You Want To Build Kalashnikovs ( AK ) ? You Need Money, Time And Patience . It's Not For Everyone.

[@ivanenski1]

I absolutely got into this hobby way too late and missed the boat on cheap and plentiful parts kits. But still having an absolute blast learning to do it on my own. Thank you for all the knowledge you continue to pass on to us new builders.

[@itsamk18-ish]

See I’ve been a machinist for a long time yet am humble enough to know that just because i know my way around a shop don’t mean i know how build shit I’ve never built before. I’m sure i could figure it out after a few tries and some research but i never say just because i can do this means i can do that.

[@joshmiller9783]

im a machinist too and to be fair an ar lower with no jig took me 30 minutes. after proving the prog.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

@@joshmiller9783 what's your point?

[@joshmiller9783]

@@m26_lemon_grenade55 shits not as hard as ya think just cause you had a hard time. Maybe you should be less of an ass, idk its just a suggestion.

[@hunters36forgingwoodworkin73]

@@m26_lemon_grenade55he has forgotten the point.

[@Lord_of_the_Edgelords]

@@m26_lemon_grenade55 Wow, you're a prick. Seek therapy.

[@chicorodriguez3964]

Im an actual machinist and own a fully equipped shop and let me tell ya the first AK I built was a definite learning experience I used mostly a polish parts kits and I learned that all AK parts are not made to equal size and specs I made all mine own fixtures and jigs I actually thought I could build AK'S for half the price witch I did but if you were to add my time in it literally took weeks of working on it at night after work was done for the day plus I ruined 2 receivers right off the bat at the time there wasn't many videos online to help you out needless to say the whole process was a bitch but it improved my gunsmithing skills quite well and I have been working on firearms for years before I undertook that project

[@raavaolinorman6518]

No disrespect but if it took three receivers you didn't prove you can do it for half the price.

[@chicorodriguez3964]

@raavaolinorman6518 in them days you could buy four receiver flats only because nobody pre bent them up for you for $100 and there was only like two companies stomping them out you know nothing about what it takes to bend up a receiver or make a jig fixture to actually get that done back then there was no how to videos or tutorials there was no AK builder. Com to buy parts or tools so yeah I built those first few AK'S for a fraction of the price it would cost you today but it took a few extra parts along the way you could buy nice polish or Romanian kits for $125

[@luciankristov6436]

I started in 2013 and got kits to the door like polish 11 kits for 300$ . Got Bulgarian 74s for 410$ to the door. They're so expensive now. Building an AK is nearly 1000$ now. I bought my tooling over the years when they were cheaper. Now AKs are just a novelty to build... Its kinda not worth it honestly

[@jefferyboring4410]

I got a polish 11 kit a while back 220 shipped off gun broke. Was in a factory fire. !! But 2k plus rds later no signs of bolt wear. I already built a ar15 psa a buddy gave me from a house fire all the aluminum melted I’ve fired 3k rds out of it no odd wear!?! Old one with a fn barrel. Odd I figured a fire would mess with the steel but no difference was seen

[@davidb9323]

The AK a market has fallen on its face since 2020.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

It became "cool". Once things become "cool" it's all downhill

[@cjnoldner8526]

My first 74 kit and my rpk about drove my crazy done around 30 builds now but those two really tested me.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

M72 was my first long rivet in the front trunnion gun ..... Figuring out how to get that rivet done with home made tools really tested my resolve

[@PistolsPlayground]

🤣🤣🤣 This video is so true. Building an AK is an art, and something always goes sideways, and then there's always problem kits. Problem kits are a pain in the ass, and fight you 100% of the way. Those are the builds that make you never want to see an AK or a 12 ton press ever again. And, the 20 ton press part cracked me up, because I did it! 🤣🤣🤣 Good video my man.

