Richman992’s AK Builds Thread

I was able to make some more progress on the Handmade Rifle build. I poached some internals from another E&L that is down for a external overhaul and got them installed. It's really nice to see this build starting to take shape.

Slabside conversion was also a success. I started getting low on time so I didn't get pictures this time, but I've still got more magazines to convert. Rather than use Cyma internals like I've seen others do, I opted for a D-day varicap. I think the feed better, and the variable capacity is just a nice bonus.

The receiver is also marked to drill for the side dovetail mount. For "authenticity" I'm going to rivet it on myself. It won't look factory, and that's what I want.

I also stumbled on someone selling more old farm tools, and found a pitchfork handle that looks EXACTLY like the one in the game. So it looks like I'll be pulling the current stock off and fitting this new one instead.

As it stands now, this is what is left:

-Attach dovetail mount
-Detail and attach wood pistol grip
-Redo shovel handle stock
-Make these E&L externals RUSTY
-Kill the Ghouls in Super-Duper Mart

Finally refinished the stock on my Cyma RPK-74. After a lot of thinking, I decided to do a Black Cherry/Ebony layered stain on the stock. I actually remembered to take pictures during the process this time for anyone interested in the process.

First steps are very easy. Sanded off the factory "terrible tan" stain. I then added a layer of Black Cherry stain. I personally apply my stain using a rag. After this layer dried, I sanded the whole piece again using 150/220 grit. I went heavier in some areas so the 2 stains would blend a little better.


I've now added a layer of the Ebony stain, and sanded once again. I wasn't anticipating how dark this particular stain was, so I knocked it down fairly heavily when I sanded again. I don't want pure black, but more of a dark plum color with notes of black.


Now here it is with the second layer of Black Cherry added. I think I actually overdid it on the previous sanding, so it turned out a little less black than I had hoped.


After finishing it with a glossy urethane, the stock looks great. I'm very pleased with the results, although I think my layering technique could still use improvement. Stock was also shimmed to the receiver, so no more wobbly stock!


And here is the final product, with newly mounted Zenitco RPK handguards. Despite its size this one is slowly becoming one of the favorites in my collection. It is also the first RPK I've owned!

Another small update. I was unhappy with the original (and incorrect) palmswell handguard, so it has been replaced with a surplus vented handguard. Looks MUCH closer to what I wanted.

I've also opted to just buy a spare receiver with a side mount. I'll probably fit that one with a separate, semi-locked gearbox as well as the scope and mount. Then I can switch between a field legal full auto receiver, or a higher FPS marksman setup.

I've also began the process of weathering the rifle. I used 220 grit sandpaper around the edges and raised points, and then used a scotch-brite scouring pad to blend it in. I also attacked the rifle with a variety of files, keys and random tools to get some random scratch/gouge marks on it.

I'm only having one issue- the one time I want an E&L to rust, it isn't! I will likely resort to a hydrogen peroxide solution. Has anyone had any luck with this method, or have any other suggestions?



And Grim- the shovel handle IS red. Actually, more like WAS red. It's since rusted to more of a "worrisome bowel movement" color XD

Upon digging out the game, as well as scouring the internet for reference pictures, I realized that the front handguards are in fact NOT wood. They are actually modeled after a extraordinarily rare ribbed bakelite handguard set. Finding them, especially with current events, would be nearly impossible and prohibitively expensive. As a result I was forced to learn about a fun (and surprisingly easy) process called "fakelite". Since I can't find NPO mags either, I tried it out on some MAG RPK midcaps first:



Recreating an imperfect/random pattern was the most difficult part. These still need a coat of satin/matte clear coat but the finish is complete. Since the MAG midcaps are already a nice shade of brown, all I needed was a little stain and a lot of patience. I'm very pleased with the finish and will be proceeding to the handguards next.

I also spent a bit of time tracking down a Galil carry handle for this build. I'm still trying to brainstorm how I will attach it, but it will most definitely involve modifying both the handguard and the carry handle mount. Suggestions are welcome. I'm contemplating grinding it flat and reshaping it so it can sit in between the handguard and receiver. Or possibly cutting off the carry handle and welding or riveting it to the rear sight block. I won't be carrying it by the handle, it's purely for aesthetics.

