AK makeover: From plastic to classic.

[N_K_1984]

After months of searching, I finally located some traditional wood for my Bulgarian SA93 AKM. I got it in today, and after dinner it was install time! No more polymer for me! I'm going traditional.

NOW, before you jump on the 922R bandwagon... (because let's face it; it's the internet and everyone is either a safety or a 922R nazi) Upon debanning an SA93, one merely needs to ensure the rifle is 922r compliant, which requires replacing (5) Bulgarian parts with (5) US-made parts. Three parts can be satisfied by installing a US-made Fire Control Group (FCG), which consists of a trigger, hammer, and disconnector. The two remaining parts can come from a US-made muzzle nut and gas piston.

Note: Stamped receiver AK's require (6) US-made parts to be 922r compliant, while Milled receiver AK's only require (5) US-made parts to be 922r compliant, which is due to the front trunion being part of the receiver.

Either way, on to some bullet hose porn...

Before: plastic, yet still fantastic.

After: Wood is gooood...

Yeah, I'm bringing sexy back......

 

[GustavHalbach]

Sweet....always love wood on my AK's too. Looks good.

 

[BogWalker]

Soooooooo much better.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

I don't see the allure. Plastic is easy to care for; you don't feel as bad about adding a spray-can camo job; don't have to worry about splinters . . .

 

[LANShark42]

I don't see the allure. Plastic is easy to care for; you don't feel as bad about adding a spray-can camo job; don't have to worry about splinters . . .

You forgot your purple...

 

[N_K_1984]

I don't see the allure. Plastic is easy to care for; you don't feel as bad about adding a spray-can camo job; don't have to worry about splinters . . .

You ever had a cosmoline soaked, com bloc splinter??? That's a special kind of tingling... Haha, in other words, it's awesome!

 

[jb1911]

I like it both ways. Great rifle.

 

[ShootnCut]

Gotta side with N_K on this................

Classic Wood Stock AK

 

[Shooter1]

Baklite mag next?

 

[indyk]

Looks great and proper, I wouldn't go throw wood on a 100 series 47, nor would some install 74 polymer on a early style milled bulgarian Ak-47 either....Arsenal doesn't seem to think so...
I think your choice was a +1

 

[indykid]

Nice classic look!!!

 

[sadclownwp]

how does it function with the new gas tube?

 

[Redtbird]

Looks great! I've been thinking of doing something similar to my AR Carbine with parts from Brownell's. Just something about a nice rifle and wood combination...

 

[shooter521]

I enjoy a "modern" AK as much as the next guy (and probably more so), but that looks really nice. Well done!

 

[mjlcobra]

You get my vote for +1. It looks nice. I did the same to mine but it's a Romanian. I also just finished some wood for a friend that I'm delivering to him this afternoon. Did you finish it off with tung oil? It really makes it pop. About your cleaning rod... I have one lying around, but the threads don't match my cleaning kit parts. I don't know what you have in that department, but I suppose this could work for you. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[223 Gunner]

Looks good. I have always like the wood on AK's, although recently I traded a friend for a nice Arsenal SLR106F, it sports black polymer furniture.
This is my first "plastic" AK. So to that end, I like them both ways. My 106 is all black with translucent yellow mags, and they do look good in that rifle.

 

[snorko]

I especially like the "distressed" look of the handguard.

 

[straight-shooter]

Wood IS Good, nice work. I have to agree that the traditional look is much better!

 

[CountryBoy19]

Just going to play devil's advocate here, but I'm going to assume your plastic furniture was US made and therefore part of the 922r compliance parts count. Replacing with wood, import furniture without replacing other foreign made parts with domestic parts would be a 922r violation... just fyi

 

[N_K_1984]

You get my vote for +1. It looks nice. I did the same to mine but it's a Romanian. I also just finished some wood for a friend that I'm delivering to him this afternoon. Did you finish it off with tung oil? It really makes it pop. About your cleaning rod... I have one lying around, but the threads don't match my cleaning kit parts. I don't know what you have in that department, but I suppose this could work for you. Let me know if you are interested.

I didn't refinish the wood at all. I put it on color & finish as is, dings and all. I have a couple cleaning rods laying around, thanks though!

Just going to play devil's advocate here, but I'm going to assume your plastic furniture was US made and therefore part of the 922r compliance parts count. Replacing with wood, import furniture without replacing other foreign made parts with domestic parts would be a 922r violation... just fyi

I've kept that in mind CountryBoy. Upon debanning the rifle, one merely needs to ensure the rifle is 922r compliant, which requires replacing (5) Bulgarian parts with (5) US-made parts. Three parts can be satisfied by installing a US-made Fire Control Group (FCG), which consists of a trigger, hammer, and disconnector. The two remaining parts can come from a US-made muzzle nut and gas piston.

Note: Stamped receiver AK's require (6) US-made parts to be 922r compliant, while Milled receiver AK's only require (5) US-made parts to be 922r compliant, which is due to the front trunion being part of the receiver.

I especially like the "distressed" look of the handguard.

Thanks! I love the way it looks as well. Like I said above, the wood came all beat up like that, and I have no plans to refinish or repair it.