PSL/Romak 3/SSG 97

[Freelance Tax Collector]

Before I begin, let me just say that I'm not interested in an authentic "Dragunov". I'm interested in a cheap AK in 7.62x54R, which as I understand it is exactly what the above mentioned is.

That said, I'm fixin' to build a Romanian 7.62x54R rifle. I've been scoping out some parts kits but I have a couple questions.

First, what sort of reciever will I have to use? Like I said before, I understand that this is a Kalashnikov design based on the RPK receiver. Will I be able to get any 1.6mm AK receiver flat and build it from that, or is there some special receiver I'd have to use? What are my options for milled receivers?

Second, How much different will building a rifle like this be from building any other AK parts kit? If they do work from standard AK/RPK recievers how many parts are interchangeable?

Third, besides the thickness, what exactly is the difference between an AK and RPK receiver? I was under the impression that there wasn't much difference, but my thinking can be very off at times.

I've read some of the google results on this topic as well as shotgun news articles on building AK's. I have a friend who builds AKs and I also have access to machine tools, but this will be my first build of a Eastern bloc rifle. I guess if I was to sum it all up, my question would be exactly how much different is building a PSL from an AK?

Oh yeah, and what exactly is the difference between the PSL, Romak III, and SSG 97?

Thanks

 

[MudPuppy]

Centerfire has a few recievers available (I mean, a very few) for the Romak-3.

You can't use a standard reciever. You can't use a milled.

I've never done a PSL/Romak build, but from what I've gathered, it's pretty similar.

A RPK receiver also has "bulged" trunnions (only the Yugo AKs--well some/most, but not all Yugo AKs--use a bulged front trunnion).

Not sure about the names, if i recall correctly, the PSL and Romak-3 are basically the same (maybe one was made expressly for civilian market?), but I think the 97 was 308? (on this bit of information i could be WAY off and probably shouldn't have even typed it). Most kits available are Romak-3 types at this time.

You might look at gunco.net or gunsnet.net (or akfiles.org). Good builder communities there.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Before you start this build, do as much research as possible, because it is very easy to built an AK kit that looks like it will work fine but will quickly malfunction because of small mistakes.

Do yourself a favor and spend the extra $100 and just buy a complete PSL already built.

 

[Freelance Tax Collector]

Well, I'm trying to get a learning experience from his, so I would prefer to build it myself/with my buddy. If I wanted a high quality AK I'd go with a VEPR, but that's not the objective here.

So I guess the short answer would be that only Romak III receivers work for those parts kits then? What about all this business about the Romaks being built on RPK receivers? Are those just heaviliy modified or were they made specifically for the Romaks?

Thanks for your replies.