Fake Bakelite handguards are done. Spent more time than I would like to admit trying to get a design I was happy with on them. Had to tap the brush into all the ridges and lines so there wasn't a bunch of ugly dark spots. They're a bit darker than what's in the game but it matches the LCT slim bakelite grip better. Also took the time to reshim, correct AOE and install a Gate Titan while I had it apart. The LCT Slim motors sit very "low" in the gearbox and ABSOLUTELY require careful reshimming to run properly.





I've also decided how I want to attack the rear sight block. I will be cutting the carry handle at the line, and then smoothing out the shaded area so it can be welded onto the rear sight block. I don't trust JB Weld for this one. The sight block will also be modified to remove the tangs for the rear sight.

Here’s another one I’ve been working on lately! This poor little gun has been through so many transformations, but I think I might have finally found a look I’ll stick with. I jokingly call this one “Half Baked”





It started out as an LCT TX Baby, but that apparently wasn’t good enough so I’ve now spent the last year and a half trying out all sorts of different accessories and stocks for it. The internals weren’t left untouched either, it’s been rebuilt at least 3 times internally. It’s never let me down, rather I wanted to tone it back as it was previously shooting ~318 FPS @ 52 RPS.

For anyone interested, here’s a current build list (to the best of my recollection, I may have left some things out)

Internal:
-SHS 18:1 DSG
-SHS lightweight piston
-SP 150 spring
-LCT compression parts
-Gate Aster Advanced
-Maple Leaf MR HOP & Omega nub
-Steel inner barrel (cannot remember brand)
-LCT slim high torque motor
-Retro Arms trigger
-FLT Bushings

External:
-PPS Bizon top/side folding stock
-BOLT AKSU receiver
-LCT slim “fakelite” grip
-Asura Dynamics selector switch
-Cyma charging handle extension
-Hephaestus AKSU optic mount
-Strike Industries AK trax lower handguard
-BOLT AKSU upper handguard (“fakelite” vinyl wrapped)
-Zenitco B25U and Repro RK-0
-Repro Klesch 2P light
-Cyma battery box
-Repro JMAC LAF muzzle brake

Any suggestions for an optic? I thought maybe a Kobra sight would fit the aesthetic really nicely. The Hephaestus mount is currently there for either a scope protector or if I choose to run an RMR.

Update: The Kobra does fit the aesthetic nicely (and so did switching back to the RK-3 Slim)

View attachment 280178

Another one is fully complete, after a long, tiring search for green Zenitco furniture and a matching green sight. Of everything I’ve built, this one is actually my personal favorite. It’s also my favorite to take to games, despite it being severely front heavy. The initial inspiration for this build came from an AK47 setup I was using in COD Cold War Zombies (if that gives you an idea of how long I’ve been searching for all the parts). The base model is a Spartan/E&L Romanian AK.

Externals:

-Unknown steel flash hider
-5KU B-30U (tan)
-Zenitco B-19 (green)
-Screw collars from DL-1 kit (black)
-WADSN Klesch 2U light (black)
-Zenitco RK-4 (green)
-Zenitco B-2 (green)
-Zenitco A-2L (tan)
-Matrix PEQ 1 battery box (black)
-Unknown B-33 Repro (black)
-LCT Full Size bolt carrier/gas piston
-EFLX Red Dot
-5KU RP-1 (tan)
-PTS US Palm AEG grip (tan)
-AMD65Tech Cheek Riser for wire stock
-Green “Paki Tape” stock wrap
-Tan GP-25 style butt pad

Internals:

-E&L QCS Shell
-CYMA Bushings
-LCT compression parts
-SHS Lightweight piston
-SHS 13:1 Gearset
-Tienly 25K motor
-LCT M120 Spring (recently swapped from m100)
-JeffTron Leviathan V3
-Retro Arms trigger (green)
-Stock LCT barrel
-Maple leaf MR hop and omega tensioner
-E&L platinum hop up chamber

