Battlefield 2 "AK47U/AK74SU" worklog
 

(orig posted Nov 23rd)

Well since my AK got trashed in that little car wreck this summer, I decided this was the opportunity to fix it up into something custom. Now, this particular AEG has already been a fullstock AK, an RPK, and a Beita Spetz. This is it, this rifle is suffering through this last mod and that it, it's staying how it ends up!

What I'm going to be putting together over the next little while is this;

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kokanee/ak47u.jpg

Now they've used an AK47 milled receiver in the model, I'll be taking my CA metal 47 receiver and modding it into something as close as possible to the actual proper receiver for this weapon, the AK74SU;

http://avtomats-in-action.com/media2/84AKSU209.jpg

What I am hoping to accomplish is to strike a balance between all the great authentic details of a realsteel AK74SU, and the BF2 "AK47U". Points will be taken from each, and melded together into something that pays homage to the real weapon while still from an artistic standpoint qualifying as "that cool little ak from bf2".

Or in short, as it's looking now, an AK74SU with beita spetz foregrips haha.

I'll be posting up pics as work progresses. Any comments or ideas are of course always welcome.

Update!

I've managed to secure a guarder ak pistol grip from CONUS;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_8379.jpg

Hopefully it arrives post haste so it doesn't slow up the reciever fabrication

Update Dec 06 2005

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As previously mentioned this AK was damaged in a car accident. Part of that was that the flash hider snapped off the spetz front sight assembly, taking the threading with it.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/001.jpg

As anyone with a spetz is familiar, the area circled red should have a threaded portion. Well turns out it's not so well designed. First order of business is the repair.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/002.jpg

A visit to Rona yeilded a male/male rubber hose adapter, that fits perfect in the barrel. It was cemented in with epoxy putty. Once it set the flash hider was permanently cemented on in the same fashion.

2 hours later and the whole front sight assembly and barrel is solid as a rock, it's never breaking again!

Expecting a guarder pistol grip, as well as an autobolt in the mail soon so fabrication on the reciever should begin in a few days.

Darn it man!

Steve_187 already has that gun! Even with the Kobra RDS, but unpainted.

Let the war begin!

damn that side plate + scope mount + scope will be costly.......adding scope to ak is hell lot more than m4/mp5/g36c

No it won't - an AK side plate and KOBRA RDS will run around $300 used....same as many serious airsofters pay for a real (not airsoft knockoff) Elcan, EoTech, or Aimpoint and mounts.

I've got a real side plate mounted on a Classic Army metal AK reciever with a real PO-1 Collimated RDS straight from Russia. It's as real as you can get, and it cost me under $250.

hate the game, like the gun

when you get this done kokanee, bring it out. I love Aks

I've got a gun that looks somewhat like that. I'm too lazy to do any work on AKS receiver to make it look like AKS74U :) other than that it looks close to AKS74U.
Conscript, Steve's gun has full stock, not side folder.
Here's the only pic I have of that gun, unfortunately stock is folded, so it can't be seen.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v298/G...t=P1010024.jpg

you need them bakelite mags man

I've got them, use them only for pics because they feed like shit in both of my AK's for some reason.

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/gallery...hp?i=1943&c=11

here i snaped a few pics of it with the baklite, but it was taken with my webcam, so mind the poor quality.

http://photobucket.com/albums/c177/S...t=234e9e1a.jpg

Seems to be a lot of this sort of thing going on at the moment! I'm working on an AKS 74U myself, I think Gish in Calgary is too or at least was thinking about it.

Nice score on the correct pistol grip!

And for what it's worth, I made a scope mount for an AK by simply drilling two holes in the receiver cover, and bolting a weaver plate to it. Had to also drill 2 holes in the hollow aluminum tube to allow a place for the screws and nuts.
It's slightly off center but a bit of work with a round file ought to fix that easily. Won't work with a folding stock AK because you can't exactly drill holes in a stick battery.

im gonna have to attach wings on my AK to keep is original here

Nice guns fellas. What the heck, I think I'll slap one together too :)

Update Dec 12 2005

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Pistol grip is still enroute, as is my autobolt - but hey, tis the season for backlogged customs eh?

Started reciever fabrication by stripping the finish off and grinding down the lumps of metal that CA thought would look like rivets..

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/003.jpg

You can see where I filled in the magwell identations previously, then engraved some chinese trades for shits and giggles...

Also, probably the most important milestone of the project has been reached;

FIRST BLOOD!

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/004.jpg

Now that I've satisfied my dremel's taste for human flesh it should be smooth sailing from here on in...

Update Dec 14 2005

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On my days off, so alot of work has been done. And the pistol grip is waiting at my post office so I'll have it mounted tomorrow.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...aksu/ak006.jpg

Quite a few changes have been made to the reciever since last update. Rivets have been installed (I know, I'm missing one by the rear but it'll go on tomorrow), with the appropriate Russian layout dictating grounddown/round rivets.

