View Full Version : AK armorer recommendation
Fatorangecat
02-10-17, 14:37
I just traded for a nice AK but I would like to chop the front end, move the front sight back to the gas block, and permanently attach a suppressor mount. I haven't followed AKs in several years and I have no idea who does good work now. Last AK I had built was Rifle Dynamics but it appears they only do production guns now and back then Fullers wait times were absurd. I don't need a quick turn around but I do want an armorer that finishes the job on time and communicates. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.
I had Rifle Dynamics build a kit for me. I thought I could do better wait time wise and sent 2 more kits to Jayson at Investment Grade Firearms. Horrible choice on my part! I sent them in January 2013. It took 2 years to get them and I sent them both back due to problems. I'm still waiting on one being returned! 4 years! It's been one BS excuse after another.
I'm sure there are places out there that will do a fine job for you but I'm warning you that Investmemt Grade Firearms is not it. I wish I would have stuck with RD. I'm sure I'd have 2 functioning rifles right now.
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A guy that works for me had a good experience using Marxman Arms in Las Vegas. They do exactly what you want, look in the "Gunsmithing" section. They are local to us, so it was a 5 minute drive rather than a ship in type of thing. http://www.marxmanarms.com/ RD isn't doing any work outside of production guns, so this is why he went to Marxman.
You can try Arizona Response Systems too. Mark's communication is outstanding.
A few years ago I was looking for a gunsmith to do exactly what you're looking to do right now. I contacted Mark about the work, and for any recommendations. Long story short, he convinced me that cutting and pinning the barrel to 16" was not really worth the cost of it. His price was far more reasonable than RD and Investment Grade Firearms (I emailed around for quotes).
That said, I do have two AK's that I will be sending to him when my funds permit.
As far as communication goes, he emailed back within one business day everytime. Sometimes even immediately.
notorious_ar15
02-10-17, 22:49
I had Rifle Dynamics build a kit for me. I thought I could do better wait time wise and sent 2 more kits to Jayson at Investment Grade Firearms. Horrible choice on my part! I sent them in January 2013. It took 2 years to get them and I sent them both back due to problems. I'm still waiting on one being returned! 4 years! It's been one BS excuse after another.
I'm sure there are places out there that will do a fine job for you but I'm warning you that Investmemt Grade Firearms is not it. I wish I would have stuck with RD. I'm sure I'd have 2 functioning rifles right now.
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Same experience here with IGF - don't send your AK to them. Sent him a kit in 2011. Had to send back for problems, still no rifle returned & he has stopped returning any calls or emails.
HOWEVER, I have had excellent service from Tim @ Gewehr Werks - many builds done with him & very happy with those.
RetroRevolver77
02-10-17, 23:10
Chris Butler at AK USA. He's one of the best AK smith's I've dealt with.
Same experience here with IGF - don't send your AK to them. Sent him a kit in 2011. Had to send back for problems, still no rifle returned & he has stopped returning any calls or emails.
HOWEVER, I have had excellent service from Tim @ Gewehr Werks - many builds done with him & very happy with those.
Unbelievable.
Supposedly my 2nd rifle was repaired and done in November. All he has to do is ship it. Nothing.
I'm considering filing a mail fraud claim.
I totally forgot Arizona Response. I would have used him in an instant.
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Fatorangecat, typically the cost/benefit of the work you'd need to have done wouldn't be worth it, but it's hard to say without knowing what you've got. Post pictures and description of the AK you're looking to modify.
I'd highly recommend Two Rivers Firearms. I can build AK's, but I sent them some of my expensive kits for them to build. Their attention to detail is great. Here's a milled Bulgarian that they built for me:
https://s30.postimg.org/m4pjz1vkx/Milled_Bulgarian_AK47_Parts_Kit.jpg
https://s24.postimg.org/lsvqjq7w5/Two_Rivers_Arms_milled_build_left_view.jpg
https://s24.postimg.org/5j5kgtx85/Two_Rivers_Arms_milled_build_right_view.jpg
Here are three Yugo M95's that they built for me.
https://s28.postimg.org/fzq6sctgd/Yugo_M95_A_Parts_Kit.jpg
https://s28.postimg.org/ahten5svx/M95_s_from_Two_Rivers.jpg
bulldozer3
02-11-17, 21:33
Another vote for two river arms. Just got back two Yugo RPK'S from them and they are great. Been shooting the hell out of them, very nice builds
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How could I forget the mutt build Two Rivers did for me? This one has a US NoDak Spud stamped receiver, a US made Bulgarian style side folding stock set, a Hungarian carrier/bolt, a Bulgarian barrel assembly (for a milled receiver), and a Yugo M92 front trunnion. They built it and it runs like a champ.
https://s23.postimg.org/5vfi744i3/Mutt_before_assembly.jpg
https://s28.postimg.org/fdyqlcprh/Mutt_right_view.jpg
https://s28.postimg.org/mfwo7jtd9/Mutt_left_view_folded.jpg
Fatorangecat
02-12-17, 08:54
I appreciate the recommendations. As for the rifle its a Hungarian SA85M. It is a ban era KBI import on an FEG receiver. I would like to move the front sight back to the gas block, cut and thread the barrel and permanently attach a flash hider with an overall length of 16". As for chopping the barrel I understand some don't think it is worth the cost but I had another rifle setup this way and I really liked it.
