My AK Project finally finished (almost)

Miggy · February 14th, 2007, 02:20 AM

After a year of research,tinkering, saving and spending I got my first AK done. I named it Project Mina and the idea was to customize it as much as possible spending as little as possible.

This is what she looked like almost originally. By the time of this picture I had added a wooden pistol foregrip to which I carved finger grooves, a rail and a really crappy red dot sight.

And here is what she looks like now.

Furniture:
Buttstock is a US made, Warsaw-Lenght plastic copy of the bulagarian AK I got from K-Var. I liked it because it came with the sling loop on the side.

SAW-type Pistol grip, Galil-Type Foregard, rails and Foregrip from Tapco.

The sling is an AK-47 CQB Sling from Specter Gear and the light mount is from Viking Tactics. The light is a plain old Nitrolon G2.

The new scope is a TruGlo Red Dot Series 25mm. The safety was modified with a knob for quicker disengage. And I added the AK-47 Tactical mag release from Red Star Arms which does make a hell of a difference when you wanna drop an AK mag in a hurry.

Internally it is as it came. My Ak never had that infamous trigger slap so I just polished the fire control group and it is working fine.

And I said it was "finished.....almost" because although I am happy with the result, I may want to add the AK 74 muzzle brake. I do want to take a break with the AK and maybe start with something else.

Oh yes, I forgot. I painted it with Brownell's Teflon/Moly Oven Cure in flat Black.

Ben Hennessy · February 14th, 2007, 07:07 AM

Looks great!!!

Longbow · February 14th, 2007, 09:49 AM

Looking good, I like it

Muzz · February 14th, 2007, 10:06 AM

Looks pretty good. Thanks for the input on the mag release, you talked me into it. What did you use for the safety knob and how did you attach it?

As for the '74 brake: In the interest of saving money, I decided to go ahead and try one of the $20 ones that several places out there have. It works great - recoil and jump are greatly reduced - I'd buy one again in a heartbeat. Granted, they are not 'accurate reproductions', but somehow I get the impression that you're like me and could care less as long as it works.

eagle5 · February 14th, 2007, 10:34 AM

The resulting product of your AK-47 is quite impressive. It looks really nice.

purple88yj · February 14th, 2007, 10:45 AM

Funny how Jeepers and firearms enthusiasts are similar. None of our projects are ever "finished". There is always something we want to or have to tinker with.

I fall into both groups.

Very nice looking AK (even if it is one of those evil black guns now

).

Miggy · February 14th, 2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks guys... And yes, we never seem to finish. Although I was a Landcruiser Man and not a CJ-Can freak

As for the safety modification, it is a guitar mini-dome knob. They are about $10 on EBay.

I saw this modification in final form on another website and decided to take a chance. The AK safety levers are not that expensive so if I screwed up, I could just get a new one.

To measure where the knob should go, just grab your rifle and extend your finger over the lever. make a mark wherever your first joint touches the lever and set it back 1/8 towards the "hinge" end. The idea is for you to be able to "hook" the knob confortably and release the safety without having to take your hand off the grip. And no, it is not as confy as flipping an AR selector, but beats the original AK configuration by a mile.

Get a good steel screw that fits the knob, drill the appropiate hole and insert the screw.

I decided to solder the screw so I had to buy some godies from our friend at Home Depot (solder pen) and Brownells.

As you can see, I won't be getting a job as welder of delicate parts anytime soon but I secured the screw and that baby is not going anywhere soon.

Next, some serious grinding!

Then I installed the knob & painted the whole thing with Brownells Teflon/Moly Oven Cure finish.

I know, the expense is greater than buying those levers that come with a cut, but I think this one looks much better.

Muzz, about the mag release. The metal is on the weak side and I installed it originally with rivets. It would flex and the rivets would come loose so I ended up soldering the piece against the original mag release and I also soldered a bit of flat metal on the bottom. That sucker is now steady & sturdy. Don't overdo the soldering though... just enough will do..... just in case you have to remove it later.

By the way, that was my first soldering job. So if you wanna try it but are afraid of screwing up, don't, it is easy. Just don't overdo the solder and that be advised that the solder pen gets frigging hot!

Miggy · February 14th, 2007, 01:15 PM

Thanks guys... And yes, we never seem to finish.

