H2O MAN said:
Is this a do it your self modification or is a gunsmith a better option?
You can do it yourself. It's not as difficult as you might think. Or, a gunsmith can do it for you. Either way is OK once your Form 1 is approved and your rifle is properly engraved.
What changes need to happen?
If you chop the barrel of an existing rifle, it's likely that you'll need to open up the gas port hole some as well. If not, the action my not cycle reliably.
What barrel length is optimum?
It kind of depends on what you're trying to do. If you want velocity, don't chop the barrel at all. If you want compactness, then it's a tradeoff between compactness and velocity.
Does anyone offer this modification service?
Quite a few gunsmiths do, but I've never used their services myself. Perhaps someone else can chime in.[/quote]
I'd also like to add another observation. I would personally be very hesitant about cutting the barrel of a preban rifle. Obviously it's yours and you can do what you want, but it will significantly effect the value of the rifle, and not in a positive way. If you want a compact type SBR AK, I think there are three pretty good options that might work better for you. The first would be to buy a Bulgarian 5.45x39 krink kit, buy a NoDak Spud receiver, do your SBR paperwork, and have the kit/receiver built. You'll have a nice compact rifle and won't have to cut the barrel because it's the correct size to begin with. Alternatively, you could buy a Hungarian AMD65 kit. It's a regular type AK, but the barrel length is shorter to just beyond the gas port. They have a folding stock. You can buy a receiver from NoDak Spud and have it built. Finally, you could by an Arsenal SLR107UR (krink type rifle in 7.62x39) or SLR107CR (short barrel type AK in 7.62x39), do the SBR paperwork, and chop the barrels. These rifles have barrels that stick out extra to meet 16" and are really meant to be cut to their proper lengths.
