Gunsmith recommendation!!

Discussion in 'Gunsmith shop' started by Visper, Jan 12, 2021.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jan 12, 2021 #1
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    OK, so here is the situation I am in. I have a Bulgarian AK (shhh) It's an ISD imported by Armory USA. Yeah i know at the time I couldn't afford an Arsenal. Anyway, these were built from "factory seconds" but it has been nothing but great and one of the smoothest actions I own on that platform.

    So I am looking to get it Cerakote and wanted to get a side rail installed. The finish is eh and I hate the plastic USA furniture. I picked up some US wood furniture but then I lose the rail for the red dot on the handguard/gas tube... I don't mind gunsmithing and tend not to shy away, but I really do not have the tools to add the side rail. I could also just rattle can it but since it has been so good for awhile I wanted to give it a proper paintjob.

    Here is the problem, I have called or emailed every Gunsmith in my AO and none of them will touch an AK... I was like are you kidding... your a Gunsmith by trade... So I am looking for a Gunsmith that someone hopefully on here can recommend and knows. I could just find someone on the files but I don't know any of them like I know you guys!!! So if I am going to ship it I want it to be to a trustworthy individual.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Visper, Jan 12, 2021
    Visper, Jan 12, 2021
  3. Jan 13, 2021 #2
    adam01364

    adam01364 Staff Member

    8,840
    7,445
    flo-ri-duh & mAssachusetts
    Jeff at J&N has done some work for me in the past and has been great. Dunno if he does AKs but I'll bet he does. The downside is you'd have to ship it to him. @JandN
     
    adam01364, Jan 13, 2021
    adam01364, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper likes this.

  5. Jan 13, 2021 #3
    FlashBang

    FlashBang I Stand With Talon Lifetime Supporter

    6,350
    2,199
    Bastrop, TX
    Use Duracoat and refinish it yourself. Duracoat is available in a rattle can and does not require anything special to use. I use Duracoat to do anything of mine that needs to be refinished. It's strong and durable, and available in different colors.
     
    FlashBang, Jan 13, 2021
    FlashBang, Jan 13, 2021
    moona11 likes this.
  6. Jan 13, 2021 #4
    Newman31B

    Newman31B Member

    810
    151
    St. Louis MO
    I would find you some good rattle can colors and play around till you find something you like. I rattle canned my handguard and it turned out great and is holding up nice. You will pay quite a bit for a finish that will still get beat or scratches up vs doing it yourself and recoating when needed.
     
    Newman31B, Jan 13, 2021
    Newman31B, Jan 13, 2021
  7. Jan 13, 2021 #5
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    Was thinking about that - from Brownells. But I need the side rail installed also before I can even paint...
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    moona11 likes this.
  8. Jan 13, 2021 #6
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    Is he on here then I assume with the @ - I don't mind the shipping as long as its all done correctly.
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
  9. Jan 13, 2021 #7
    OldOutlaw

    OldOutlaw Supporting Member

    6,467
    2,608
    Eastern Iowa
    Yep, he is a member. Send him a PM and ask him.
     
    OldOutlaw, Jan 13, 2021
    OldOutlaw, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper likes this.
  10. Jan 13, 2021 #8
    adam01364

    adam01364 Staff Member

    8,840
    7,445
    flo-ri-duh & mAssachusetts
    He is a member, but I haven't seen him of late. I'll PM you with contact info.
     
    adam01364, Jan 13, 2021
    adam01364, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper likes this.
  11. Jan 13, 2021 #9
    retread

    retread Member

    329
    239
    have you looked at the rails that go where the rear sight is. fairly easy to pop the sight off and pop the rail in its place and snug it down. their big enough for most red dots.
     
    retread, Jan 13, 2021
    retread, Jan 13, 2021
  12. Jan 13, 2021 #10
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    @retread Yeah thought about it but going for the classic look on it with wood etc. It is already tacticooled with Gas tube rail. It was like that when I bought it and always planned on restoring it to the classic look!!!
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    retread likes this.
  13. Jan 13, 2021 #11
    moona11

    moona11 King of you Monkeys Lifetime Supporter

    19,451
    8,325
    Half past a Monkey's ass
    Honestly I don't know why you just don't do it? Its easy add the rail mount. Lots of how to's. And the finish is easy to do also.
    Its a AK not a masterpiece. Have fun with it.
     
    moona11, Jan 13, 2021
    moona11, Jan 13, 2021
    FlashBang likes this.
  14. Jan 13, 2021 #12
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    @moona11 Well I can get a side rail the basically "bolts" on like the master mount. I don't even mind drilling the holes for it if I get a standard one. I guess my issue is rivets. I have nothing to do the rivets with... It is kinda a "Franken-Bulgy" so maybe the Master mount at Primary arms will serve its purpose.

    Then i could just get some of that brownells cerakote in a can stuff!!!

    Eh, maybe your right, I do like to tinker...
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    moona11 likes this.
  15. Jan 13, 2021 #13
    moona11

    moona11 King of you Monkeys Lifetime Supporter

    19,451
    8,325
    Half past a Monkey's ass
    Don't even bother with rivets. Most people that say they can do them can't.

    I can and I'm not the greatest. I have the tools for Remington guns. To do it by hand and a small electric hammer. But its not the same.
     
    moona11, Jan 13, 2021
    moona11, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper likes this.
  16. Jan 13, 2021 #14
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    Ordered a Master Mount. Gonna go check out Brownells. I know they were sold out of black last I checked.
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    OldOutlaw and moona11 like this.
  17. Jan 13, 2021 #15
    Rachgier

    Rachgier Administrator Staff Member

    23,857
    27,635
    South East Colorado
    I can rivet. I went to school for my A&P, but never finished the powerplant side.
     
    Rachgier, Jan 13, 2021
    Rachgier, Jan 13, 2021
  18. Jan 13, 2021 #16
    OldOutlaw

    OldOutlaw Supporting Member

    6,467
    2,608
    Eastern Iowa
    Post some pics when you get stuff in. Kinda a before and after.
     
    OldOutlaw, Jan 13, 2021
    OldOutlaw, Jan 13, 2021
  19. Jan 13, 2021 #17
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    I sure will. Thanks for your input guys.

    AKOperators union carries the master mount, so if Robski approves I guess its all good!!!
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
  20. Jan 13, 2021 #18
    Visper

    Visper AK = Automatic Killer!?! Supporting Member

    2,797
    604
    Berks Co., Pa.
    Suuure now you tell me after I order a Master mount!!! Just kidding Rach, least this way I don't have to drill the receiver.
     
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
    Visper, Jan 13, 2021
  21. Jan 13, 2021 #19
    Rachgier

    Rachgier Administrator Staff Member

    23,857
    27,635
    South East Colorado
    Well there was the matter of the per diem.
     
    Rachgier, Jan 13, 2021
    Rachgier, Jan 13, 2021
  22. Jan 13, 2021 #20
    OldOutlaw

    OldOutlaw Supporting Member

    6,467
    2,608
    Eastern Iowa
    Looking forward to them.
     
    OldOutlaw, Jan 13, 2021
    OldOutlaw, Jan 13, 2021
Page 1 of 2