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I have been threatening to start on my M53 semi auto conversion for a couple of months and I finally got off my duff and decided to get moving on it.
I ordered a kit from Apex back in December. This is what you get, most of the parts (less barrel) and the front of the receiver with the front receiver bushing cut off.
Nice Yugo crest on the top cover.
In the first picture I had forgot to take pictures until after I had cleaned up the front of the receiver and started to install the new receiver bushing.
This is what you get when you order a rear receiver section. Basically, two pieces of formed sheet metal with no holes or slots for reference points.
Notice the small hole in the side of the receiver. There was enough left of the rear of the front receiver section to still have the front holes for the bolt guide rails intact. I elected to use these as my starting reference to set the total length of the receiver.
After some VERY careful measuring and using the contour of the section behind where the trunnion mounts I located the guide rail holes and cut the new receiver section to fit the cleaned up rear of the original receiver. I tacked it into place and measured it a few more times. Finally satisfied that I had everything where it needed to be, I welded it up and cleaned and contoured the area.
I test fit the trunnion and the welded area is completely hidden.
I then started on the front bushing by test fitting the barrel and booster to check for proper alignment to allow for easy movement fore and aft. I welded it up and cleaned up the joint.
Test fitting the top cover and feed tray.
So that is where I am as of today. I am waiting for the bolt conversion parts to come in also the rivets for the bolt guide rails and the semi auto blocker plate. Once they arrive, I can start to make a little more progress on this thing.
I ordered a kit from Apex back in December. This is what you get, most of the parts (less barrel) and the front of the receiver with the front receiver bushing cut off.
Nice Yugo crest on the top cover.
In the first picture I had forgot to take pictures until after I had cleaned up the front of the receiver and started to install the new receiver bushing.
This is what you get when you order a rear receiver section. Basically, two pieces of formed sheet metal with no holes or slots for reference points.
Notice the small hole in the side of the receiver. There was enough left of the rear of the front receiver section to still have the front holes for the bolt guide rails intact. I elected to use these as my starting reference to set the total length of the receiver.
After some VERY careful measuring and using the contour of the section behind where the trunnion mounts I located the guide rail holes and cut the new receiver section to fit the cleaned up rear of the original receiver. I tacked it into place and measured it a few more times. Finally satisfied that I had everything where it needed to be, I welded it up and cleaned and contoured the area.
I test fit the trunnion and the welded area is completely hidden.
I then started on the front bushing by test fitting the barrel and booster to check for proper alignment to allow for easy movement fore and aft. I welded it up and cleaned up the joint.
Test fitting the top cover and feed tray.
So that is where I am as of today. I am waiting for the bolt conversion parts to come in also the rivets for the bolt guide rails and the semi auto blocker plate. Once they arrive, I can start to make a little more progress on this thing.
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