AK-47 Experts......Please school me!

[jdubs71]

Not sure if this is the right place. Mods, feel free to move to Gunsmithing and how to's if that would be a better spot.

So I've built a few AR's in various calibers and never really thought twice about an AK-47. Lately I have been very interested in either building one or buying one. The AR platform was easy enough, but the AK looks much more difficult. I'm not sure if I want to build and AK because that would require me to buy different tools. Unlike the AR parts out there when I research the AK it seems very confusing with many different options and build styles. To you AK-47 experts what would you recommend as far as a build kit for a novice builder? Or what would you recommend as a complete rifle? What would the process be in assembling an AK 80%er? What kits should I use, what should I stay away from? I've searched around AKbuilder.com and there seems to be a lot of kits there. Thanks for the input.

[hermosabeach]

Lots of old threads on building AKs. One member published books that are...wait for it... Awesome... For building an AK

[paratroop]

You need a jig of some sort, rivet smasher of some sort, welder of some sort , press of some sort, coating of some sort, a big hammer ! You can build one with minimal tooling up, but it wont be too pretty. And the kits are rather expensive nowadays, and build parties are over.

It just depends on how much you want to spend to start it up!

[bovver]

Buying AK building tools will run you around 500 plus. Not counting a press or welding tools.
So if you're going to tool up you'd be wanting to build more than one to make it worth it.
Personally I got into building back in 2000 and I made all my own tools and jigs as there were not much tool options at the time. I've seen where people have made some how to videos on making your own tools, this could be cost effective for a one or two AK build. I would recommend a pre heat treated 80% reciever and rails though there is a torch method if you prefer for treating.
I also recommend for a first timer getting a couple 80%s and a couple sets of rivits as there is a learning curve in that area of the build.
Maybe getting a kit that has the barrel installed and gauged already too. Though you will have to pull the barrel to rivit the front trunnion.
I think for the experience alone it's worth it.

[slunk0844]

To be honest build one. It will become an addiction if you do it yourself and do the research. Absolutely the best/most fun gun to build. I have built 5. It is worth every penny.

[jdubs71]

Thanks for the info guys. I have many tools I use out in my shop and pretty decent at cutting and welding things together so I may be able to make some. Do you guys have a preference on a kit? I know there are a lot of AK variations out there, I just don't know what's good.

[Marinos]

My advice is buy a flat with all the holes drilled/pre drilled. Get a bending jig. If you have a press use it. If not, I did mine in a big *** vice. Don't go with the pre bent ones. They are a pain in the *** to work with. The upper rail is not trimmed and most of the holes are not there so you will have to buy a jig to drill them out. I destroyed two receivers before I tried building from a flat. The flat turned out fine. Follow someone's written plans or one of the youtube tutorials. You probably will destroy a receiver or two so buy extras. Also buy an extra set of rivets. It couldn't hurt to have a few extra of the smaller bits on hand too.

IMPORTANT: When you go to drill your barrel pin and all the other pins, use end mills. They don't cut as fast but you won't egg out your holes. Follow that with a reamer.

If you have any questions when you are doing your build, you can PM me.


Here's my first home built AK. It was done with a drill press, hammer, vice, trigger guard rivet jig, Harbor Freight spot welder, dremel, file, and map gas. It's not pretty but it works flawlessly. It has never jammed or failed to fire. Might throw some paint on it one of these days.

[G-Man WC]

http://ak-builder.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Own-Vol-Headspacing-ebook/dp/B00FLNH3WY

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Own-AK-Vol-ebook/dp/B00J614CI0

Everything you wanted to know and more.
-g

[jdubs71]

That's nice thanks for the info. Are there any online vendors better than others to buy the flats or other parts from?

[jdubs71]

http://ak-builder.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Own-Vol-Headspacing-ebook/dp/B00FLNH3WY

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Own-AK-Vol-ebook/dp/B00J614CI0

Everything you wanted to know and more.
-g

Thanks. I'll check this stuff out.

[Capybara]

I don't know Marinos, I kind of dig the look the way it is, looks pretty good.

My advice is buy a flat with all the holes drilled/pre drilled. Get a bending jig. If you have a press use it. If not, I did mine in a big *** vice. Don't go with the pre bent ones. They are a pain in the *** to work with. The upper rail is not trimmed and most of the holes are not there so you will have to buy a jig to drill them out. I destroyed two receivers before I tried building from a flat. The flat turned out fine. Follow someone's written plans or one of the youtube tutorials. You probably will destroy a receiver or two so buy extras. Also buy an extra set of rivets. It couldn't hurt to have a few extra of the smaller bits on hand too.

IMPORTANT: When you go to drill your barrel pin and all the other pins, use end mills. They don't cut as fast but you won't egg out your holes. Follow that with a reamer.

If you have any questions when you are doing your build, you can PM me.


Here's my first home built AK. It was done with a drill press, hammer, vice, trigger guard rivet jig, Harbor Freight spot welder, dremel, file, and map gas. It's not pretty but it works flawlessly. It has never jammed or failed to fire. Might throw some paint on it one of these days.

[Marinos]

That's nice thanks for the info. Are there any online vendors better than others to buy the flats or other parts from?

I use AK Builder for most of my stuff. Toth Tool also has almost everything you need but they are more expensive. They do have a cool barrel install/removal tool.

[Lightstrider]

Harbor Freight has their liquidation sale going on I just got my spot welder, press and drill press with some of the small things. For my first kit I have AK-B's Hungarian poly kit with headspaced barrel for $400 not gona find a cheaper deal.

Just save yourself all the trouble of searching and asking, go to amazon and buy Nico's books. Then read Chewbaca's threads and sign up on AKFiles to get on the marketplace to get some of the other tools for cheaper I've saved a few hundred with that and Harbor Freight's sale.

[Marinos]

I don't know Marinos, I kind of dig the look the way it is, looks pretty good.

Thanks! Yeah that's why I have been hesitant to do so. I just don't want it to rust.

[lastinline]

Mariano's, that is awesome!
To my mind, the absolute best aspect of that is the fact that the government, and all it's nasty statist tentacles have no record of it, and therefore would have a very difficult time trying to confiscate it. That is the ultimate "middle finger" to those goat *#%*#>% politicians.