Building on Childer's AK Receiver, how much easier?

[BucDan]

I've went down the rabbit hole again on AK building.

How much easier is it to build the AK with a totally complete AK receiver from Childers? I'm looking at AK74. Even eyeing the PSL.

My only worry was the spot welding. With a fully headspaced barrel kit, is it a rivet and go?

I've built 1 AK in ancient times of the build parties back in 2012.

[SVT-40]

Just like building on any other complete receiver.

There are always slight differences in each receiver and kit.

You have to hand fit parts and align holes for rivets.

Same old, same old.

Still have to fit the gas tube and top cover.

Just part of the fun of AK building!

[BucDan]

https://armsofamerica.com/kolarms-ak47-rifle-parts-kit-slovakian-kam-17/

https://armsofamerica.com/polish-forged-trunnion-model-wbp-akm-47-parts-kit-7-62x39-cal-w-4150-v-nitride-barrel-fully-headspaced-assembled-barrel/

Thoughts? I got my receivers ordered.

[Oldmandan]

WBP is solid, I don’t have any experience with Kolarms yet though.

Looking at the Kolarms kit, it is virgin, virgin as in waaaay virgin...

I don’t see any holes marked, so there’s going to be extra effort to locate and drill the front trunnion holes, RSB hole, carrier/Piston rivet hole and the dreaded mag release installed... Mag release tab needs to be machined or filed down too. WBP would be an easier build overall, as it comes with all those things already done for you.

Building on a Childers receiver is easy. Hardest part will be getting the rivet heads on the long rivets to look right. It takes some experience to get them to look right.