I need help Converting a Draco into an AMD65 Pistol

[FourTenJaeger]

I'd like to take a Draco and convert it into an AMD65 Pistol. How would I go about this? Photos would be helpful. Thanks!

[venturasurf]

I'm so confused - isn't this like asking how one would convert a Romanian underfolder into a Polish underfolder?

Aren't Draco pistols functionally similar to AMD65 pistols? Or are you wondering how to put an AMD65 style sidefolding stock on your Draco?

This post may be a total brain fart so disregard if it is

[FourTenJaeger]

Reworded OP. Basically, I want to purchase a draco And convert it into something like this, Minus the forward grip.

[chiz]

It wont be exactly the same because the draco has a front sight /gasblock combo. Other then that you could swap the lower hand guard with an AMD and then replace the gas tube. And finaly screw on an AMD muzzle brake. The gas tube may need to be shortened a little.

[HalfMeltingEyes]

Wouldn't buying an AMD kit and building it into a pistol save time + money?
Seeing as how if you wanted to convert a draco into an AMD, you'd need a new barrel(?), gas block, gas tube, furniture, muzzle brake, etc.

[FourTenJaeger]

What should I build an AMD65 Pistol off of, If a Draco is a poor match?

[FourTenJaeger]

Wouldn't buying an AMD kit and building it into a pistol save time + money?
Seeing as how if you wanted to convert a draco into an AMD, you'd need a new barrel(?), gas block, gas tube, furniture, muzzle brake, etc.

This is true. But I lack most of the machining equipment.

[Rekrab]

And AMD kit with matching barrel will run almost as much as a Draco before DROS unless you get a good deal. I put my AMD pistol together for about $400 after the kit and build party fees.

In regards to "converting" a Draco into an AMD you'd have a few issues. I believe the barrel length on the Draco is 7" versus the 11.5" of an AMD. I believe the furniture on the Draco is smaller than standard AK furniture so an AMD handguard probably wouldn't fit. Then your gasblock and front sights would need to be swapped which require a few bucks if you don't have the tools as well as the replacement parts. After that you'd just need the muzzle break and pistol grip(beware, they attach differently so you'd need mounting hardware). Then you'd be good to go.

I like my AMD pistol as a range toy, but my Yugo RPK gets a whole lot more play most of the time.

[venturasurf]

What should I build an AMD65 Pistol off of, If a Draco is a poor match?

Chiz's and Rekrab's answers will help you convert a Draco into something with an AMD style vented guard and gas tube... but you should just do this:

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30214

[tujungatoes]

If you want an AMD get a parts kit and build it or have a pro build it for you. A draco really isn't a good starting point. You'd basically end up re-building the whole thing, and It would cost you more in the long run. You may as well start from scratch and get what you want right from the beginning.

[SamsDX]

Are you starting with the Draco as a base because you want the receiver that is DROS'd as a pistol? Also, what gave you the impression that you would need to start with a Draco?

The tools, jigs, and work that you need to do for that conversion will almost be the same as starting from a flat with a proper AMD-65 kit. In other words, if you can do the conversion, then you can do the flat build. Nevertheless, if you wanted to do things the hard way, this is what you'd need to do for the conversion:

- Acquire lower hand guard, lower hand guard retainer, gas block, rear sight block, front sight block, bolt, bolt carrier, and muzzle brake. You might be able to find some of these components individually on AK-Builder's surplus section. Some of these I couldn't find, in particular, the front sight block and the rear sight block, but you could probably substitute a Romanian version found on Apex. Among the components he does have, I so far show $112 in the cart. The rear sight block from the Draco might be reusable, but that would require taking off the gas block/front sight block and the handguard retainer (obviously) from the barrel assembly.

- Acquire 12.5" barrel. This is where you'll likely have the most difficulty - everything I've seen are over 16." I recently picked up an original barrel AMD-65 kit, and that obviously had it. Otherwise, you're going to have to cut one down, re-crown, and re-thread the muzzle.

