I thought this update was worth a new thread. Thanks to all those that followed along in the last one:
RIGHT HERE
Did some major updates to the AKM, both in terms of parts, and finishing.
Here's the things updated:
External parts:
-Element steel ribbed top (also have an ICS top which is more well made, but ended up darker, and thus less matching, still haven't decided which one I'll slap on it in the end)
-Element black pistol grip instead of the KA one (the Element is more realistic with it's glossy finish and it being more rounded, and comfortable too)
-King Arms metal front end set (the newer one with the AK-74 conversion parts)
-King Arms AK-74/AKM steel safety lever.
-ICS Bolt for a nice large recoil spring, heavy bolt carrier, more bolt travel, and to get rid of that stupid flimsy plastic TM battery tray, which I broke in several places. Wasn't hard to install either. Give a very nice clack. Thank you Dicey for bringing one in for me.
External work:
-Got rid of the disgusting flat black paint (and the gloss black paint, which ended up being even worse), in fact I'm done with paint altogether.
-Used firearm cold bluing solution to blue pretty much... everything. I can write a huge post about how that went and what I learned, but that would take a long time, maybe sometime later if anyone is curious. Still don't know why the KA "steel" safety lever didn't take blue properly.
-Reshaped the lower handguard to AKM shape (shortened and rounded)
Gave the wood 4 stains of stain, but since it's soft wood, it needed a sealant solution first, which I didn't use, thus it's a little spotty, especially on the stock.
-Gave the wood a coat of clearcoat. Said - "Quick Drying 4-6 hours". 32 hours later, and it was still kinda sticky. I guess I put on too thick of a coat. Said screw it, installed the wood, and played around with it. It lost some of it's gloss and blackened in some areas due to it not drying completely. Oh well.
-The bluing and the wood work didn't go perfect, thus the gun does look "used" in some areas. Wasn't my intention, but so much for letting it earn it's own wear from the start. Will still get it's share of action and wear soon enough.
Internal upgrades:
Element M115 spring
Element V3 bearing spring guide
Area1000 metal bushings
Chronied it at
390fps with .2gs
Things still needing to be done:
-Need to fill the holes on the gas pipe with JBweld for the AKM look
-Do some cutting/filing and such on the gas port.
-Cut up the front sight, shorten it and JBweld it back together for the AKM look. I'm awaiting to hear results from a fellow ASC member who is also building an AKM, who will test bluing on his JBwelded parts.
-Dye the pistol grip to a brown/orangish bakelite color.
-Dye or somehow finish the bakelite mags to a reddish/orange bakelite color.
-Someday I might redo the wood and the bluing. Someday. Not in the near future.
-Buy steel drum mag :P
You will see pictures later down of it's lil cousin that is still getting built. It will be an AKM/AK pistol. So far it's a Kraken AK (thank you Amos for buying and shipping one to me) with an Element stamped style AKM/AK-74 metal body, ICS ribbed steel top cover, KA pistolgrip, RPK plywood foregrips, and a TM thread protector. What I plan to do to that one is replace the gas pipe/port and front sight with a TM Spetz front sight, and chop the barrel to fit, so it will end right after the handguards. Also need to get an AKM slanted brake for it, restain the wood, get a metal front set, and rewire it to the top. Maybe someday mod one of those new KA AKMS folding stocks onto the body. The bluing turned out rusty/uneven. Oh well once again. Someday - redo. For now it will be fine.
Alright, on with the show!!
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Yes, I also got walnut grips for my M9
That's it for now, thanks for lookin'!
Cheers,
Alex