Riveting Scope Rail to AK47

[Yerman]

So my buddy takes his AK to a gunsmith and pays the guy to attach a scope rail to his AK.

Long story short, the guy ends up taking nearly 1.5 weeks and installed the rail using screws with nuts. No thread lock used, no lock washers, and charged him $100.

Now I'm not a gunsmith myself but I would assume that a competent smith would realize that this is not going to hold up and rivet the rail instead of using crappy screws that likely came in the box with the scope rail is the way to go. Sure enough, the screws came loose first time out and his brand new scope almost ended up in the dirt.

So he is planning on calling him tomorrow to see what is up but I told him not to ever let that guy touch his AK again. We are both expecting an excuse or some sort or a "bring it back and I'll put lock-tight on them for you" response.

What should he do? Anyone in the Antelope Valley / Bakersfield / Tehachapi area with the tools needed to rivet this thing that wouldn't mind helping us out? Thanks and I'll update once he hears back from the gunsmith that did the work.

[Richard Erichsen]

So my buddy takes his AK to a gunsmith and pays the guy to attach a scope rail to his AK.

Long story short, the guy ends up taking nearly 1.5 weeks and installed the rail using screws with nuts. No thread lock used, no lock washers, and charged him $100.

Now I'm not a gunsmith myself but I would assume that a competent smith would realize that this is not going to hold up and rivet the rail instead of using crappy screws that likely came in the box with the scope rail is the way to go. Sure enough, the screws came loose first time out and his brand new scope almost ended up in the dirt.

So he is planning on calling him tomorrow to see what is up but I told him not to ever let that guy touch his AK again. We are both expecting an excuse or some sort or a "bring it back and I'll put lock-tight on them for you" response.

What should he do? Anyone in the Antelope Valley / Bakersfield / Tehachapi area with the tools needed to rivet this thing that wouldn't mind helping us out? Thanks and I'll update once he hears back from the gunsmith that did the work.

First, we need that gunsmiths name for doing work of such poor quality, failing to communicate with the customer and if he gives ANY grief about a full refund, he should have his name in a sticky we should ask for called the GUNSMITH WALL OF SHAME (it will have multiple uses, I'll add myself for things I should never have done to my own weapons).

If the gunsmith was not qualified to rivet the rail in properly, he should have made that clear and passed on the work.

R

[Yerman]

Thanks for the reply. I completely agree...

Also, just to be 100% clear, my buddy never asked him to to rivet the piece. He just asked him to install it and this is what he got back. He just assumed it would be done right and we were both surprised to see it come back with screws...

Like I said though, I think that a good gunsmith would automatically rivet the piece.

Before I post his information, I think it would be fair to give him a chance to fix it. I'll report back tomorrow...

[juha_teuvonnen]

I need a competent gunsmith who can rivet the side plate to an AK receiver too. Recommendations would be appreciated.

[SJgunguy24]

The rail can be installed with screws and hold up, but it needs to be done right. Personally I use rivets.

[tujungatoes]

I need a competent gunsmith who can rivet the side plate to an AK receiver too. Recommendations would be appreciated.

Adding a location to your profile would help us recommend someone.

[juha_teuvonnen]

I am located in the Bay Area. So, a gunsmith in the Bay Area will be awesome.

[atsaubrey]

If your in the Bay, I would just get ahold of Nico and see if he'll help ya out. Nicorishi on this site.

[tujungatoes]

You could also go to valkyrie arms in milpitas.

[69Mach1]

I've riveted a dozen AK scope mounts. It's pretty easy to do.

[kingmoochr]

I've riveted a dozen AK scope mounts. It's pretty easy to do.

could you share? i want to do one to one of my 74s