Also the pistol grip collar has been hacksawed off and everything filed down in preparation for the pistol grip install. Lastly the tab that interfaces with the trunnion has been removed, as I need to fabricate a complete new on and the dimensions are all wrong to keep it.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...aksu/ak007.jpg

The AKSU trunnion being quite different from a AK47, of course some material removal was in order.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...aksu/ak008.jpg

Here's the trunnion after all that. Still needs to be built up a bit on top, with the pivot point for the rear sight installed...

Hopefully will have a shot with the Guarder grip tomorrow.

Update Dec 28 2005

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Pistol grip from CONUS and Autoback bolt from HK are still in customs - serves me right for ordering during Dec!

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/009.jpg

However in the mean time I have gotten both sides riveted, as well as the last big hunk of superfluous aluminum hacksawed off. Turns out on the lefthand side of the reciever there is about a 2mm gap between the mechbox and reciever. Which means that you don't have to be quite so meticulous with getting the rivets flush on the inside, and saving some file work if you're the lazy sort.

And yes, I couldn't wait so I did lay down a layer of matte black.... Just have to router out those magwell dimples and the reciever should be gtg.

I'm not a big AK fan, but I will always appreciate people taking on challenging projects.

I'm certain the end result will be within what you expect it to be, you have very good worksmanship skills.

Just can't wait to see the finished product, to bad I won't be able to appreciate it in person.

Cheers

Update Dec 31 2005
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I completed the front trunnion last night;

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/010.jpg

I've gone with an AK74SU style trunnion as opposed to the AK47 style used in the game. Two reasons, I think it looks better, and doing it this way required an almost complete scratch build (fun!) using .040" and .060" plastic stock.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out, but I am sure it will be even beter once it's mounted.

Damn looking good but you've been ripped by VFC (GB-tech)

http://www.mondaint.com/images/AKS-74U_01.jpg

But you get more respect points if you make it your self.

exactly ;)

It's a pride in workmanship thing.

Hopefully your gun turns out better than BF2. That game is beyond brutal.

No doubt, I have both BF2 and BF2 SF, sure its a great game, other than the fact that it takes a whole magazine to disable the enemy, a bit unrealistic and that is why alot of people dont play it.
If it was more like counterstrike force where its pretty much one hit and youre dead and it didnt require a top of the line system to run properly then it would sure enough be the #1 military sim game.
I am still on the hunt for that perfect simulation combat game, till then I'll stick with BF2 or CSF

That is for sure!

Counter-Strike Force? Never heard of that. Is that Condition Zero or something?

http://www.realitymod.com/
Check out the project reality mod for bf2. it's coming along nicley and is much more fun than vanilla bf2.

I'm more of an armalite fanboy but I would love to have one of these. for some reason it speaks to me and I could jump over and play with the spetznas squad very easily.

Nice to see you are making some good progress! I got mine sort of finished over the holidays, posted it in the gun gallery if you want to take a look.

Update Jan 09 2006

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I wasnt happy with the trunnion - just wasnt quite up to snuff. So I built a new one.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/011.jpg

Here it is mounted in the lower reciever with the barrel / handguards and dust cover. This version has a properly rounded side, complete structure, is a bit taller to correct some slack with the dust cover, and has the whole trunnion assembly complete with manufacturing stamps. 1984 - a good year for this weapon I think! Also you can just see the rolled steel pin that holds the rear handguard retainer in place, as it does in the realsteel.

Also hacked the upper handguard in half and extended it to the correct length. This was necessary as the handguard was not long enough once the correct sized trunnion was installed.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/012.jpg

The folding stock has been ordered from Tantal, and my autoback guarder bolt is ready for pickup at the postoffice tomorrow. Just need my pistol grip and get around to ordering a Cobra sight and it's a done deal...hopefully!

Oh man you're going hardcore with this! I'm really excited to see the finished product. You get a lot of respect for doing the small things...

Update Jan 25 2006

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My AKSU stock arrived from Tantal's today. I'm just waiting on a part AK-38 from Jugglez's current UNCompany order so I can mod it onto the reciever. Decided to put what I have together so far today and see what it looks like;

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/013.jpg

I think it's starting to all come together.

Ths thing is gonna look just awesome, keep up the good work Kokanee. You can kick VFC's butt.

Looks great. That stock is dead sexy...me wants!

and for a small helping hand, if you need more, WGC sells Star AK mags like that one in 70rnd, 160rnd, and 400rnd versions, and the best part is, the 160rnd ones don't have to be winded, they are regular mags.

www.wargameclub.com (go to the magazine section, then to Star AEG mags, they are about half way down the page)

Damn kokanee that is a fine looking gun. But I have a question, did you order straight from Tantals?

