My Magnum PMKMS

[G35S]

Glen Riddle at Magnum Gunsmithing sent me these. This started as a Global hand select Polish PMKMS kit, excellent/new condition. Had Glen parkerize it and add the Black Bulgarian synthetic stock set.

US parts include the build on an OOW Receiver, Gordon Tech H/T/Disconnector and the Falcon Ergo Grip. Also had him install a side rail mount to be mated with one of FWRA's Russian AK Weaver Siderail Mount (http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79211)

I'm still debating on what I'll mount on top. I'm leaning toward the PK-01 Red Dot or PK-04.

I wanted to thank Glen for excellent job well done.


http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=659476

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=659481

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=659484

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=659486

[sfc ret]

Glen does a excellent job, that looks like a sweet rifle. :) I had him build my bulgarian 74 on a OOW with GORDON TECHNOLOGY trigger group, and had the baked enamel finish on it......the weapon looks like it came from the factory.

I opted out of the scope rail for it.......after all it's a AK, not some precision tack driver.

[G35S]

Thanks sfc, and you are correct, Glen does excellent builds. It probably was your AK74 he sent pix of, that got my blood boiling for an AK. The baked enamel finish he does is awesome. ;)

Like I said, I’m torn between the PK-01 and PK-04. My eye sight is not what it use to be. Not really looking for the tack driver aspect, but something that will help with quick acquisition. :)

[Magnum Gunsmithing]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words.

Pete....give me a call. I tried to return your e-mail but it worn't work. I want to make arrangements to deliver your Maadi re-work :)

[K1196A]

is it just me or is the optic plate not parallel with the barrel centerline. have you tried to zero an optic on this mount?

[Prometheus606]

Thats a fine looking rifle.....


Rusty

[G35S]

Originally posted by K1196A
is it just me or is the optic plate not parallel with the barrel centerline. have you tried to zero an optic on this mount?
I don't have possession of it yet. He just sent me the pix. However, Glen is one hell of a smith. Have a few FAL's in the safe now, and a couple more at his shop.

I've never had a single problem with anything he has worked on. I will ask though, it does look a little off, but it could also be the angle of the pix.

Will report back. Great question.

[G35S]

Originally posted by Prometheus606
Thats a fine looking rifle.....


Rusty

Thanks Rusty, from a fellow Texan. I unfortunatley am in the Longhorn area.

[G35S]

Originally posted by K1196A
is it just me or is the optic plate not parallel with the barrel centerline. have you tried to zero an optic on this mount?

K1196A,

Thanks for the observation and the question. I didn't have a clue, so I asked Glen and here is his response:
"It does look a little off the center line to me as well. I have a template that I use that lines up the scope rail using the the trigger pin holes. I have found that OOW receivers will have their holes sometimes a little out of alignment, which in turn will make the side rail look like that a bit. The picture makes it look much different than it is. I guarantee you will be able to zero it......haven't had one yet come back."

He also mounted a 8x42, I think I might just have to have. Thanks again, it gave me a different perspective on what a scope would look like on it.

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=660587

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=660591

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=660595

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=660598

[K1196A]

man -- that's way off and you can see it even more with the scope mounted.

you can look at that and tell the problem wasn't with the template, it was with the placement. those axis pins are where they're supposed to be, it's just that the front rivet on that optic plate is rotated up about an 1/8". you can tell that by judging that the spacing between the hammer axis pin and the plate is way bigger then the spacing between the trigger axis pin and the optic plate. additionally, you can see the bottom portion of the center support rivet showing below the optic plate and that should be completely covered.

i'm not trying to cut your project down, but this is the time to get it corrected before it comes back to you. i myself was the victim of a bad smith job and once i got it back i was unwilling to send it back to him for correction. let this guy fix it before you spend more money to have it done again or somewhere else. the way that mount is now, i'm not sure you'll be able to get enough adjustment to get on target -- besides that it's just wrong and you've paid for it to be done right!

