Starting Another Couple Curio Rebuilds.

[gjohnsoniv]

After building my KP-31 I started looking into the history of the submachine guns of that time.  I learned that from the KP-31 the Russians designed the PPD then the PPSH-41 and later the PPs-41 as the cheaper alternative.  After the war the Finnish redesigned the KP-31 as the KP-44 based off the Russian PPs-43's.  So I am building the design evolution of these particular rifles over the next month or two as the kits and parts come in.  I'm also about to start an entirely unrelated build of the Czech SA 26.

[Garufa]

Interesting project.  Keep us up to date.

 

Are those others as beastly heavy as the KP-31?

[gjohnsoniv]

Interesting project.  Keep us up to date.

 

Are those others as beastly heavy as the KP-31?

No, well, not exactly.  The PPD was essentially a Russian KP-31 in looks and build type.  The Russians then made the PPSH-41 with more stamped steel components to make it cheaper and easier to produce.  They then changed the design to be almost all stamped components on the PPs-43 with the exception of one or two pieces like the feed ramp.  Some people have rebuilt those out of plate as well though. The PPs-43 is about half the weight of the KP-31 give or take some.  The whole idea from what I read was to be able to produce these in tin shops with unskilled labor, like every Russian weapon.

 

I think this should be entertaining for the engineers out there or people who think like that to see the circle of how the design evolved.

[gjohnsoniv]

Pictures will be up as soon as the part kits come in.

[bajabuc]

PPSh-41.  Now there's a story.  Summer of 1967, I found one behind a panel in a bedroom closet in a house I rented.  Evidently a Vietnam bring...or send back.  I put it back..the house is gone now.  I imagine the gun is too.

[gjohnsoniv]

PPSh-41.  Now there's a story.  Summer of 1967, I found one behind a panel in a bedroom closet in a house I rented.  Evidently a Vietnam bring...or send back.  I put it back..the house is gone now.  I imagine the gun is too.

Uh huh...

 

That would be rather interesting to hear the story behind that one.

Edited August 7, 2013 by gjohnsoniv

[peejman]

:popcorn:

[gjohnsoniv]

You don't find this interesting, Peejman?

[TrickyNicky]

I think the popcorn means he's interested enough to sit back, read and enjoy.

:)

[gjohnsoniv]

Oh I know, just giving him a hard time.

[BigK]

sounds cool, I don't have popcorn, but I'm listening.

[peejman]

Oh I know, just giving him a hard time.

 

 

:taunt:

 

 

 

Now get on with it. 

 

 

One more thing... 

 

[Ramjo]

PPSh-41. Now there's a story. Summer of 1967, I found one behind a panel in a bedroom closet in a house I rented. Evidently a Vietnam bring...or send back. I put it back..the house is gone now. I imagine the gun is too.

I believe I would have kept it and no one would ever know about it either lol.

[gjohnsoniv]

The grandfather of everything else: KP-31

 

[URL=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/gjohnsoniv/media/kp31_zps83e862f5.jpg.html][/URL]

 

Parts kit.

 

[URL=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/gjohnsoniv/media/2012-12-21_015850_zps464d35f5.jpg.html][/URL]

 

Completed but not parkerized.

[peejman]

Kewl!

 

Honestly, I'd never even heard of these before now.   My google-fu tells me parts kits are pretty cheap.  Receivers on the other hand... not so much.  I see unfinished receivers.  Is that what you used?  How much work to finish it?

[gjohnsoniv]

It's an 80% receiver.  You have to mill/grind out the hammer slot and the charging handle.  I built three, the first one I built I used a drill press and grinder. The other two I used a mill and lathe to machine.  Past that it's welding and assembling little pieces and semi auto FCG's. It's a couple night project if you pace yourself.  Really just a couple hours to assemble and make sure everything fits right.  It's a lot of trial and error.  It's also heavy as can be.  Unloaded it weighs 13 lbs, loaded with a 72 round drum it's even more lol.

 

You're more then welcome to shoot it at the range and I can break it down to show you what all has to be done to it.

Edited August 8, 2013 by gjohnsoniv

[pcrc11]

I am in the middle of an M31 (Finnish version of the KP-31)build right now. I welded my receiver back together instead of using an 80%. Am getting ready to start to figure out the striker and firing pin next. Been a fun project and a helluva of lot more complicated that an AK build. Was yours a TNW kit?

[gjohnsoniv]

I am in the middle of an M31 (Finnish version of the KP-31)build right now. I welded my receiver back together instead of using an 80%. Am getting ready to start to figure out the striker and firing pin next. Been a fun project and a helluva of lot more complicated that an AK build. Was yours a TNW kit?

Yeah it was a TNW kit.  It was already a reduced inner diameter tube so I didn't have to make and weld in a blocker bar.  If you want some pictures of the FCG I'm using I can send some your way or let you look at mine due to your location.  There is also a guy I know who makes a trigger kit if you want me to put you in touch with him.  No clue on the price though.

Edited August 8, 2013 by gjohnsoniv

[peejman]

It's an 80% receiver.  You have to mill/grind out the hammer slot and the charging handle.  I built three, the first one I built I used a drill press and grinder. The other two I used a mill and lathe to machine.  Past that it's welding and assembling little pieces and semi auto FCG's. It's a couple night project if you pace yourself.  Really just a couple hours to assemble and make sure everything fits right.  It's a lot of trial and error.  It's also heavy as can be.  Unloaded it weighs 13 lbs, loaded with a 72 round drum it's even more lol.

 

You're more then welcome to shoot it at the range and I can break it down to show you what all has to be done to it.

 

13 lbs?  Dayum!

 

Thanks for the offer, I'd love to shoot it... if I ever get to a range again... :-\

Edited August 8, 2013 by peejman

[gjohnsoniv]

13 lbs?  Dayum!

 

Thanks for the offer, I'd love to shoot it... if I ever get to a range again... :-\

Yeah, it's heavy.  Let me know and you can come out to ORSA with me.

[peejman]

Yeah, it's heavy.  Let me know and you can come out to ORSA with me.

 

Time is at a premium these days (kids starting school and such).  Holler if you're going and I'll see if I can get a kitchen pass. 

Edited August 8, 2013 by peejman

[gjohnsoniv]

Time is at a premium these days (kids starting school and such).  Holler if you're going and I'll see if I can get a kitchen pass. 

I go pretty much everyday if I can find someone else to go with around 7 by the time I go home and grab my guns and turn around.

Edited August 8, 2013 by gjohnsoniv

[Garufa]

13 lbs?  Dayum!

 

It has the recoil of a pellet gun.

[Ramjo]

I want in on shooting milsurps?

[gjohnsoniv]

Come to Knoxville then.