Kit builds?

[zembonez]

Anybody building anything from a kit? I'm even half tempted to buy a black powder kit just for the fun of the build even though the end result is a black powder firearm.

What else is available in kit form?

 

[WyattT]

AR's appear to be pretty easy to build yourself. never done it though.

i guess you could consider and AK a kit gun as well, it you bought a surplus kit.

 

[machinisttx]

So far I've built both AK's and an AR. The AR is really easy, AK's require a lot more work.

 

[Texas1911]

So far I've built both AK's and an AR. The AR is really easy, AK's require a lot more work.

Kinda ironic, in that the AK has a simple working mechanism.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

Machinisttx, just curious but, did you buy a "kit" for your AR builds or just source all the parts yourself? I've been wanting to build an AR for awhile, though I still have a few months before I can afford to build what I want (I'm really wanting to do an AR10). If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it.

 

[idleprocess]

AR lowers are fairly trivial to build without special tools. Just buy the lower receiver (the serialized part), a lower parts kit (includes a few dozen parts and everything you need for the lower such as FCG, safety selector, mag release, bolt catch, pivot/takedown pins/retainers, pistol grip, and buffer retainer), and stock/buffer of your choice and you too can assemble a lower on your kitchen table in about an hour (just don't lose the retainer pins!).

AR uppers are more difficult, but some say that you can do it with a few improvised tools. I'd rather leave that task to the professionals given my lack of a proper workbench, vise, go/no-go gauges, etc...

I understand that AK building usually implies the use of an "80%" receiver flat requiring the builder to bend the receiver into the final shape and install pins, trunnions, rivets, etc.

 

[machinisttx]

Machinisttx, just curious but, did you buy a "kit" for your AR builds or just source all the parts yourself? I've been wanting to build an AR for awhile, though I still have a few months before I can afford to build what I want (I'm really wanting to do an AR10). If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it.

I bought a DS4 kit from J&T Distributing, which had a pre-assembled upper included. That was the first and only AR I've built, and it took me less than an hour and a half. I worked pretty slow and read how to's on several different forums to check and doublecheck that I was doing it right.


As far as AK building goes, there are several ways to go.

1. You can start with an unbent receiver flat, which requires a hydraulic press and a welder to turn into a 100% receiver.
2. You can start with a bent receiver blank, which will require LOTS of work, preferably done on a milling machine. Also requires a welder.
3. Buy a 100% receiver from various sources.

For the rest of teh build, you can get by with not much other than a big hammer and a bench vise....but that's a real PITA.

 

[SIG_Fiend]

AK's are cheap enough, I don't see why someone would build there own unless using the best parts available maybe. I overpaid for my Century Arms wasr, though I've seen them as cheap as ~$300 new from some retailers.

 

[machinisttx]

I've got a lot less money in my(still incomplete) AK pistol than what a brand new factory built one costs....and probably $50 less than factory built in my rifle.

My AMD-65 SBR will cost me several hundred less to build than buy, as will my M92 Krink.

 

[SteveW]

I am in the middle of building 2 HK G3's from de-milled guns, sold as 'kits'. Between sourcing the correct US made parts and receiver and then building up the gun, it's a fair amount of work, but I have to say that I enjoy knowing 'this much' about my guns. Some pics.. Click on the pic for full size..





Prior to these HK's, some FALs (daughter posing with one)



I also enjoy rebuilding Mausers. This was a Vz-24 that I bought for $69 and stripped and rebuilt in 308. Not really a kit though.. I built this for my brother, who is left eye dominant but right handed. So, a right hand action in a left hand stock, if you see what I mean.. He was pleased with it.





S.