AK home build problem

[seldomwright]

So I need some advice on a build problem I have run into

The mag well is off center a tad after bending receiver flat

I'm Building a Yugo M70, with a 1.5 mm thick receiver flat from AKBuilder, bent on the Lost Liberty Gun Gear jig with proper top plate for 1.5 mm builds, which has worked fine for two previous 1mm 74 builds with the proper top plate. The bending went fine with the usual amount of afterwards clean up in a vice getting everything back to square... but then noticed the mag well is totally off center, and one edge of the mag well actually didn't even get a chance to bend flat, it's like the edge of the mag well is just inside the bottom edge. Even the two trigger guard holes on that side warped slightly because they were so close to the edge bend.

Question is, given the magazine support dimples, and the interior rails added job of magazine support, should I assume it's ok to continue.... and just get to the magazine fitment stage?

The receiver looks otherwise fine, and measuring the height of the walls front and back shows that one side is only about .5mm higher than the other.

What should I do? Start with a fresh receiver flat? Or carry on to mag fitment stage of build?

https://www.flickr.com/gp/seldomwright/P86600

[kcstott]

I'd scrap it and start over. you will do nothing but fight that receiver if you continue on with the build.

Now it's not just the mag well thats off, nor the trigger guard holes, it's the rail height, the front trunnion position the axis pin holes the trigger & hammer possession then your welded in rails will be off the whole receiver will be out of square and look like crap. Will it function?? Maybe with some to a lot of tweeking sure. but the cost of a new flat?? yeah I'd just do it again

[69Mach1]

So one side of the receiver is taller than the other. Looks like the flat shifted inside of the jig while you were bending. You can continue but it's a lot of fitting made worse by the thicker receiver.

[Oldmandan]

I'd just throw it away & bend a new one. Too much work to fix it, when flats are only $30... Why?

Do you want a cattywampus AK when you're done?

[Bralowe]

Not much invested at this point. Scrap this one and start fresh.

[bigbob76]

Use it to practice spot welding etc.

[valley82]

Just my humble novice opinion...
I agree with the above, Yugo flats usually take some...massaging...when bent correctly.
Use it to practice and order another one.

[bigbob76]

Valley82, if you have already successfully built a Yugo or Romy RPK from a flat you are not a novice! I have built several and I have never really been satisfied with my work on them. The only receivers that irritated me more were factory 100% Romanian PSL receivers. I used a few of them but admitted defeat on one of those and sold it to somebody with full disclosure. They said they thought they could make it work and I wished them well.

[valley82]

Bob thanks for the kind words, I had the privilege of being taught by Mach, Mrlonewolf, and several other AKTEAM members back in the day...
Just have to massage the trunion areas, rails, cuss (a lot), file a lot and work it until it fits.
Between my two sons and I we have built a bunch of AKMs, more than a dozen yugos M70s, M72s, a M76 (milled)...even a few RPKs...compared to the TEAM I am simply a novice that enjoys building with my sons.

That said I would not even try to fix a 1.5mm flat that went wrong while being bent.

[seldomwright]

Thanks for all the input guys, seriously. I know that I'm personally way more apt to just plow ahead with projects and try to make things work, but in this case, definitely starting over. Valley82 you definitely have more than a few builds under your belt, your advice seals the deal! Thanks.

I think the culprit was not using some massive C clamps on the sides of the L.L.G.G. bending jig to prevent it bowing out while being crushed. It did bow out considerably more than it previously had with 1 mm ak74 builds. The L.L.G.G. jig instructions I think even recommend crushing the just bent receiver still locked in the jig on its side, to get the bottom bend tight. I did this obviously, but it was too late, and it didn't correct the warping or whatever occurred. Live and learn right?

Again, thanks guys.

[valley82]

You aren't building AKs if you haven't jacked at least one up...
Just learn from your oops, correct for it and go at it again.