AK kit question..........& some other related questions

[kakpataka]

The bent receiver blank is not yet a receiver, and therefore not a firearm. It doesn't need a serial number yet. It is just a piece of sheet metal. No need to DROS/transfer it through an FFL.

If YOU end up building it for your personal collection, then you don't need to put a serial number on it. If you ever wanted to sell it however, you would be required to add a serial number.

I don't know of any professional builders you can send it to who build from blanks or flats. You would probably need to purchase a receiver if you wanted to send it off to be built. Builds run in the $200-$300 range, depending on what you want done and who the builder is.

The front trunnion you described sounds like a Romanian, similar to this:


The barrel makes me wonder though. It looks too short for a standard AKM, but too long for a Hungarian AMD.

Detailed pics of all the markings on the barrel and trunnion would help ID it better. Also, does the lower handguard retainer have holes in it? Is the muzzle break welded on or blind-pinned to make it permanent?

Jeff............ there is a hole in the lower HG retainer.
I can barely make out some numbers along the length of the barrel on the right hand side it was painted over. There is also some number around the barrel close to the trunnion. I ll try to post closeup of the barrel later!

[JeffM]

Do the numbers on the bolt and bolt carrier match the trunnion and topcover?
What about the gas tube and the underside of the rear sight?

It's tough to know if the barrel is original, but it's most important for the trunnion, bolt, and barrel to match for headspacing. If the kit doesn't headspace properly it's possible to fix, but it's a pain.


I wouldn't pay in the high 200s for it, but I'm cheap. I try not to pay more than 80% of market value, and even then, at this point, AK kits are over-valued. When you look at the cost breakdown, it's just as cheap, or nearly so, to buy a factory rifle.

[kakpataka]

Do the numbers on the bolt and bolt carrier match the trunnion and topcover?
What about the gas tube and the underside of the rear sight?

It's tough to know if the barrel is original, but it's most important for the trunnion, bolt, and barrel to match for headspacing. If the kit doesn't headspace properly it's possible to fix, but it's a pain.


I wouldn't pay in the high 200s for it, but I'm cheap. I try not to pay more than 80% of market value, and even then, at this point, AK kits are over-valued. When you look at the cost breakdown, it's just as cheap, or nearly so, to buy a factory rifle.

Jeff, the bolt, top cover, front trunnion and gas tube all match in serial number. There isnt one on the bolt carrier itself as far as I can tell & there is no number under the rear sight. But I still may not alteast have headspace problem since the bolt and trunnion have same serial number?

Thanks for all thus thus far.......! I truly appreciate all the input/assistance& suggestion offered so far!

[JeffM]

If the barrel doesn't match the bolt and trunnion, then you can still have head spacing problems. (I've seen problems with all-matching kits, but they are less common)

The cross-pin slot in the barrel may be too far forward or rear. When the slot is lined up with the holes in the front trunnion to install the pin, the barrel may sit too far forward, causing excessive headspace, or be pressed too far in, causing it to be too tight.

It is solved by pressing the barrel in until it headspaces properly, then re-drilling the trunnion/barrel for a large pin.

[drummerdude1188]

Looks like a Hungarian AMD barrel and a Romanian "G" stock set with the VFG cut off and refinished.

EDIT: on second glance, it is a standard length barrel with an AMD break.

I think were both kinda right, After lookin at some more amd-65 pics,it looks to me like a home job, amd 65 front sight should be right up against the gas block, but in this one there's an inch or so in between then fs and gb. OP if you measure your barrel that would also be helpful in determining what it is, if its around 12.5 long (not including the "snake" brake) then its probably and amd bbl, if not then its probly a chop job to make the whole thing 16 when the brake is put on so you would not have to use an extended brake. (my moneys on the latter) it looks like you have a mixed matched, home brewed contraption that some one is trying to sell you as a ddr kit, (which it is not) I would not buy it and just get yourself a G kit or something else that you know it matching and "correct" and save you or someone else the trouble of head spacing issues when building and all that

edit: jeffM, just saw what you said about the barrel being to short/to long you beat me to it

[motorhead]

post pix of the trunnion for positive i.d.. the barrel usually isn't numbered so being removed from the trunnion, it might not match. for headspacing purposes the bolt and barrel/fr. trunnion assy. must match. any other parts don't matter. sounds kinda pricy. decent romys are still under $250. the blank adds a little if you want to mess with cutting it. the barrel length is another issue. occaisionally i see decent romy kits on the akfiles at $200 or even a little under.

[JHC]

Flip up the leaf sight and check the serial number underneath to see if the barrel matches the bolt.

[JeffM]

Flip up the leaf sight and check the serial number underneath to see if the barrel matches the bolt.

He said no number there, but it's often a light electro-pencil marking and easily lost if it gets blasted and refinished.

On the barrel lengthissue, it could be a short AMD barrel with the front sight block pulled forward over the threads, then the break could have been welded to the sight block, not having much or any purchase on the threads. Not sure if that would put the break far enough out to meet 16", but I could see someone trying it to cheap out on an extended break. If it's welded to the sight block, it could be less than acceptable BATFE's "permanently attached" requirements. If it's welded to the barrel and meets 16", it could be okay, but I don't know if it could affect strength of the barrel.

The wood however definitely looks Romy, as well as your description of the front trunnion.

[motorhead]

sight leaf can be changed but it is a good place to look. i think all of mine were numbered. i think this is done when the armorer sights in.

[motorhead]

markings for ddr= sunburst, circle i/s diamond, X i/s circle of lines.

[motorhead]

this was from the u.s. military ak manual on i.d.. couldn't post pix w/o posting the full 15 pp pdf. post a pic of your trunnion if possible. just guessing, not ddr. about as much chance as being real russian. other than stocks, ddr parts are extremly rare.

[kakpataka]

Guys..................... I was in the middle of a MolyResin project that is almost ending tomorrow...........I am putting the project pictures in my Molr Resin thread! It is not complete yet!
I could nt post earlier as I was swamped with work till late for past 2/3 days. I truly appreciate all the help thus far from everyone esp. Jeff!
I will ask you guys for a bit more info very soon!
BTW, I am also getting a flat with folded edges only
but would still require bending & I still get to keep
the uncut heavier bent flat all for dirt cheap now
that it turns out it is a Romy G. What a Buzz kill
though.............. thinking I am getting a E German
kit to a cheapo RomyG.

[JeffM]

Sorry to hear that about the kit. Romy Gs build up just fine though. It's a unique kit you have there, with the shortened barrel and AMD break. I'm sure it will make a fine shooter. Just make sure that break is perminantly installed to BATFE spec. If it's not you will be making an SBR (felony) if you attach a stock. If you build it from a flat into a pistol, you'll be fine. There's a good thread going about the legality of pistol builds here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=115364

If you haven't purchased the flat w/bent top rails already, don't. They are out of spec.

AK-builder.com flats are the only ones I will use.

[Ford8N]

If it is East German the trunnion will have a 12 in an oval.

The gas block and the front sight block both look like Hungarian. No "G" on the rear sight block, although there are non "G"'s. It's probably an AMD 63 barrel that was shortened.

Mismatch kit. Just more work to get running but it can be done.

Copes has undrilled Romy barrels if you want to strip those parts and restore the kit. Same amount of work though but a good learning experience.

http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?cPath=101&products_id=1013

[kakpataka]

Thanks Ford!..................

Now I am just going to have to wait for the build party , it seems though.
Is there any welding involved?