[Magnum Gunsmithing]

First off, The axis pin for the hammer wasn't were it was supposed to be...nor was the center support pin after checking them with the blueprints and FEG receiver that I have. That is what is causing the effect you see in the picture. I shot this rifle this afternoon and was able to zero the scope you see, as well as a Russian Kobra sight with little difficulty.....no more than any other build. I have built 100's ok AK's and have yet to have one come back.

HOWEVER, after realizing how "off" the hammer axis pin is and the center support....I am going to replace the reciever to insure that G35S is happy.

Thanks...G35S give a me a few days and I'll have the receiver swapped and refinished.

[K1196A]

hey whatever you say. it just looks like the pins/rivets are in the right place, but with out a mic only you can say. all i know is that if the pins are too far out of alignment the the fcg won't work period so if it passed a function check....... hmmm?!? have you considered using a template that works off the axis holes and the top of the receiver? that would probably give you a much more reliable reference so that the front plate rivet bisects the dimple.

anyway, the real issue is that it is improperly assembled (regardless of fault) and it's good to see that you are taking the steps to make it right. that's what a good smith should do! ;)

[MDIAKS74]

Definitely glad to see that the smith is fixing this one.

A hint when installing scope rails of this type, the upper edge should be parallel to the lower edge of the top cover and the forward rivet should be approximately centered in the vetical dimension of the dimple.

The axis pin hole problems are among the many issues with Ohio Ordnance receivers. The other problem (which I note the smith didn't fix) is the misplaced selector lever holes. This can be seen from the gap between the back of the selector lever and the top cover.

So far, no American company has got the stamped AKM or AK74 receivers correct. Nor, in fact have they got the milled receivers correct for a European pattern milled receiver rifle.

I have talked to most of the manufacturers both in the pre-production state and after they started producing the receivers.

None are interested in producing collectors grade receivers or even receivers that are dimensionally correct fro Euro pattern AKs.

MDI

[K1196A]

i missed the selector issue because the other thing was so obvious, but you're dead on right.

[Tantal]

I believe this plate was made parallel with the bottom of the receiver and not the top, since the top and bottom edge of the receivers are not parallel, it is canted most obviously upward at the front. The clamp on the optic is also not fully slid forward, not sure why?

Martin has stated some good tips, which will get you in the ballpark, I merely wanted to be a little more specific, having installed a great many of these.

The rear rivet of the optics plate is located by the trunnion hole it is installed into, which also sandwiches the receiver wall. The rail is then made parallel to the top edge of the receiver. Where the front rivet is located is determined by the rail you are using, there are minor variations in Russian, Bulgarian, Romanian, etc. Make sure you are using the right rail for your receiver design, i.e. if you have a 74 rivet pattern rifle (as shown) use a 74 rivet pattern reciever. The rear plate rivet location is different on the two styles.

Don't try to use the bottom edge of the receiver cover as a guide, it can be angled and often is. Use the top edge of the receiver, with the receiver cover taken off. Don't try to use the dimple as a guide, as you can see on this US made receiver, they vary wildly in locations, length, width, etc.

It is key to get the rail parallel with the receiver, going by variable locating points such as the pin holes, receiver cover edge, or dimple locations can likely lead you in the wrong spot. Russian instructions state the rails are made parallel with the top edge of the receiver, because under ideal circumstances, the bore is close enough to being straight with the top in a well built rifle, that the optic will be in the ballpark.

[xebec]

What I have done on all my builds (and all have optics plates) seems to me the most foolproof method of assuring the alignment of the plate. I use a long straightedge (at least 18"-- an 18" steel ruler will suffice) placed along the top dovetail edge of the plate. Install the rearmost rivet in the proper position, and then use the straightedge to assure that the plate dovetail is aligned in relation to the barrel, mark the front hole, drill, and rivet. The center hole goes last.

[K1196A]

so, how did the re-do come out?