First AK build
Posted: 12 Sep 2016 19:30
So I've never been much of an East Block weapons guy outside of CZ which is IMO a bit of an anomaly in terms of post WWII East Block weapons and post Soviet collapse is no longer East Block at all.
Given the new laws that take effect in January it may become all but impossible to assemble an AK clone in CA. I've got several buds who are building them or who have interest in them and I've been convinced to put one together even though I'm not necessarily convinced I'll be totally happy with it. There's a bit more on that later maybe.
I'm getting a Nodak Spuds receiver:
NDS-1 Caliber 7.62x39 for AKM type kits. Based on the Hungarian SA-85 pattern (Made in the U.S.A.)
ALG AKT trigger (3 U.S. Parts)
Polish WBP parts kit with installed U.S. Nitrated barrel (Was strongly considering a Polish hammer forged barrel but couldn't quite bring myself to spend the extra $90.)
Slant muzzle brake (U.S. part).
AK builder rivet kit (universally sold on all the AK sites as the rivets to use for this application)
Red Star Arms Trigger Retaining plate.
Magpul magazines (currently have 3 20 rounders blockded down to 10s for CA legality. These also count as U.S. parts BUT I don't like relying on a detachable part/assembly as a compliance part.) (BTW I've been told the same block size works for these as works for .308 20 round Magpul AR magazines.)
CA style magazine release block
The furniture is still up in the air.
I am waffling between Magpul MOE AK furniture and Timber Wolf laminated furniture.
I'm a sucker for nice laminated wood but it's an AK and the Timber Wolf stuff is now running rubber buttpads instead of steel buttplates. In addition I think the MagPul stuff may be just a bit more ergonomic and if it has to have a rubber baby bumper on the buttstock at least the MagPul stuff seats on the shoulder in a very solid manner. (Must make certain the MagPul fore end is cut for the gas block front sling attachment or that sling point would need to be trimmed off and replaced with something that attaches to the MagPul part.
Ironwood is extremely nice but somewhat expensive, even if you finish it yourself, and requires additional hardware. It does have the advantage of being cut to the exact patter of the rifle you are building so very limited fitting should be required.
In any event the furniture should count as 3 additional U.S. parts. That should well exceed the requirements for compliance.
As for tools, I don't really intend to make more than one of these firearms. As a result I'm going to bribe one of my buds to use his tools. The barrel is already headspaced and installed, so it will be removed and reinstalled after the trunnion is riveted and the headspace rechecked and everything buttoned up.
(I say build ONE but in truth a buddy is building another one with the same parts kits +/- the furniture more or less at the same time.)
Given the new laws that take effect in January it may become all but impossible to assemble an AK clone in CA. I've got several buds who are building them or who have interest in them and I've been convinced to put one together even though I'm not necessarily convinced I'll be totally happy with it. There's a bit more on that later maybe.
I'm getting a Nodak Spuds receiver:
NDS-1 Caliber 7.62x39 for AKM type kits. Based on the Hungarian SA-85 pattern (Made in the U.S.A.)
ALG AKT trigger (3 U.S. Parts)
Polish WBP parts kit with installed U.S. Nitrated barrel (Was strongly considering a Polish hammer forged barrel but couldn't quite bring myself to spend the extra $90.)
Slant muzzle brake (U.S. part).
AK builder rivet kit (universally sold on all the AK sites as the rivets to use for this application)
Red Star Arms Trigger Retaining plate.
Magpul magazines (currently have 3 20 rounders blockded down to 10s for CA legality. These also count as U.S. parts BUT I don't like relying on a detachable part/assembly as a compliance part.) (BTW I've been told the same block size works for these as works for .308 20 round Magpul AR magazines.)
CA style magazine release block
The furniture is still up in the air.
I am waffling between Magpul MOE AK furniture and Timber Wolf laminated furniture.
I'm a sucker for nice laminated wood but it's an AK and the Timber Wolf stuff is now running rubber buttpads instead of steel buttplates. In addition I think the MagPul stuff may be just a bit more ergonomic and if it has to have a rubber baby bumper on the buttstock at least the MagPul stuff seats on the shoulder in a very solid manner. (Must make certain the MagPul fore end is cut for the gas block front sling attachment or that sling point would need to be trimmed off and replaced with something that attaches to the MagPul part.
Ironwood is extremely nice but somewhat expensive, even if you finish it yourself, and requires additional hardware. It does have the advantage of being cut to the exact patter of the rifle you are building so very limited fitting should be required.
In any event the furniture should count as 3 additional U.S. parts. That should well exceed the requirements for compliance.
As for tools, I don't really intend to make more than one of these firearms. As a result I'm going to bribe one of my buds to use his tools. The barrel is already headspaced and installed, so it will be removed and reinstalled after the trunnion is riveted and the headspace rechecked and everything buttoned up.
(I say build ONE but in truth a buddy is building another one with the same parts kits +/- the furniture more or less at the same time.)