Does your SA85M have the short gas system or the long gas system?
Short (like an AMD-65):
http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/Hungarian%20SA-85M%20762x39mm%20AKM/SAM_2807.jpg
Long (like most AKM's):
http://s32.postimg.org/9cel575ed/DSC09011.jpg
Fatorangecat
02-12-17, 10:23
It has the short gas system like an AMD65.
Edit missed "nice ak"
I don't think it should be too difficult that you can't find someone local.
Fatorangecat
02-12-17, 19:59
I saw your comment before you edited. Please share what your doing for a suppressor mount. Threading 1/2x28 was my original plan but that only leaves a thickness of .07 in the bottom of the threads. That is way too thin in my opinion. It is a "nice" AK so I don't want to go full bubba but function over form.
As for chopping the barrel I understand some don't think it is worth the cost but I had another rifle setup this way and I really liked it.
It's about a 1/2 inch shorter than a 16 inch barrel with a slant brake, and the mod disposes of a lot of money... while reducing your muzzle velocity, and increasing noise. What's not to like?
Put a tax stamp on it, and do it right.
The rifle dynamics mod is totally worth it. It drops a pound from the gun. I have run a few for years, the gun is much easier to move from target to target.
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff482/laddmc/IMG_7327_zpsvt0cywlm.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff482/laddmc/IMG_7333_zpsyt42lcxh.jpg
I saw your comment before you edited. Please share what your doing for a suppressor mount. Threading 1/2x28 was my original plan but that only leaves a thickness of .07 in the bottom of the threads. That is way too thin in my opinion. It is a "nice" AK so I don't want to go full bubba but function over form.
It's a 7.62x39. I'm doing the sight myself. My friend is cutting the machines on a mill. He has some way of lining up the bore cencentric to the mill.
5/8x24 threads, surefire 3p mount for a socom 300sps I didnt buy yet. Just rockset and a blind pin/weld.
The rifle dynamics mod is totally worth it. It drops a pound from the gun. I have run a few for years, the gun is much easier to move from target to target.
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff482/laddmc/IMG_7327_zpsvt0cywlm.jpg
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff482/laddmc/IMG_7333_zpsyt42lcxh.jpg
One question I have is what sets the torque if there's little/no shoulder. Does the muzzle but up against the inside of the mount? That's what it looks like but my other mount is permed so I can't inspect it.
One question I have is what sets the torque if there's little/no shoulder. Does the muzzle but up against the inside of the mount? That's what it looks like but my other mount is permed so I can't inspect it.
This is a 5.45 gun so there is a bit of a shoulder.
Edited to add - scratch that, sorry it's shimmed for timing and goes right up against the shoulder. It is then pin and welded.
Fatorangecat
02-14-17, 08:56
So far Marxman Arms has been the easiest to communicate with. I have had a few AK and HK guns built and having an armorer that returns calls is a huge plus. Nothing more frustrating than waiting 2 years on a build that was supposed to take 6 months and never getting an answer when you call. I just wish I could find more reviews of their work quality.
It's a 7.62x39. I'm doing the sight myself. My friend is cutting the machines on a mill. He has some way of lining up the bore cencentric to the mill.
5/8x24 threads, surefire 3p mount for a socom 300sps I didnt buy yet. Just rockset and a blind pin/weld.
Welp, not going to happen. He tried some bar stock and couldn't keep it level. I can't mount a supressor now, so I'm going to try the diy method. Worst case it's no go for the silencer.
Best case I have a silencer - friendly ak. Either way it's not going to take 2 years.
Edit - haha now I'm looking at gunsmiths. By time you buy the diy kit and profiler, your looking at around $200.
RetroRevolver77
02-17-17, 22:29
Welp, not going to happen. He tried some bar stock and couldn't keep it level. I can't mount a supressor now, so I'm going to try the diy method. Worst case it's no go for the silencer.
Best case I have a silencer - friendly ak. Either way it's not going to take 2 years.
https://deadairsilencers.com/products/wolverine-pbs-1/
https://deadairsilencers.com/products/wolverine-pbs-1/
Thought about it, but I want a 14.5, and a silenced 300blk. The ak was going to be a fun option for the 300 silencer
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