My AIMS-74! Finally completed!

Well, I've been wanting an AIMS-74 clone since a couple years back. It took a while, but I finally did it. It's an exact replica, aside from the fact that there isn't a third-axis pin and FA parts. I have to add a magazine lock and pin the stock... I'm in California (haha).

Fun facts:
-the gun was originally a SAR-2
- I replaced the ban-compliant FSB with the correct Romanian 22mm threaded FSB. I had to fabricate the plunger pins out of nails, but it got done.
- the charging handle is angled at a 45 degree angle - purchased from K-Var
- the muzzle brake is a USA-made one, manufactured by AK-USA Manufacturing in Florida
- the gas block has some cool, authentic details. The exterior is sloped at 45 degrees, but the internal gas vent is double-angled: where it meets the gas piston, the vent is 45 degrees. Where the vent meets the barrel, the vent is 90 degrees.
- Replaced the FCG with a Tapco G2
- the upper handguard is a correct bakelite version. The lower handguard is from a Romy G kit, refinished in a correct blond/orange shellac.
- I drilled the folding stock base to accept an extra-long brass screw, which locks the stock in an open position
- entire gun is Duracoated in a mixture of parkerize grey nd flat black, which closely mimicks the original (crappy) phosphate finish

http://xed.xanga.com/28cf7a5b44534248464069/b197047677.jpg

http://x5b.xanga.com/d82f5327c7733248464060/b197047668.jpg

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http://x3d.xanga.com/9e5f445404535248464066/b197047674.jpg

And some pictures of the AIMS-74 currently in service! (locations: the Balkans, Iraq, mountains in Romania)

http://xbf.xanga.com/77ff615b04d34248464929/b197048329.jpg

http://x93.xanga.com/248f442648535248464934/b197048334.jpg

http://x18.xanga.com/b65f565a48532248464931/b197048331.jpg

http://xde.xanga.com/da6f525448533248464930/b197048330.jpg

http://x9e.xanga.com/c59f5a2248532248464932/b197048332.jpg

http://xb1.xanga.com/75df402048532248464933/b197048333.jpg

http://avtomats-in-action.com/media2/Rom74025.jpg

Thats a real beauty. I love to see these old kalashnikovs built back into their military configuration! Good work!

now what exactly does the magazine lock do/hows it work?

It's not strictly a "lock"... it's just a device that attaches to the trigger guard that prevents finger/hand manipulation of the magazine lever. If I want to drop a magazine, I have to use a screw driver or something to move the magazine release lever. Under California law, that qualifies as a "fixed" or "locked" magazine.

Hey man, looks good. Mine is similar but I have a light upper and a dark lower handguard! Haha nice rifle.

Nice looking rifle. Ya just neeed the green nylon sling

I am doing the same thing with a CUR2. Where did you snag the upper hand guard. I have a Bakelite coming, but it's the reddish brown. I also used a Romy G lower and was wondering what stain you used to refinish it. Looks great BTW.