AK Questions

[Highlands858]

Hey everyone. I just read through the AK builder tutorial here (awesome read even if I didn't understand it all): http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=292985

I've been thinking about buying/building an AK for a while now. Now I'm really interested in it. Got some questions though. Please excuse my ignorance.

Are AK parts kits you buy from companies like Apex or AK-builder generally complete? Do you ever have to worry about them leaving anything out?

Aside from a complete parts kit (including barrel), your receiver, 922r compliance parts, and rivets, is there anything you need material-wise to build an AK? Aside from tools, of course...

Do Nodak Spud's receivers (the ones they bend themselves) need to have any welding or heat treating or anything done with them, or do they come pretty much ready to start riveting parts onto? I'm not very mechanically inclined, so the thought of doing any welding myself on a gun I'll be firing in the future freaks me out.

Do parts kits often not match the receivers that are supposed to go with them? I saw on Nodak Spud's site that they tell you which receiver goes with which kit, but it seems that with all the different kits from all the different countries there might be lots of room for tolerance issues and whatnot. Am I wrong to think that?

If there are only 16 total 922r compliance parts and 10 have to be US-made, what's the big deal with having an "all-matching" parts kit? Also, are there any parts besides the FCG that are best to switch out?

I'm sure there are many advantages to bending your own AK flat, but is it a good idea for a new builder to do it themselves, or is that something that needs to be worked up to?

When's the next build party coming up around the LA area? I'd be willing to drive an hour or so any direction. I saw the San Joaquin build party coming up so I did a search, and it doesn't seem like there's been one recently in my area. Anyway, it'd help to know when the next one I can go to is so I can have a time frame for when I'd need all my parts in order.

Can anyone give me a link to a bunch of AK building info I can either read or watch? Thanks so much for your time.

[SamsDX]

Welcome to the addiction! Once you do a build, all of the things written in the tutorial will make a whole lot more sense. Learn as much as you can through the tutorials, but the experts here will help you fill in the gaps as you go.

I'll try to help with your questions as best I can:

Are AK parts kits you buy from companies like Apex or AK-builder generally complete? Do you ever have to worry about them leaving anything out?

If you're referring to accidental omissions of parts, although I haven't bought many at all, I've never had that misfortune. It's not unheard of, however. If you bought from Apex or AK-Builder, I'm pretty sure that they'll take care of you. I think you can buy from them with confidence.

Aside from a complete parts kit (including barrel), your receiver, 922r compliance parts, and rivets, is there anything you need material-wise to build an AK? Aside from tools, of course...

If you're buying a flat, then you'll need a center support. You can modify the shepherd's crook to work with the semiauto fire control group, but I would recommend the Red Star Arms retainer plate.. Maybe it's too early in the morning for me still, but that should do it.

Do Nodak Spud's receivers (the ones they bend themselves) need to have any welding or heat treating or anything done with them...

All the heat treating and welding operations are done by them, and my experience with two so far has been pretty much plug-and-play.

Do parts kits often not match the receivers that are supposed to go with them?

The holes on the receiver for the trunnion rivets don't line up exactly with the ones on the trunnion, (they didn't drop right in) but it's not anything quick work with a diamond bit and a dremel won't solve. Different builds use different types of trunnion hardware - which are caliber-dependent, rear stock type dependent, etc. The basic dimensions of all of them are pretty much the same, just different options for the pre-drilled holes and addition of support plates and so forth.

If there are only 16 total 922r compliance parts and 10 have to be US-made, what's the big deal with having an "all-matching" parts kit? Also, are there any parts besides the FCG that are best to switch out?

The thing about matching parts kits for those just starting off, as I understand it, is that it makes final assembly and fitting easier, because (presumably) the factory has done that for you. Where it matters, there should already be a proper fit. For the advanced builders and collectors, matching numbers fetch a premium because for its "authenticity" and that the gun was built up exactly as it was supposed to.

The law can be confusing - for AKs, we follow the general guideline of 6 U.S. parts that we have to swap out, since we are only allowed to use ten total foreign-origin parts. This worksheet makes it easy. Just start clicking off the parts you'll be replacing. Replacing the furniture is popular, as is the muzzle device. Some people replace the piston (and U.S. parts are available) but most people I've asked haven't recommended it. The quality of available U.S. magazines may leave a lot to be desired, but floor plates and followers also count. I've seen some at AK-Builder and K-var.

I'm sure there are many advantages to bending your own AK flat, but is it a good idea for a new builder to do it themselves, or is that something that needs to be worked up to?

If you can pump the lever on a hydraulic press, you can bend your own flat. I'd say it's the easiest step of the whole process. New builders do this all the time at the build parties, and with guidance on welding the rails and heat treating the FCG and ejector, you should be able to complete your build. If it makes you feel comfortable, a 100% Nodak isn't a bad idea.

When's the next build party coming up around the LA area?

Just keep an eye out on the forums, and I'm sure there will be one along soon. AK building is an addictive hobby, and I doubt many of us are able to go more than a few months without building.

Can anyone give me a link to a bunch of AK building info I can either read or watch? Thanks so much for your time.

Try the buildyourownak's videos on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BuildyourownAK

Curtis (AK-Builder) also has a few videos for the use of his products:

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=15

Glad to welcome another builder into the AK fold. You'll have a lot of fun doing this, though your pocketbook may not necessarily agree.

[Alex$]

Hey everyone. I just read through the AK builder tutorial here (awesome read even if I didn't understand it all): http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=292985

I've been thinking about buying/building an AK for a while now. Now I'm really interested in it. Got some questions though. Please excuse my ignorance.

Are AK parts kits you buy from companies like Apex or AK-builder generally complete? Do you ever have to worry about them leaving anything out?

