Polymer AK receiver?

[Housertl]

What do you think? Could it be done? The polymer AR receivers seem to have a weak point where the receiver extension attaches, but the ones with an integral buttstock seemed to be good to go. If you took the basic design of a milled AK receiver, but used a standard, riveted front trunnion to isolate the receiver from the chamber temp somewhat, could it work?

What would need to be reinforced?

[AlexSpartan]

Possibly. Or, 3D printer made receivers.

Just for the fun of it, check out the Shovel DIY AK receiver some dude made. Hilarious.

[Grey Man]

Needs to flex alot . . .steel will, polymer shatters and cracks

[chad newton]

I think you will have a hard time keeping a barrel mounted in a polymer receiver. I am no engineer, but have a pretty hunch.

[Housertl]

I think you will have a hard time keeping a barrel mounted in a polymer receiver. I am no engineer, but have a pretty hunch.

Barrel would mount in a standard trunnion, which would be riveted to the receiver.... It's mostly a thought experiment anyway....

[Gunfixr]

Maybe. Yes, the trunnion takes all the chamber pressure, but the receiver would have to be attached to it rather well. I think rivets would tear out of polymer.
Plus, often, AKs are overgassed, and the rear end of the receiver would take a beating, until it split off. You'd have to have an adjustable gas block to turn that down to where it didn't quite contact, or just kissed it.

[Netpackrat]

You might get something that would hold together for a couple of shots, but I wouldn't count on it.

[SPQR476]

Rivets would eventually wallow out. Flex is not a problem. You'd need metal for all the rails due to limitations on thickness. Overall...not happening in conventional AK design.

[Goodspeed(TPF)]

Hmmm... How about carbon-fiber? That might make for an interesting project.

[jlwilliams]

I think that the overall flex would be exagerated in a polymer receiver. Maybe too much for reliable, durable use. I also think that you would have problems with the FCG holes and the rivet holes getting egg shaped. It's possible, but I think that a new design, taking inspiration freely from the existing AK design but purpose designed to be a polymer receiver gun would be more successful. Build a gun that uses some AK parts (definitely AK mags) and has some of the AK advantages like plenty of room for debris to fall out of the way inside the action, and make a new product.

[barnetmill]

I think that the overall flex would be exagerated in a polymer receiver. Maybe too much for reliable, durable use. I also think that you would have problems with the FCG holes and the rivet holes getting egg shaped. It's possible, but I think that a new design, taking inspiration freely from the existing AK design but purpose designed to be a polymer receiver gun would be more successful. Build a gun that uses some AK parts (definitely AK mags) and has some of the AK advantages like plenty of room for debris to fall out of the way inside the action, and make a new product.
Sounds logical.
I know this is just a mental exercise, but what would be the advantage of a polymer/plastic receiver? Maybe you save a little in wt, but for mass manufacture the stamped steel might be a better choice for an arsenal operation. Perhaps plastic/polymer might be better for small shop if someone would figure the design out first. I have no idea how expensive the molds and process are for plastic versus stamping sheet metal receivers.

[chad newton]

Rivets would eventually wallow out. Flex is not a problem. You'd need metal for all the rails due to limitations on thickness. Overall...not happening in conventional AK design.

You could probably insert metal into the receiver just like Bulgarian magazine feed lips. Put me in a dark hole for a month I couple probably come up with all kinds of stuff.

[chad newton]

Oh, I want to add, don't be scared to think out of the box on mounting trunion to the polymer. You are already killing the purists with a synthetic receiver.

[Housertl]

Sounds logical.
I know this is just a mental exercise, but what would be the advantage of a polymer/plastic receiver? Maybe you save a little in wt, but for mass manufacture the stamped steel might be a better choice for an arsenal operation. Perhaps plastic/polymer might be better for small shop if someone would figure the design out first. I have no idea how expensive the molds and process are for plastic versus stamping sheet metal receivers.

the very idea of 3D printing gets my mental juices flowing. I have a rifle design in my head already, and at a minimum, the idea of a proof of concept prototype that I can print out for about $200 as opposed to shelling out $5k-$7k to have someone else make it and have to worry about them stealing it makes me ponder other possibilites.

[Nanuk]

You could use a steel frame insert in the style other polymer guns, but by that time you would have better off to use a NODAK SPUD receiver.