IO Inc has AK kits with US barrels for 199 (pics inside)

Is it economical to build an AK .... I'm just curious?

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Kinda.

Now that they are back in the 300's, its a toss up.

Why do you need to do an FFL transfer to buy an AK receiver ... isn't it just a stamped an bent piece of metal until you add all of the rest of the parts that you have to buy from some other source?

Is it economical to build an AK .... I'm just curious?

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Kinda.

Now that they are back in the 300's, its a toss up.

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Perhaps in YOUR area. In Phoenix, you're lucky to find an AK for under $600. Most shops are going 600 to 700, and most private owners still think TEOTWAEKI is upon us and are still asking upwards to a GRAND for one. Don't get me started on AR's :cantlook:

Or, there's a trip to J and G sales in Prescott. You'll burn more fuel but it's a nice ride and I can suggest some lovely bed and breakfasts up there. Take the signifigant other and make a weekend of it

Why do you need to do an FFL transfer to buy an AK receiver ... isn't it just a stamped an bent piece of metal until you add all of the rest of the parts that you have to buy from some other source?

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Any and All Receivers need to go through an FFL. You can buy an AK flat with all the necessary holes and bend it your self, Or buy a bent one with no holes and drill and cut them your self, than you dont need an FFL.....both are considered 80% receivers

if you can find an AK for under 400$ kit building really doesnt make sense unless you want an oddball configuartion that no one makes.

SW

kit build never really make much economical sense anyway. Back when the premium Romi G kits were $120 (DPH) and Polish PMKMS like-new grade were $270 (Dan's ammo), a fully factory built Romy G kit gun was only $300 and the PMKMS was $600 (vector). The factory built rifles generally cost only $100~$150 more than "get all parts and receiver and build it yourself".

As a matter of fact, Vector used to offere build service which was $140 for labor.

now the AK price is up, but the kit price is up there also, still doesn't make sense to do the kit build route.

By the way, from what I have read about this lot of "US barrel" kits, they are probably from build failures. And, there is never any guarranty about the head space in the ad, you will have to set headspace again, which is not particularly easy. A build using this kit will not be as straight forward as using a original G kit. If I were in the market, I would rather get a $300 G kit and save all the headaches.