AK Sponsor
Posted: 6/17/2026 3:38:25 PM EDT
|
I got an M85 parts kit inbound, was demilled by a LE agency the way the old AK parts kits used to come in. Barrel is intact. However, I've toyed with the idea of installing a slightly longer barrel. The 556 doesn't perform as well in the 10" length, so I thought maybe 12.5" like an AK-104? Anyone seen one done like this or had one done? I know the gas tube would have to be swapped out with a standard AKM / M70, but I don't think much else would have to be done to stretch one. I have two 10" AKMs and they're not effected nearly as much as the 556 round, by the shorter barrel. Thanks |
|
I have done several 104/105 builds myself and consider them the best handling AK. I would have to do the research, but I think you will need to know the trunnion size 1st (diameter) and then see if you can find a barrel that is longer 1st. Along with a different gas tube, you will also need a standard length piston (at least on standard AK 100 series rifle, Yugo is most likely different). If I recall, they used a standard AKM dimensions for the magwell, so you might be able to convert to 7.62x39, again this is just from memory and is probably not 100% correct. |
|
Thanks for your reply, I've followed some of your projects in the past. I'm going to leave it in 556, as I just picked up a 762 kit the other day. Looking it over, I think it wouldn't be too hard to do, the barrel being the only issue. The trunnion looks like my other Yugos, being of standard AKM size, but I haven't measured it yet. You're correct of course about the piston, it's slightly shorter so would have to be replaced, along with the gas tube, but I'm sure an M-70 tube would fit. Since the lower handguard (I think) is longer than standard AKM length, I'd probably have to cut the retainer grove a little more forward or not use a retainer and just install a rail like a JMAC, or RS Regulate that requires the retainer be removed anyway. Other than that, I don't see where it would be that big of an issue to stretch it. I too like the AK-104 size carbine, I have an Arsenal 107CR and love it. (You inspired me to chop it, and I followed your instructions!) I think a stretched 85 would fall into that perfect urban carbine with a 12.5 inch barrel. More research is planned... |
|
Yugos have different dimensions than AKMs as I'm sure you are aware. It might be best to find an M70 and get some dimensions to the gas block if you're planning to use standard Yugo handguards and gas tube. Also, IIRC Yugos still use a 45 degree gas port unlike the modern 100 series that use a 90. I also do not know what the M85 uses for a gas port, so that's the next question to be answered. You could always cut down a standard gas tube and flare the end if the ports are different or if the M85 FSB lands differently than where an M70 GB does. This is why I really liked the Bulgarian 104/105, it used the same gas port position and makes the conversion really easy. Either way, this will be a neat project I think. Can't wait to see how it turns out. |
|
Well, I had contacted AK Builder to get his input, here's what he had to say: Hello Chris. Thanks for reaching out. We don't make a 5.56 12.5" barrel for a Yugo M-85. I don't know anywhere to get one as well. You're getting in to the realm of a very custom barrel. Along with the gas tube distance not being in the right spot for the gas block to sit correctly, the front sight journal is a different size for a AK-104 compared to Yugo M-85. An option for you would be a Pre-Chambered Gunsmith Barrel Blank 17.5" Length (M-10) as a 5.56 caliber option. You could get one of these and find a local gun smith who could turn it down to the size and spec needed for your build. Now, he has a 16" 762 barrel for the M92, which is basically the same gun, but I already have a 104 style carbine and wanted to improve the performance of the 556 in this 85 so... The gas tube issue seems easy enough to resolve, as does the gas piston. I can understand the barrel needing to be profiled for the Yugo gas block, but it's very similar to the 104, and the port on the 85 / 92 is 90 degrees, so I'm thinking a 16" barrel could be profiled to work. My issue is, there's like no one in the Atlanta area that does this kind of work, to my knowledge. Their only specialty is mounting your Walmart scope on your 30-30. I may still kick this idea around a little, maybe see if I can find someone that could do the barrel work without charging me the cost of another rifle. I got this parts kit pretty cheap, so I don't want to dump a lot of money into the project for someone who doesn't know anything about AKs beyond their caliber. Time will tell if I can pull this off.... |
No, my name has nothing to do with enemas.
