Wood kits for ICS AK74

[tunabreath]

I saw recently on airsoft-news.eu that ICS would be releasing wood kits for their AK series. (oh, also here http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthr...ight=AK74+wood )

I've also seen Droc's thread showcasing his AK, which I believe was an ICS with a wood kit for Marui modified to fit. I can't seem to find that thread now, so if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Anyways, I was wondering a couple of things. First, when is the expected release date of the ICS kit?
Could anyone tell me exactly what the differences are between the ICS furniture and others? What kind of rubber butt pad would I want for an ICS (ie, which of the other AK manufacturers is the ICS stock closest to in terms of external dimensions)? What would I have to do in order to get a Marui kit to fit on an ICS?

Also, it appears that the ICS kit is sealed with a lacquer or something similar. I'd have to remove this if I wanted to stain the wood darker, correct? Any tips on doing this? Any methods tidier than just sandpaper?
I'm looking for a darker colour to match the ICS black body, as opposed to the more standard bare metal grey.

[mateba]

The dimensions should all be close to the real thing and as long as the replicas are 1:1 it should be find. I don't want to hi-jack your thread so if you plan to just buy a kit don't bother read any further. I personally would recommend modding your own from real stocks. Their are no customs issue related to importing them and they will be cheaper than buying a kits assuming you have a dremmel (the knock offs are $15US, and worth buying just to have) and a couple files, 1 ~.25" round, 1 .5-.75" wide (width of battery) that have about a foot in abrasive surface (~$10US for both). They will look more authentic and would require no sort finishing. The real bonus is when someone says, "hey is that wood?" and then "Where did you get those?" you'll get to say I made them. Again, IMO working with your hands can produce some of the most gratifying results.

mateba

[szetor]

if you looking for that thread its right here:

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/archive...p/t-22946.html

since these are pretty new, im sure in another month or two these should be out
heres the wood kit from their website:

http://www.icsbb.com/eicsbb/abou_news1.asp?ID=117

2007/10/23




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[tunabreath]

Interesting, I'll look into getting the real furniture...
As to the dimensions, the reason was that I was looking at getting one of these
http://translate.google.com/translat...ial%26hs%3DNe2

I'm going to assume that VFC/Inokatsu will be closer to real steel, but would stock ICS likely be closer to Marui?

What exactly do you have to do to get a real stock/handguards on to an ICS AK? Hollow out a battery compartment in the stock, yes, but what are the differences in the way that they mount to the gun?
It'd be nice to get a good beat up set too, saves me from having to drag the gun around to give it some wear

*Ah, I think that Droc's are full home made custom, not a kit.

[Dracheous]

Droc made his furniture completely from scratch. I've done this as well for a couple AK's now. As for the difference of TM to ICS I believe there are some differences in the front lower grip and the butt stocks mounting.

Word of caution, if you plan to mod your own or build from scratch make sure you have access to the RIGHT tools and knowledge. I've been working with wood since I was very young and still managed to BADLY injure myself over the summer working on one AK kit. The damage is permanent and will leave a lovely scar and a for-ever bent middle finger.


Also, I would say that the Inokatsu would be closer to the ICS as the ICS field strips to near perfection the same as a real AK.

[mateba]

There will be differences in how the stocks attach depending if you have a full stock receiver. The folding stock receivers are different, and you would be SOL if you have one. Full stock receivers have a tab on the back that uses a screw to secure the top of the stock. Your link doesn't make sense. Why would the stock dimensions affect your internals?

What kind of trades are on the ICS, you could search specifically for the particular wood that some countries use. I think Russia and most of the east bloc use the same wood but China would use a different type. This would only add to the authenticity but you might miss out on a great sale. most people wont notice the difference but you would know. If you do, put a pic up at red alliance, they should be able to acknowledge those efforts.

The hand guards make take so small adjustments but I would mod the wood and not the metal. The stock will require modding to fit the battery unless you want to wire to the front. I would wire to the back if given the chance in all AEGs just for the weight in the back. This will require more work, actually you'll spend most of your time doing this if you mod real stocks. I failed to mention that a table vise will help a lot but its not absolutely necessary. You could probably get the same use out of a padded hand clamp though.

If I remember correctly Droc's was a set with a thumb hole fore grip. Those were all hand made.

good luck,
mateba

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by mateba

....you could search specifically for the particular wood that some countries use. I think Russia and most of the east bloc use the same wood but China would use a different type....

"Russian Pine" plywood, avail in sheets @ your local Rona or Home Despot. Have done a few woodkits w/ this previously and it's the best way (I think) to get that authentic "layered" effect in your work.

[tunabreath]

Hmm, the link is going somewhere other than I had intended... It's supposed to be the rubber butt plate that Pax makes, which is sized differently for Inokatsu/VFC vs Marui.

I have neither the tools nor the knowledge to make my own wood kit from scratch, but I could probably manage to modify one. Where can I get real AK furniture? Looking online, I only found one place, and it wasn't any cheaper than the airsoft stuff. Haven't gone to a local gun store yet, that's the next stop.

[mateba]

FYI, US Dollars
Sorry AK stocks are harder to find for what ever reason. I really tried to find some used Russian AK47 stocks.
Romanian stocks with wooden tactical fore-grip (rare)
http://www.floridagunworks.com/Merch...=AKA+AK+STOCKS
East German AKs were normally only seen with under folding stocks but these are cheap! (I would get these, and save the money for BBs)
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=282628

individual pieces
http://www.globaltrades.com/ak_stocks.html

manufacturers markings and general info
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a

just so you know I paid ~$30 for my G3 stocks but I put about 12 hours into them. Be glad you don't have to deal with sling mounts. There a pain.

hope this help,
mateba