3 RPK-74 questions

I don't have the parts kit yet and want to include US made AK parts in an order.

1.Does the RPK-74 use the same gas piston as a AK-47/74

2.Where can I find RPK-74 wood furniture in case I want it later on ? I would guess IWD made them at one time because he has one displayed on his website.

3.What are the US parts in the Vector built RPK-74s besides the H/T/S,gas piston and pistol grip ?


Thanks in advance.

1. Basically yes. I believe the 74 piston is a tiny bit longer but will work.

2. best thing is to look around for a RPK47 take off set or one of the East German (Russian) NIW sets.

3. I believe Receiver, FCG, grip, muzzle device.

I would not change out the piston. if you order a kit it is most likely going to be in suburb condition and changing the piston will ruin the finish and cause alot of PITA work.

I would suggest Receiver, FCG, grip and a magazine floor plate(s) for your magazine for compliance parts.

email sent on wood furniture

I just got my vector RPK '74. They use a (dorky) M16 birdcage flash hider, which I changed out for a Tobuk from NODAK - correct is probably a muzzle nut, but hey - it looks cool. They do not change the piston, so have the tapco PG for the 6th part (NODAK Receiver). It came with plum poly furniture, and I get all wet and sticky over plum, so I'm going to change the piston and use an import plum pistol grip - I got it from Atlantic. Adding up the componant parts, it was cheaper to buy than build.

Overall - its very nice. riveting is good. parts are good. some minor pitting on gas block. What I don't like is the thick, gummy paint they use - its like what CAI was putting on their G3s. It looks like it was dipped in liquid electrical tape. so one of these days, I'll probably refinish it. The butstock screws are phillips, which I don't care for (tacky!) and there are no selector detents (NDS-9). There is no safe-fire markings either, which is okay, but they did put vector arms in big letters down the side, I'd have preffered something more discrete.

Gonna add a scope rail too.



Overall (haven't shot it yet) I am pleased. While there are a few things I'm going to tinker with to suit my individual taste, its a really nice gun. now at $1100 +/- MSRP, its not for everyone, but if its what you want, give atlantic a call - I doubt they will last long.

Oh yeah - one more thing - as anyone who has built on NDS premium receivers knows, the mag wells are tight. The 40 rd DDR mag that came with it won't fit. I am going to have to open the mag well slightly. We are only talking around .005", but it makes a big difference. Also - the points on the mag well will gouge mags if you don't round them. I am disappointed that VECTOR did not check to see if a mag would fit (and therefore could not have testfired)- not just the 40 round, but tantal, 30 rd bakelite, and 30 rd bulgarian synthetic all won't fit. The 30 rd bulgarian still doesn't fit - after opening up the mag well on the mill (much easier to do BEFORE rivitign on the trigger guard!), it strikes the center support. shopuld the center support have a cutout? I dunno, maybe a hinkey mag. will testfire this afternoon as obviously vector did not.

I learned long ago that it was cheaper to testfire than get a gun back.

GP, correct is a "birdcage", but not like the M16..I believe KVAR has the original for $25. someone makes a USA copy, but I can't remember who...

Glad to hear the good report Gunplumber.

I'll have to try and save up soon and get one.

-myers

GP, correct is a "birdcage", but not like the M16..I believe KVAR has the original for $25. someone makes a USA copy, but I can't remember who...

thanks, I dug out my book and yeah - looks like the chinese .223. I'll see how the tobuk does 'cause its got more points for cool factor.

I went to e-mail vector on buying the original pistol grip - no e-mail on their website. Thats seems to me pretty stupid.

Would somone post a pic of the one on the vector built RPK-74 ?

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll55/spssw/BRPKup.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll55/spssw/BRPKside.jpg

shot it. works fine. almost boring. Mild recoil, groups well at 25 meters.

http://www.cncwarrior.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=33&image=

BigAl
Thanks for the inf.