Joined:
Jan 2007
Posts:
9146
EE: 100% (84)
MO, USA
|
I can definitely help you with the barrel and build. Sounds like a fun project. Biggest thing that will determine what you use is do you want to stick with M70 pattern handguards or AKM/AK74 pattern. ETA: I didn't know AKB had those pre-chambered blanks. That's really going to come in handy. |
AK building addict in recovery. Fell off the wagon.
|
Really?? That would be awesome! To tell you the truth, I was leaning towards using the factory handguards that came with the kit. If that's possible. I don't know if AKB has the barrel blanks or was just referring to them, I'll have to go look. He's got all kinds, but I don't see a blank in 556. Maybe I'm not thinking this through? I get I'll have to change the gas tube, piston, and barrel, but pushing the front sight block a further 2.5" can't be that complicated, can it? The kit seems to be in good shape, no idea how long it sat in an evidence room before being cut up, so it was filthy. Cleaned up ok though. I got a receiver on order with Childers, 4-6 weeks out. So I have plenty of time to sort everything out. Of course, the main stumbling block....$$$ But it sure would be sweet! |
No, my name has nothing to do with enemas.
Joined:
Jan 2007
Posts:
9147
EE: 100% (84)
MO, USA
|
Originally Posted By roninsan: So, how do I get in touch with you? I'm not a paying member so I can't DM. I wonder if I post my email if I'll get hacked within hours....not that anyone would find anything worth reading on my computer! I'll send you a message. Edit: it says you're not accepting private messages. Might be a setting issue in your profile. |
AK building addict in recovery. Fell off the wagon.
FFL 07
FFL 07
Global Warming Hoax Skeptic before it was cool
Joined:
Jun 2007
Posts:
72780
EE: 100% (1)
WA, USA
|
Originally Posted By roninsan: So, how do I get in touch with you? I'm not a paying member so I can't DM. I wonder if I post my email if I'll get hacked within hours....not that anyone would find anything worth reading on my computer! I would remove it as a kindness. |
Selling agent for Algores carbon credit scam.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
| So, I went in and made sure all my settings were correct for getting emails and messages, they were. I've had long term issues with this, going back to before the site went to the new format that it is today. Maybe try messaging me again? Or email? Your preference.... |
No, my name has nothing to do with enemas.
Joined:
Jan 2007
Posts:
9148
EE: 100% (84)
MO, USA
|
I'm pretty excited about it myself. Totally shocked Stronghold Armory reached out to me about this. Of course, he likes doing one-off stuff so he's looking forward to it as well. I've got the parts mostly broken down, just have to try and get the parts off the barrel. The receiver was ordered weeks ago but still waiting on that. My plan is to keep it simple. Probably an Ultimak so I can mount a light and an optic of some sort. Looking at JMAC folding braces since I have one on another build I did with an Occam rail. I'm actually doing an M92 at the same time as the 85 but going to leave it short since I have a 107CR already. These things are so damn addictive, I wish I had bought a bunch of kits back when you could get one for a hundred bucks. I blame some of you too, with your awesome builds plastered all over with high rez pics. They should make it some sort of pay-to-view section, so I stop getting inspired. |
|
Joy? Oh, that's the feeling I get when I look at my depleted bank account.... For the record, it's you're fault I spent so much money on my 107CR... And now, I'm strangling my check book on this crazy M85 / CR project that I'm not even sure is going to work very well. It's all your fault. That's why I'm sending you the first pic in hopes it will eat away at you until you build one too.... LMAO |
|
Have to agree with you there. I have to say though, I wish back in the day I had bought a metric ass load of parts kits. I remember when Keng's Firearms was in the southside of Atlanta, about a mile from where I was living at the time. I would go by there and talk to David and he always offered me great deals on AK's, SKS's, and ammo. I was of course living hand to mouth so there wasn't much I could buy. I remember he gave me an SKS for Christmas one year. Super nice guy. If only I had known.... Maybe that's why I suck it up and build stuff now? Get it while I can? I've got about all I ever wanted in AK/s. My 107 CR, an Occam railed pistol, an M70, M72, and now an M85 and M92. Pretty much got the bases covered. Maybe I should buy more ammo? You guys that bought parts kits by truck load, don't realize how smart you were to do that. And those who bought ammo by the pallet, were visionaries. Oh, to turn back the clock... |
|
