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renegadebuck

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
With all the new Egyptian Maadi rifle kits now, it might be a good time to get together and build a few. I have the place and shop tools, and a pair of bolt cutter jaw rivet tool. I still have to finish my flat bender, but if anyone wants to go in or buy a specific tool and bring for all to use that would be great. I'm in China Grove, but would be willing to go somewhere else if all the tools were available.
That's kind of jumping the gun, I guess. First we need to see if there's any interest.
 
I'm interested but not 100% sure I'm able. I'm 90% noob W.R.T building an AK and I really want to do this once to learn how it works. Can you point me to a decent how-to resource so I can shop for parts?
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
What would be the total cost for parts to get a complete kit to put together? I may be interested depending on price. im guessing $199 for the kit. I saw a receiver at classic for i think $59, how much for a barrel??
 
There are quite a few kits out there right now aren't there lol

Classic has barrels in stock... cheap but not chrome lined if you're worried about that kind of thing. Just clean your gun I figure ;)

Copes has rivet kits in I believe...

So parts kit, receiver, barrel, and rivets... anything I'm forgetting that would be needed? Tempting but I'm not sure I can swing it right now. Hmmmm
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
What would be the total cost for parts to get a complete kit to put together? I may be interested depending on price. im guessing $199 for the kit. I saw a receiver at classic for i think $59, how much for a barrel??
Just to estimate: Kit 199.99, barrel 59.99-99.99, flat 20.00 or receiver 59-79.99, rivets or screws 15.00, trigger group 25-39.00 if you want it. I think that has it (I hope) If you see something I missed, shout out.
 
I would be interested in a build party. I don't know that I would have the parts to build one right now, but I would like to watch and see how it is done. I could do it on a weekend because I don't get home until late during the week.

I'm in Concord, let me know.
 
Depending on when and where it is, I could lend my tools and my experience. However, IMHO, with barrel-less kits, it's quite a bit of a PITA for a build party, as not only do you have to take time to do the actual build process with riveting, barrel install, etc., but you have additional time to factor in installing the barrel components, headspacing, and drilling and installing the new barrel pin. To me, it just isn't worth the extra work. Now, if you had a kit with a US barrel already installed and headspaced, it wouldn't be nearly as bad.

If you're serious about doing a successful build party, I always recommend that everyone have as much of the demil done as possible prior to coming, and if at all possible, to use a Nodak receiver for their builds. It just makes the process much easier and less time consuming. Granted, building from a flat is one of the biggest appeals of doing an AK build, but trust me, when you've got 10-15 people all wanting to build AK's from a flat, factoring in the actual receiver construction, heat treating, demil of the kit, and the eventual building of the rifle and hand-fitting the kit to the receiver, it turns into a multi-day process, rather than just a day long get-together/build party.
 
To me, it just isn't worth the extra work. Now, if you had a kit with a US barrel already installed and headspaced, it wouldn't be nearly as bad.
I've never done one without a barrel already installed. I agree with you, I myself wouldn't mess with it.
 
I've never done one without a barrel already installed. I agree with you, I myself wouldn't mess with it.
I've done one, and with trying to correct headspace, drilling and reaming for the barrel pin, installing the barrel components and making sure they're square and not canted, and having to adjust the sizing on them to fit, is a real PITA. I guess I'm just spoiled after building so many matching original kits for cheap back in the day.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Depending on when and where it is, I could lend my tools and my experience. However, IMHO, with barrel-less kits, it's quite a bit of a PITA for a build party, as not only do you have to take time to do the actual build process with riveting, barrel install, etc., but you have additional time to factor in installing the barrel components, headspacing, and drilling and installing the new barrel pin. To me, it just isn't worth the extra work. Now, if you had a kit with a US barrel already installed and headspaced, it wouldn't be nearly as bad.

If you're serious about doing a successful build party, I always recommend that everyone have as much of the demil done as possible prior to coming, and if at all possible, to use a Nodak receiver for their builds. It just makes the process much easier and less time consuming. Granted, building from a flat is one of the biggest appeals of doing an AK build, but trust me, when you've got 10-15 people all wanting to build AK's from a flat, factoring in the actual receiver construction, heat treating, demil of the kit, and the eventual building of the rifle and hand-fitting the kit to the receiver, it turns into a multi-day process, rather than just a day long get-together/build party.
Demilling ahead of time is a given just for the sake of time, and you are correct about all of it. I don't know how many folks are serious about coming and if you do have over 5 or 6, you would need more tools than just 1 set or it would get bottlenecked at the barrel. One person could use the press, and another use a threaded barrel tool so you could press 2 barrels at once. I could have the flats tempered before the party if that was ok with everyone. I'll temper mine and let you know how long it takes. With Acetalene, I don't think it will take that long, but Nodak is the easiest by far. As far as time, if it takes 2 weekends I have the space so that would be ok depending on how far everyone has to travel (it would be OK for me to travel too, depending on where it is held. Within 100 miles or so is good with me).
I've found it difficult to get more than 5 or 6 together as conflicts in schedules always come into play. In this thread, we've only got 2 to say for sure they want in. A couple more want to watch and learn, and that's before we try and set a date and time. DirtyScrew, beamernc, 92rscamero, makensieddrums, are a maybe, DanG, gtownwrench, and myself are in. The others are so far, just joining in on the conversation which is great too, unless I'm reading it wrong.
I'm sure I can come up with another press, so 3-7 is very do-able I would think with a little prep work. I would really like to have your experience with us. I'm sure you could save us time and mistakes. Any other ideas or advice is very welcome also.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
i think im down i just need to bend my flat, ill watch the rest i soak up info quick
Bending the flat is quick and easy. You just screw it onto the bender and press it down then take it off. 10-15 minutes tops. Wash the grease off it and then temper. If I were you I'd do the front trunnion and the rails at least.
 
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