Ruffian72 548 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Ok, been seeing some major issues reported with most US made AK's. Anyone have a clue what's going on? Got a couple Romy's for $200 in the 90's that have fired thousands of rounds. And other builders that reworked Saiga and Vepr over the last 10 years. No real issues. Never a metal related failure. A canted sight or bad finish use to be the worry with imports. Yes their were some bad builders of parts guns, that were quality of build, not so much the parts themselves. So, are they trying to redesign, can't get the heat or forging process, since most issues are broken, bent and blown metal. A lot of these AK's aren't cheap or considered throwaways. Just seam more hit or miss with quality, not consistent. Those who have done gut work got any ideas. Yes I have polished and replaced parts, even built a kit from polish parts and a receiver from a quality supplier, so, if these companies are spending big bucks to tool up and produce, what seems the issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Back in the Fn Fal kit building craze. Their were some junk receivers, so know some skimp metals. We built many, and reworked many more that had used inferior built receivers or other components. And yes their were knock off builders putting out dangerous weapons for a quick buck to the unknowing. Wont even go into the junk builders of the H&K clones, that (looked) as good as the quality builders for a couple hundred bucks less. Yet, with many of these weapons Price was the give away, not so in the AK market. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) It has always been an issue. Buyer beware? Buying in person would pay in spades if you know what to look for. I made an imperfect AK (by some standards) that shoots very well. Technically American made. Edited January 2, 2017 by Sim_Player 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 I think it has a lot to do with economics. It just seems like a quality AK can't be manufactured 100% stateside at a competitive price. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ruffian72 548 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 It has always been an issue. Buyer beware? Buying in person would pay in spades if you know what to look for. I made an imperfect AK (by some standards) that shoots very well. Technically American made. Yes, building ourselves, we get what we want or at our skill or tool level. Just seen many reviews of reputable persons that have had major/dangerous parts/metal failures. Maybe it was a push for pre election production numbers. A guy gets one that shoots 100's and 100's of rounds, next guy's literally blows apart from metal stress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
csspecs 1,987 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Could be a bunch of things. Use of cast parts rather than forgings. The direction a casting or forging flows not being cross grain to load. Not using cutters that have chamfered or radiused corners. Heat treating without using a heat shield. Heat treating in the wrong type of furnace. The AK was a HUGE pain to get right in russia.. I think it took 15 years between the type 1 and the AK-M. One of the issues you have is that many of these new guns are being designed and built by gun assemblers not true manufacturers. Just because you spent the last 20 years riveting AK parts kits back together does not mean you know how to make the parts. That knowledge is expensive, most of these companies don't start with small stuff and they end up running out of cash before they get it figured out. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Most of the videos and reviews on the USA built guns allude to the same things... mostly to poor heat treating of the bolt and bolt carrier. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Don't forget the trunnions. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 The AK has been developed and built in a STATE SPONSORED armory. That means they did NOT have to skimp on machinery or processes. Forging and heat treating are EXPENSIVE to do RIGHT! Forging can mean anything from a blacksmith with a 3# hammer, to a military grade "disruptor" with a 400,000# hammer! Heat treatment can be a redneck with a torch, or a multi step industrial process with many steps and dedicated EXPENSIVE equipment. Until someone dedicates the proper $$$$$$$ and talent to build a dedicated industrial production line, I will stick to critical parts made in a dedicated STATE SPONSORED armory! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodes1968 1,638 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 I once thought differently. Milled is absolutely the only way to go for US production AK. If the Ruskies had what we have now in milling technology and metallurgy the stamped AK would have never hit the streets, it is a bear to get right. Bit extra weight but nothing worth that pain. So many ways to go so wrong in a production for profit operation of stamped receivers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 AK receiver is no biggie. However the front trunnion... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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