Originally Posted By roninsan: Have to agree with you there. I have to say though, I wish back in the day I had bought a metric ass load of parts kits. I remember when Keng's Firearms was in the southside of Atlanta, about a mile from where I was living at the time. I would go by there and talk to David and he always offered me great deals on AK's, SKS's, and ammo. I was of course living hand to mouth so there wasn't much I could buy. I remember he gave me an SKS for Christmas one year. Super nice guy. If only I had known.... Maybe that's why I suck it up and build stuff now? Get it while I can? I've got about all I ever wanted in AK/s. My 107 CR, an Occam railed pistol, an M70, M72, and now an M85 and M92. Pretty much got the bases covered. Maybe I should buy more ammo? You guys that bought parts kits by truck load, don't realize how smart you were to do that. And those who bought ammo by the pallet, were visionaries. Oh, to turn back the clock... I remember around 2005 wanting an AK and looking online to find out how to get one. Found parts kits and thought "wtf I can't just buy one?" I remember Romy kits being $50 and that would've been with an original barrel, probably still headspaced on the trunnion.. I thought it was some sort of joke and clicked away. Never tried again until 2010. I did get a few Bulgarian 74 kits when they were cheap, but if I had known then, I would've bought 10-20 parts kits of every origin I could get Oh well... |
|
2005. I was in Al Kut, Iraq. There was a Ukrainian Airborne Brigade stationed there, and I became friends with many of them. I got to shoot their AK-74s and thought "What a cool rifle!" and looked online to see if I could get one. I saw Bulgarian rifles and actual Russian parts kits, but when I looked up how to build one, I was like "holy crap..." I'm now working on #5 and #6 and wishing I had spent every penny I could scrape together and bought all the parts kits I could find. Remember those 74's that were less than 100 bucks? How the hell are they almost two grand now?? For a parts kit that shoots ammo that's more expensive than 5.56?!?! They're awesome rifles, but Arsenal lowered the price to move them. When did Arsenal ever lower a price?? With all the billions we've sent to Ukraine, we should be swimming in parts kits and 5.45.... |
|
Worked on the 85 and the 92 today. The 85 is completely demilled, still needs a little cleaning, and it will be ready to go off to Stronghold for the stretch. The 92 was a little different story. I have never had a barrel pin so hard to get out. When it finally let go it popped so loud, I thought I broke something. Then, the rear trunnion was a disaster. None of the rivets could be driven out, all had to be drilled far more than they should have to get them out. And of course, that long rivet. Would not budge. I ended up drilling it, and of course, a drill bit broke off inside the hole, and it will not budge. It's maybe 3/8" inside the hole, and even my shop press won't move it. SO frustrating. I found some on the net, but boy howdy are they proud of them! Zastava doesn't sell them, so I'll probably end up getting an AKM under folder trunnion or maybe a JMAC. Just need something to mount a brace to. Project slowly coming together, more parts to be ordered soon, and of course, once I get the stuff together, it'll get shipped off for the custom work. I'm thinking it'll be near completion by about September. Can't wait.... |
|
Every issue I've had has been with Yugo trunnions. I had a rivet absolutely refuse to come out of the front trunnion, so after breaking off a drill bit in it, and not being able to get it to budge for love nor money, I sent it to a builder and asked them to see if they could get it out. I ordered one of the last front trunnions Mokus Raifus had in stock just in case. Fortunately, the builder was able to get it out, drill bit and all. Now, with this M85, I have a long rivet stuck with a drill bit in there as well. It's only about the size of your fingernail in the hole but will not budge. I'm going to try one more time to try and drill around the bit and see if that will loosen it up enough to get it out. An M85 trunnion on GB is listed at 169 bucks, so I really want to get this thing fixed. It's that or maybe a JMAC trunnion. My only issue holding me up right now is the receiver. I ordered one from Childers on June 6 and it's still in the build queue according to them. They apologized, said they were backed up so their normal 4-6 weeks was getting longer. No idea when it will get here. Frustrating. With this whole "oil crisis" issue unfolding, who knows if I'll even be able to get it to Stronghold or not. I know the postal service gets priority on fuel, but you never know. (Sigh) Hopefully I'll get both receivers in soon, I can send parts to Stronghold and get the 85 project going, while I work on the 92. It's going together as is, and I can do all that work myself. I may be nearing the end of my AK building adventures. I have six now, including the first 556 project that ending up at a builder, only to find out my Arsenal barrel is toast, and the Occam gas block is bent. I've yet to figure that out. Still have to get more parts and try to finish that one. I may have to kick this addiction some how.... |
AK Sponsor