[@pawel900rr99]

Ignore the haters, keep sharing your builder knowledge broski! Solid chanel😎

[@johnpawly1849]

This video is great I’m really looking forward to your videos now. Good job. Thanks

[@akdownrangellc831]

Started building in the 90’s when it was the Wild West. No tools per se except the ones you made. You are spot on here.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

It's been fun and frustrating journey for sure

[@chicorodriguez3964]

When I started building in about 03-04 there wasn't anything out there either it was actually hard to even recherch everything I needed but luckily my family owns a full machine shop and even with that AK building was a huge process

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

Thanks for doing this video I really appreciate it.

[@sunrises-sm2im]

Thank you for your Knowledge & Videos 🤠🇺🇸

[@TEREK1]

Super interesting. I remember seeing those kits. Thanks for this video and your work!

[@blaiwayw1]

If you only want to build one AKM from a parts kit, forget it. Buy a Zastava M70 ZPAP for around $1K. Yeah, I know it’s not a “real” AKM. Parts kit’s can still be had with original barrels. GunBroker is the best source of parts kits. I built several parts kits with populated barrels before I tried a build with a new barrel. When you get into builds with new barrels, it’s a whole new ball game. I already had a press (it’s a 20 ton, and I’ve never broken anything with it) drill press, and a mill. Buy three tools from AK-builder. The jig to drill receiver holes, the set for pressing all the rivets, except the trigger guard. That’s the third tool. A numbered drill bit set to 50 is very useful. I bought 3mm, 4mm, 4.5mm and 7mm drill bits. AK-Builder sells parts. Carolina Shooters Supply is very good too. When you build a kit, you also have to comply with 922r, which requires using 5 or 6 USA made parts. That will probably be receiver, gas piston, barrel, and a trigger group that counts for 3, and the muzzle brake counts as one. All the costs add up. I built my first three AKM’s with original barrels. All of them turned out as good as any factory build, and better than some. I watched all the youtube videos, and read several books. It’s a learning process. Time consuming. Expensive. Very satisfying, after you get the hang of it. Like the man says “it’s not for everyone”.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

I stopped reading at Zastava

[@archiij1707]

​@@m26_lemon_grenade55 would you recommend the wbp 545 core parts ? Can't seem to find any front trunnion for a 74

[@11bterminalspc98]

Love the shirt! Great advice

[@royshobe6642]

Thanks for making this video

[@larryhampshire3075]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge great video

[@EL-Coconut2024]

If only i had the money😢

[@fearrogue]

Maybe he's talking about his 3D printer but he wanted to sound cool

[@aggrodkreg4321]

When I started to get into guns, I researched how I could put together 1911s, ARs, and AKs in that order. I came to the conclusion that you shouldn't dump on anyone who chooses to build from scratch. All need specialized tools at some level, and all need to spend precious TIME to learn.

[@traininsane1979]

I started my AK building journey in January 2020 with a book and a few videos. I bought a pioneer Arms HellPup, and demilled it ,l and put it back together with a forged trunnion

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

That's not terrible for experience..... I did the same thing with Wasr back in the day.

[@rando3448]

There's a reason AKs are made in honking factories

[@hicapclipazine6000]

“This Thing Of Ours”, 🍝 🍷 🇮🇹

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

That guy..... friend of ours

[@maddantt7757]

Positive, mature comment

[@robertspickler1385]

Your Words Ring True...

[@danielmacdonald8358]

Good video 👍👍

[@vlads.5019]

I'm not even from the U.S., just interested in how these things work and are built. It's indeed an artform and a lot of craftsmanship seems to be involved here. Thank you for your "no-BS" attitude and for the knowledge shared, wish I could at least shoot an AK one day...

[@seanuh60]

I like tools and taking my time to do things right and take pride in my accomplishments.

[@bradborgelt60]

With at least three Monarch 60 ton hammer press along with vacume heat treatment equipment. You are just starting to get into what will I need just to turn out a good number of ready to use 100 percent tacos. Lol. Some thing also to consider is after 35 to 40 builds typically you will need to replace some tooling with wear and tear. A three axis manual mill, 40 in laith with 2 1/2 in spindle bore.

