Tula Kits from RGuns -- the Serial Number thread.

[serzant]

This thread is here for documenting the mid-80-ies Vintage Tula AKSU kits purchased by members from RGuns.
Many many thanks to RGuns for the effort in bringing these to us IT WAS AWESOME of you.
The purpose of the thread is to collect S/N information which would give us an idea on how many factory batches there were, what features each batch had, etc.
It will provide a good reference in the years to come for folks that will be purchasing the guns built on these kits to verify authenticity.
If it's not too much to ask, please post a snapshot of the trunion and any other component, especially any peculiarities.

Known S/N Span(s)
* It looks like at least 2 production lines were building AKSU in 1986

Production line 1
86 692402 - 86 699585
Units produced in 1986: at least 7183 units

Production line 2
86 250268 - 86 253056
Units produced in 1986: at least 2788 units

S/N List:
86 250268 -- Plum PG
86 251719 -- Plum PG
86 251965
86 251982
86 252063 -- Plum PG
86 252128 -- Plum PG
86 252190 -- Plum PG
86 252241 -- Plum PG Unique w/double stamped Star/Year and re-stamped S/N
86 252251 -- Plum PG
86 252293 -- Plum PG
86 253056 -- Plum PG

86 657003 -- plum PG

86 692402 PG TBD
86 693591 -- Plum PG
86 694500
86 694540 -- Plum PG
86 694584 -- Plum PG
86 695194
86 695235 -- Plum PG
86 695313 -- Plum PG
86 695328 -- Plum PG
86 695370 -- Plum PG
86 695420 -- Plum PG
86 695576 -- Plum PG
86 695598 -- Plum PG
86 695612
86 695683 -- Plum PG
86 695691 -- Plum PG
86 695865 -- Plum PG
86 696092 -- Plum PG
86 696133 -- Plum PG
86 696614 -- Plum PG
86 695643 -- Plum PG
86 696664 -- Plum PG
86 696768 -- Plum PG
86 696853 -- Plum PG
86 696873
86 696947 -- Plum PG
86 696968 -- mismatched selector lever
86 697050 -- Plum PG
86 697147 -- missmatched gas tube
86 697226 -- Plum PG
86 697308
86 697553 -- Plum PG
86 697571 -- Plum PG
86 697749
86 697791 -- Plum PG
86 697806 -- Plum PG
86 697816 -- Plum PG
86 698091 -- Plum PG
86 698162 -- Plum PG
86 698393 -- Plum PG
86 698401 -- Plum PG
86 698494
86 698549 -- Plum PG
86 698851 -- Plum PG
86 698766
86 698877 -- Plum PG
86 699001 -- Plum PG
86 699013
86-699203 -- ?
86 699263 -- Plum PG
86 699383 -- Plum PG
86 699492
86 699582 -- Plum PG
86 699585 -- Plum PG
86 699593 -- Plum PG

For the reference, here is the parts diagram of the AKSU (if you have a better resolution pic, please send):

[bbb22183]

As far as peculiarities...Mine didn't have a barrel for some reason.

[jithaca]

[mike_r123]

tag

[serzant]

How long did iy take to reveive them?

[fredieusa]

The OP should compile all the numbers in the first post in an alpha-numeric order.

[Stottman]

No offense, but aren't the guns going to be from the same lot / crates ? Its not like the guns are coming from a variety of different sources, or are used....

[jithaca]

No offense, but aren't the guns going to be from the same lot / crates ? Its not like the guns are coming from a variety of different sources, or are used....

Good point. That also means we have a real good data point, due to mutiple examples from a single era. What do you think about the Izhmash pistol grips on new rifles??? At least on the parts that make since to look at. The grips have been swapped out so you have to wonder about other Stuff.

[rayman1]

No offense, but aren't the guns going to be from the same lot / crates ? Its not like the guns are coming from a variety of different sources, or are used....

Good point. That also means we have a real good data point, due to mutiple examples from a single era. What do you think about the Izhmash pistol grips on new rifles??? At least on the parts that make since to look at. The grips have been swapped out so you have to wonder about other Stuff.

Exactly.

[serzant]

I always stated that obsession with "correct" parts is what it is -- an obsession. Just because the PG are not Tula, does not mean they did not come on the original rifle. Anyone who collects M1 carabine would agree. I have example of all-matched non-refurb TT33 with serealized components from Tula, while the frame and slide are Izhmash. It is not outside the realm of possibility that to fill Bulgarian order, Russians installed the Izzy grip on the Tula rifle. After all, the Soviet Army was going throug a hauge "Surge" in Afghan. It is not any more far fetched than to assume that someone went through trouble of finding Russian grips to throw in with these kits.
lets just see what the mailman brings...

[jithaca]

Don't get me wrong, if I had the spare cash I would buy another kit. So far the only thing that I have IDed that is in question, is the pistol grip and maybe the FCG. I was asking has anyone else seen noticed other items.

[Indiansprings]

serzant
Maybe we should lock this thread down or use it for chatter and start a new one. This has already started to sway well off coarse.
I do like your orig. idea and will post when mine comes in.

[serzant]

serzant
Maybe we should lock this thread down or use it for chatter and start a new one. This has already started to sway well off coarse.
I do like your orig. idea and will post when mine comes in.

Yep. I'm not sure how to admin this thread. I will post S/N info on the front page. I respect everyone's opinion, and ecourage any discussion that is of educational nature. If someone is stomping the thread please do not reply. Let them swim in their own awesomness alone.

[serzant]

[Fiorentino]

I really think this was a great idea serzant. When it comes to Russian parts, there always seems the debate of what is a true production change versus a random day to day/operator to operator variation. With that said I'm really interested to see how much variation is found in these kits... maybe we will get some new insight.

I took detailed pictures of every single part today.. if anyone wants to see a specific part let me know.

[Fiorentino]

...

[lordofwar2]

i had my choice of these 2 so i took 25 1965.i have a 1965 romy rpk with russian wood,thought it would be a nice match.i was told this is not usual serial range.monkey wrench in the theory all from the same lot.

[DrPepper]

i had my choice of these 2 so i took 25 1965.i have a 1965 romy rpk with russian wood,thought it would be a nice match.i was told this is not usual serial range.monkey wrench in the theory all from the same lot.

Just when you thought you had it all figured out

[serzant]

Found this on GB:
86 696873 ($875)


86 696853 (a steal for mere $1100! No reserve neither!)

[Blanco_Diablo]

Found this on GB:
86 696873 ($875)


86 696853 (a steal for mere $1100! No reserve neither!)

Wow, people are already turning them around for profit

Placeholder for when I get my kit.

[mojo100]

This thread is here for those of us who were lucky to purchase the mid-80-ies Vintage Tula AKSU kits from RGuns.
Many many thanks to RGuns for the effort in bringing these to us IT WAS AWESOME of you.
The purpose of the thread is to collect S/N information which would give us an idea on how many factory batches there were, what features each batch had, etc.
It will provide a good reference in the years to come for folks that will be purchasing the guns built on these kits to verify authenticity.
If it's not too much to ask, please post a snapshot of the trunion and any other component, especially any peculiarities.

Known S/N Span
86 695598 - 86 699492
Known production lot size: 3894 units.
S/N List:
86 695598 -- incl plum Tula PG
86 695865
86 696853 -- incl plum ??Tula?? PG
86 696873
86 697308
86 699492

Looks like you missed lordofwar2's kits

[berlin77]

Another in the 25 range and it did come with a shiny plum grip.

[John32369]

Here's mine, all matching numbers

[scout_man]

you guys are getting me excited about plum grips!

[K1196A]

Awesome kits!