School me a bit

[J]

So... I've built various ARs, bolt rifles, and other things. I am an engineer by trade and education, so I am into those things.

I've never had an AK, and would like to add one to the arsenal at some point. So, the AK nurds of the herd, would you suggest I build or buy for my first AK? Also would like to hear some pros/cons, and perhaps some price ranges for nice but not extravagant AKs (oxymoron?), built or bought?

Whatever your opinion, any comments you have to steer me in the right direction for research and planning are greatly appreciated.

[Wulf202]

personally i'd get a prebuilt 5.45 ak with a fixed stock
a 5.45 rifle will be slightly more than a 7.62 but you'll make the cost up in ammo prices.

[J]

Makes sense, though I can find 7.62 locally easier, which makes for a better SHTF gun.

I do want a 5.45 at some point for the cost, and that is a good recommendation. Unless you can continue to persuade me otherwise, I think I want a true 7.62 AK first.

[jreifsch80]

If you like to tinker I say build if you just want a gun buy

Price range 400-800 for building or buying depends on if new or used and secondary market. There are very good build tutorials on many of the ak specific gun sites bed would be to come to one of the build parties even if just to observe.

[jreifsch80]

Apex gun parts has barrel less romy akm kits for 150-200 bucks new romy barrels for around 110 bucks and then either an ak builder flat and rivets about 35 bucks or nodak 100% receiver 60-100 bucks compliance parts 40-60 bucks

[J]

Apex gun parts has barrel less romy akm kits for 150-200 bucks new romy barrels for around 110 bucks and then either an ak builder flat and rivets about 35 bucks or nodak 100% receiver 60-100 bucks compliance parts 40-60 bucks


Ok, I can speak AR lingo like a native... this ISH has me spinning my head. Can you dumb it down for me...

I know about the receiver, and the compliance parts, and know what a barrel is, but not when it is less romy akm...

Im at step 2, you are at step 10, hopefully you can guide me to at least the level of this list.

[beast556]

For your first AK I would reccomend buying a factory built gun first. If you build one and run in to problems they are not like AR's where you just pop out a few pins and pop in a new part. If you like the AK wich you probly will then you can build one and be a little more familiar with the weapon. Keep an eye on the for sale section lots of nice ak's have been showing up or post a WTB ad. Just my 2 cents.

[jreifsch80]

sorry meant barrel-less kit these days kits coming in the country cant have barrels

akm kit https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/67

romanian barrel https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/57/products_id/1481

rivets https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/92/products_id/54

compliance parts
https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/82/products_id/825
https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/82/products_id/2484
https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/82/products_id/597

receiver (also a compliance part since its usa)

http://nodakspud.com/page2.htm

or

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29823

edit: then bring all the parts to a build party and we'll show you the ropes :)

[jreifsch80]

or if you can weld here's an even easier build

get this
https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_71/products_id/3045

and a couple of these
https://www.apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/21_71/products_id/1239

as well as your compliance parts and do a reweld (make sure you weld the safety sear hole and slot on the scraps before starting the reweld the geeks can help you)

if you don't want to reweld you can get one of these
https://assaultweaponsofohio.net/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_62&product_id=59

[Wulf202]

ok if you want a project get an un converted Saiga. aks are not like ars and bolt guns. there's alot of very simple steps that are hard to back track over.

once you've gotten them figured out then go build one.

alternatively go to build parties and ask lots of questions and go very slowly.

[lifeon2]

I would definitely go with a saiga conversion then you sort of have the best of both worlds. I have done quite a few conversions and would be happy to help out with whatever you need.

[Great-Kazoo]

Ok, I can speak AR lingo like a native... this ISH has me spinning my head. Can you dumb it down for me...

I know about the receiver, and the compliance parts, and know what a barrel is, but not when it is less romy akm...

Im at step 2, you are at step 10, hopefully you can guide me to at least the level of this list.

This is why he's the Rachael ray of ak's

[CrufflerSteve]

I agree for your first one get a Saiga to convert or find a good deal on another. An AK74 in 5.45x39 is a good way to go whether Saiga or something else. The ammo is still cheap, about 13 cents in quantity. Buy a few cases and you'll be set.

Steve