AK build or Smith?

KIBarrister · Mar 6, 2020

I have a -74 receiver and picked up a nice Polish kit. That said, this isn’t an AR and as Harry Callahan notes, a man should know his limitations. I don’t have any experience and am hesitant to buy a set of Toth tools for a single build. Anyone want to be my mentor? Alternatively, anyone know a reliable person to assemble?

Collector98 · Mar 6, 2020

If you decide to build, I have I set of the rivet jaws for the front trunnion and I also have the trigger guard riveting jig. If you would like, we could set up a time for you to stop by and use my press. I don't have all the tools, but we could definitely get your build started! Just curious, but are you trying to build a pistol or sbr?

SkiPatrolDude · Mar 6, 2020

I think John at Duffy's Gun Room is pretty knowledgeable about AK's and could prob do the work for you.

I don't have an AK but everything he's done to my personal items has been top notch and at really great prices.

rbird7282 · Mar 6, 2020

Engage Armament in Rockville

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Arcamm · Mar 6, 2020

Where did you find a Polish kit and do they have any more?

If I ever find a kit and John is still at Duffy's, he would be my first choice to build out a 74.

Hoons · Mar 6, 2020

Watch some YouTube videos and read nicoroshi's books. Hardest part is setting the barrel pin

KIBarrister · Mar 6, 2020

Thank you, gentlemen, for some fine suggestions

luckeroth1998 said:
If you decide to build, I have I set of the rivet jaws for the front trunnion and I also have the trigger guard riveting jig. If you would like, we could set up a time for you to stop by and use my press. I don't have all the tools, but we could definitely get your build started! Just curious, but are you trying to build a pistol or sbr?

I may try to take you up on this. I’m trying to get my ducks in a row so I can get on this mid-spring. My wife just had another spinal fusion so I have all four kids to care for the rest of this month and first couple weeks of April. I will pm you if the wife gives me a green light next month!

SkiPatrolDude said:
I think John at Duffy's Gun Room is pretty knowledgeable about AK's and could prob do the work for you.

I don't have an AK but everything he's done to my personal items has been top notch and at really great prices.

I’ve heard a lot about them, I’ll look them up. Cheers!

Arcamm said:
Where did you find a Polish kit and do they have any more?

If I ever find a kit and John is still at Duffy's, he would be my first choice to build out a 74.

Gunbroker, I’ll see if I can find the link to the guy selling, he had a couple up

Hoons said:
Watch some YouTube videos and read nicoroshi's books. Hardest part is setting the barrel pin

That is what I have been doing. I’m just not sure I’m comfortable being a YouTube smith on a platform I have no experience with. It’s the things I don’t know that scare me... and this polish kit wasn’t cheap to f up if you know what I mean!

KIBarrister · Mar 6, 2020

This is the kit I picked up:

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/854218706

I know I need to pick up a couple more parts for 922r compliance - plan to do that this month. From what I gather these kits are becoming harder and harder to find. Barrel is shiny, looks almost new (actually, all the parts do). The waiting process in putting this together is killing me!

Hoons · Mar 12, 2020

If this is just for single build, I say pay someone to do it. That's a nice kit and I'd be not happy if I screwed it up. My 2 cents

Hoons · Mar 12, 2020

But the barrel is populated so the hard part is done... but I'd still pay someone e else to do it than spending money on tools and potentially screwing it up

teratos · Mar 12, 2020

SkiPatrolDude said:
I think John at Duffy's Gun Room is pretty knowledgeable about AK's and could prob do the work for you.

I don't have an AK but everything he's done to my personal items has been top notch and at really great prices.

John did my AKM build with a Russian parts kit. He did a very nice job. I think it was $600 or so. I was happy to pay with the quality of work he did.

AK build or Smith?

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