tools include a 12-ton press ($110), dremel ($70), trigger guard jig ($55), barrel press kit (optional but a good idea) ($85), flat bending jig (optional) ($150-200), drill press (optional) ($100), spot welder (optional) ($100).

PookieWeb can pretty much guide you through the process, but again it's not worth it if you only want 1 AK. I have 5 AK kits

 

[StopTheGrays]

I do not plan on getting more than one. I still need to squirrel some money away in case a VZ-52/57 that is a good deal comes around (see sig line) . Right now the Polish AK and the VZ are on my "must buy" list.

Again, thanks for the information.

 

[Nick1911]

My eperiences:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=147009

It was a lot of fun, although it was a streach for the tooling that was available.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I know of several folks doing 'group builds' and splitting the cost of tools to build up US compliant Tantal parts kits as pistols and rifles.

It's the new tupperware party.

 

[StopTheGrays]

Well I broke down a bought a complete one from dpharms. Once I get it I will update you all on how it looks and whatnot.

 

[demusn1979]

Next phase

Got my u/f stock parked,then mailed check fof d/h trigger and red USA grip,next off to global tactical for assm w/receiver.
this guy parkerized my shotgun and let me throw in the u/f for no charge.plus he was the most reasonable out there.

 

[444]

- I bought a parts kit for a Polish underfolder. The kit was absolutely outstanding. The parts look like brand new. The wood and metal finish is nicer than any AK I have seen.

"I know of several folks doing 'group builds' and splitting the cost of tools to build up US compliant Tantal parts kits as pistols and rifles."

I am involved in such a group build: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=22&t=206809

I didn't have to split the cost of tools with anybody. After posting this thread about a group build, guys came out of the woodwork who already own the tools and said we can use them. Other guys came forward and said that they have done their own builds and would be glad to host build parties where they will show us how it is done. I didn't make any decisions at all: other than to read the thread and post that I was in on it. Someone else decided what parts kit to order and I paid him. Someone bought US compliance parts kits and I paid him: knowing what I know now I would have bought different parts but............... Someone else decided what reciever to buy and when they told me they were in, I drove down to the dealer and bought one.
As a kind of amusing sideline to the story: My local reputation is such that people counted me in on this group build before I even knew about it. They knew it was a given that I would be in. Someone mentioned it on the first page of that thread. If they were buying or building guns, they knew without having to ask that I wanted in on it.

Again, I have to take exception to the blanket statements made on this thread. It might very well be worth it to build one rifle. None of this might be as hard as you think if you look into your options.

I already have a good friend that I did HK G3 (built into legal semi-auto PTR91s) and STG58 builds with, who bought parkerizing tanks. If he has time, he will park my stuff for free. I have another guy that told me he would spray Duracoat if I buy it (not just spray it, but do those cool digital camo patterns).
It is a very good thing to know your local shooting community. Keep your eyes and ears open and you will meet people who have skills that you might need some day.

 

[StopTheGrays]

UPDATE

Well....after a two month wait DPHArms is finally going to ship me my AK. Scott said in order to legally use it I need to use the (or a) US made mag to get the parts count right. He said I could switch out the piston or pistol grip and muzzle break with US made ones to avoid that.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what would the best thing to do and which vendor I should go to to get the parts I need.?

Also, can someone explain the parts count thing and how it works? I thought I knew but now I am not certain.

 

[StopTheGrays]

I got the rifle in and it looks fantastic. Heavier than I thought it would be but overall I am very pleased. If I can borrow a decent digital camera I will post a pic.