Bought a Century (CAI) AES-10

[just_a_car]

Snowman, I like the look of your AES-10a. Let me see if I get this right, you've got a 6x PSOP scope (which I think looks great and is VERY appropriate, due to being used on Tabuk sniper rifles), a US-made NATO-length poly stock, CAA non-modular grip, poly handguard & gas tube cover, and what looks to be a black-painted NoDak Spud tabuk/SVD flash hider like mine (though mine's just parked).

You've done a very nice EBR'ing of it and it's very clean. Well done!

[Snowman]

Thanks JAC. I like yours too. You got it all almost right. The flash hider isn't the one from NoDak. I have one but am going to put it on a PSL. This one is just a cheap one I picked up somewhere. Not sure where. The entire gun, flash hider included, was refinished in gun kote satin black. Have you replaced to trigger group on yours?

[just_a_car]

Ah, okay... couldn't quite see the flash hider very well in the pic, so I was guessing.

I wouldn't change this trigger group if you payed me to! It came from Century with a TAPCO G2 trigger group and the break is crisp, clean and light. I've seen no less than 4 gun-friends' eyes light up in surprise when either firing or dry-firing it, due to expecting a heavy pull; one was even ex-Hanford SRT (think SWAT for the nuclear plant that produced the material for some of the first nuclear bombs).

I like the flat black; always have. Great for that 'stealth' look. Did you parkerize before painting or just scuff it up a bit with fine grit sandpaper?

[one in the pipe]

Guys you are ruining what is destened to become a collectors item . Its you gun and your money but as for my rpk It will remain 100% original . If you do some research and find how many of these were ever imported I beleive you will think again about any permanet modifications . As near as I can tell the import # is somewhere in the 12,000 range . That number is from 2 sources one is century itself and the other is from a class 3 freind and fellow collector . Enjoy them they are bad weapons for sure. Did you know: the RPK was designed as a light machine gun to replace the RPD belt fed gun . These are direct imports of cugir the armory for romania they are not century build kits. Adding even more to the value. This info is pertaining to the aes-10b that is what I have . The only differance between the 10 and the 10b is mine has a heavy barrel .

[ArkansasHunter]

This was an excellent read !!!

[just_a_car]

Yes, one_in_the_pipe, I agree that doing permanent modifications would be in poor taste, but if you read through my thread, you'll find that the only "permanent" mod I have done is to grind off the weld holding on the threaded muzzle nut, which shouldn't be there in the first place. Everything else has been just replacing parts with other parts while keeping the original parts on-hand in case I want to go back.

I will admit that I've done some fitting and grinding on parts I've purchased, but I doubt that counts against the collectability.

And, as you pointed out, the RPK had the thicker -10b barrel while mine is a -10a (or, simply, -10) and has a thin barrel with no heat-dissipating fins under the gas tube. It was not designed to fire in fully-automatic mode. Actually, it looks to be more appropriate for the Tabuk Sniper Rifle, which is semi-auto only and similar in dimensions; though, they used the yugo 1.5mm receiver rather than the 1mm receiver the AES-10a has. You'll notice in the link there that they actually suggest that the AES-10 is a good starting platform for a replica.

So, please, before telling someone they're ruining something, take the time to read what they've actually done, since they obviously put effort into writing it out for you.

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

This was an excellent read !!!

Stay tuned, AH... There will be more installments to come fairly soon. Melania will be with me when I go out to the SeattleGuns.org shoot on this Saturday the 21st. I'll be working on actually getting the scope zeroed.

I've actually had to switch out the rings with Burris Signature Zee rings with a +/- 10 and +/- 20 insert in the front and rear, respectively. That's because, even with the elevation and windage knobs fully cranked, the reticle was still 2 mil-dots high and 1 mil-dot left of center, using a muzzle-mounted boresight (much like this one).

[Sprout47]

Originally Posted by just_a_car

Stay tuned, AH... There will be more installments to come fairly soon. Melania will be with me when I go out to the SeattleGuns.org shoot on this Saturday the 21st. I'll be working on actually getting the scope zeroed.

I've actually had to switch out the rings with Burris Signature Zee rings with a +/- 10 and +/- 20 insert in the front and rear, respectively. That's because, even with the elevation and windage knobs fully cranked, the reticle was still 2 mil-dots high and 1 mil-dot left of center, using a muzzle-mounted boresight (much like this one).

That looks like a handy dandy culminator

[ArkansasHunter]

I'll stay tuned professor...A.H

[one in the pipe]

Originally Posted by just_a_car

Yes, one_in_the_pipe, I agree that doing permanent modifications would be in poor taste, but if you read through my thread, you'll find that the only "permanent" mod I have done is to grind off the weld holding on the threaded muzzle nut, which shouldn't be there in the first place. Everything else has been just replacing parts with other parts while keeping the original parts on-hand in case I want to go back.

I will admit that I've done some fitting and grinding on parts I've purchased, but I doubt that counts against the collectability.

And, as you pointed out, the RPK had the thicker -10b barrel while mine is a -10a (or, simply, -10) and has a thin barrel with no heat-dissipating fins under the gas tube. It was not designed to fire in fully-automatic mode. Actually, it looks to be more appropriate for the Tabuk Sniper Rifle, which is semi-auto only and similar in dimensions; though, they used the yugo 1.5mm receiver rather than the 1mm receiver the AES-10a has. You'll notice in the link there that they actually suggest that the AES-10 is a good starting platform for a replica.

So, please, before telling someone they're ruining something, take the time to read what they've actually done, since they obviously put effort into writing it out for you.

You can flog me if you want just trying to get the info out about these guns if you were not so self concious you would see that I was simply useing your post as a vehicle to do just that . The personal attacks in the forum must have been out of control at some point alot of you are ticking time bombs. But I respect your position and am sorry if I offended you in any way.

