A few AK questions??

[SugarBear1369]

Hello.

I had a few questions about 80% AK’s.

One: does anyone have any recommendations for good 80% receivers? Pre-bent with the rails already installed/welded in and preferably already heat treated but I don’t mind doing that part if need be, but I’m looking for the pre-bent, rails installed kind where you just need to drill the holes. I’d prefer to not get the flats if possible.

Two: any recommendations for a good drilling jig for drilling the holes?

And three: are most AK builds done with used parts/parts kits? Or do they sell individual new parts as well so you can do a build kinda the way you’d do an AR build (buy a brand new version of the exact part you want for every part)? If it is the parts kit route, what do you do if you get a kit with some worn out/junk parts? Do you just keep buying more used parts kits until you have enough decent parts to do a build (with the addition of an 80% receiver)? And any recommendations on where to get good parts kits? I’ve been looking at Atlantic firearms so far mainly.

Thanks a ton in advance. Much appreciated.

- Kris

 

[Bongo Lewi]

ReCreator Blanks Online Store

Reserve your AK receiver blanks, parts, tooling, ect.

www.recreatorblanks.com

Childers Guns LLC

Childers Guns is a licensed 07 / SOT manufacturer of firearms specializing in custom AK 47 Receivers, AKM Receivers, AK 74 receivers, Yugo Receivers, Tantal receivers, and other firearm parts and accessories.Build your own AK using parts and services provided by Childers Guns.We offer: AK 47 for...

www.childersguns.com

I dont wish to be a nabob of negativity, but building a quality AK from scratch is no small task. Even if you dont have to bend it yourself. An 8u0% AR is far easier. To do it right, you will need to get some specialized tooling. By the time you are done, you could have bought four reliable AKs.

You'll need multiple jigs, several different riveting tools, other specialized tools, and parts kits (which are not cheap).

I looked into this at one time and determined that If I were going to build ten AKs, maybe it made sense. So I buy them. Not only do I like AKs... I have been shot by one. Which makes me kind of special.

Mucho dinero, bro. But if cost is no object, have at it.

 

[SugarBear1369]

ReCreator Blanks Online Store

Reserve your AK receiver blanks, parts, tooling, ect.

www.recreatorblanks.com

Childers Guns LLC

Childers Guns is a licensed 07 / SOT manufacturer of firearms specializing in custom AK 47 Receivers, AKM Receivers, AK 74 receivers, Yugo Receivers, Tantal receivers, and other firearm parts and accessories.Build your own AK using parts and services provided by Childers Guns.We offer: AK 47 for...

www.childersguns.com

I dont wish to be a nabob of negativity, but building a quality AK from scratch is no small task. Even if you dont have to bend it yourself. An 8u0% AR is far easier. To do it right, you will need to get some specialized tooling. By the time you are done, you could have bought four reliable AKs.

You'll need multiple jigs, several different riveting tools, other specialized tools, and parts kits (which are not cheap).

I looked into this at one time and determined that If I were going to build ten AKs, maybe it made sense. So I buy them. Not only do I like AKs... I have been shot by one. Which makes me kind of special.

Mucho dinero, bro. But if cost is no object, have at it.

Thanks. Yes I’ve been putting the specialized stuff together for a little bit now (riveting stuff, etc.) I’ve got more stuff still to get but I wanna start getting the parts together and stuff like jigs while I continue to learn the process. I have an AGI video on doing it I keep rewatching and YouTube etc.

P. S. If you don’t mind sharing, what’s the story behind getting shot with an AK?!

 

[SugarBear1369]

Also, any resources online on building and working on AK’s? Like I said I have a video etc. but there seems to be a real lack of info on this compared to say, AR’s (or pistols).

 

[Bongo Lewi]

Also, any resources online on building and working on AK’s? Like I said I have a video etc. but there seems to be a real lack of info on this compared to say, AR’s (or pistols).

There's an AK-exclusive forum. Maybe that will help.

AK Rifles

A forum community dedicated to AK rifle and AK variant rifle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, builds, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!

www.theakforum.net

I have not been back there in ages. Must be ten years now. Maybe there's some nuggets of wisdom there for you.

The community of AK builders is pretty small. Good luck.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

Thanks. Yes I’ve been putting the specialized stuff together for a little bit now (riveting stuff, etc.) I’ve got more stuff still to get but I wanna start getting the parts together and stuff like jigs while I continue to learn the process. I have an AGI video on doing it I keep rewatching and YouTube etc.

P. S. If you don’t mind sharing, what’s the story behind getting shot with an AK?!

Long time ago in a country far far away.

 

[Bobster]

You'll need multiple jigs, several different riveting tools, other specialized tools, and parts kits (which are not cheap).

THIS! ^^^^
Once upon a time about 5-10yrs ago, the country was awash with AK parts kits. $400 would get you a decent de-milled (cut up) kit with just about everything needed except for tools and tooling. There would be a flat receiver blank with maybe a few holes drilled in it. Or not. Unfortunately, those days are over.

I suppose you can look and gather info to see if it is something you want to do. Visit the links Lewi posted. The running joke was you could get a blank AK receiver at any Home Depot... (shown below) Somewhere in the Interwebs there was a LONG thread of a guy that actually forged a receiver out of a shovel, used the handle as the butt stock. I used to have it bookmarked but it has been over 10yrs since I've seen it...

 

[bkbrno]

All the sites I used to visit are long gone. No idea where to find info now. AK-builder.com was a good source 20 years ago. Their site still loads but I have no idea if they are still the same people.

I remember $40 used kits. $79 would get you an unused kit. $150 would get you an unusual and rare kit. All had every part except the receiver some had a mag or two thrown in. Now $400 gets you a kit with about 10 parts you could buy individually for $100. Be careful how you spend your money.

 

[SugarBear1369]

All the sites I used to visit are long gone. No idea where to find info now. AK-builder.com was a good source 20 years ago. Their site still loads but I have no idea if they are still the same people.

I remember $40 used kits. $79 would get you an unused kit. $150 would get you an unusual and rare kit. All had every part except the receiver some had a mag or two thrown in. Now $400 gets you a kit with about 10 parts you could buy individually for $100. Be careful how you spend your money.

Awesome! Thanks for this. I’ve bought a NIB kit from WBP that has new never used versions of every part except the barrel and receiver and furniture set. I also got a 80% polish AKM receiver blank to go with it so I just need barrel/muzzle device and furniture set (I might get new WBP barrel and furniture set to go with kit and a Lantac dragon or battle comp muzzle device). Then it seems I just need several drilling and riveting jigs.

AK-Builder is apparently still very good. That’s where I’m looking at for all the jigs and stuff except the FCG drill jig that I’ll get from recreator where I got the receiver. Ak forum, which bongo lewi suggested, holds them (AK-Builder) in high regard as well apparently. AK forum has also been quite helpful, so thanks for the suggestion BL! Much appreciated.

And thanks to everyone for all the assistance so far. Much appreciated as always.