Ok small amount of background for those not familiar with my insane rantings and circumstances:
I'm an ex-pat Brit, new(ish) to firearms (I've done some basic stuff like cutting down the barrel, modding the bolt and switching out sights/stocks etc on my SKS, as well as a couple of bits here and there) and gunsmithing. I live in in apartment, but have a whole room (bar the space for the PC and chair) to dedicate to workspace but heavy machine tools and anything that would set off sprinklers is going to have to be done elsewhere.
I'm not rich, but not entirely po' either.
Now, the question: Do I try and build an AK or an AR for my first build?
I've been reading up about both and my impression is that both have their own challenges. The AK requires bending (or paying 8x as much for a receiver) and welding, but the kits are cheaper and I'd be able to use ammo I already have (SKS's are my friend right now). AR's would need way fewer tools (I think) and is more like expensive Legos with a metric buttload of choices to make for parts/style/how much money to sink into it.
So, oh experienced smithers of guns, what do you think is best for a moderately well funded, not entirely ham-fisted noob to scratch builds? I'm torn between cost of parts and ease of construction right now, as both are about equal in importance. Easy is good, but saving up is not-good whereas cheap(er) is good, but difficult is also not-good.
So, opinions please!
I'm an ex-pat Brit, new(ish) to firearms (I've done some basic stuff like cutting down the barrel, modding the bolt and switching out sights/stocks etc on my SKS, as well as a couple of bits here and there) and gunsmithing. I live in in apartment, but have a whole room (bar the space for the PC and chair) to dedicate to workspace but heavy machine tools and anything that would set off sprinklers is going to have to be done elsewhere.
I'm not rich, but not entirely po' either.
Now, the question: Do I try and build an AK or an AR for my first build?
I've been reading up about both and my impression is that both have their own challenges. The AK requires bending (or paying 8x as much for a receiver) and welding, but the kits are cheaper and I'd be able to use ammo I already have (SKS's are my friend right now). AR's would need way fewer tools (I think) and is more like expensive Legos with a metric buttload of choices to make for parts/style/how much money to sink into it.
So, oh experienced smithers of guns, what do you think is best for a moderately well funded, not entirely ham-fisted noob to scratch builds? I'm torn between cost of parts and ease of construction right now, as both are about equal in importance. Easy is good, but saving up is not-good whereas cheap(er) is good, but difficult is also not-good.
So, opinions please!
