Yeah, you might prepare yourself for if and when you run across some original Chinese AK furniture. It's pricey. Like has already been suggested, using other non-Chinese furniture is a more available and cheaper option. I think the Chinese stamped receivers are just a little thicker, like 1.6mm as opposed to the standard 1.0mm receivers, if I'm remembering correctly. It just takes a little fitting. The trick is
slow and easy. The "I'm still cutting and it's still too short" does apply!
I'm trying to think if there were Hungarian stamped receiver AK's imported or if they were all milled. The Hungarian wood was close to resembling Chinese AK wood. Bulgarian stamped were plentiful but the butt stocks have the lightening grooves so they wouldn't match as well. There's a lot of Romanian wood available, much of it is laminated. I guess it depends on how closely you're wanting to stay true to original form?
I'm always amazed at how well the Chinese SPORTER's are holding value. Every time I see one at the gun shows they're well above $1000.00, regardless of condition. Congrats on having one!
firstchoice