Well Im going to attempt to do something I never usually have the patience for: document a project as I do it. I usually get so wrapped up in a project that I never document anything, as I just want it done. This one will be a little more involved, and take a little bit of time and planning so Im going to give it a shot.
I purchased a Century Arms built AK-74 off an INGO member as a project rifle. It should be the poster child of issues with Century built rifles. The main complaint from the previous owner (PO) is that everything shot out of the rifle keyholed. Now, thats an issue for sure, but I found another HUGE issue on top of that. The front trunnion is LOOSE in the receiver. Yup, the rivets weren't properly seated when they were crushed leaving space under 4 or 5 of the 6 rivets. One of them is even loose enough I can wiggle it with my fingers. It's so bad that you can grab the barrel of the rifle with one hand and the receiver with the other, and physically see movement.
Overall, the rifle is made with pretty decent parts. Its a non-matching (mostly, the bolt and carrier match) Bulgarian parts kit, built on a top quality No-Dak Spud receiver. If it weren't for the keyholing barrel I would say the only thing I really don't like is the craptastic Century furniture.
anyway, I will basically be removing the front trunnion, removing the barrel and installing a US made chrome lined barrel, setting the headspace, and then reassembling the rifle. There is a possibility of some mods being done such as a 100 series folding stock, moving the front site base back and pinning a flash hider to shorten it up a bit, and maybe a TWS extended handguard / dustcover system, or maybe not. ill figure that out when I get there.
here are some pics:
I ran to the range on my lunch today to see how badly it keyholed. Its pretty bad. Here it is at 7 yards (note: no attempt for accuracy):
I took it out to 50 yards, and suprisinging the bullets seem to stabilize a LOT compared to 7 yards. (note: no attempt for accuracy):
anyway, it will be slow going but Ill try to update this as I go.
I purchased a Century Arms built AK-74 off an INGO member as a project rifle. It should be the poster child of issues with Century built rifles. The main complaint from the previous owner (PO) is that everything shot out of the rifle keyholed. Now, thats an issue for sure, but I found another HUGE issue on top of that. The front trunnion is LOOSE in the receiver. Yup, the rivets weren't properly seated when they were crushed leaving space under 4 or 5 of the 6 rivets. One of them is even loose enough I can wiggle it with my fingers. It's so bad that you can grab the barrel of the rifle with one hand and the receiver with the other, and physically see movement.
Overall, the rifle is made with pretty decent parts. Its a non-matching (mostly, the bolt and carrier match) Bulgarian parts kit, built on a top quality No-Dak Spud receiver. If it weren't for the keyholing barrel I would say the only thing I really don't like is the craptastic Century furniture.
anyway, I will basically be removing the front trunnion, removing the barrel and installing a US made chrome lined barrel, setting the headspace, and then reassembling the rifle. There is a possibility of some mods being done such as a 100 series folding stock, moving the front site base back and pinning a flash hider to shorten it up a bit, and maybe a TWS extended handguard / dustcover system, or maybe not. ill figure that out when I get there.
here are some pics:
I ran to the range on my lunch today to see how badly it keyholed. Its pretty bad. Here it is at 7 yards (note: no attempt for accuracy):
I took it out to 50 yards, and suprisinging the bullets seem to stabilize a LOT compared to 7 yards. (note: no attempt for accuracy):
anyway, it will be slow going but Ill try to update this as I go.
