How
to Build an AK-47
Part One of our series on US AK47 builders
- Chris Horn's AK47 building method
Our doberman pup inspects a table of
AK47 rifles & AK47 pistols fitted and ready for
finishing
We worked with Chris Horn as he builds
AK47 rifles and AK47 pistols at his workshop near
Flagstaff, AZ. Since no one in the US has the same
equipment they use in Russia or Europe, US builders
have developed multiple methods of building their
US made AK47s.
We've broken down the assembly of a US
made AK47 into 12 steps that we will illustrate with
text and images here. Keep in mind
these are for informational use, our instructions
are not an attempt to include every aspect of building
a safe rifle. No amount of explanation can
replace experience. We worked with Chris Horn who
has built literally thousands of AK47 rifles and AK47
pistols in the last few years. His skill at building
quality rifles is a result of his interest, abilities
and proper tools to do the job.
Choosing
a AK47
Parts Kit
There are many AK47 parts kits out there for
sale, deciding which to buy can be a tough choice.
First consider
what type of finished rifle you would like to end
up with. After that things to look for are quality
of parts, matching numbers
on the parts which indicates the parts kit was once
a complete rifle not just spare parts thrown together.
The best way in our opinion to ensure you are buying
a quality kit is to do some research first, then buy
the kit in person so you can inspect the barrel, bolt
and other parts for use and age. Many of the Romanian
AK47 parts kits (which are among the least expensive
and of high quality) are dated so you can easily determine
the age of the original rifle.
Most
complete kits come in the same plastic bag they used
when they disassembled the AK47 originally. If your
parts kit comes in a box or just loose parts, be extra
careful to ensure your kit is made up of parts from
one AK47 and not just spare parts from past builds,
collections, etc.
Also keep in mind the laws
in your city, county, state and country. Make sure
it is legal or you to build your AK47. Learn what
parts are OK and which are not. For example, the full
auto trigger group included with many kits is not
legal anywhere in the US to use for building. In addition
you'll need to use 25% US made parts on your complete
rifle.
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Taking apart the AK47 Parts
Kit
Now that you've chosen a good kit, and are
ready to start on your AK47 build, you'll need to
remove some parts from many of the AK47 parts kits
available today. Some kits have these steps done for
you, some kits were never made into rifles and these
steps wouldn't be required.
First remove all the parts from the bag
your kit came in. Look over the parts for defects,
areas worn from use, or missing parts. Remove the
full auto trigger parts that wouldn't be legal to
use for your build.
Next steps involve tools, here we go..
Take the wood parts off the front end unit (top &
bottom handguards) also remove the cleaning rod if
your AK47 parts kit included one.Also remove the wooden
stock assuming that you have one of those. Your left
with all the metal parts from the original AK47, a
few are still attached to the old parts of the original
receiver usually.
So the next step is the trigger guard
and safety selector stop plate. Put the magazine catch
into a vice. First go after the 4 rivets together
in the front. Grind the rivets from the inside of
the original receiver to avoid any permanent marks
to your new rifle. Grind the heads all the way off
and since you won't need the piece of original receiver,
if you grind into it a bit that's OK. Next pry the
old receiver piece off. Grind the rivets again to
make removing the safety selector stop plate easier.
Use a cold chisel to pry the safety stop off the trigger
guard, then grind the rivets again to make popping
them through the trigger guard easier without bending
the metal.
Next remove the rear rivet to remove
the trigger guard from the old receiver. It's pretty
easy, just be careful not to bend the trigger guard
in the process.
 |
Tip:
Watch the trigger guard during
disassembly, sometimes on torch cut AK47 parts
kilts the trigger guard is weakened from the heat
and it can bend or break easily. Use caution and
go slowly so you keep your trigger guard in good
shape. |
On the rear end of that same receiver
piece you'll need to remove the rivets and pry off
the old receiver that remains. The trunion is hardened,
so you won't damage it it the process. As before the
old receiver is not going to be used again so if you
grind into it, it will just make prying off the receiver
easier.
Once the receiver is removed from the
rear trunion, you'll need to drill out the rivets.
they go straight through, so a drill press would work,
but a mill is much stronger if you have access to
one. The trunion is hardened so you probably won't
hurt it during the drilling but you might break a
few bits learning this step.
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Folding the US AK47
receiver from a flat
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Setting
rails in place, support pin, drilling holes
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Removing
the barrel
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Installing
trunions into the US AK47 receiver
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Installing the trigger guard
& magazine latch
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Installing
the barrel
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Installing
the Trigger Group
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Troubleshooting
and Test Firing
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Finishing
the AK47
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Final
assembly
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