djturnz

build one for $200? Tell me more.

Rob72

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=58254179
http://www.ohioordnanceworks.com/

Ohio Ordnance also has the Romak kits, I do believe.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mwsjb/AKbuild.htm
Instructions on putting your kit and receiver together with allen-screws, instead of rivets.

GB is a decent source of the kits, but most builders sell kits and/or receivers, just depends on current stock. Sarco, J&G, Ohio Ord, many others in SGN have kits from $99-135, then you have to buy your receiver. Figure in whatever your dealer charges to transfer the receiver, and about $3 for screws, from Ace Hardware. You can buy the receiver flat, without an FFL, but then you have to get the folds correct, and do the heat treat yourself. Not hard, but I think you'll eat up your savings either buying a jig, or (Heaven forbid!) buggering the receiver, unless you're experienced with a torch and metal hardening. My dealer will do a transfer for $25, so its worth it to me.

Other good building tutorials are on the AK Files, AR15.com, the "usual suspects".

This is definitely not like the welding needed to build a G3, or specialized parts and torquing on an AR. Definitely Peasant/BFH (Big Fargin'Hammer) gunsmith work. Having talked to someone less "handy" than myself, who is putting one together, I'm sorry I wasn't an AK convert earlier! Next payday, I'm getting my parts together!

I am by no means an AK expert, but I have owned and worked ARs, G3s, and the Garand system(M1 carbine, Mini14), so I have tooled around on long guns.

sengie

ah!!! ak no home should be without one.

jercamp45

The AK is a legendary piece of hardware!
Had several over the years.....my current one is my fave....Bulgarian SLR-95, ACE folding stock, ehanced safety and mag release, Unimak mount. Currently I have an inexpensive pistol scope on board that does help alot with delivering accurate rounds downrange...but an EOtech Holosight is definately in my future!
Need to mount a couple of rails to add a surefire and foregrip too, and, of course, lotsa ammo.
Yep, buy more mags!!!

Jercamp45

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SubNine

Never mind buying more mags, and more ammunition, I need a bigger safe to put all of it into.

Doc Holliday

I love my Norinco. It is a FUGLY rifle but I wouldn't give her up for nothing.

__________________
Give Doc the shotgun.
They'll be less apt to get nervous if he's on the street howitzer.

Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave.

I have two guns, one for each of ya.

SubNine

I actually think most AK variants look really nice, especially for the low prices that they're going for.

bh153dc

I too have always wanted an AK but had absolutely no clue. Is there a version that is better than another... is Romanian better than Hungarian? Are all the receivers stamped? What are the current laws, only semi right? Is there any advantage to buying a kit or 80% complete. Been trying to educate myself about a possible purchase, thanks

__________________
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Rob72

"Prime" would probably be an Arsenal USA milled receiver gun.
A few manufacturers are offering milled receiver guns, and http://www.firinglineoklahoma.com/index.html these guys are offering their receiver to build your kit on.

Most receivers will be stamped. Ohio Ordnance Works makes some nice ones (I have one on the way), Nodak Spud, and Vulcan, are the other main-names. You can bend an "80%" yourself, but you'll spend quite awhile making sure you have things lined up, or end up buying a jig. To do it on the cheap, buy a matching #'s kit, and a completed receiver, and screw-build it. Absolute bargain price, including $30 dealer transfer for the receiver and 1 can of black Rustoleum: $215. If you already have a Durakote kit, some wood stripper, stain and oil, and a couple of good taps and a drill press, you're well ahead of the game.

Romanians are considered good "starter" guns. I put a couple of hours or adjusting and refinishing mine, and it looks like a new Yugo. Yugo and Bulgarian are considered very good, based on the quality of the machining.

Check in on the AK forum on ar15.com; the akfiles; and here: (easy barrel removal/installation method; register to view)
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthre...ght=all+thread

Also look over at warriortalk.com on the Rifles in Combat forum -> Kalashnikov sub-forum, for good info.

Hekkenschutze

AKMs are great! I have one and love it by feeding it 7.62 by the 1000rd box full but I'd recommend getting an AK74 type muzzle brake but for the 7.62 because I can personally attest to how much better it is over the slant "brake"
Also, with experience I can advice to never buy plastic grips for the barrel and gas tube! On that note, sights on the gas tube is a bad idea because of canting. Most AK varients have their gastubes tilted, canted, twisted or what have you and to mount a sight on them is...like mounting a sight on the reciever cover just way too much movement!
Just use the siderails like ol Kalesnikov designed it


the best AK varient to buy stateside would be of Romanian descent or Hungarian AMD 63 or 65...but not those two last ones to hunt with.
Hunt? Oh why yes sir! 7.62x39 in a 10 round mag for your AKM works like a charm on deer!!!! But just remember: if you have to shoot more than three times to kill something...maybe you shouldn't be hunting ;)