AK-74 Barrel Transplant

[The Cat]

I wanted an AK-74. A GOOD AK-74.

Long story short, I got a Century, built on an Elk River receiver. From what I saw of the gun, it looked well-made, so I bought with confidence. I COMPLETELY missed all the reports of their nasty keyholing habit.

Completely.

Mine keyholes. Badly.

It has a way crappy American-made barrel.... and if you could see the lack of riflings at the business end, you'd agree with me that it's basically a semiautomatic musket. I did a couple range tests and it has about a six-foot group at 100 yards. What is that - a 70-MOA weapon?!?

I've decided on a barrel transplant - and here's why.

The only Bulgarian parts kit I can find with original barrel costs $515.

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.co...epartsak.shtml

I'd need a receiver. Mine's Elk River, so to be fair in this number crunching I'll check the same thing.... Bulgy receivers are $89 shipped:

http://www.elkrivertoolanddie.com/receivers.htm

From AKBuilder, figure about $40 for fire-control parts and rivets.

...for a grand total of $644.

I have $350 in this one, plus the barrel at $125 (higher of the two prices from the following sites)

http://whatacountry.com/ak-74-bulgar...ed-barrel.aspx

http://www.copesdistributing.net/pro...oducts_id=2265

Grand total of $475.

$475 vs $644. Plus I don't have access to all the riveting tools used in the $644 option. I'll need a couple headspace gauges, but I should be able to sell them after this job, so most of that money will be recouped.

I've done a lot of thinking on this, but I very highly welcome your input. That's why I'm posting this here in the first place :) :) :)

One question to start with: Between Copes and Whatacountry, which seller do you recommend?

I asked them both a question about said barrel.... and neither have answered, so so far I'm equally dis-impressed.

Thanks in advance!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[MattInFla]

If you're replacing a US made barrel with an import, make sure you swap in a US made part someplace else to make sure you meet the 922(r) domestic parts requirement.

Matt

[Rigrat]

Lets see the Century AK74's?

rcvr=1 US
barrel=1 US
FCG=3 US
buttstock=1 US
forearm=1 US
pistolgrip=1 US

So I think there are 8 US parts in these Century AK74's. 5 if the stock set is imported. So the barrel change isn't going to hurt in the 922 area that I am aware of. But always better to check before doing anything that affects the 922 status of the rifle.

[10thmtn]

Have you contacted the rifle's manufacturer? I'd be surprised if they didn't fix it for you.

[Rigrat]

I'd be very surprised if Century would fix it and get it right.

[10thmtn]

Well...maybe give them a chance. Seems like it couldn't get much more screwed up that it already is!

[The Cat]

What Rigrat said. From what I've seen, a lot of guys have tried and Century didn't hold up their end.

Matt, you're 100% right. It's wise to adhere to the regs, no matter one's opinion thereof, to stay out of trouble. Thanks for bringing that up - the way I am it's easy for me to get so involved with a project that I get tunnel vision and not notice certain things of import (pun intended!) around me.

I started looking a little while ago right after I read your post and found this handy calculator:

http://thegunwiki.com/Gunwiki/BuildAkVerifyCompliance

According to this, she'll be compliant :)

[Rigrat]

10,

When you almost know for certain that they will mess it up you are out the shipping to and from most of the time. You are also out your time and have all the agrivation.

[10thmtn]

Gotcha. Mental note never to buy this brand.

[Rigrat]

I think they may be alright if they have the original barrel.

[The Cat]

A guy with a monkey on his shoulder goes into a bar. The bartender hates monkeys with a passion, and tells the guy to get the hell out ASAP. The guy convinces the bartender to serve him one beer, and after that the guy'd leave. The bartender agrees, on the condition that he'd keep the monkey from doing anything mischievous.
While the guy's drinking his beer, the monkey jumps off his shoulder, runs to the pool table, and swallows the cue ball.
The bartender runs them out at shotgun point, loudly cussing the guy AND his monkey.
A couple days later, the guy with the monkey comes back, telling the bartender that he's sorry, and that he's had the cue ball professionally cleaned and he wants to return it. The bartender thinks this is cool, and offers the guy a beer on the condition that he keeps the monkey with him. The guy shows the bartender that the monkey's chained to him, and can't get away, so the bartender pours him a beer.
The monkey jumps up on the bar, grabs a peanut, sticks it up his butt, then eats it.
This grosses out the bartender, but instead of running the guy out again, curiosity gets the better of him.

"Why did that monkey shove the peanut up his butt and THEN eat it?" he asked.

"After what he went thru passing that cue ball, he measures everything he eats now!"


The moral of the story: After what I'm going thru with Century, the ONLY way I'll EVER get another one of their products is if I'm sure that I'm sure that I'm SURE that it's RIGHT. And then, MAYBE.

[Beans]

Lots of information here

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/index.php?

[Gun Bunny]

Cat, that was a great joke! A lesson to remember!
I still feel bad about you rifle though, hope you can make it right!

[The Cat]

Cat, that was a great joke! A lesson to remember!
I still feel bad about you rifle though, hope you can make it right!

Thanks, David :) I don't see why it won't work out. I hate that it had to come to this but we'll be getting some interesting smithing experience out of the deal.

Barrel and headspace gauges are on the way. So, not this weekend but next, is when the Operation may happen.

[Gun Bunny]

Cat, I don't doubt your abilities at all. One thing that will come of this, is the pride that you took a lemon and made a reliable weapon that will give you years of enjoyment!

Please keep us posted.