Nodak Spud info.

[Ziggy01]

I am looking at purchasing another AK. It is built on a Nodak Spud receiver and I'm not familiar with there products. My main questions is are they any good and what should I look for. The gun is priced at $400. Good/Bad? It is a beautiful looking gun.

 

[mammynun]

NoDak's are good to go.

An AK specific thing I check is whether you can make the bolt carrier "jump" out of the receiver rails... I pull up on the charging handle while working the action, then repeat while pushing down.

Look at the rear trunnion to see if it's getting beat up by the bolt or firing pin.

A recoil buffer will mask both of the above issues, and sometimes it will mitigate them. OTOH, a recoil buffer can cause short stroking....

$400 isn't a horrible price for any functioning AK.

 

[Glock18FA]

I saw the same gun for sale on HT. Nodak is good to go, the question would be who built it and did they know what they were doing.

I would try to find a place to shoot it before you bought it.

 

[shooter521]

Nodak is good to go, the question would be who built it and did they know what they were doing.

Yep; a bad builder can turn a pile of top-quality parts into a junk gun pretty easily. Conversely, a good 'smith can make even substandard parts into something serviceable.

 

[kb66]

I have built 3 rifles on NoDak receivers and have been very impressed with their quality and consistency. $400 is a fair price provided it is in good working condition but it is not a steal. If you can get it to the range, that would be your best bet to determine value.

 

[Ziggy01]

Thanks for the info. The seller is willing to let me shoot it prior to purchasing. That was one of the first thing I asked about since he offered in the ad. Worse case scenario the case and extra mags are worth at least $100. I will find out tomorrow afternoon if I own another AK.

 

[shooter521]

Thanks for the info. The seller is willing to let me shoot it prior to purchasing. That was one of the first thing I asked about since he offered in the ad. Worse case scenario the case and extra mags are worth at least $100. I will find out tomorrow afternoon if I own another AK.

What type of parts kit was used to complete the build? Some are of better quality than others and might represent a better value for your $400.

 

[Ziggy01]

The seller has no clue which kit was used. He purchased it already built.

 

[shooter521]

The seller has no clue which kit was used. He purchased it already built.

Any markings on the barrel trunnion that might give a clue?

 

[ftbstrd]

nodak spud

They are preferred by most AK lovers! The other things to watch for is canted gas tube and front sights. If All checks good that is a good price and I would jump on it!

 

[Ziggy01]

Thanks for all the help. I ened up passing on this AK. It felt loose and the receiver was beat up more than I would like.
Shooter521... after passing on the AK I came by to introduce myself and pick up some night sights for my G27. Looks like I will have to stop by after the 2nd.

 

[BigBrian]

I helped my son,who is a mechanical Engineer,build a couple AKs with the NodakSpuds and they were great recievers. AKs functioned flawlessly and looked great.
Only thing about buying someones built rifle is,you dont know if they knew what they were doing or how they do it. Always take what someone says with caution,I bought a couple SRs years ago and was told they were great shooters. Only thing was I had to takem apart and rework them somewhat to get them to function. Good thing i know what I'm doing.Good guns after that.

 

[BigBrian]

I meant ARs in the last post ,not SRs. Typing is my last and worst skill....LOL

 

[Kollector03]

I saw the same gun for sale on HT. Nodak is good to go, the question would be who built it and did they know what they were doing.

I would try to find a place to shoot it before you bought it.

+1 on this. NDS makes good receivers, but a poor builder can make a mess of it.

I have NDS receivers on a M95 folder and a M88 Tantal with no issues at all.