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So, I finally located a 9mm AK74 pattern barrel and ordered it, I already have an AK builder flat already bent in to preempt any ghost gun laws and I have leftover spare parts and extra parts kits for a build. Starting barrel length will be 16.25" Question now is which operating system?
Blowback or Gas Piston Rotating Bolt?
Blowback:
Pros:
Simple
Proven
That's how Izmash and Molot makes theirs
lots of information on the web
Easy to build
Cons:
Requires welding the bolt to the carrier, leaving the extractor impossible to remove, and possibility of welds breaking. Or
Custom Bolt.
May require adding weight to the bolt carrier to provide sufficient inertia.
Possible issue with "SMG only" loads rupturing cases
Gas:
Pros:
Actually makes use of an expensive Krink type gasblock/FSB
Strong
Probably never been done before
Defnintely no issues with hot loads
less felt recoil
less reciprocating mass
Lighter weight
Cons:
More likely to be ammo sensitive?
May only run with hot loads?
Oversize gas port?
May have to reduce spring weight?
Undergassing?
May require lightening of the bolt carrier?
What's your take? Is a gas operated 9mm feasible? Or simply look into tuning the bolt mass for the preferred loads? Whats the max amount of weight that can be added to the bolt carrier and still fit completely inside the AK shell? I'm also thinking that using a big charge of slower burning pistol powder (WSF or slower?) with 124 or 147gr bullets should provide excellent ballistics out of the longer barrel? I remember hearing somewhere that the standard 9mm velocity peaks right around 12" AK team or AR15Barrels care to chime in?
Blowback or Gas Piston Rotating Bolt?
Blowback:
Pros:
Simple
Proven
That's how Izmash and Molot makes theirs
lots of information on the web
Easy to build
Cons:
Requires welding the bolt to the carrier, leaving the extractor impossible to remove, and possibility of welds breaking. Or
Custom Bolt.
May require adding weight to the bolt carrier to provide sufficient inertia.
Possible issue with "SMG only" loads rupturing cases
Gas:
Pros:
Actually makes use of an expensive Krink type gasblock/FSB
Strong
Probably never been done before
Defnintely no issues with hot loads
less felt recoil
less reciprocating mass
Lighter weight
Cons:
More likely to be ammo sensitive?
May only run with hot loads?
Oversize gas port?
May have to reduce spring weight?
Undergassing?
May require lightening of the bolt carrier?
What's your take? Is a gas operated 9mm feasible? Or simply look into tuning the bolt mass for the preferred loads? Whats the max amount of weight that can be added to the bolt carrier and still fit completely inside the AK shell? I'm also thinking that using a big charge of slower burning pistol powder (WSF or slower?) with 124 or 147gr bullets should provide excellent ballistics out of the longer barrel? I remember hearing somewhere that the standard 9mm velocity peaks right around 12" AK team or AR15Barrels care to chime in?
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