[@kaveman9]

Pretty much gave up on AK kits when they started destroying the barrels to import, but man was it fun when 'complete' kits were available and cheap. Just sold off my last pile of 'good' kits,.....time to put that money and effort into something else.

[@colinmiller4598]

Thank you for the reality check. Would be great if they had a class for this in Junior College.

[@seller559]

If you don’t enjoy the building process, trial and error, etc. then buy your AK off the shelf. If you like tinkering, taking things apart, figuring out the mystery “why won’t this thing work?” …go for it and build your own. Patience, patience, patience 👍👍👍

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Unfortunately.....off the shelf Kalashnikov in America are garbage anymore

[@seller559]

@@m26_lemon_grenade55 I’ll take your word for it. I don’t own one. I just love building and rebuilding stuff. Great channel 👍

[@mobilegamersunite]

I was a tool machinist electrician for KUKA Robotics 🤖 and I still won't make that claim...unless I actually build one from start to finish 😅

Thanks for the good information G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@chadjones2168]

Building an ak is for sure an art, I know my limits. I know alot about aks but I know I do not have the skill to build them. I will leave that to people like you.

[@KnightOwl74]

Always love your no BS honest approach in your videos. I would love to get into AK building like any good AK junkie, but your words of wisdom of now is not the time kind of struck true. Do you have a preferred way to contact you for a possible repair? I've been an AK fan since way back in OIF 07-09 when I saw what they did in Iraq. Army vet that's desperately wanting my original gf3 to be made into something I can actually depend on. Hit me up. Keep the good videos coming, you're one of the few I trust!

[@forthehellofit5544]

Yep, the last build I did… was the AK 104 build from hell! It fought me allllll the way from the receiver to the trigger group. I wanted to throw all my shit in the river.

[@GunSperg]

Mokas Raifus gets some cool parts kits in front of time to time. They can be kinda pricey depending on what you’re looking at though. Wish I’d have gotten in to the building game back when I got in to AK’s circa 2013. I still might try it out eventually just because I’m so enamored with the platform

[@jbfitz196]

Greate video sir lots of good information. Was wondering if you would mind giving your opinion on the quality of the Maadi rifle imported in the nineties and also could you say what new furniture set will fit one as example the nato style furniture set Atlantic arms has for sale on their website at this time will it fit or will one have to work at it to fit and will it give one a longer length of pull keep the videos coming is really cool the little details you add in that live one you did was a really good one how about doing another one have a grate day and see ya on the next one

[@jefferyboring4410]

I’ve built many using big vice papaws hammer and a modified set of bolt cutters. My rivets are swell necks. I don’t use any jigs my rivets are fine. The heads aren’t perfect but they’re not shit. A buddy brought over a 1200 set of ak tools but I didn’t wanna take the time to learn to use em. The polish receiver is my favorite that u drill your own holes. I’d like to do a wbp 556 now

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

(insert crossed eye meme) "those rivets look fine to me"

[@GhostlySD]

Cool shirt

[@makidiaz3894]

Imagine how hard it is to invent something like that from scratch, it’s unbelievable

[@liamhunter071]

Putting an ar together is a hobby, building an AK is a passion! LMAO... I've only about 7 or 8 ak's under my belt, all except one being 80% milled. A stamped receiver was the most challenging to me. Ak fan boy all the way! Like the ar's too, but two different animals for assemblies and skill levels. As far as tools, don't forget the hammer and bottle.of Vodka! Hahahaha

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

I don't drink

[@Esper320]

I destroyed way too many Russian and East German parts kit fumbling around doing this 10 years ago It'll never get back to that level, the American builder market is way too small for it to make economic sense to an American company to make parts kits or go through the pain of attempting to import more via India or Vietnam but damnit...I can dream

[@jonmoate4184]

The other a day a YT video came up.... it was a Brandon Herrara video from 4 years ago & was all about dimpling & swell neck rivets & how important they are & Brandon even fired a tantal with no rivets....only dimpled to Trunion..... So all the people that don't think dimpling & swell neck rivets aren't important...

