AK47-80-Blank question

[zonum48]

Im looking into building an ak pistol and was looking into buying the equipment to make it from an akbuilders flat and came across this 80% blank receaver. Has anyone built on these ? Are they worth the $70 .From looking into building an ar pistol i understand its the only legal way to build one is the ak pistol the same?

http://www.hendersondefense.com/store/pc/AK47-80-Blank-Receiver-16p362.htm

[tujungatoes]

If you're going to go the pre-bent 80% route I'd recommend the polish ones sold by ak-builder. Cheaper and easier.

[Jayruta]

What toes said.. its not worth the effort to cut the rails and drill all the holes on those. In the amount of time it take for you to cut one side of the rails into shape. I can get a flat bent and be hours ahead if you.

[arsilva32]

plus ak-builder makes jigs for the polish as well

[Marksman829]

What toes said.. its not worth the effort to cut the rails and drill all the holes on those. In the amount of time it take for you to cut one side of the rails into shape. I can get a flat bent and be hours ahead if you.

So is it better to start with a flat, rather than a pre bent 80% AK receiver??

What are the advantages/disadvantages of using one over the other??

[Marksman829]

Well with one you have to drill all the holes, with the other you have to bend it. So it depends on which jigs you may or may not have. If you don't have any jigs id say spending the 70 on the drilling jig would be the best route. If you have access to a bending jig then that would probably be less work.

ya i wouldn't have access to a bending jig unless i attended a build party and unfortunately i don't ever see any happening around the bay area... i do have access to a drill and dremel so i think the 80% receiver would be my best bet.

this would be my very first attempt at an AK build so i don't know much about what im doing, but people in this forum are so helpful and friendly when it comes to answering all my elementary questions lol, i've already learned so much.

What would be the best kit to start out with using one of those 80% receivers from Henderson Defense? i've heard that the every kit is different and the holes rarely ever line up with the kit....

[Ub3rD0rk]

Ak-Builder has the pre-bent polish blank with a drilling jig

Blank with rails and center support $34.95

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30336

Jig and drills for drilling blank $69.95

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30337

[kcstott]

Get a Romanian G kit. Very simple to build and very good condition kits for the money

[Marksman829]

Does the drilling jig explain where to drill the holes? Henderson's version has a template showing where to drill and cut.

I would also have to weld the lower rails on the polish blanks right? Does it have instructions or markings on where to spot weld?

Sorry for all the questions lol. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around all this!! Thanks in advance!!

[Marksman829]

Get a Romanian G kit. Very simple to build and very good condition kits for the money

That's what I keep hearing!!

I really wanted to build a pistol though... What would be my best bet for a pistol kit? I hear the AMD 65 kit would be one to consider in terms of ease?

[kcstott]

AMD 65 is a good kit if you don't mind a long barrel. AK builder has a 9" barrel kit that is well worth the money. He shortens the barrel and replaces the gas piston for you. Very easy kit to build.
We had five of those kit go though the san diego build party last weekend everyone of them went together with no trouble I believe three of the five were first time builders.

[Marksman829]

^^^ ya I really like that a lot!! I noticed it doesn't come with handguards though... Would it be hard to find a set for them? I want to avoid having to hack one up in order to fit.

[tujungatoes]

Those kits are set up for a standard length lower handguard. You shouldn't have any problem. The only mod I think you'll have to do is chop the tabs for the cleaning rod off the front sight base....I think there might be a little nub inside the retainer that has to go too. No big deal.

[Marksman829]

Those kits are set up for a standard length lower handguard. You shouldn't have any problem. The only mod I think you'll have to do is chop the tabs for the cleaning rod off the front sight base....I think there might be a little nub inside the retainer that has to go too. No big deal.

thanks i appreciate the heads up!!

what about the upper part of the handguard? would that need some modification in order to fit? or is it even possible to attach an upper handguard to that particular pistol kit?

i'd really like to add some type of quad rail. does anyone know of one that would work with the 9" pistol kit from ak-builder? ideally, i'd like to be able to install the top and bottom of the quad rail without too much modifying...

thanks again to everyone for all their input and help!! you've all been a great help in helping me plan out my first build!!

[kcstott]

You could use one but your front sight would have to go bye bye.
There is a front hand guard that has a quad rail system on it and the top rail bolts to the bottom and clamps to the gas tube.

Toes is correct. Cleaning rod ears have to be ground off for the hand guard to fit.

We had five of these kits roll through the SD build party last week. I regret not getting one would have saved me a tone of work. Oh well live and learn.