AK Sponsor
Posted: 10/31/2011 7:21:01 AM EDT
Is buying and AK kit easier for the wallet than buying a plan Jane AK? A kit seems much more enjoyable, like putting together a lego kit when I was 3. It seems cheaper, and more customizable, but is it just worth buying gun as a whole? 
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Cheaper to buy a Romanian for about $400 than to buy the kit the flat, the tooling, and all the other things needed So at what point does it become cost effective? 5? 10? 20? Weeellllllll now....that depends. Let's look at your average "cheap" kit; the good ol' Romanian G which was the most common (therefore cheap) as a cost point example. A few years ago, you could get those all day long from $80-100. Other kits were more expensive, depending on their rarity - usually, $250 and up. Now, you're looking at the cheapest Romy G kits (with a barrel) at ~ $325 (on a good day). Now parts and tooling. How much do you want to build/make on your own? This is very important. We'll use AK-Builder as a reference point, since he sells all jigs, flats, etc. Receivers - Build from a flat - AK Builder Flat @ $35 (avg). + flat bending jig @ $170 = $205 plus shipping - Pre-made receiver - Nodak Spud = $85 (approx). + transfer fees to a FLL @ $35 (my area) = $120 At this point, you've just surpassed the price of a $400 WASR....BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! Tools - You can really go "Khyber Pass" and build a rifle with the minimum amount of tools available, such as: bolt cutter riveter, hammers, punches, etc. Some guys pride themselves on building this way, as it is truly low cost. However, low cost doesn't always equal easier or pristine finish. - Build with the average rivet jigs, shop press, etc. See AK-Builders web page for all that is available. I'm not going list it all here. Some you need, some are nice to have. Metal Finish You can spray it with grill paint and call it 'good' or go as far as parkerizing (or other finishes) yourself. A can of spray paint is cheap - a blast cabinet, stainless steel pans, chemicals, etc. are going to cost you more money. Compliance parts - don't forget to throw in ~ $40 for a FCG and anything else to get you to the magic number of FIVE. I started out with one kit. I have built for myself, or helped others build, about 10 rifles so far. I still have some more kits to build (when I get time). I have acquired a lot new tools, jigs and knowledge along the way. I never looked at this hobby from a cost/average standpoint. If I did, I would just go buy a rifle and say, "Done." Basically, the costs really all becomes relative to what you want to accomplish. You would be well into 10 kits or more before you have a cost average starting to equal a built rifle purchase. What do you want to LEARN? If you want to expand your knowledge into areas you never thought of going (heat treating, riveting, parkerizing, etc., etc,) then welcome to the building world (and have your checkbook/credit card handy). 
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If only I had a dime for each time some one asked this question. Easy answer, no! Complicated answer, well...if there is a local build group that will help you then maybe but most likely no! I hope that helps. Feel free to send my dime via IM.  If you had a dime for every time someone asked this question...you could afford a kit build!!! |
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If only I had a dime for each time some one asked this question. Easy answer, no! Complicated answer, well...if there is a local build group that will help you then maybe but most likely no! I hope that helps. Feel free to send my dime via IM. If you had a dime for every time someone asked this question...you could afford a kit build!!! Right! And afford most of the tooling to build it with. Ker-Pow is right, when building AK's you pay for what you LEARN! Not as much as what you build. |
| It depends on what AK you are looking for. A lot of the AK's I build are because they are not available to buy in that configuration. Plus, I just prefer to do all the work myself because then I know its done right. Even a lot of good factories have bad days, and build rifles with questionable rivets, etc.... If you just want a good ak, just buy one, Its way easier. And don't be afraid to check it out thoroughly. Like buying a car, if something doesn't look right to you on it, don't buy it. Just familiarize yourself with what rivets should look like, etc.... If I was going to just buy one ak, that was reliable, I would probably get a MAK 90 for the money, Second would be a Romanian that was factory built with a factory receiver. If you don't know the persons workmanship, stay away from guns that people have built. |
| Unless you want to do more than one its cheeper to buy one and build on what you want... I like to build them and have built more than 10 now so I build.....Why cuz I can.... Ok now for the honest answer.... After you buy all the tooling and the kit and the other things you need you'll have more than a grand in tools.. But if you do other rifles like I AR,s AK,s Galils, Glocks, 1911,s on do on its worth you having your own tools but just for one gun I don't think so, You can buy and add on to a cheeper gun what you want and how you want it cheeper and only buy the tools you need for that certain time.. |
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The problem with identifying the break even point is the more you build, your skill (hopefully) increases, and you see the value of MORE tools and fixtures.
But I'd say 5 builds at a minimum, if you are using the most basic equipment. Definitely something akin to building a model. The pleasure must be derived from doing it, as it won't come from cost-savings. I've been building rifles professionally for 20 years and just spent the day (read, several hundred in lost labor), because I thought of a better way of doing something that required me to machine a new fixture. Whether it is really better or just different, I won't know for a while. But the point is, the more you know, the less satisfied you will be with rudimentary tools and fixtures. That's the difference between a hobby and a business. A point I have yet to master, and am blessed enough for it not to matter too much. |
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The problem with identifying the break even point is the more you build, your skill (hopefully) increases, and you see the value of MORE tools and fixtures. But I'd say 5 builds at a minimum, if you are using the most basic equipment. Definitely something akin to building a model. The pleasure must be derived from doing it, as it won't come from cost-savings. I've been building rifles professionally for 20 years and just spent the day (read, several hundred in lost labor), because I thought of a better way of doing something that required me to machine a new fixture. Whether it is really better or just different, I won't know for a while. But the point is, the more you know, the less satisfied you will be with rudimentary tools and fixtures. That's the difference between a hobby and a business. A point I have yet to master, and am blessed enough for it not to matter too much. I built a lot of my own tools so my break even point was at about 3 guns. But you are right about "The pleasure must be derived from doing it, as it won't come from cost-savings." My first Tantal kit cost about $475 and you can buy the complete gun for less than that even now! |
| I wish i could say I want to make money on this deal but then it wouldn't be a Hobby... I have built from Ar,s to Ak,s to a Galil and now trying my hand on a FAL.... with the same tools But made the Decision to keep one of every style I build not 3 or 4.....That is why I have not built another Galil and only helped with another....And now a FAL for myself.... |
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What we have failed to mention is building AKs is like heroine or crack cocaine, it is one of the most addictive things on the planet. Sure there are many who started out saying I would only build enough to break even and they are still with us today (this forum serves as a support group for such addicts). You need to ask yourself, do I want just one or do I want half a dozen. If the answer is less than half a dozen then you're better off buying them already built. The exception comes when you can connect with a local build group and that the build group doesn't ask for anything more than an ocassional pizza (go when others go, some one will bring the pizza). But if you aren't successful finding a local build group and don't want half a dozen AKs in various conditions then you know what to do (RUN!).
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