Veteran's Day AKM build- w/ pictures

[Richard W.]

I had the day off, so I finally got around to my first AKM home build today.

I've been gathering tips for months from all the AK boards, but especially Gunsnet and the AK side of AR15.com. This is a screwed-together build, with 10x32 by 1/4 inch button-heads on the trunions and 8x32 by 3/8 on the trigger guard. I had planned to file down the screw heads and fill the holes but I'm not sure I need to. Its looks OK to me and, believe me, the screws are very sturdy.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/15208P1010085-med.jpg

I mainly used a Romanian kit from Interordnance and a Hesse receiver. The buttstock, pistol grip, and upper handguard are also Romanian. The receiver cover and lower handguard are East German. The sling and magazine are Russian.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/15208P1010086-med.jpg
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/15208P1010088-med.jpg
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/15208P1010090-med.jpg

I've been working sporadically all day, but I estimate all the work took less than 5 hours total. First time drilling rivets and tapping screws, but I was lucky enough not to foul anything up. Go slow with the taps and use lots of oil, just like everybody says.

(Edited to add my U.S. parts list: FSE hammer, trigger, disconnector, floorplate, and follower and Hesse receiver.)

[jimmieZ]

What type of kit did you use? Where did you get it from?

Jim Z

[charger0122]

thats nice can i have it lol

[garybob]

You did dam good pilgrim. Mighty fine. Isn't is cool to say " I built it myself"

[Richard W.]

I used a kit from Interordnance, code "AK47PK-EX". They (incorrectly) call it an AK-47 with a plastic stock, but its really a re-finished Romanian AKM (AIM)with a new East German plastic stock set added to it. Mine's dated 1972. I believe they are out of stock now, with more expected this month.

I like the DDR pebble grain stocks, but I mixed and matched some wood I've collected for this build. The butt and the upper handguard are from a Romanian set, also from Interordnance, that has a wood pistol grip on the lower handguard. I tried it out and decided I like the "regular" lower handguard better. The one in the pictures is E. German from AA-OK.com. I also got the "burnt orange" pistol grip from AA-OK.

The magazine is an Izhevsk arsenal slab-side that I brought home from Grenada, 20 years ago last month.

[Richard W.]

charger, garybob- thanks

Yes- it is a good feeling to build it yourself, but after all the parts and tools are paid for, we kitchen-table gunsmiths certainly don't save any money.

[coltshorty14]

Do I see what appears to be a bayonet lug? tssk tssk tssk!! better get that off there, you never know who or what roams the boards...

[footlongcuban]

Just because that is what you appear to see does not mean it will actually fit a bayonet. I did one where I welded material onto the bayo lug making it wider but with the same original profile. It looks original until you realize you cant get a bayonet to fit it because the lug is actually too wide. I had people swear the bayonet knife itself was defective.

...And guess what happens when that stupid ban expires? Grind off the additional weld and you have the original bayo lug intact.

Do I see what appears to be a bayonet lug? tssk tssk tssk!! better get that off there, you never know who or what roams the boards...

[dougjones31]

Screw it!!!
It looks fine to me. I like the look of screws. It makes the gun look more Robust.

[Richard W.]

...bayonet lug? tssk tssk tssk!!

coltshorty14
Thanks for the reminder- I had forgotten to file the ears off the lug. Its "safe" now.

I remembered to silver solder the muzzle nut on the barrel, though.

[cookie]

It looks good to me!

[kfranz]

charger, garybob- thanks

Yes- it is a good feeling to build it yourself, but after all the parts and tools are paid for, we kitchen-table gunsmiths certainly don't save any money.

That's why a fella needs to spread the tool cost over several builds. Heck, if you build enough, they're almost free... :sidegrin_

[coltshorty14]

Just don't wanna see anyone get in troubel....

Now you need to get that metal all scuffed up and she will look like a seasoned battle veteran..

[Timber Wolf]

Hey, no fair, did you "bring back" enough magazines for everybody? Nice build BTW. I am gathering parts for my third AK build and have not done the first one yet! :rofl_smal

[sniper69]

You have a nice build there. Quick question, did the receiver cover rub at all on the screws in the top of the rear trunion? On my build they rubbed slightly - which made it hard to get the cover on, so I put each screw into my drill press and turned the drill press on and filed some of the head down. Now the cover fits great. I also think it might be that the heads on some 10-32 are larger than others but not sure. Either way, you have a nice looking build, and as soon as I finish some of the cosmetic stuff on mine I will have to post pics too.

[Richard W.]

The receiver cover is touching a couple of the screw heads, but not enough to prevent it from locking down tight.

[CAMPYBOB]

a very nice build job, richard!

[Richard W.]

Thanks Campybob-
I want you to know that I consider you "The Father of Kitchen Table Kalashnikov Manufacture".

[MiniZ]

Great Job!