If you lack both skills and tools, the best suggestion is to find a different rifle.
Mark
FEG SA85M debanning question (from a newbie)
I have the chance to buy a Hungarian FEG SA85M rifle for a good price but it has those stupid Clinton-era "banned" features: Bayonet lug ground off, no cleaning rod, and nothing to hold the cleaning rod in place. The stock and pistol grip, however, are proper looking and are not a thumbhole stock. Someone must have switched them already.
This will be my first AK and I have no machining skills or tools, I'm new to the game. I know about the 922r laws.
My main question is how can I give the rifle the "debanned" look, like attach a cleaning rod under the barrel, and/or put a front sight block on there that has a bayonet lug. What type of work is required? I imagine there is more than one thing I could do to fix it.
Could I just replace the barrel entirely?
Forgive me if I am a bit vague with the terminology. I just want the rifle to look like a proper AK, nice and nasty looking, know what I mean? :nanabang:
Thanks guys
This will be my first AK and I have no machining skills or tools, I'm new to the game. I know about the 922r laws.
My main question is how can I give the rifle the "debanned" look, like attach a cleaning rod under the barrel, and/or put a front sight block on there that has a bayonet lug. What type of work is required? I imagine there is more than one thing I could do to fix it.
Could I just replace the barrel entirely?
Forgive me if I am a bit vague with the terminology. I just want the rifle to look like a proper AK, nice and nasty looking, know what I mean? :nanabang:
Thanks guys
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Mark
It's simple, just replace the gas block and front sight base if it's been nuetered. They are pressed and pinned. Pretty easy to swap out. Apex has some Egytian or East German parts that you could use. The right Hungarian parts might be hard to find.
You'll definitely need to get the right tools. If you look around the forum you'll see some good solutions, but the basic idea is that you'll remove the cross pins, and then press off the sight block and gas block. There was a replacement bayonet lug that was around for a while that (I think) was soldered on, but I think those are all long gone. You'll have to weld a huge lug of metal on the bottom of the gas block and dremel it to shape of a bayonet lug. Or just replace it with a bayonet-enabled gas block.
All of these answers were helpful. This could be a fun starter project for me, lord knows I love a challenge. I wish I could find one of those replacement bayonet lugs to solder on. If anyone knows where to get one or where to look for one, let me know.
I'll let you guys know if I wind up buying this rifle. I won't even be able to go look at it until next week because the guy is out of town at some far-off fun show. Who knows, maybe he'll come back with something even cooler.
I'll let you guys know if I wind up buying this rifle. I won't even be able to go look at it until next week because the guy is out of town at some far-off fun show. Who knows, maybe he'll come back with something even cooler.
The Hungarian SA-85 rifles were one of the best quality AK variants that money can buy. If you can get it at a good price, I would say BUY IT! Even if you don't do a thing to it, you will have a fine and serviceable rifle. I understand your desires, but at the end of the day, you want something that works well. The SA-85 is just such a rifle. Buy an AR-15 "GI" cleaning kit in 7.62 for $20.00 and call it a day.All of these answers were helpful. This could be a fun starter project for me, lord knows I love a challenge. I wish I could find one of those replacement bayonet lugs to solder on. If anyone knows where to get one or where to look for one, let me know.
I'll let you guys know if I wind up buying this rifle. I won't even be able to go look at it until next week because the guy is out of town at some far-off fun show. Who knows, maybe he'll come back with something even cooler.
You can always buy another AK. And you probably will. Don't pass up the good deal. This one would be a keeper!
Personally I think bayonet lugs are overrated. Seriously, unless you are building a "factory accurate" collector sample, it really is useless. The only attachments to use are bayonets, underbarrel grenade launchers, and that's it. I think some people have bipod attachments for certain models as well. But unless you're going to charge the front lines what use are they really other than for that one photo op we all take of our fully decked-out guns! :rofl:
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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