As for the safety modification, it is a guitar mini-dome knob. They are about $10 on EBay.

I saw this modification in final form on another website and decided to take a chance. The AK safety levers are not that expensive so if I screwed up, I could just get a new one.

To measure where the knob should go, just grab your rifle and extend your finger over the lever. make a mark wherever your first joint touches the lever and set it back 1/8 towards the "hinge" end. The idea is for you to be able to "hook" the knob confortably and release the safety without having to take your hand off the grip. And no, it is not as confy as flipping an AR selector, but beats the original AK configuration by a mile.

Get a good steel screw that fits the knob, drill the appropiate hole and insert the screw.

I decided to solder the screw so I had to buy some godies from our friend at Home Depot (solder pen) and Brownells.

As you can see, I won't be getting a job as welder of delicate parts anytime soon but I secured the screw and that baby is not going anywhere soon.

Next, some serious grinding!

Then I installed the knob & painted the whole thing with Brownells Teflon/Moly Oven Cure finish.

I know, the expense is greater than buying those levers that come with a cut, but I think this one looks much better.

Muzz, about the mag release. The metal is on the weak side and I installed it originally with rivets. It would flex and the rivets would come loose so I ended up soldering the piece against the original mag release and I also soldered a bit of flat metal on the bottom. That sucker is now steady & sturdy. Don't overdo the soldering though... just enough will do..... just in case you have to remove it later.

By the way, that was my first soldering job. So if you wanna try it but are afraid of screwing up, don't, it is easy. Just don't overdo the solder and that be advised that the solder pen gets frigging hot!

PS for Muzz: OK, you sold me., I am getting the brake!

raevan · February 14th, 2007, 01:23 PM

looks good, If I get another AK (when) I may do somthing similar.

Rock and Glock · February 14th, 2007, 06:38 PM

Fantastic job! Very nice!

February 14th, 2007, 02:20 AM	#1
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,826	My AK Project finally finished (almost) After a year of research,tinkering, saving and spending I got my first AK done. I named it Project Mina and the idea was to customize it as much as possible spending as little as possible. This is what she looked like almost originally. By the time of this picture I had added a wooden pistol foregrip to which I carved finger grooves, a rail and a really crappy red dot sight. And here is what she looks like now. Furniture: Buttstock is a US made, Warsaw-Lenght plastic copy of the bulagarian AK I got from K-Var. I liked it because it came with the sling loop on the side. SAW-type Pistol grip, Galil-Type Foregard, rails and Foregrip from Tapco. The sling is an AK-47 CQB Sling from Specter Gear and the light mount is from Viking Tactics. The light is a plain old Nitrolon G2. The new scope is a TruGlo Red Dot Series 25mm. The safety was modified with a knob for quicker disengage. And I added the AK-47 Tactical mag release from Red Star Arms which does make a hell of a difference when you wanna drop an AK mag in a hurry. Internally it is as it came. My Ak never had that infamous trigger slap so I just polished the fire control group and it is working fine. And I said it was "finished.....almost" because although I am happy with the result, I may want to add the AK 74 muzzle brake. I do want to take a break with the AK and maybe start with something else. Oh yes, I forgot. I painted it with Brownell's Teflon/Moly Oven Cure in flat Black. __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net Last edited by Miggy; February 14th, 2007 at 02:26 AM.. Reason: Hit wrong darn button!

February 14th, 2007, 09:49 AM	#3
Longbow Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Montana, USA Posts: 270	Looking good, I like it __________________ "Planning to draw and chamber a round after TSHTF is like planning to fasten your seatbelt after you see the other guy run a stopsign..." Professional hand engraver. To see full picture of knife in Avatar click here

February 14th, 2007, 10:06 AM	#4
Muzz Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MO Posts: 114	Looks pretty good. Thanks for the input on the mag release, you talked me into it. What did you use for the safety knob and how did you attach it? As for the '74 brake: In the interest of saving money, I decided to go ahead and try one of the $20 ones that several places out there have. It works great - recoil and jump are greatly reduced - I'd buy one again in a heartbeat. Granted, they are not 'accurate reproductions', but somehow I get the impression that you're like me and could care less as long as it works. __________________ Luke 22:35-36 كافر

February 14th, 2007, 10:34 AM	#5
eagle5 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: PA Posts: 2,496	The resulting product of your AK-47 is quite impressive. It looks really nice. __________________ - Ora et Labora -

