Dave Hoback
09-01-2022, 12:36 PM
I was researching a topic unrelated, and found this reply I made on a long ago lost Forum. I was excited because I had since lost these pictures. These are the first two rifles I built. Although I had already been tinkering with firearms, modifying, trigger jobs, etc., years earlier…, these were the very first firearms I actually built. It was 2005 & I was in my 20’s when I learned of these imported Parts Kits being sold at Gun Shows & online. Called “Demilled”, they were complete AK-47’s that were cut into pieces by torch. So one needed to drill/grind all the riveted parts from the trashed receiver and purchase or make a new Receiver, the rivets and accompanying “compliance” parts. Back then I believe 6 major parts had to be replaced. Or, as it was then, the firearm could have only 10 imported parts I believe. However, they DID include the factory barrels back then. I’m not sure exactly what changed… But somehow ATF law has made it so imported barrels are no longer allowed. So now parts kits are sold missing with NO Barrels or having the Barrels TORCHED along with the destroyed Receiver. Now remember, these was not only the first years of the DIY “Home builders” groups but also the Interweb’s Gun Forums as well. Most started only a year or two before. Right about the end of the 1994 Clinton AWB that expired in 2004. Gotta love those online pics compared to today… LOL!
Here is the first firearm I ever built myself. It was a Romanian parts kit. I was so proud after completing, and it ran flawlessly. I remember this feeling of “Holy CRAP! I just built this myself and it’s as nice as anything purchased in a store!” The Parts Kit cost $99 at the time. The Receiver was $60, & the compliance parts were another $50.
https://i.ibb.co/gzMMRPr/32-E52291-58-FD-4-F44-8730-E0-BC62-DD539-D.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Immediately after, I purchased 2 more parts kits. This time I found these really nice Hungarian FEG SA-85 Parts Kits. These kits were better than nice… the parts were pristine. NEW looking almost! Blond wood furniture. I knew they were something special.
https://i.ibb.co/mXfjCLR/EA7-EE0-BB-D70-C-41-DA-BB74-F387-C55844-D0.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
I went all out on this one. I used a thicker, 1.6mm Receiver. Used a better Milled Trigger group. (and still gave it my attention as I did to all triggers!). I even made a custom Ghost Ring rear sight for it. It was beautiful! And it was & still is the most accurate AK47 I’ve ever fireard. (Which still ain’t saying much by AR standards… let alone Bolt Action, LOL!) to this day it’s the only firearm I regret letting go. I was so proud of it & truly enjoyed it. And YES… I understand how ugly that muzzle brake is! I went back to the original Slant Brake after shooting the rifle the first time, as seen in the last pic.
https://i.ibb.co/WGJsB8Q/F1120-ED0-6003-4568-AB56-55305-DB2-D060.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Both rifles together. The start of a long building career that has only become more enjoyable to me. I wasn’t even disabled, had use of both my arms then. But the desire, commitment & admiration of this hobby has only become stronger since these two first rifle builds.
https://i.ibb.co/N13y1m4/E35-C05-DA-316-E-491-B-B329-E6-F739-CCD42-E.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Here is the first firearm I ever built myself. It was a Romanian parts kit. I was so proud after completing, and it ran flawlessly. I remember this feeling of “Holy CRAP! I just built this myself and it’s as nice as anything purchased in a store!” The Parts Kit cost $99 at the time. The Receiver was $60, & the compliance parts were another $50.
https://i.ibb.co/gzMMRPr/32-E52291-58-FD-4-F44-8730-E0-BC62-DD539-D.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Immediately after, I purchased 2 more parts kits. This time I found these really nice Hungarian FEG SA-85 Parts Kits. These kits were better than nice… the parts were pristine. NEW looking almost! Blond wood furniture. I knew they were something special.
https://i.ibb.co/mXfjCLR/EA7-EE0-BB-D70-C-41-DA-BB74-F387-C55844-D0.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
I went all out on this one. I used a thicker, 1.6mm Receiver. Used a better Milled Trigger group. (and still gave it my attention as I did to all triggers!). I even made a custom Ghost Ring rear sight for it. It was beautiful! And it was & still is the most accurate AK47 I’ve ever fireard. (Which still ain’t saying much by AR standards… let alone Bolt Action, LOL!) to this day it’s the only firearm I regret letting go. I was so proud of it & truly enjoyed it. And YES… I understand how ugly that muzzle brake is! I went back to the original Slant Brake after shooting the rifle the first time, as seen in the last pic.
https://i.ibb.co/WGJsB8Q/F1120-ED0-6003-4568-AB56-55305-DB2-D060.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Both rifles together. The start of a long building career that has only become more enjoyable to me. I wasn’t even disabled, had use of both my arms then. But the desire, commitment & admiration of this hobby has only become stronger since these two first rifle builds.
https://i.ibb.co/N13y1m4/E35-C05-DA-316-E-491-B-B329-E6-F739-CCD42-E.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)