[@k.n.k.77]

Please do a video on your experience with suppressors generally and suppressing the AK. Appreciate your opinion 👍🙂

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

I have a suppressor.....but it's not something I'm excited about.

[@k.n.k.77]

No worries. Appreciate it. Love the channel 👍

[@tsuchinokoz5036]

Yeah Maadi kits people are asking more than street price of a Maadi built early 90’s rifle 😂

[@albundy7459]

Not worth it anymore. I built one and it cost me $1700. Kits are too expensive now where you just won’t save money the more you buy over time. It was actually a lot easier than I expected. Hardest part is headspacing the barrel.

[@JohnDoe-bg9py]

thats hilarious i was watching militarygunguys video on how to properly fit an ak stock the other day.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

He's a really nice guy and I'm not calling him out......just a fact. He directs stag films

[@JohnDoe-bg9py]

@@m26_lemon_grenade55 i have nothing against the dude at all, was just a funny coincidence you talking about him. love the videos dude, glad you have comments now. appreciate all the info you give us

[@BryanTorok]

Less that 6 minutes in and you've already made the point (about 5 times) that it is harder than it looks and it takes skill and experience. I heard you the first time.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

If people actually listened to me....then I wouldn't get the same damn questions (best ak, 300 Blkout, M70, best 556 AK) in the comments section of every video.

[@robertnelson1098]

Thank YOU..... Remember Joe Ken...firearms...... Bulgarian stuff.... Comment back if so ...

[@Reaper1911-]

Hey man, Or people of the comments. What furniture compatibility does the Yugo m76 have? Outside the grip.

[@andrejohnson6101]

He could make a milled receiver

[@olmangarcia943]

Building AKs is closer to Blacksmithing than Machinist 😆. Machinist can Mill and slap together ARs sure but can u weld, rivet, fit part by feel?. The thing US minded guys forget is they had the whole Soviet govt funding and forced communist labor. Its old school iron and wood not new school polymer and aluminum. JMO

[@tsuchinokoz5036]

Yeah Maadi lots for more than an early 90s complete rifle

[@josephgoman8223]

Hey I was wondering if you know much about wbp parts. Are the 5.56 and 5.45 trunnions, bolt carrier and rear sight blocks the same? Are 7.62 trunnions the same?

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

No.....WBP 7.62x39 is straight AKM pattern. Both the 556 and 545 parts are unique and should not be interchanged with anything

[@Palaemon44]

If that guy was really a master machinist of some sort, wouldn’t he have picked up the receiver and said: “ I see that this is not a machined part. It is sheet steel and is obviously made by using a customized hardened carbide cookie cutter tool and industrial strength stamping press to cut out the shape from sheet steel. Then the first pass basic shape is heated and a stamping press bends it into the precise final form. I do not have the required stamping presses nor do I have the custom made tools to manufacture another receiver like this one. With enough time and a large high precision CNC mill I could take a 10 pound block of steel and painstakingly cut away 9.8 pounds of steel to make a machined receiver, but I could not make this pressed sheet steel receiver.”

[@georgestreisel7920]

I got into aks way too late. I got my bulgarian kit for 900 bucks and spent another 200 for a virgin bulgarian barrel in 2020. I shipped that out to two river arms to build it because I was not rolling the dice on all that money

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

They are good dudes

[@user-nm6gl9tw1y]

I did one Romanian parts build a few years ago. I learned alot but decided it wasn’t worth the investment and time

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Yeah....it's a money and time black hole

[@LovesM855A1]

Building ak is pretty easy, well with right tools which I have.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Then you haven't built enough of them or your making really bad guns. Not trying to be rude.....but that's reality

[@chicorodriguez3964]

​@@m26_lemon_grenade55totally right

[@Boredandhere]

back when I was 25, I wanted to build my own AK after putting together my first AR. After a couple of hours of research, I decided I wasn't up to it.

