I want to start off by saying that you cannot stop me from trying this. I am not a machinist, a gunsmith, or an armorer. I have a dremel, a toolbox given to me by my father when I was 8 or 9, and a trip to Lowes in my future. I've been doing my homework about the AK lower proposed by Magpul, and will be doing my humble best to recreate it by modifying a factory lower. I will be adding one design of my own; one little part that will connect the AK mag release to the button of the original mag release. Im planing to make this part from stainless, because its the right mix of strength and workability, but I'm open to suggestion. I'll be cutting down the mag well, adding pins for the forward AK mag catch, sanding the inner walls of the mag well wider, and of course adding room for my part.
I am well aware that this is ambitious, and I would like to hear any ideas anyone has, especially anyone who has tried something like this before. I'll be picking up my second ACR on monday, and will post pictures with my ideas soon.
The biggest hurdle I'm encountering is the fact that AK mags are not designed to be used with AR bolts. They are meant to work with a bolt that has one big lug on the bottom, that feeds onto one big ramp. Getting the mag at the perfect hight so that the two bottom lugs of an AR style bolt can grab rounds, but not so high that the carrier hits the mag, is the most important detail of this build. And it's proving to be a pain in the ass.
I've never seen any confirmation that it was working. It was among the designs sold to freedom group, but they have yet to show any interest in producing it.
Besides, I'm not saying its not possible. The feed lip styles on AKs and ARs are similar enough, but there is still quite a bit of work to be done on my part. The polymer US Palm mags have very thick feed lips. So thick, that when the mag is high enough for the bolt to grab rounds, the lips rub hard against the bottom of the bolt carrier. Since I'm trying to make this compatible with a large variety of AK mags, and the Palms are actually my favorite, I am trying to find a bit of a sweet spot for optimal performance.
Although I like the way you think, that sounds like some expensive gunsmith work, and I'm not sure it would negate the issue. Its mostly the carrier rubbing on the feed lips. Redesigning the bolt would mean a custom barrel extension, and a lot of other journeys into unknown territory.
I can make it work. My work today was nothing but reassuring. I found that sweet spot, for the most part, but have yet to put pieces in place to hold the mag there. I was inserting a loaded mag up against the closed breach, seeing exactly where it stopped, pulling the bolt back, making sure the mag was still in that spot, and letting the bolt fly forward, grabbing a round and flinging out the front of the receiver (barrel removed). I worked that way several times, as long as I had it in the right spot and held it tight. The right hight does exist, Its just a bit elusive.
I honestly can't remember if the AK proto worked or not. There must have been something in the air last night because I got a wild hair and worked on the airsoft AK lower I have. I need to find some 15 round AK mags since I can't get a larger capacity mag out here and a family member has my other mags.
I would have thought it would be a big deal if it worked. We would have heard about it... maybe. Mac on Future Weapons would have shat his pants and showed us.
Speaking of future weapons the episode with the masada was on not too long ago and I happened to be flipping channels and saw it. I had forgot Chris Costa was the one introducing it. And they had the ak lower there. I can't remember if they shot with it, but I'm pretty sure they did.
Eta I just skimmed through it and I didn't actually see any firing done, but he assembles it with the ak lower at about the 5:35 mark. He throws a mag in it and racks it.
Im surprised not many companies out there have seen it beneficial to produce ACR components/accessories yet. Obviously the market is there and BM definitely shit the bed after promising and promising and not producing
Already on it...not to busy at work today so I read through the whole thread today on the cnc lowers...ive flipped througg the forum for a while now but never really had much to bring tovthe community...but I just completed my e form 1 for my acr and seen all of the great possibilities this community provides (btw the atf eforms system is quite quirky)...but glad to be here and be a part of what yall are doing to make the acr what it should have been in the first place
I would be very happy to see an AK lower more available to everyone. I know I am stuck with having to buy one because I lack the machines or expertise to make myself. one day someone will make it for the masses
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