My new (first) AK kits!

[scratchthejeepguy]

So I met with a guy today today that had some AK kits for sale. He said he had a Yugo M70AB2 underfolder kit, and a rusty Romy G kit, both with uncut barrels. He wanted 350 but I offered him 300 and he took it.
I “think” they’re mostly complete but I think there might be a few missing parts and I’d like to put some names to some parts that I don’t know names of.

First off, here’s the Yugo. It still has some cosmoline on it and there is very little rust if any.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207003_1951647026113_1090746934_32293904_2338613_n .jpg

Then there’s the rusty Romy G kit.
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206887_1951653666279_1090746934_32293913_545991_n. jpg

I actually thought there would be more rust the way he talked on the phone. The Barrel is pretty bad though in my opinion. Do you guys think it’s still safe to use? I was thinking about taking a wire wheel to it and see just how bad it is… good idea or not?

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215222_1951654146291_1090746934_32293916_5514381_n .jpg

The dust cover is pretty bad also, but I know I can clean that up, and I don’t think it’s vital that it’s perfect anyways right?
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222914_1951653946286_1090746934_32293914_3911849_n .jpg

The cleaning kit trap door is rusted really bad, but oh well…
The Bolt and bolt carrier have a little rust, and both are barely pitted, but not much.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223034_1951655986337_1090746934_32293919_5594991_n .jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/221946_1951650026188_1090746934_32293906_6385188_n .jpg

The rear sight block is also pretty rusted, but not pitted so I’m not worried about that
either.
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223178_1951654466299_1090746934_32293918_8156280_n .jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224666_1951656466349_1090746934_32293920_7470538_n .jpg

I’m sure I can clean all that stuff up. The only part that has me worried is the barrel.

What’s the best way to get rid of the rust? The light stuff and the heavy stuff?

I know the Romy is missing one of the rear trunion/ stock screws, but I’m sure I can find one of those.

There is no cleaning kit for either rifle, no biggie for me now…does the Yugo even have a cleaning kit?

The Romy came with 3 Hammer/Trigger pins, and the Yugo with two… Am I missing one more pin, or is there an extra one in here somehow?

I’m assuming that that long spring in both kits is the hammer pin retaining spring right?

I’m not sure what the parts are that are labeled A,C, and E,…. Can you help me out. These parts are missing from the Yugo kit… Both kits have nice clean bores.

I think I’m going to buy pre bent and hardened receivers for both rifles, anybody have any suggestions.

Do I have to remove the barrels from the trunions to complete these kits? Do I even need a press to finish these? It seems to me that if I got new receivers, with rails installed, I could just rivet on the trunions and be done right! If I wanted to get it done without rivets, I could go the weld option correct? I still think I want to go with rivets… just wondering…

Another thing… what’s the deal with cutting them in half anyways? Is it that the US requires them to be a non functioning rifle to import it or what? Is the US that cuts them?

By putting on a new receiver, does that mean I have to go the 922R route?

Sorry for all the questions, I know I’ll have more.

[Mark Ducati]

Building AK's is like rebuilding hotrod cars...

Some people have more skillz than others... my idea of rebuilding is buying new parts and paying someone else to bolt them on.

But if you have the skillz, I think you'll have some very nice looking AK's when all is said and done... nice kits, but a little too much rust for my liking... but, they're all gonna get stripped/blasted/refinished anyways, right?

Have you ever built an AK before?

Let me know when you get your first bloody knuckle! Putting AR15 kits together is relatively easy as everything is plug-n-play... AK's take a lot of "fitting"... it was almost comical how many times I'd cut my knuckles or pinch a finger bad enough to make it bleed building my Ak's. Then again, I have no building skillz.

Good luck, looks like a fun project(s) if you've got the time, tools, and patience...

Please post pics of your builds when you're done... home builds are always inspring :)

[scratchthejeepguy]

Thanks, no I've never built an AK before, but I figure it's not that I "can't" do it... just that I haven't yet. I'm sure I can find the answers I need to any questions I have online. I run a small metalworking shop so I have, or can build most of the tools I need. I'm very excited, I love building things. I already have a good selction of band-aids so I figure that's a start at least...

When you say Blasting... Do I want to blast all the rusty parts? I don't have a soda blaster yet though. Is there a media besides soda that I could use, or is it best to hire that out so I can use Soda, or is just a wire wheel good enough? Should I be worried about putting in wire wheel scratches, or not?

[mountainman28542]

hello :)

I'm a new ak builder too but when i stripped everything on mine i used some water soluable rust remover and it brought it down to bare metal. :) im plannin on refinishing everything so it doesnt concern me too much but im just makin sure to keep plenty of lube on the parts :) now if my dang press would get here! lol (btw scratch we are neighbors :) i live a little north of you) ;)

[ATAK, Inc.]

Thanks, no I've never built an AK before, but I figure it's not that I "can't" do it... just that I haven't yet. I'm sure I can find the answers I need to any questions I have online. I run a small metalworking shop so I have, or can build most of the tools I need. I'm very excited, I love building things. I already have a good selction of band-aids so I figure that's a start at least...

When you say Blasting... Do I want to blast all the rusty parts? I don't have a soda blaster yet though. Is there a media besides soda that I could use, or is it best to hire that out so I can use Soda, or is just a wire wheel good enough? Should I be worried about putting in wire wheel scratches, or not?


Typically, media blasting is the ticket. If you are going with GunKote, you need to use 120 grit aluminum oxide. If just finissh/light rust removal, glass beads.

I'm in the middle of doing my first build, and am being extreme with every little detail.

[scratchthejeepguy]

Typically, media blasting is the ticket. If you are going with GunKote, you need to use 120 grit aluminum oxide. If just finissh/light rust removal, glass beads.

I'm in the middle of doing my first build, and am being extreme with every little detail.

So I don't need a soda blaster then? I can use a standard sand blaster and use glass beads or 120G alum. oxide? I was worried about the rough finish it puts on the metal as opposed to soda blasting.

Mountainman... maybe we should get a build party going... how far North are you?

[Tx Dogblaster]

If I'm not mistaken, Gunkote recommends against glass bead blasting as it doesn't leave enough tooth for good adhesion. The 120 grit will be perfect. I actually use Black Beauty to blast my builds. It works awesome for hot blue and really good for Gunkote as well.

[mountainman28542]

I'm up in Osceola scratch :) out in the sticks lol

[scratchthejeepguy]

I started to demil my parts today. I'm assuming the term "demil" means to remove the old rivets in prep for new rivets... I got the most of the ones I could get out without removing the barrel, but what's the best way to remove the long ones on the rear trunion? I have the old reciever off, but don't know how to remove those two on the rear trunion.

[mountainman28542]

drill press bro, or just grind the heads off and use a punch :) at least thats how i got em out :)

[Tx Dogblaster]

Center punch the rivets and use a GOOD drill bit at as slow of RPM's as you can. Use some cutting oil and it makes life better. Start with a 1/8" bit then work your way up. I normally don't drill all the way through. That way you can put a punch in and drive the rivet the rest of the way out. I'vemhad to drill a couple to where I basically remove a "sleeve" but the majority of the time I drill then punch...