[@fatjeezussouthtexasoutdoor5244]

Is it possible to upgrade a cheap AK (PSA, century, etc.) into a reliable weapon, Or would it be better to start with a stripped receiver and go from there?

[@GunSperg]

You’d be better off just buying a WASR. That’s the only true “entry level” AK worth buying. The American made AK’s are all trash, they’re a waste of money. A WASR is around $700 and made the right way in a factory that’s been doing it since the 60’s. A WASR will last a lifetime and they’re ready to go off the shelf. All you really need to do 90% of the time is upgrade the furniture.

[@jefferyboring4410]

He said he fits the bolt to the gun? I always just press the barrel in till the head space is right. Some ppl actually grind on the bolt like a galil they fit the bolt and wear em in but I’ve always just headspaced on a live rd using the tape method.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

You misunderstood.....by fitting the bolt to the trunnion I'm talking about shaping the bolt to turn inside the Trunnion. I AM NOT talking about shaving the locking lugs to adjust head space. That is terrible building.

[@davekurz6036]

Nice video, eyem dumber than a caveman.....if i ever get disposable income I'll be messing up some AK parts...... i have a reloading addition now. Talk about $$$, try 13 flavors like Baskin Robins....

[@Anymin]

Sounds like Dunning Kruger effect at the start. Easy to say nonsense until one actually jumps into what they don't know.

[@ffmachinist61]

I'm a machinist. I could make it. It wouldn't be cost effective unless I get an FFL and get into mass production for a long time. Not worth it. Edit: talking about receivers. No need to even do parts, WBP offers them reasonable enough and they're proven. I have everything to build a parts kit and have. Hardest part is actually the finishing 🤷

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Well then.....you can't make them

[@thehallsofvalhalla2788]

I got two crappy builds but I swear the third will be better 😂

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

That's how learning works

[@NikolaosKorelis]

What if you are a machinist and you build a miled receiver

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Literally no machine work needed in that build

[@dallasgaming1349]

When refinishing it, what’s your favorite finish to do? Have you used paint at all?

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

If you're talking DIY....Wheelers ceramic cerakote works well. So does durabake. Both are oven baked finishes. I Generally do two coats

[@dallasgaming1349]

@@m26_lemon_grenade55 how does that durabake do? I’m trying to replicate the Russian paint look

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

You are not replicating Russian paint with diy options

[@oldman8996]

What advice do you have for someone who wants to build a budget 223/556 rifle kit

[@mcnuttington7122]

Build an ar

[@luciankristov6436]

WBP kits. About the only option too. They're decent quality kits. get the tools and take your time. I really cant stress that enough. Dont know what your reciever options are ,but i stamp my own out of a jig i built. I mill my trigger and magwell holes and grip nut holes and the obvious. Been building since 2013 and the one major thing ive learned is to take your time. Don't cut too much and dont rush anything. They're very time consuming builds as they should be.

[@oldman8996]

Thanks ​@@luciankristov6436

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

WBP kits are not quality parts. I know a lot of shops who won't even take wbp parts anymore. I'm not a fan of 556 Kalashnikovs.....you really are just better off with an AR

[@BillyWillicker]

The comparison of building AR's vs. AK's is silly. It's a completely different set of skills. I've done both. AR's are just parts assembly and checking headspace, which is a pre-set dimension that if out of spec requires parts replacement for most. AK's you need to fit each part to it's interacting parts individually. Headspace on an AK is an operative process of the assembly of the rifle, you set it with the parts you are using.

[@superhashbrom8441]

Lol comparing my wasr to my gf3 and the wasr is making the other feel like a toy compared to a tool

[@Eric-AC]

Those birds need to throw some respect.

