AK parts question

[Zamble]

Hi, I am thinking of getting together the parts for an AK, but I had some questions.

I notice that there are several former eastern block manufacturers, but I don't recall reading of someone using a Russian parts kit, is there a reasons for this? I know they license out the rifle production to other countries.

And I know everyone has a preference on the kits they buy, but can you name you favorite kit and the reason for it, other than asthetics?

What will I need to be able to complete the rifle? I know I would need the parts kit, and flat, but what else? So that I would be able to attend a build party and complete the rifle.

Last I noticed Tapco as a flat manufacturer. Are they good, or are there better. If they are good, is the bender that they sell on AK builder worth the money? I know for a single rifle it probably would not be. But I would buy it to make more and to help others.

Thanks.

[Richard Erichsen]

Hi, I am thinking of getting together the parts for an AK, but I had some questions.

I notice that there are several former eastern block manufacturers, but I don't recall reading of someone using a Russian parts kit, is there a reasons for this? I know they license out the rifle production to other countries.

And I know everyone has a preference on the kits they buy, but can you name you favorite kit and the reason for it, other than asthetics?

What will I need to be able to complete the rifle? I know I would need the parts kit, and flat, but what else? So that I would be able to attend a build party and complete the rifle.

Last I noticed Tapco as a flat manufacturer. Are they good, or are there better. If they are good, is the bender that they sell on AK builder worth the money? I know for a single rifle it probably would not be. But I would buy it to make more and to help others.

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

Many of the questions you've asked above have been asked many times before. I would encourage you to start by using the search function.

Stick with AK Builder (Curtis). His flats are generally the best and his support is top notch.

There are several well written tutorials for building an AK that have been stickied. Refer to these first.

Find a Build Party (BP) in your local area by looking in the WTB (Want To Buy) section, which is where all such activities are now posted.

Good luck,

R

[ott1]

Last I noticed Tapco as a flat manufacturer. Are they good, or are there better. If they are good, is the bender that they sell on AK builder worth the money? I know for a single rifle it probably would not be. But I would buy it to make more and to help others.

As far as I know, Tapco no longer makes flats. Whatever Tapco flats that are out there for sale are the only ones left in the marketplace.

[straykiller]

check out my website in my signature if you need help finding a parts kit. i have 28 sites listed who sell kits. id also recommend checking out the sticky for building an ak here in this gunsmithing section it should give you a good idea of what parts you will need to get besides just your kit. as for flats stick with ak-builder flats they are the best of the best. oh ya and welcome to your new addiction.

[nicoroshi]

AKbuilder is your best friend for the pieces you'll need to complete a build.
Flat
Rivets
Center support
Red star retaining plate (highly recommended)
Parts for 922(r) compliance (ex. Need no more than 10 imported parts. Standard AK has 16 countable parts so you need 6 US made ones.
Tapco g2 FCG (3 parts)
Flat (1 part)
Muzzle device (1 part)
Pistol grip (1 part)

Magazine lock or if going featureless a grip wrap or other non-pistol grip option.

My own personal preference is milled Yugo rifles
Built like tanks, smooth cycling, good shooters

Have fun,
Nico

[NorCalK9.com]

+1 on Yugos7
I dont have one buy ive fondled nicos and theyre freaking NICE!
Theres alot of kits out there but prices are going back n forth lately. I'd reccomend a bulgarian ak74 w chrome lined barrel, and take advantage of the cheap surplus ammo!
I'm partial to the 74 its a good all around rifle, reliable, accurate, lite recoil, cheap ammo, but I love the 47's almost as much.
Stick with curtis from akbuilder for you flat, rivets, center support, red star retaining plate, and tapco fcg.
Good luck bud and if you get addicted welcome to the club!

[tujungatoes]

Zamble...much good advice already. I've got nothing to add except.

I dont have one but ive fondled nicos...

Sigline anyone?

[nicoroshi]

Zamble...much good advice already. I've got nothing to add except.



Sigline anyone?

Lmao!

[ENTHUSIAST]

Russian kits with original uncut barrels are pretty hard to find and are pretty expensive if you can find them.

You might want to get a Tula kit and buy a Romanian barrel and have it headespaced and populated.

Yugo milled kits are nice but unless you got some welding skills you may want to try a stamped build first to get your feet wet in AK building. (Not all of us are as tool savy as Nico! )

Stay far away from Tapco flats stick to AKBUILDER flats.

[Richard Erichsen]

+1 on Yugos7
I dont have one buy ive fondled nicos and theyre freaking NICE!
Theres alot of kits out there but prices are going back n forth lately. I'd reccomend a bulgarian ak74 w chrome lined barrel, and take advantage of the cheap surplus ammo!
I'm partial to the 74 its a good all around rifle, reliable, accurate, lite recoil, cheap ammo, but I love the 47's almost as much.
Stick with curtis from akbuilder for you flat, rivets, center support, red star retaining plate, and tapco fcg.
Good luck bud and if you get addicted welcome to the club!

I would actually discourage this bloke from going with a Yugo for a first build (don't do what I and several others did). They are not a good way to ease into AK builds in my opinion. As unique from other AKs in many ways as the R4, Galil and Valmet, the Yugo is more AK-variant than AK. The costs and availability match their reputation for toughness, unusual features and good looks.

R

[nicoroshi]

I have to agree with Richard
Probably not a good starting build with Yugo, and certainly not a milled reweld Yugo for a first build (unless you have really good guidance).
The Tula kit with virgin Romy barrel on the other hand would be a good way to get (mostly) a Russian rifle with a new chrome lined hammer forged barrel.
Probably run you a little more than a standard Romy G after getting the barrel work done but it would be mostly Russian, and build out just like the Romy would at a build party.

[Zamble]

Thanks for the responses. I would have used the search function, but have you tried to search for "ak kit"? lol

I also read the sticky for the build party check list, but I want to make sure when I buy everything, I have everything.

My metal working skills suck, so I would have to rely on the help of others in that department. But I trade for help. That's why I was wanting to know about the flat bender. I eventually want more than one AK, as well.

My taste is something not too expensive, right now. I would like a folding stock, for the aesthetics, and something reliable in 7.62. I have another project I am doing at this time, an AR 80%, but by the time of the next build party somewhere near stockton, I would like to be prepared.

Thanks!

[NorCalK9.com]

Look at the amd65 kits.
Theyre the cheapest bet rite now

[wash]

I suggest using a Nodak Spud receiver if your metal working skills are suspect.

Once you make that choice, any (stamped) kit with a headspaced and populated barrel will be about the same amount of work as any other unless the kit is a virgin (which is a lot more work).

I suggest you do your shopping at AKBuilder because he offers a barrel populating service so you can buy a kit that only needs to have the trunnions riveted in to the reciever, the barrel pressed in and pinned.