viscero

Yes, they are C&R - and these landed while mine is having the premises address updated  :rant:  Looks like they are at least getting one more batch in after this one; maybe more than one more.

I'd vote for original Polish bakelite orange-red grip.  I would stick with the wood AKM stock and maybe pick up a polish side folder to swap in occasionally when you feel like changing it up.

Your first AK?  I would advise you to go grab a new Wasr 10 and a fist full of mags.

I read somewhere that the handguard, at least, isn't really wood but plastic.  I guess you could always toss one of their ugly black plastic "match" stocks on it as they seem to come with studs and rails.

Either way(pre-existing threads or not), unless you are going to be putting on a suppressor then just do it on your own.

I was about to say "have you tried Numrich?"  :)

Unissued this is not THAT bad of a deal.  Just make sure to check the barrel for pitting as I don't think the 59/66 yugos had chrome lining on them.  Just in case they were fired once for proofing then thrown in storage, etc without cleaning.

Leave it as is!  Post up some pics around the outside of the chamber.  Should be plenty of factory stampings in that area that are pretty easy to trace these days.

Have been testing the various releases of it in the technet previews for months.  All in all I like it.  I just downloaded the RTM tech preview this morning and loaded it up on a virtual machine.  Using a single cpu core and 8 gb of ram w/ 60gb of spinning disk(NOT ssd) the mounted ISO took only 8 minutes to install.  Not bad!

Screw builds were fine for the days before we had a plethora of appropriately sized and hardened rivets and cheap tools and jigs to make an AK correctly; pre-2007.  Now that we have the appropriate stuff on hand and the fact that you need to use glue(loctite) to keep the screws from falling out should be all the reason one needs to just build an ak appropriately.  On the tools side of it, if you are just going to build one then get the bolt cutters with the replacement rivet crushing jaws.  If you want to build several kits then go full tilt with a press and the appropriate jigs.  Ak building has gone through many methods here in the states; welding, then screws, now finally rivets.  Screw builds can still have value as a learning tool so that you can disassemble easily when you mess up that first build or a difficult build. Beyond that stick with rivets for the final build.  I'm not going to tell someone that their screwbuild AK is a piece of junk; there are several examples that hold up fine to abuse.  However, I will say that there's definitely one person that agreed with rivet building as the only way to go... Mikhail Kalishnikov.

Also, if you decide to try using the toth tool approach here is a playlist of building up an underfolder kit from the kitchen table:   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdVd3Ak_wHYC73cSwSck8Wz4Nz8_kFuG8

I would stay away from doing a screw build.     Receiver - either Nodak Spud or Childers receiver is the only way to go.   Hit up Akbuilder for the rivet sets, jigs, and build tools.   Hit up harbor freight for a 20 ton press.  You can do it with a 12 but I would advise to spring for the 20.   Several places offer the US barrels including, as mentioned, atlantic firearms.

I've also seen some that were impossible to get out or back in until the safety was moved to the opposite of whatever position its in that is giving you trouble as well.

Bought the DD fixed for my PSA middy from July4th.  Wasn't sure how it would be since I haven't used a fixed like that before outside of the normal A2 carry handle affair.  In short I love it!

If you fancy a chest rig you need look no further than Kennedy Nylon Designs. Some of the best work I have ever seen in that market. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kennedy-Nylon-Designs/154032604784809?ref=ts&fref=ts

We are house shopping right now and the market is CRAZY hot from the seller's side.  From all that we have been looking at I'd say your estimate is pretty close for those items.  Honestly, most of the homes we have seen have not had much work put into them; some have been downright filthy in regards to carpet and overall cleanliness.  Ask your realtor for their opinion but I would probably hold off on doing the work unless the condition of the carpet, walls, and yard are so offputting that it won't show well.  Instead I would offer to pay some closing costs as an allowance for the buyer to get done what they want to get done.  You never know the buyer might be a DIY'er and could get the stuff done a lot cheaper than you subbing it out.  Also, two people rarely agree on style so a particular carpet that you choose may really turn off a potential buyer, etc.

A hand colored card from my 2yr old son :) , a cookout at my dad's that included steak and beer, and this

From CNN http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/charleston-church-shooting-suspect/  

Read somewhere, fox maybe, that he used a .45 pistol that he was given on his 21st b-day by a family member.

I would think it is most likely just the firing pin.  You would need to compare against another European/Comm Block one though to be sure.  Just going to state the obvious though that if the rifle is as new as you say then it should probably go back for warranty repair.

This is the article you are referring to: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/06/03/how-many-rounds-can-an-ak-fire-before-it-breaks-down/

Will give them a try next time we are up that way.  Thanks for the suggestion!  "Good" dining can be surprisingly hard to find in that area.

Sorry but no way @ $750 w/ no side rail.  Factory built wasr's are still the way to go at this point for a full size rifle.  With Cugir, Zastava, Molot, and Century all fielding better product(arguably in some cases) for lower prices I expect them to have a hard time competing once the "new" wears off.  Add on top of that the fact that Arsenal's can be had for a couple of bills more with all the bells and whistles.

I have been using the Samsung gear fit for about a year and really like it.

I've been keeping tabs on this one. Like the concept and definitely seems to hold up to shotgun usage. https://seeallopensight.com/