If advertised as "complete", you will receive a complete kit. If there is a chance a part is missing, it must be disclosed.

Aside from a complete parts kit (including barrel), your receiver, 922r compliance parts, and rivets, is there anything you need material-wise to build an AK? Aside from tools, of course...

Center support is missing from your start of a list, so are magazines. You will need to somewhat mechanically inclined to be able to resolve issues that may come up in the final fitting and finishing. These are not like AR where everything lines up.

Do Nodak Spud's receivers (the ones they bend themselves) need to have any welding or heat treating or anything done with them, or do they come pretty much ready to start riveting parts onto? I'm not very mechanically inclined, so the thought of doing any welding myself on a gun I'll be firing in the future freaks me out.

They are ready to start riveting. They are unfinished, so you will want to have some type of final finish applied. (blue, parkerizing, paint etc.) See earlier statement about being mechanically inclined.

Do parts kits often not match the receivers that are supposed to go with them? I saw on Nodak Spud's site that they tell you which receiver goes with which kit, but it seems that with all the different kits from all the different countries there might be lots of room for tolerance issues and whatnot. Am I wrong to think that?

You are exactly right to think that. Each kit may require a specific finished receiver from Nodak, or it may require a specific flat to build on. The tolerances also go back to earlier statement of being mechanically inclined, you will have some fitment issues, you can be assured of that.

If there are only 16 total 922r compliance parts and 10 have to be US-made, what's the big deal with having an "all-matching" parts kit? Also, are there any parts besides the FCG that are best to switch out?

No more than 10 FOREIGN parts can be used, 6 have to be US. Having all matching is important if you buy a complete kit with original barrel, it saves you time with headspacing. If you are replacing barrel with US made, it won't matter.

Which parts you change is personal preference and how you intend to use the firearm. If you don't like the furniture that came with your kit and you want to replace it, those count toward 922. If you do not want to use foreign magazines, use US and they count toward 922.

You will be using a US receiver, so you now have to change 5 additional parts to comply.

I'm sure there are many advantages to bending your own AK flat, but is it a good idea for a new builder to do it themselves, or is that something that needs to be worked up to?

Yes many advantages, search for lengthy discussions on what they are. If you are not mechanically inclined, have not worked with sheet metal, don't have the tools and equipment, look for a build party and decide if you want to try it.

When's the next build party coming up around the LA area? I'd be willing to drive an hour or so any direction. I saw the San Joaquin build party coming up so I did a search, and it doesn't seem like there's been one recently in my area. Anyway, it'd help to know when the next one I can go to is so I can have a time frame for when I'd need all my parts in order.

Keep looking here. The AK-Team is very helpful.

Can anyone give me a link to a bunch of AK building info I can either read or watch? Thanks so much for your time.

www.google.com, www.youtube.com, http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/f...play.php?f=114

=)

P.S. Damit! I am just going to stop replying, sniped again while typing.

[SamsDX]

P.S. Damit! I am just going to stop replying, sniped again while typing.

It always happens to me, too. Was a tad bit quicker this time, it seems.

Though, I don't think you should stop replying - Getting answers in more than one way and from more than one angle is helpful. You covered things that I didn't even touch upon in my response. Also, it's nice to have confirmation that for the important points (such as 922(r)) we're both right.

[69Mach1]

Wait a minute. What part of the tutorial was confusing?

[Alex$]

Wait a minute. What part of the tutorial was confusing?

For me personally your tutorial is very informative, though it assumes the reader has some mechanical ability and can grasp the concepts you are covering. Some of the instructions are difficult for a novice to grasp, not that that is bad. It encourages people to ask questions and hopefully realize their limitations and join a build party.

Your tutorial covers some tools and steps I don't normally use or find too time consuming to complete. I substitute my own preffered tools, most often I avoid a Dremel and substitute a good quality file as I find it faster and cleaner.

I have also never drilled a rivet, unless it is > 3/8", a good punch and technique is faster for me.

But as mentioned, AK building is not a science, there are many an opportunity to do a job in a number of different ways.

[tujungatoes]

This is the tutorial I followed when building my first kits. It's older, and some of the tools are out dated but it gives a very good overview of the processes involved. Check it out.

[Highlands858]

Thanks for the replies, especially for correcting what I thought about 922r stuff. I'll get to reading up on all I can and waiting for the next build party...

And the tutorial wasn't confusing. I was just confused by it. : )

[HotRails]

For me personally your tutorial is very informative, though it assumes the reader has some mechanical ability and can grasp the concepts you are covering. Some of the instructions are difficult for a novice to grasp, not that that is bad. It encourages people to ask questions and hopefully realize their limitations and join a build party.

Your tutorial covers some tools and steps I don't normally use or find too time consuming to complete. I substitute my own preffered tools, most often I avoid a Dremel and substitute a good quality file as I find it faster and cleaner.I have also never drilled a rivet, unless it is > 3/8", a good punch and technique is faster for me.

But as mentioned, AK building is not a science, there are many an opportunity to do a job in a number of different ways.

Now the new(er) version AK-builder flats I have heard have the rails pre-trimmed, so you may not need the dremmel at all. Please correct me on this one if wrong, I haven't built anything with the more recent flats.

[Alex$]

Now the new(er) version AK-builder flats I have heard have the rails pre-trimmed, so you may not need the dremmel at all. Please correct me on this one if wrong, I haven't built anything with the more recent flats.

You have the option of buying a true flat or with the top rails bent and trimmed as you mention, not sure why you would want to do your own top rails though since the price is the same.

I mostly use the file during de-mill in place of the dremel. Old rivets become flat and flush with trunnion in about 15 seconds with a good file.