Yep. The stock was worth roughly $100USD, but it was declared as $40USD = no duties :) I didn't ask for that, they apparently just get the whole "not screwing our customers with tariffs"

The stock spent very little time in customs and took less than 2 weeks to arrive.

That looks damn nice. Got the colour right too.

Thats going to look totally sick when its done. Cant wait to see it. Good job so far man.

Update Jan 31 2006

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Just a short update. After trying to carve proper magwell dimples out of
the aluminum reciever with various dremel bits, I decided to go another route.

Gouged out a nice chunk of metal from each side of the reciever using my
new angle grinder. After that filled the recess with epoxy and pressfit a mould
made from (what else?) plasticard into the epoxy. Once the epoxy hardened
and the excess was sanded off, this is what I was left with;

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/014.jpg

Both sides finished, lookin pretty swank. This was the only part of the project
I was worried about, and now that it's done I can just sit back and let the last
few parts come in.

- Kobra sight + mounting rail / inbound
- AKM grip / inbound

Hey thats a great idea for dimples, cut it out, and use epoxy.
I take it the dimples are not deep enough to interfere with anything internally?

Nope, I only ground about 1/2cm into the metal, and the dimples themselves are about 3mm deep. Realsteel they would of course be deeper, but there are limitations with what can be done with the airsoft reciever - it being metal not helping the case!

Update Feb 08 2006

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Huzzah! Almost done.

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/015.jpg

Thanks to Krazny's excellent side-folder how to; http://www.engine13.net/komandagroza/aksu74stock.htm

I was able to convince the stock that yes, it did belong on my AK - even if it took some tough convincing, which may or may not have involved hammering the parts together against a steel filing cabinet.

Once that was done, put a few finishing touches - the sidefolder "button" are well as simulating the weld where the stock meets the reciever. Also, the guarder pistol grip has been installed. This is an excellent bit 'o kit; much more meaty than the stock mauri grip, and so solid it's unreal how close it feels to the real deal.

Hopefully will have my Kobra sight in a week and a bit, when that happens this project will be in the bag!

Man looking good!

Great job on that one, I can't wait to see it with the Kobra installed on it.

awesome ak. this has the autobolt? if possible could you take a short clip of it firing after it is completed? =]

id like to see how well the autobolt works and sounds.

After installing the autobolt I decided not to keep it attached to the mechbox. It was obvious when cycling that it puts alot of stress on the innards - as well you ca't keep teh top retaining strip on the box, and with just two screws securing the top i didn't feel like it was going to last long.

Shit, that is one nice gun man, I really like the looks of that. Can't wait to see it with the cobra on!

Update Feb 18 2006

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It's finished!

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/016.jpg

http://members.airsoftcanada.com/kok...s/aksu/017.jpg

After quite a few msg's regarding the paint scheme, decided on a more conservative desert paintjob. The Kobra scope arrived from Tantal's today, and installing it was a breeze. It completes the look of the rifle as a destinctive characteristic.

Nice job man, that gun is kick ass. When you order from Tantal's do you have to have any kind of gun license or is there a high seisure risk ordering from there.

Damn, nice job bro. lol, envy has unfortunatly stricken me dead in the face:)



Wanna paint mine for me???
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/gallery...hp?i=2648&c=11

Once again, Kudos to you for a job definatly well done.

just wanted to tell you , Steve , your Beta does look like a small AK47 , and that'S different and I love that , Kudos to you ( i love that expression ;) )

Have you shot this gun yet? How does it shoot? Fps?

** by the way it looks amazing. :grin:

That's probably one of the nicest custom made AK's I've ever seen! Great job!
Any plans to make that stock fold?

I'm wiring it once I hit my off days on Monday. It's running a Prometheus MS100SP spring, so it should clock in around 340-350ish.

666, Part of the process for attaching this stock is to take off (in my case with an angle grinder) the rolled steel mounting bracket on the stock.

It was a toss up - get a folding trapper kit and have the gun look like ass, or no fold and have it look proper...

It actually doesn't look too bad with Trapper stock, but that kit needs moding. Stock is only held by one small screw which is screwed into the stock from the receiver, you probably saw pics on their web site. So it gives you pretty much a wall hanger, not a gun usable for gaming. I managed to mod their kit, it should be more durable now. Haven't had a chance to test it out yet, still waiting for PBS to arrive.

Wow man that gun is insane. Great job. From what i have seen you always do a great job. Keep up the great work man. :salute:

Good work kokanee. One of the best paintjobs ive seen, not to mention the nice gun :)

kokanee! Simply freaking amazing work.

I love it! Awsome job...

Keep up the nice work. Do you still have your RPK to?

Excellent job Kokanee, a great AK for which to kill other with.

AK47's for Everyone!