[@mattmorrison9379]

Headspaced og barrel kits are pretty easy to build imo.

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Are those still around?

[@mattmorrison9379]

@m26_lemon_grenade55 , well, occasionally a tantal kit, Bulgarian 74 kits pop up on the marketplace. They are expensive, but 545 stuff has come down a bit as of late. Any who, are they around? Occasionally, lol. Oh yeah, the romy G kits as well can still be found, and if you're lucky the holes on the trunnion haven't been egged out yet :)

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

@@mattmorrison9379 where are these 545 barreled kits popping up?

[@GunpowderNitro]

Could u not grind the rivet heads off instead of trying to drill the rivet ????

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Why?

[@GunpowderNitro]

@m26_lemon_grenade55 if your just trying to get the rear trunnion out of the cut receiver just think it would be easier than trying to drill them out

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Try it....let me know how it goes

[@GunpowderNitro]

It's crazy cause I'm seeing unbuilt parts kits selling for more than built ones plus unless u have a legendary name in building aks resale or trade value is non existent kinda funny really

[@rayr1642]

@GunpowderNitro if the receiver is dimpled, then there's going to be part of the rivet squashed into the v channel formed by the dimple. You'd still have to remove that part before you can even think about getting the trunnion out.

[@bobjohn8581]

Im sorry I wanted to cheer you up last time.

[@Aztal]

Any "machinist" that can't build an AK, is a button pusher not a machinist.

[@chicorodriguez3964]

You know nothing about building AK'S

[@Aztal]

@@chicorodriguez3964 as it turns out, I have built several kits, AND I'm a Tool and Die maker for an fortune 500 aerospace company. Am I saying a machinist can simply look at the parts and figure out how it all goes together? No I'm not. A real machinist should absolutely be able to watch a few tutorials, look at some prints and cobble one together with the appropriate tools though, if they can't they aren't a machinist full stop.

[@chicorodriguez3964]

@@Aztal I literally own a full machine shop have been a tool and die maker for over 20 years my father is a ticked master tool maker and machinist with over 60 years experience we make tools and a lot of die fixtures for the automotive industry I'm a gunsmith in my spare time had a few years training under an older man who was an absolute awesome gunsmith when I started building AK'S there was almost no how to videos or tutorials available but parts were very cheap and abundant even with all of that it takes actual talent to build a fine rifle in the world of machine process people can be a machinist and not know everything infact I still lerner something new all the time it's a Neverending trade

[@Aztal]

@@chicorodriguez3964 @chicorodriguez3964 again, I'm not saying a machinist can take a look at a pile of parts and put it together perfectly, but any "machinist" who can't put an AK together in the modern day, should not call themselves a machinist. If you're in the industry you know as well as I do how many "machinists" we have that has no idea what they are doing. If you can grind a lathe tool, and cut a single point thread, you are more than capable of putting together an AK. I'm not saying the AK is "easy" or takes no skill to put together, I am simply saying the bar for being a machinist in terms of hand eye coordination, math, general shop knowledge, etc is much higher than an off the street guy with no machine tool knowledge. Hell even this guy said when he was learning to build stuff he was watching some dude in a maid outfit build kits lol, if that person can put together an AK a machinist can.

[@PiLLoWHanDs267]

Still think its shitty you tell him you're gonna buy it at cost and then fuck him over..

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Asshole tax

[@PiLLoWHanDs267]

Lol I kno

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

@@PiLLoWHanDs267 well.....if you understand the concept of asshole tax.....then what's the problem?

[@PiLLoWHanDs267]

@m26_lemon_grenade55 idk maybe give the guy a brake and take a loss lmao

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

He didn't have to sell it to me.

[@TellThaTruth]

My question is If you Did say you Would buy the kit at cost, then why didn't you?

[@m26_lemon_grenade55]

Asshole tax