WTB Charles Erb AIMS-74 or other transferable AK-74

[bfo]

I saw a Charles Erb AIMS-74 sell for $20k on Gunspot a week ago. How many of these were built? Were they imported as semi-autos and then converted, or were they built onto US stamped receivers from parts kits?

This gun's burst-fire FCG doesn't so much interest me as the transferable AK-74 1mm stamped receiver I presume it's built upon. Does anybody have a transferable MG with such a receiver they'd be willing to part with?

[Frank Iannamico]

That had to be built on a converted semi Chinese or Egyptian AKM receiver, could be a grandfathered sear gun. Converted to AK-74 Long after 1986. There were NO AK-74 kits, guns OR 5.45x39mm ammo in the country until say 1995 (?) or so 

There is an AK-74 coming up for auction at Morphy's in MAY.

AK-74 5.45x39 full stock clone built on a Polytech AK receiver. Impressive Russian clone built by Piece of History Firearms. All Soviet markings proofs, crows feet and hammer delay "bump" at the bottom of the receiver, laminated Soviet wood. 

[bfo]

Ah, okay. The markings on this receiver suggested it was a factory-stamped AK74 receiver of some kind, but I guess the original markings were just well-concealed. It seems to me the best way to get a close-as-possible AK74 clone is to start with one of the Polytech AKS223 receivers? That way the magwell is correct, even if the receiver wall thickness is not. Maadi's I've heard are good for the 1mm walls, but the magwells are all cut for 7.62 mags. Are there any transferable receivers that have the 5.56/5.45 magwell *and* 1mm walls?

Here is the listing with pics, by the way: https://gunspot.com/listings/detail/2860/ak74-machine-gun-by-charles-erb/

The receiver does bear the Romanian Cugir Factory marking, but then, the look of the receiver reminds me of a Maadi. Maybe the spot welds and axis pin stampings give away its origin? The double-hook trigger cut is another clue.

How do you know what's in the Morphy May auction? I can't view the catalog yet.

Thanks for the info.

[Frank Iannamico]

6 hours ago, bfo said:

Ah, okay. The markings on this receiver suggested it was a factory-stamped AK74 receiver of some kind, but I guess the original markings were just well-concealed. It seems to me the best way to get a close-as-possible AK74 clone is to start with one of the Polytech AKS223 receivers? That way the magwell is correct, even if the receiver wall thickness is not. Maadi's I've heard are good for the 1mm walls, but the magwells are all cut for 7.62 mags. Are there any transferable receivers that have the 5.56/5.45 magwell *and* 1mm walls?

Here is the listing with pics, by the way: https://gunspot.com/listings/detail/2860/ak74-machine-gun-by-charles-erb/

The receiver does bear the Romanian Cugir Factory marking, but then, the look of the receiver reminds me of a Maadi. Maybe the spot welds and axis pin stampings give away its origin? The double-hook trigger cut is another clue.

How do you know what's in the Morphy May auction? I can't view the catalog yet.

Thanks for the info.

I was at Morphy's last week : - )

[bfo]

20 hours ago, Frank Iannamico said:

I was at Morphy's last week : - )

Oh. I think I'll wait for the online catalog

Do you know if there are any transferable, 1mm thick, 556/545-magwell AKM receivers in the registry?

[Frank Iannamico]

3 hours ago, bfo said:

Oh. I think I'll wait for the online catalog

Do you know if there are any transferable, 1mm thick, 556/545-magwell AKM receivers in the registry?

Only the Chinese AKs were made in .223/5.56; the only other semi-auto AKM rifles imported in time for legal registration were Egyptian they were all 7.62x39mm.

The time period that the first semi AKs were imported and the cut-off date of 19 May 1986 was very short approx 15 months or less.  

The mag well on the AK-74 at Morphy's was a perfect fit for AK-74 mags. Mario at Piece of History does detailed-excellent work.