February 14th, 2007, 01:12 PM	#7
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,826	Thanks guys... And yes, we never seem to finish. Although I was a Landcruiser Man and not a CJ-Can freak As for the safety modification, it is a guitar mini-dome knob. They are about $10 on EBay. I saw this modification in final form on another website and decided to take a chance. The AK safety levers are not that expensive so if I screwed up, I could just get a new one. To measure where the knob should go, just grab your rifle and extend your finger over the lever. make a mark wherever your first joint touches the lever and set it back 1/8 towards the "hinge" end. The idea is for you to be able to "hook" the knob confortably and release the safety without having to take your hand off the grip. And no, it is not as confy as flipping an AR selector, but beats the original AK configuration by a mile. Get a good steel screw that fits the knob, drill the appropiate hole and insert the screw. I decided to solder the screw so I had to buy some godies from our friend at Home Depot (solder pen) and Brownells. As you can see, I won't be getting a job as welder of delicate parts anytime soon but I secured the screw and that baby is not going anywhere soon. Next, some serious grinding! Then I installed the knob & painted the whole thing with Brownells Teflon/Moly Oven Cure finish. I know, the expense is greater than buying those levers that come with a cut, but I think this one looks much better. Muzz, about the mag release. The metal is on the weak side and I installed it originally with rivets. It would flex and the rivets would come loose so I ended up soldering the piece against the original mag release and I also soldered a bit of flat metal on the bottom. That sucker is now steady & sturdy. Don't overdo the soldering though... just enough will do..... just in case you have to remove it later. By the way, that was my first soldering job. So if you wanna try it but are afraid of screwing up, don't, it is easy. Just don't overdo the solder and that be advised that the solder pen gets frigging hot! __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net

February 14th, 2007, 07:07 AM	#2
Ben Hennessy VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. James, Missouri Posts: 2,361	Looks great!!!

February 14th, 2007, 10:45 AM	#6
purple88yj Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 1,100	Funny how Jeepers and firearms enthusiasts are similar. None of our projects are ever "finished". There is always something we want to or have to tinker with. I fall into both groups. Very nice looking AK (even if it is one of those evil black guns now ).

February 14th, 2007, 01:15 PM	#8
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,826	Thanks guys... And yes, we never seem to finish. As for the safety modification, it is a guitar mini-dome knob. They are about $10 on EBay. I saw this modification in final form on another website and decided to take a chance. The AK safety levers are not that expensive so if I screwed up, I could just get a new one. To measure where the knob should go, just grab your rifle and extend your finger over the lever. make a mark wherever your first joint touches the lever and set it back 1/8 towards the "hinge" end. The idea is for you to be able to "hook" the knob confortably and release the safety without having to take your hand off the grip. And no, it is not as confy as flipping an AR selector, but beats the original AK configuration by a mile. Get a good steel screw that fits the knob, drill the appropiate hole and insert the screw. I decided to solder the screw so I had to buy some godies from our friend at Home Depot (solder pen) and Brownells. As you can see, I won't be getting a job as welder of delicate parts anytime soon but I secured the screw and that baby is not going anywhere soon. Next, some serious grinding! Then I installed the knob & painted the whole thing with Brownells Teflon/Moly Oven Cure finish. I know, the expense is greater than buying those levers that come with a cut, but I think this one looks much better. Muzz, about the mag release. The metal is on the weak side and I installed it originally with rivets. It would flex and the rivets would come loose so I ended up soldering the piece against the original mag release and I also soldered a bit of flat metal on the bottom. That sucker is now steady & sturdy. Don't overdo the soldering though... just enough will do..... just in case you have to remove it later. By the way, that was my first soldering job. So if you wanna try it but are afraid of screwing up, don't, it is easy. Just don't overdo the solder and that be advised that the solder pen gets frigging hot! PS for Muzz: OK, you sold me., I am getting the brake! __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net

February 14th, 2007, 01:23 PM	#9
raevan VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: washington Posts: 4,320	looks good, If I get another AK (when) I may do somthing similar.

February 14th, 2007, 06:38 PM	#10
Rock and Glock VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado at 9,500' Posts: 3,907	Fantastic job! Very nice! __________________ Richard NRA Life Member "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Michelangelo Buonarroti

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