- Confirm journals on the barrel and the trunnion for proper interference fit, make knurl or turn down as necessary.

- Install barrel and headspace (with the front trunnion still in the receiver, it's going to be more of a pain than if you had removed the trunnion. So optionally, you could drill out the front trunnion rivets and remove the front trunnion from the receiver)

- Install rear sight block, drill and pin.

- Install hand guard retainer, cut notches. Before cutting the notches, confirm spacing by test-fitting lower hand guard.

- Install gas block, drill and pin with retainer pins. Before drilling and pinning, confirm spacing by test-fitting gas tube.

- Install front sight block, drill and pin.

Keep in mind that this approach attempts to use the most number of original Draco components as possible. This does not mean it's advisable. You'd have better luck using a proper matching numbers AMD kit for the parts that you have to replace to conform to the AMD "look" and save yourself a lot of trouble.

[FourTenJaeger]

Are you starting with the Draco as a base because you want the receiver that is DROS'd as a pistol? Also, what gave you the impression that you would need to start with a Draco?

The tools, jigs, and work that you need to do for that conversion will almost be the same as starting from a flat with a proper AMD-65 kit. In other words, if you can do the conversion, then you can do the flat build. Nevertheless, if you wanted to do things the hard way, this is what you'd need to do for the conversion:

- Acquire lower hand guard, lower hand guard retainer, gas block, rear sight block, front sight block, bolt, bolt carrier, and muzzle brake. You might be able to find some of these components individually on AK-Builder's surplus section. Some of these I couldn't find, in particular, the front sight block and the rear sight block, but you could probably substitute a Romanian version found on Apex. Among the components he does have, I so far show $112 in the cart. The rear sight block from the Draco might be reusable, but that would require taking off the gas block/front sight block and the handguard retainer (obviously) from the barrel assembly.

- Acquire 12.5" barrel. This is where you'll likely have the most difficulty - everything I've seen are over 16." I recently picked up an original barrel AMD-65 kit, and that obviously had it. Otherwise, you're going to have to cut one down, re-crown, and re-thread the muzzle.

- Confirm journals on the barrel and the trunnion for proper interference fit, make knurl or turn down as necessary.

- Install barrel and headspace (with the front trunnion still in the receiver, it's going to be more of a pain than if you had removed the trunnion. So optionally, you could drill out the front trunnion rivets and remove the front trunnion from the receiver)

- Install rear sight block, drill and pin.

- Install hand guard retainer, cut notches. Before cutting the notches, confirm spacing by test-fitting lower hand guard.

- Install gas block, drill and pin with retainer pins. Before drilling and pinning, confirm spacing by test-fitting gas tube.

- Install front sight block, drill and pin.

Keep in mind that this approach attempts to use the most number of original Draco components as possible. This does not mean it's advisable. You'd have better luck using a proper matching numbers AMD kit for the parts that you have to replace to conform to the AMD "look" and save yourself a lot of trouble.

I own a few AK pistols, But have yet to actually build one up, Which is what I'd like to do. Still a n00b at this. Thanks for the help guys!

[SamsDX]

Yeah, for sure, pick up an AMD kit and head to a local build party. They'll have all the tools you'll need to build that dream AMD pistol!

[bigbob76]

Yeah, for sure, pick up an AMD kit and head to a local build party. They'll have all the tools you'll need to build that dream AMD pistol!

^^^^^Words of wisdom!
As an aside, an AMD-65 handguard would need modification to use it with a trunion or handguard other than an AMD-65. Ask me how I know.

This is/was a Romanian G model.

[CSACANNONEER]

I too have a AM"G"65 that I built with a Romy G front end and the stock from the AMD65 kit that I built my pistol out of.

If you want a AMD65 pistol, there is no better way to get one than to build one. Converting a Draco would cost a fortune and you still would not have it 100% correct. That said, If you really want to try, I've probably got an extra AMD65 front handgaurd, plastic or wood PG and brake that I'd be willing to sell you. I just don't think it would be to your benefit buying them for a Draco conversion.