[Oldgunner]

Gentlemen I have a question about possible changes made to the safety on an AMD-63 build. It?s been bouncing around in my head for a time, don?t get me wrong I like the look of the AK but I?ll be doing a build using an Ace blank and have been working on a left-hand thumb safety (in my head) for some time. One thing I need to know is if it?s legal to make such a change without getting the ATF after me? I just thought there might be some stupid rule about modifying the safety, believe me I?m into good safeties and would never build something that isn?t 100% as reliable as the original. I?d just like it on the left side, smaller and thumb activated. Or maybe I just want to be different from all the others?

 

[Rhino_66]

Why would changing the safety be illegal?

K-Var sells a safety selector with a thumb extension for the left side of the receiver. The extension attaches to the standard selector by clamping onto the flat portion of the selector blade and latching with a spring clip. I think this is like what is on the Galil, but I'm not sure.

The piece is part # AK-335RL (Bulgarian Left and right side selector lever for milled receiver. Semi-Auto)

I don't see why you couldn't copy this design, or just buy one from K-Var. The downside is the price, $39.99. The only mods needed would be a slot in the receiver and a cutout in the pistol grip. Depending on how thick the lever is and how wide your grips are, you may not need a cutout in the grip.

EDIT: I can see a definite weak area with the one in the picture. There are a couple of spots I would beef up if I made one of these. The transition from the wide section to the narrow section I would consider a little anemic. I would widen the narrow portion to be the same width as the lower part of the lever. I'd also make the transition area a little more substantial. Maybe this is necessary to clear the stock tang and trigger. Making this piece out of thicker material would help, as long as it clears the trigger leg.

 

[7.62x39]

OG,

Your building your own receiver, the proper place for the safety is where ever You decide it should be.
You are not modifying a rifle, you are building a rifle.

If you decide the safety on a OG M2004 should be on the left, so be it.

 

[Oldgunner]

Thanks 7.62X39 and the rest of you too.
Well they have stupid laws that say we have to have a certain number of US made parts so I thought maybe there might be one on tampering with the safety.

I?ve never seen that safety (from K-Var)before, I would think that it takes a strong thumb to move that bugger because you have to overcome the resistance of the selector lever sliding up and down. I?m thinking of putting together a safety more like that on an AR-15, a smaller horizontal lever that moves up and down and that way I can eliminate the original 4-? inch monster (again, I do like the AK?s look but want to be different).
I don?t like to take my hand off the grip or my eye away from the sights to turn a safety off or on.

 

[DrugRunR]

Polish tantal's had both the right hand selector and a left hand selector.