Myself I wouldn't just weld one up without a repair panel to go with it. Period. Ya,, you might be just fine. BUT,,,,, even tough I'll never win any beauty contests,,,, I like my facial features left right where they are ,,,,:scared:
Thank You Very Much!!!!
I wouldn't take the chance for what,,,, a hundred bucks or so for a complete receiver ready to rock?? Why would anyone want to take that chance? IMO,,,
I'd seen some receivers welded up in the past by,, very good welders,, that have failed, others have been just fine. Seems to me that even with the prices the way they are I'd rather get a complete replacement one that's ready to go with the proper heat treating done first, before repairing one and taking the chance myself. Not uncommon for a weld to break just past where it was welded, the temper is very important and an art to get right all by itself. Not only that but what would the wire properties be you're welding with?? Would it re-temper OK ?? To soft,, to hard,,, compared to the rest of the material around it????,,,to many variables for me to take any chances with, by guessing. Not for only saving a hundred bucks or so,,,,tops. Why bother?
I'm a better than average welder with mig and tig, by most any standards and have been for many years, with a great deal of sheet metal welding experience. I've been a body man in a restoration shop and a marine mechanic most of my life and have welded things from aluminum body Ferrari's, up to 300' steel barges, and everything in between. But I wouldn't take that chance for one minute. Unless I had a 100% way to test the steels temper. I was certified for marine, pipe, and high pressure pipe,, many many years ago, and I really would not want to take that chance just to save a few bucks myself.
Remember you only got 1mm-1.5mm of material holding back what,,,,,40k-50k,, psi chamber pressure to start with,,,and holding in place a 1 1/4 lb bolt/ carrier/ piston assembly. You've all seen how much the AK platform flexes in slow motion videos!! Ya wouldn't want flaws of any type,,, me thinks. I might just be ,,,, being fussy here, but I'd prefer a fresh one myself thanks.