Posted on 11/28/2011 7:17:48 PM PST by Kartographer
Has anyone here on FR ever built a AK from a kit? I was looking at possible adding another AK74 but the prices have gone through the roof. Then I ran across this kit and I was wondering how hard would it be to build?
http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30154
What round does this AK-74 shoot? Is it the standard AK-74 5.45 x 39mm or something else?
You can get a brand new Polish AK74 at Classic Arms for $399.99 with a folding stock. We have a black AK 74. Excellent weapon and superior to the Bulgarian.
Fun to build but not for the faint of heart. Probably not cost effective for one rifle build but gets better the more you build.
The Saigas are great rifles - everything is true, the barrels are chrome-lined, and they are easy to convert to pistol-grip configuration, should you choose to do so. I had one in 5.45, and it was a great shooter.
I collect milsurps, so I went with a different tactical carbine:
Might you have any suggestions for Kartographer?
Why would you not build something more accurate?
T: The Saigas are great rifles - everything is true, the barrels are chrome-lined, and they are easy to convert to pistol-grip configuration, should you choose to do so. I had one in 5.45, and it was a great shooter.
I agree with Tony. I've built several AKs from parts kits, and I've also done a .223 Saiga conversion, and I definitely recommend doing a Saiga conversion, instead of a parts kit build.
5.45 is standard for the AK 74
You get a special discount?
Looks like they are listed at $449
http://classicarms.us/semi-auto%20rifles.htm
You get a special discount?
Looks to me they are listed for $449
http://classicarms.us/semi-auto%20rifles.htm
Thanks
It's pretty much a question of what someone wants. It's a great project if you like tinkering and making stuff. And if you don't mind buying more parts to maintain 922r compliance.
If one is looking at absolute rock-bottom price, buy a SKS, since they are still cheap, just not as dirt cheap as before. As far as ammo goes, 5.45mm ammo is scarcer, and offers less choice than 7.62mm or 5.56mm NATO.
Oddly, prices on "generic" AR15s are dropping, due to so many manufacturers and OEM parts suppliers are getting into the act. Everybody wants to get into the act of selling "America's rifle". No problems with 922r compliance. You just have to buy a serial-numbered lower receiver.
M4 clones can range in price from $700 to $2400, and yet anything in that range can be a good or bad deal, depending on what you want. I've had extremely good luck with DPMS on prices and qualities, making them a good buy among second-tier manufacturers. I stumble across ads from a lot of dealers offering $100 or more off all the time. I like DPMS because it tunes up real well, if you know the tricks.
I still feel a M4 clone offers the lowest overall cost-of-ownership, when you throw in ammo, spares, and common sources of parts. It is also ridiculously easy to learn to shoot it effectively. And it is now so common, a lot of people out there know a lot about it, so you spend less time building, and complying, and more time shooting. YMMV
Not so. Even the tyrants at BATFE acknowledge that you may legally build your own gun (so long as it's not an NFA item), although you may never sell it.
5.45 scare? I can get still get surplus ammo for less than $300 for 2160 rds. At that price I can afford to go shooting regularly.
Try this book: “Homemade Guns And Homemade Ammo”, by Ronald B. Brown. You can probably buy it online, maybe from alibris.com
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