Tula Parts Kit

[AK shooter]

You are building a Khyber?

 

[SpeedRacer]

You are building a Khyber?

Yessir. I think I know where you're going with this...

 

[AK shooter]

Here is some inspiration.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Haha that's a helluva keychain!

 

[AK shooter]

It looks like a hand cuff key.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Got my kits in today, they both look GREAT. Both have matching major parts (bolt/carrier, gas tube, top cover), and non-matching trunnion (seems to be the standard with these kits). Both look unissued and unfired, though one is slightly nicer on all accounts with nicer wood and all machined parts vs cast. I would've been happy with either one, but I'm glad I bought two!

Pics to come...

 

[my-rifle]

If it doesn't come with the original barrel, the who cares if the numbers match? You're going to have to headspace it anyway.

 

[SpeedRacer]

If it doesn't come with the original barrel, the who cares if the numbers match? You're going to have to headspace it anyway.

Because it's better than them not matching?

Call it false security if you want, but I do find comfort in knowing as many parts as possible were made at the same place at the same time.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Some more info and pics...

I bought two kits, both were in identical condition. One had a 1968 trunnion, the other a 1975. The strange thing is, even though the trunnions aren't supposed to match, all of the parts were correct for the year. For example, the 1968 marked kit has all milled parts, and the old style buttstock sling mount. The 1975 kit has cast parts and the updated sling mount. So even though the numbers don't match, the parts seem to be all correct for the year according to my limited knowledge. These are definitely not thrown together from a pile of parts.

Both kits have some small arsenal marks in the wood, but they are not serialized. The pistol grips are the only thing I found "incorrect", based on their markings they are from the Ishmaz arsenal, not Tula. Also the mags are not Comblock, maybe Chinese?

Again, I'm no expert on parts identification. Regardless, at this price I'm more than happy with what I got and wouldn't care if a part wasn't correct for the year. Fact is I've got a pile of Russian made parts, made back when they made them right, that are practically brand new. What more could ya ask for?

Another thing of note, is I couldn't find a trace of cosmo or other preservative. Obviously whoever demilled the kits for import cleaned them as well. One less thing to worry about!

Some pics, I only took pics of one kit because they are practically the same, with the exception of the 1975 kit having nicer wood which I took a pic of.

Wood from 1975 kit...

 

[AK shooter]

Those are some nice kits. I am wondering why everything matches but the trunnion.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Those are some nice kits. I am wondering why everything matches but the trunnion.

I have no idea. Again, most of the parts aren't serialized which makes it trickier. The kit with 1975 trunnion has a flared top cover, cast barrel parts, side sling mount. All things that are correct for a 1974-77 rifle. If these kits were assembled from parts, either I got lucky with both kits or someone knew what they were doing.

But again I'm no expert when it comes to identifying parts...

 

[madmax4x4]

Here is some inspiration.

I like the hand guard


Hey SpeedRacer who did you order your kits from?

 

[SpeedRacer]

I like the hand guard


Hey SpeedRacer who did you order your kits from?

I ordered from Cope's. $299 + shipping. If you're interested I *may* sell my extra kit, that was my original plan. But now that I have it it's gonna be hard for me to get rid of since they'll only get harder to find and more expensive.

 

[bs875]

Don't click here.

 

[madmax4x4]

Don't click here.

Thanks I'm on it!

 

[SpeedRacer]

At $259, I don't know how anyone could pass these up!

 

[bs875]

There was some talk about FFL transfers in Alexandria on this thread. Two guys mention paying $20.

http://bayoushooter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47542

Here is one mentioned by name:

Head South Pawn on the north side of Leesville