Electrical tape just ain't enough

[~Bodkin~]

Hi guys, I have a bit of a problem and I thought you might be able to help. I ordered a G&P AK47 metal body, but it came with a box at the back of the receiver with an adapter for a crane stock instead of the usual tabs. It looks similar to the one in the top pic. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate the proper body (bottom pic), and so now I must use wads of electrical tape before each game to temporarily attach my wood stock. This really doesn't work well. I have already taped some spacers to make the stock a snug fit, but it doesn't stay on very well. Do you guys have any advice that might help me make this a little sturdier? Any help would be appreciated.

[vondnik]

I have the correct rear block. If your interested I am willing to sell it for 50$ shipped to your location

[m102404]

Bodkin,

I ran into the same situation (I think, if I understand your post right). An AK body that has a block end (SOCOM) that was meant for a M4 style collapsible stock. I didn't have the extra stock tube and didn't really like that look but I did have a spetzna stock (which is meant to attach with tabs like your bottom picture).

Being cheap, I used epoxy putty (you can get a tube of the stuff cheap from Canadian Tire in either the glue section or even cheaper for more in the plumbing section). In case you don't know what it is, it's like two part plasticine. Knead it together and you've got about 10-15min working time to mold it to whatever shape you want.

The block end of the AK body should have 2 screws, one on either side. I took these out. The stock opening will be too big to fit snugly, so you'll need to build up the inside of the opening that will mate with the block end. I put 1 layer of thin tape (scotch tape, electrical tape, whatever) to cover the screw holes on the block. Then I dry fit everything to check the alignment. I then kneaded up some epoxy putty, and fit enough in around the stock opening to fully capture the block end. Careful to not just push the wad of epoxy back into the stock. A long stick (i.e. paint stirring stick) helps. Pack it in and get the fit/alignment where you want it. A damp cloth wipes up and smooths the putty. I let that sit for about an hour to harden. Then you can knead up a bit more putty and fill in the slots on the top and bottom of your stock. Again, smooth it out as much as possible with a damp cloth. Let it harden up.

The stock won't stay on just like that but it'll be a tight/snug fit. You then have to find some longer screws, drill through the stock to where the holes in the block that you covered with tape are, and secure the stock. Now it's tight and solid. Sand lightly and then spray paint it whatever colour you want. My stock was black, so I used a flat black spray and then a flat matt varathane top coat for durability.

It looks OK. Definitely won't get points for realism, especially from the guys that notice every screw and pin on a gun. But it's solid, works well and costs about $10. You'll have to take the stock on and off to drill the holes, sand, paint, etc... but that's not a big deal.

You shouldn't damage the body at all (as long as you find the right thread screws) but the epoxy will most likely be impossible to remove from the stock. Take your time and you'll end up with a very serviceable setup.

Shoot me a pm if you need any more info.

Tys

[Drake]

Not sure I fully follow your post... the body in the first pic is a standard TM AK body, which requires the TM part AK-38 (a sort of mounting block) be screwed in to it (the Crane stock version has a round mount, for mounting the AR buffer tube). The 2nd pic just does away with the extra block and makes everything one piece (stock part AK-38 is metal but the TM receiver is plastic).

Dunno what AK you wanted to install this on: if you had a TM AK (fullstock) you just need to unscrew that block from the body and install it in the new one. Otherwise Vondnik has what you need.

[~Bodkin~]

M102404 knows what I'm after. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate the feedback, but I don't know if I want to make this permanent. This is supposed to be temporary while I wait for a new metal body to come in. I already have a buyer for the one I have now, so all I have to do is find someone who is selling the proper one. Thanks you again