I’m sure I’ll eventually swap out the stock LCT barrel I used in this gun but for now it has performed extraordinarily well so I’m just leaving it alone (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). The internals were composed of a lot of spare parts I had on hand, and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Another small word on the internals- the V3 Leviathan. I love it! If you’ve ever installed a Gate Titan or Aster into an AK, you know how mushy and “dead” they make the trigger feel. The Leviathan includes an additional trigger spring that simulates the break and reset of an actual firearm. I can’t even begin to describe how satisfying it makes the trigger pull!

Anyways, here’s a couple pics of it, as well as the initial inspiration!

Like usual figured I’d randomly pop in here to show you guys another abomination. Sometimes I’ll go through and organize my parts bins and boxes, and the ideas will start to flow. It happened again about two weeks ago with this LCT keymod handguard





Apologies for the poor quality picture, I had to pull it from an old parts sale post (I’ve tried to sell this thing for months with no success). I never really used it as it wasn’t compatible with any of the gas tubes I had- or so I thought! I found a spare gas tube from an LCT TX Baby, and realized it would work, but not as a long handguard.




These are rough, unfinished cuts, but it gave me the confidence to keep going. And as you can see, I also had some spare RPK parts in my bins. I decided I had to have a mini RPK. But there was nowhere on the barrel to mount the RPK bipod, and I wasn’t going to cheap out and get a rail mounted bipod either. The solution was a steel barrel extension, which of course was too thick. I don’t have a lathe, so I filed this down by hand and cold blued it. It’s rough, but also won’t ever be seen.



And then hand filed/finished/painted the handguard cuts.



And here’s the finished product:




As you can see, it’s considerably shorter than a standard RPK. But due to that, you actually end up with more ground clearance for longer RPK magazines (which is important since due to the design constraints I can’t swivel or stow the bipod). Upon writing this I just realized that even the obnoxious LCT mag clears the ground.




Internals were mostly untouched, short of a spring downgrade and packing upgrade. It’s mostly just stock LCT parts. Since my local field regulates full auto use by FPS and not gun model, I toned it down to meet those requirements. However, I understand and agree that for most fields or events, this is completely unfair to be used as a LMG and wouldn’t be allowed.

Anyways, hope you guys enjoy it! It was a spur of the moment idea that I ran with, and was a great way to utilize parts that would’ve otherwise been forgotten.

Completed a pretty cool little project today! After searching for the better part of a year, I managed to score a Rusak sight!



I didn’t like how it sat on the adapters, as the sight is originally made to be used on 11mm dovetail rails. I removed the original mounts, and drilled the Rusak so it can be mounted to C-More Railway sight mounts (either picatinny or pistol mounts).






To say I’m pleased with the result wouldn’t be doing it justice, I’m absolutely thrilled with the final product! I also have to give a big thanks to comradequiche on Reddit, he was immensely helpful with his Rusak experience. He had mounted his to an AK side mount and shared photos of the process, which gave me a bit more confidence in hacking up a 30 year old sight. I’m constantly impressed and humbled by the knowledge I find in the airsoft community!

I didn’t forget about this one… and now it’s finally done!







I’ve been working on this one for a reeeeeaaaalllyyy long time so I won’t bore you all to death with the details. Instead, here’s a few things to keep in mind should you decide you want to recreate this gun:

-The magazine is technically incorrect, however a 5.45 magazine looked too straight so I chose to go with a 7.62 version instead.

-I should have done more than 2 coats of clear coat on the handguards, the fakelite has scratched off in places from storing and handling.

-The carry handle is “backwards” due to how I cut and shaped it to weld it to the rear sight block. However welding it this way allows for more surface area for the welds. I can carry it by the handle without worrying.

-The pistol grip should be wood, however I personally thought the LCT “bakelite” looked better.

The best part is that I have a spare rear sight block, dust cover and standard RPK furniture/receiver so I can easily revert this gun back to a normal RPK-47!