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by one in the pipe

You can flog me if you want just trying to get the info out about these guns if you were not so self concious you would see that I was simply useing your post as a vehicle to do just that . The personal attacks in the forum must have been out of control at some point alot of you are ticking time bombs. But I respect your position and am sorry if I offended you in any way.

Well, let's look at it this way, OITP:

You came into the thread that I have to update on my personal firearm and start off with "Guys you are ruining what is destened to become a collectors item ." and you don't expect me to take offense?

What did you expect me to say?... "Oh, you're totally right, I should put all that crappy stuff Century slapped-on there back on so that it looks more like an RPK, but not nearly as close as the -10b."?... Psh, come on.

And, really, if you think my reply was 'blowing up' at you like a "ticking time bomb", you need to re-read my post. I started my reply with agreeing with you... as opposed to yours that outright said I was ruining my gun. Uh-huh, I think you need to work on toughening up that thin skin of yours.

As for whether it becomes a collector's item, I could give a rip! It's my gun and I like it... and I don't plan on EVER selling it, so I'll do as I please to it. The fact that I haven't done anything permanent allows me to go back to the original configuration if I want, but I highly doubt I ever will.

[just_a_car]

UPDATE!

Got to take Melania out on Saturday to a big shoot organized on SeattleGuns.org and held at the Capitol Forest pit.

I finally got a chance to get the scope zeroed and was shooting items at 121 yards (checked with my laser rangefinder) with a spread of around 6"... due mostly to my skill rather than the quality of the weapon. I'm sure I could get a steadier fix if I wasn't trying to shoot from a camera tripod while standing.

And, for the fun of all, here's me bump-firing her:



And here's Enscribe and I bump-firing his Polish Tantal and me with Melania:

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by just_a_car

I like the flat black; always have. Great for that 'stealth' look. Did you parkerize before painting or just scuff it up a bit with fine grit sandpaper?

It's duracoat over park. I'm happy with it.

[voidfinger]

thats pretty awesome, I would be afraid someone would call the cops on me and say that I had a full auto at the range again... thats a lot of trouble i'd like to avoid lol

[Enscribe]

This is out there where no one's around and they can come and check us out if they like Nothing wrong with law abiding citizens Too bad there's no film of the Tannerite!

[Sprout47]

Wish I had a shooting buddy

lol I have no people skills

[Enscribe]

I met good Ol JAC by chance helping me with my Cetme and due to his inviting and friendly nature. Since I've been in Wa I've met a few good people by way of JAC.

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by voidfinger

thats pretty awesome, I would be afraid someone would call the cops on me and say that I had a full auto at the range again... thats a lot of trouble i'd like to avoid lol

Well, bump-firing is completely legal. Each round is fired by your finger pulling the trigger once for each round, which is the definition of a semi-auto firearm. As long as your finger is what is hitting that trigger and not some mechanism (though some rotary devices have been given ATF-permission), then it's totally legal.

One of the many reasons I try to be "on my best behavior" is because I Open Carry (OC). That means when Joe Public sees me, they may see my sidearm and I'd rather they come away thinking "Huh, I thought all gun people were crazy... maybe not." But I've also found that being "inviting and friendly" makes socializing with people much easier and make for a less-stressful life.

[Great Basin Ben]

Hi there Just A Car. I am brand new to these forums, but was inspired to join after having followed this thread for over a week now. I dig your gun a bunch. I have an AES-10 RPK Clone that I just picked up as well. I am hoping to turn it into a Tactical Tabuk as well. This thread has been very inspiring.

Being that these Century models aren't REAL RPKs, I say WHY NOT!? These are perfect for Tabuk, designated marksman type rifles, and with their NON-RPK receivers, I see no reason why you'd need to use it in its Frankensteined Light Machine Gun Century built orientation. I LOVE what you've done with yours, and I hope to be posting pics of mine here soon as well. Century is a fine importer, but they are in NO WAY the best fabricators out there. If a person wished to use one of these as a starting point for a Neo-Tabuk like yourself, I'd say it is a far better configuration than what Century has done with them. Just my two cents though.

With that said, I DID have a couple questions for you.
1. Does that upper handguard cause the barrel heat to rise into your scope reticle, and if so, does it distort your field of view at all when looking through the optics. I though that there might be the possibility of the scope sight picture to look wavy somewhat like a mirage. Just curious.

2. Have you considered cutting that ugly (IMHO) boot/club shaped stock, that was Century's attempt at an RPK, to look like a Tabuk/Druganov style stock. I bet there is enough "meat" of the wood that it would hollow out nicely. The trunnion mount may be somewhat skimpy for this approach, but was curious if you had considered it at all?

Anyway, it's a real pleasure to be here on these Forums, and I look forward to many more posts here.


Take care,
Ben.

[just_a_car]

Ben, thank you for all the compliments. Melania is turning out to be a beautiful Romanian rifle.

Also, Welcome to the forums! It's good to have you. I take a lot of pride in the couple people that have said my project has inspired them and for that I thank you.

To answer your questions:

1) I didn't notice any mirage from the handguard. It was also very effective as a handguard, since after bump-firing, the barrel was very hot, yet the ventilated handguard was cool to the touch as was the aluminum tri-rail.

2) Honestly, I'm considering adding a buttstock extension to make the buttstock look like a wood and metal version of a PSG-1 stock. That's due to the fact that Ironwood Designs won't make a Tabuk-style stock for stamped receivers... only for Yugos. The email I received from them claimed that there wouldn't be enough wood after cutting it and it would be too week. Honestly, I think it's BS, since there's more wood on a stamped receiver stock than a Yugo stock.

If you have any more questions for me, feel free to ask.