Building an AK

toppermost · January 19, 2014, 05:18 PM

I don't know much about them other than their reputation for always going bang.

Is an AK cheaper/harder to build than an AR15 ?

Knight cadet · January 19, 2014, 07:16 PM

A lot harder and a little more expensive.

Fishbed77 · January 19, 2014, 11:43 PM

An AR can be built with simple hand tools and a vice. The only specialized tool you will need is a $20 armorer's wrench. Some AR-specific vice blocks are recommended as well. Watch a few Youtube videos and you're on your way. These days, it's easy to build an AR for under $600. Just keep your eyes open for sales at websites like PSA.

An AK build will require much more. You'll need a shop press, a drill press, rivet jigs, and tools to check headspace, among other things. You'll also need someone who is experienced in building AKs to help you. But that's why people have AK build parties. You might want to look into this if you want to build an AK.

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5whiskey · January 20, 2014, 01:02 AM

AR is way easier to built.... AK's not so much.

toppermost · January 20, 2014, 01:50 AM

Well that settles that question. haha

MoBart · January 21, 2014, 10:18 PM

Its cheaper to buy an AK and build and AR. You can do either for about the same price actually. Seeing AK parts kkits around and even under $200 got me really interested and excited in it. But then seeing the4 tool requirements it didn't seem practical if your only going to build a rifle or two. Plus barrells cost as much as the parts kit, and we havent even gotten to a reciever yet.

Knight cadet · January 21, 2014, 10:56 PM

AK kits are going for $300 now, and that's without the $100+ barrel. Add a reciever ($75-$125) and 9222r parts and your parts cost exceed the cost of a ready to shoot yugo AK.

Dad built 5 or 6 back when the kits were $100 and came with chrome lined barrels. It's not really worth doing any more.

Justice06RR · January 21, 2014, 11:11 PM

Short answer, yes AK's are harder to build.

With today's prices, there's no point in building an AK. Just buy one in the price range you want and shoot.

AR15's are a different subject and much easier to build, but you also don't have to worry about a lot of other things like 922r compliance.

Skans · January 24, 2014, 08:42 AM

The problem with building an AK is that you need special tools. I believe you will need a couple of different kinds of riviters and a hydrolic press for the barrel pin. I looked into this once, and I figured that I'd have more in AK tools than the cost of a good quality AK.

5thShock · January 25, 2014, 01:24 PM

The AK demands that you work metal, bending and riveting and heat treating, press fitting and suchlike. It must be built. The AR is a assembly exercise.

January 19, 2014, 05:18 PM	#1
toppermost Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 224	Building an AK I don't know much about them other than their reputation for always going bang. Is an AK cheaper/harder to build than an AR15 ? __________________ k.i.s.s.

January 19, 2014, 11:43 PM	#3
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	An AR can be built with simple hand tools and a vice. The only specialized tool you will need is a $20 armorer's wrench. Some AR-specific vice blocks are recommended as well. Watch a few Youtube videos and you're on your way. These days, it's easy to build an AR for under $600. Just keep your eyes open for sales at websites like PSA. An AK build will require much more. You'll need a shop press, a drill press, rivet jigs, and tools to check headspace, among other things. You'll also need someone who is experienced in building AKs to help you. But that's why people have AK build parties. You might want to look into this if you want to build an AK. . Last edited by Fishbed77; January 20, 2014 at 09:52 AM.

January 20, 2014, 01:50 AM	#5
toppermost Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 224	Well that settles that question. haha __________________ k.i.s.s.

January 19, 2014, 07:16 PM	#2
Knight cadet Member Join Date: January 15, 2014 Location: The Gunshine State Posts: 70	A lot harder and a little more expensive.

January 20, 2014, 01:02 AM	#4
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	AR is way easier to built.... AK's not so much.

January 21, 2014, 10:18 PM	#6
MoBart Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2009 Posts: 267	Its cheaper to buy an AK and build and AR. You can do either for about the same price actually. Seeing AK parts kkits around and even under $200 got me really interested and excited in it. But then seeing the4 tool requirements it didn't seem practical if your only going to build a rifle or two. Plus barrells cost as much as the parts kit, and we havent even gotten to a reciever yet.

January 21, 2014, 10:56 PM	#7
Knight cadet Member Join Date: January 15, 2014 Location: The Gunshine State Posts: 70	AK kits are going for $300 now, and that's without the $100+ barrel. Add a reciever ($75-$125) and 9222r parts and your parts cost exceed the cost of a ready to shoot yugo AK. Dad built 5 or 6 back when the kits were $100 and came with chrome lined barrels. It's not really worth doing any more.

January 21, 2014, 11:11 PM	#8
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	Short answer, yes AK's are harder to build. With today's prices, there's no point in building an AK. Just buy one in the price range you want and shoot. AR15's are a different subject and much easier to build, but you also don't have to worry about a lot of other things like 922r compliance.

January 24, 2014, 08:42 AM	#9
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	The problem with building an AK is that you need special tools. I believe you will need a couple of different kinds of riviters and a hydrolic press for the barrel pin. I looked into this once, and I figured that I'd have more in AK tools than the cost of a good quality AK.

January 25, 2014, 01:24 PM	#10
5thShock Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2006 Posts: 400	The AK demands that you work metal, bending and riveting and heat treating, press fitting and suchlike. It must be built. The AR is a assembly exercise.