AKM conversion

Fiach Dubh

I'm converting one of my CYMA 031 (AK74) into an AKM. The Element metal AK74 receiver, receiver cowl, AKM muzzle break and brown AK74 pistol grip arrived yesterday from rsov. I thought I'd post my experiences here in case anyone was thinking of doing a full metal conversion of a CYMA 031.

First off I striped the AK down removing the front end from the receiver, took off the stock and removed the fuse and wiring then removed the gearbox from the receiver. First job was to install the 3 rivets on the Element receiver, I used a hammer and put a bit of cloth over them to prevent damage when hitting them. Next step was to put the trigger guard on the receiver, I used a Jing Gong AK guard as it doesn't have the pin issue of slipping out like the TM and CYMA ones. Putting the guard on is a bit difficult since there is a metal plate you have to hold onto the underside of the receiver while you hold the guard in place and put the screws in, bit of a three handed job. The gearbox slipped into the receiver easley enough and I got all the wiring in place. Replacing the AK front end was flawless, all 4 screw holes lined up, no problems there. However when I went to reinstall the CYMA AK74 selector lever it wouldn't go on.

What happened was the little gadget with a single tooth (no idea of its name) wouldn't slot down. I striped the front end off again and removed the gearbox. Checking the Element receiver against the CYMA plastic receiver with a measuring tape I found that the top of the hole for the selector on the Element is 11mm from the top of the receiver it's only 9mm on the CYMA. The problem is the Element receiver was designed around a TM type AK47 not AK74 After a lot of installing, removing, banging, thumping and cursing at the gearbox it was obvious that it simply wasn't going to work and a dremel would have to be used on the selector port to make it fit. After a while I pulled out my TM AK Beta which I'm breaking for parts and removed the 47 type selector, this one actually installed. At first it was very stiff and while the gearbox would go to safe the lever wouldn't move to it's full position parallel to the receiver. A couple of hours moving the selector up an down and it's freed up. The AEG is firing normally in all modes.

Next up was the brown Element 74 pistol grip. I slotted it over the motor cage and then noticed it had 3 plastic tabs at the top the didn't line up with the receiver at all. I cut them off and it went flush with the base. Taking the original CYMA grip screw, which is a direct copy of the TM version, I found that the Element grips screw hole was much deeper and wider then the CYMA and the bolt was far too short. Fortunately the box of bolts and washers I bought back when my JLS SCAR was acting up came to the rescue. I found a bolt of the right diameter and good length but the head was too small and would just slip through the grip hole so I installed a washer with it. The grip is now on and very solid, no creak at all Next I went to put the stock back on (you have to use the original tang from the CYMA as the Element kit doesn't come with one) The tang is held on by four screws, the front two closed all the way but the back two wouldn't and had to be left off or the stock wouldn't slide on. The stock seems very secure anyway so I wasn't bothered too much.

Last thing to do was just slot the Element receiver cowl on the receiver. No go! The Element cowl is thicker then the CYMA one and since the metal receiver is also thicker it just doesn't have enough space. I was able to get the CYMA one on but not completely, it's just a bit high and the button isn't locking back. The rear of the receiver will need to be dremmeled too to get this to work.

Even though there are problems I should be able to solve them with a dremel. The good news is the Element kit has eliminated all the creak from the AK and it just overall feels more solid.

Left to do;

Install Wooden AKM furniture.
Dremmel lower receiver.
Replace AK47 selector with AK74 selector.



Top in picture, stock CYMA AK74. Below AKM conversion with Element receiver, muzzle break and grip. Jing Gong trigger guard. Tokyo Marui AK47 selector lever.

kdouglas

nicely done, you've an interesting mix of parts there.... looks good though

Fiach Dubh

Thanks KDouglas. In the picture the JG and TM parts stick out a bit because of the flash but in real life they don't look that different from the rest.

Here's another conversion I did today



CYMA AK74 receiver, mechbox, pistol grip and AK74 stock. Tokyo Marui Beta frontend, receiver cowl, inner barrel and hop-up.

Power: 1 joule.

This is much closer to an AKs74U then the TM Beta with the AK74 reciever and 5.45mm type Bakelite mags. I'm going to put a Romanian folding stock on it and wooden foregrip

CrazyRabbit

Me thinks you get a bigger buzz from chopping/modding AEG's than you do from playing!

ED E

Nice piece of kit.

o1s1n

CrazyRabbit wrote:

Me thinks you get a bigger buzz from chopping/modding AEG's than you do from playing!

I agree!

[--SC(+)PE--]

nice work, i think the folding stock would suit it down 2 the ground alright

Fiach Dubh

CrazyRabbit wrote:

Me thinks you get a bigger buzz from chopping/modding AEG's than you do from playing!

I love airsoft because it's a hobby that can continue off the playing field if one so decides. And there's a greater level of satisfaction in using an AEG I built myself

Fiach Dubh

[--SC(+)PE--] wrote:

nice work, i think the folding stock would suit it down 2 the ground alright

Yep, it's quite small as it is but with the side folder it'll be a pocket rocket with it's 1 joule power

[--SC(+)PE--]

cant wait till ya get started on your RPK 74 is that going be your next project per chance?

Fiach Dubh

Once I finish up the AKM I'll be picking up the parts for it. I'm thinking of building it out of an SRC body. On a side note one of my teammates wants me to build one of those pocket rockets for him out of his CYMA AK74. He's ordering a JG Beta and I'll use the front end off that. I'm buying the back end off him and with the AK74 front end left over from the carbine conversion I have the bones of an AKMS

[--SC(+)PE--]

Cool, Mr Kalishnikov will be proud

Fiach Dubh

I just realised I have a JG Dragunov SVD sitting here too that I need to work on. Once you start converting you can't stop