AK Build Method Poll

[grammaton76]

There's a lot of folks working on AK builds, it seems, and a lot of different methods. I just thought I'd see what folks are doing for their builds.

I'm hoping to get a survey of what people are actually DOING, not what people recommend. To that end, while opinions are welcome in the THREAD, I ask that they be kept out of the poll votes.

[kenc9]

First off, I have never done a AK kit before BUT I fully intend to use the Button Allenhead screws. I have access to any tool I need and a lifetime machinist that will drill and tap those trunions it a short time.

-ken

[grammaton76]

First off, I have never done a AK kit before BUT I fully intend to use the Button Allenhead screws. I have access to any tool I need and a lifetime machinist that will drill and tap those trunions it a short time.

Cool. I don't mind folks voting a method they've committed to doing and are going to follow through with. I just don't want guys who aren't going to build anything at all voting for some method they've read about on forums.

[shopkeep]

Sorry but I had to choose the "OH NO WE'RE ALL GOING TO JAIL!" because it as just too humorous not to pick !

If I was going to do an AK I would invest in a press and use rivots. This would make it as close to milspec as possible. However, I also just love the imagery of some garage gunsmith sitting in his garage putting together an AK-47 with screws on a stamped out receiver.

My wife has been cool throughout this whole thing, she let me accumulate 10 off-list AR-15 and AR-10 lowers. When I mentioned I was going to get an AK also that's when the foot came down. I had an AK that I sold prior to the ban and don't miss it at all now that I have my Cali Legal AR-15s. I probably don't have enough space in my gun safe anymore anyhow LOL !

Seriously though, you guys need to get AS MANY AS POSSIBLE into the state. Every AK that comes across the border is just another reminder of the futility and stupidity of their laws.

[Rivet]

I will be going with screws. The only concern I have is a couple of my trunion holes are a little egg shaped loking.

[Justang]

I will do 2 of my AK's with screws. The last one I think I'll try a rivet... if I don't like the screw system.

[fal_762x51]

3 rivets and 1 u-drive screw. I hopefully will be able to build 4 more rivet ones (come on overtime).

[EBWhite]

Best way is to build in this order:
1- Rivets
2- Screws
3- Welding (depends on penetration/quality)
4- U Drives
5- Tape

[Builder]

One metric button head cap screw Romanian PSL w/ carbon fiber stocks.
One TIG weld AK
Both shoot great! PSL needs just a little more tweaking of receiver to trunion alignment for perfect fit. Both have required US parts. It is so easy with the magazine parts.
One U-Drive RPK in the works.
Another 3 AKs are awaiting their turn.
TIG is the easiest if you can get access. Took a total of 35 min. from start to finish. I just ground the rivets flush with trunions, aligned NDS receiver, 10 welds = done. 4mm screws for mag/trigger guard.
PSL took a long time to drill out rivets, tap, check fit, align, etc.
I hope the RPK build is easier. Oh, does anyone know where to get an RPK 7.62x39 new barrel? This one is used (full auto) and a bullet will drop through. Might be nice to have a new one, but if not, it will still be fun.
Thanks,
Builder

[grammaton76]

Oh, does anyone know where to get an RPK 7.62x39 new barrel? This one is used (full auto) and a bullet will drop through. Might be nice to have a new one, but if not, it will still be fun.

I've been looking for new barrels for a variety of AK's, and haven't had any luck. Polytech does have some new barrels, but according to them they only work on Polytech AK's.

There's a number of places selling Romanian or Yugo AK barrels, probably there are some RPK barrel sellers too... but they're totally unresponsive to inquiries as to what condition the barrels are in.

[Builder]

Thanks grammaton76,
I was afraid of that as I hadn't seen any lately and those at K-Var were the 5.45 variety. Oh, well. Will still be fun. Maybe in the future someone will come up with one. Of course, I could get someone like Shaw to build one custom, but this is an AK for goodness sake.
Thanks,
Builder

[JHC]

U-drives in trunions, rivits in trigger guard.

[soopafly]

Another method

1)Find a complete off-list rifle
2)Render it SB23 compliant before having it shipped to CA
3)Does re-assembling a field-stripped rifle count as "building"