Yugo AK47 build...

[urnoodle]

Ok I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, necromancy and all that, but I have a question that I really didn't think was big enough to create a new thread...

I was talking to another gun nut today and I mentioned I was looking for another firearm to put on my list. I was told that I should get an AK47 or AK74 because they are more difficult to find these days. I started searching and well a full assembled one is a little out of my reach right now. So my question is this... Andy since you put one of these together, I'm going to direct this more to you but I welcome any responses... is it best to buy a parts kit, barrel and receiver while I can afford those and when I'm more in the flesh, have a smith assemble or should I just wait til I have the $ to buy one already assembled?

Next question is... the 47 vs the 74 is one better than the other? Ammo appears to be cheaper for the 74 than the 47 but receivers seem to be harder to come by.

[urnoodle]

I don't have the tools and I'm not really interested in putting one together myself. I'd have a gunsmith do it for me. I've read some posts over the last 6 months or so that indicated that having one assembled will make for a better quality AK than some of those on the market already assembled. I found a kit without the barrel & receiver for a very reasonable price. I thought I might grab it while I still can if it made sense otherwise I'll wait a few months.

Yours is a good lookin' rifle. You did a great job on it!

[Chris]

I don't have the tools and I'm not really interested in putting one together myself. I'd have a gunsmith do it for me. I've read some posts over the last 6 months or so that indicated that having one assembled will make for a better quality AK than some of those on the market already assembled. I found a kit without the barrel & receiver for a very reasonable price. I thought I might grab it while I still can if it made sense otherwise I'll wait a few months.

Yours is a good lookin' rifle. You did a great job on it!

I bought my kit when it was $135, and that included a barrel. Now, they are upwards of $250 without a barrel. The price rocketed up on the kits at the end of '07 or so, and they promptly sold out. It used to be cheaper to build from a kit, and that was when complete rifles were going for $350. I wouldn't build a rifle now; it's not economical.

[urnoodle]

Definitely no way to find those prices anymore. I think they are just going to go up from here.
This is what I've found for AK-74:
Kit- with wood furniture $195
Chrome-lined barrel $96
Receiver $93

I haven't check the cost of a smith to put it together. My assumption is somewhere around $300 or so. All that together is what I can buy one assembled. I'm just wondering if I'd get a better quality rifle unassembled.

[The Annoyed Man]

Definitely no way to find those prices anymore. I think they are just going to go up from here.
This is what I've found for AK-74:
Kit- with wood furniture $195
Chrome-lined barrel $96
Receiver $93

I haven't check the cost of a smith to put it together. My assumption is somewhere around $300 or so. All that together is what I can buy one assembled. I'm just wondering if I'd get a better quality rifle unassembled.

If you buy Bulletslap and AndyC a case of beer, they'll probably do it for fun.......although there might be a couple of parts and a rivel left over when they're done.

[Beiruty]

You still need,
1) Grenade launcher extension
2) 5 rd mags for blanks
3) Some training inert-grenades
4) Some smoke grenades

Have fun Practicing with your new jumbo projectiles.

[urnoodle]

The kit I am kicking around is a Bulgarian. The gas port has been drilled in the barrel and will be supplied by Arms of America. Nodak Spud is out of stock on the receiver so I wouldn't be able to get my hands on one of those until after the first of the year. I've compared the build costs including the 922R compliant parts and they are comparable to an assembled rifle. I've decided to reach out to a gunsmith to compare options. En light of recent events, I'm feeling that I should finish an AR-15 with the receiver that I already have or buy an AK-74/47 soon. I appreciate the history of the AK which is why I'm leaning that direction.