AK build vs buy, total cost.

[RS762]

So, as im getting my tools together for some builds i thought i'd post this for anyone else thinking about building AK's.
So a good-damn ak will run you anywhere from $700-$900 for a Arsenal, Norinco, SA-85, and what have you.

However what most people don't realize is that for the same price as an arsenal AK you can get all the tools to build your own and maintain your own quality control, all with minimal technical expertise.

Here is a list of the common tools you will need
-Shop Press (at leat 12t) -$130
-Drill Press- $70
-Dremel or Rotozip- $70
-Spot Welder-$170
-Hammer
-Pliers
-Clamps
-Punches

AK-Specific tools and jigs
-Trunnion Drilling Fixture (7.62 and 5.45)- $80
-Flat Bending Die- $170
-Trigger Guard riveting and drilling fixtures- $90
-Riveting Tool-$250

total cost-$880
Keep in mind you can get crafty with craiglist and reduce these a little.

Also access to a welder and lathe can be extremely helpful.

[JohnyMac]

Great info RS...Thanks for posting your finding's.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[RS762]

Great info RS...Thanks for posting your finding's.

No problem, after im up and running im making a youtube channel for building, im going to try and put as much info as possible out there.

[gapatriot]

I'm gonna be honest i don't have that much in my tools, most of them you can build your self! get a harbor freight shop press, drill press is a must but if your buying new that price is low,I'm not sure what the trunion drilling fixture is, the riveting tool you can make youself, and the spot welder it can be done with a MiG if you have one already. sorry long sentence and bad structure but oh well.

[tominphx]

If you are intending this rifle for social occasions, and you aren't an armorer, don't build your own gun. You wouldn't fly in a plane you built yourself unless you where an aeronautical engineer.

Granted AKs tend to be more forgiving in this respect.


Also, kits aren't what they used to be, the barrels aren't original.

[thatGuy]

I can't agree with you Tom.

One of the things that folks don't understand about home builds is that your average home builder doesn't count his labor as a cost because of this home builders are free to take the extra time to make sure everything is correctly done.

If you take your time and pay attention you can build anything. I've seen everything from boats to cars that were home built to a higher standard that can be bought.

[RS762]

If you are intending this rifle for social occasions, and you aren't an armorer, don't build your own gun. You wouldn't fly in a plane you built yourself unless you where an aeronautical engineer.

Sorry Tom, I disagree with every part of that post.
You can still get kits, you can still get rivets, and you can still get cold-hammer forged romanian barrels.
Building an AK is not aeronautical engineering dude, that's a ridiculous comparison.


Why bother doing anything yourself?

[tominphx]

I've actually built sections of aircraft fuselage from scratch, it's not much different than bending and riveting an AK flat.

Also, like aircraft, firearms have changed little in the past 50 years or so in terms of materials and design.

They are both technologies that if there is a failure, it can cost lives. Even some of the QC processes for gun parts is the same as for aircraft parts, such as MP testing.

I think it's a fairly apt comparison.



I'm not saying you can't do it, just that I don't think it's a good idea. Unless you know what you are doing.

If I could get a kit for an AK I wanted, such as a reasonably priced 5.45 krink kit, I would get it built by someone who builds AKs for a living, even if the cost and wait was greater.


Of course it's all just my ignorant, one sided opinion, and I'm certainly no expert in the field of building kalashnikovs.   [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co