AK milled receiver

[JDC]

Does anybody know the easiest way to tell the difference between a milled and stamped receiver on an AK 47?

[WMG]

ya , look at it. I know some might view that as a smartass answer but its true
I assume you do not know what a stamped one looks like , think thin , cheesy , etc
On the milled ones , think thicker , heavy , etc
Have someone show you one in person then I think youll see what I mean , plus often times the stamped ones will have ... how should I put this , designs/patterns stamped in it to give ot some strength/rigidness

If you look at it and say , geeze that reminds me of tin , then its stamped
if it reminds you of your deer rifle , its milled

[RoyJackson]

The stamped receivers have several stamped indentations.
Easiest way to tell is looking, if you're familar with metals. If not, just tap the receiver. Stamped receivers will sound tinny...milled sounds solid.

There's supposedly no difference in durability between the stamped and milled receivers...but I have my doubts about the validity of that assertation.

Of course, both my AK's are stamped models

[JDC]

The stamped receivers have several stamped indentations.
Easiest way to tell is looking, if you're familar with metals. If not, just tap the receiver. Stamped receivers will sound tinny...milled sounds solid.

There's supposedly no difference in durability between the stamped and milled receivers...but I have my doubts about the validity of that assertation.

Of course, both my AK's are stamped models

Thank you for your reply I heard the milled receivers were more accurate. Seems theres alot of different opinions on this. I'm interested in all feedback because you guys are the ones that know.

[RUDY850]

If I'm not mistaken the milled receiver will have a deep rectangle indentation on the one side

[Thekatar]

Stamped receivers are made out of heat-treated sheet metal. They are riveted together. Milled receivers start as one solid block of steel and them are milled into shape. The triggerguard on those is riveted in, but not much else.

Milled receivers do tend to be slightly more accurate, but over the long haul stamped receivers will have the edge on durability. I mean over the very long-haul, full auto fire, not in your lifetime kind of stuff. The reason being that the stamped receiver will flex, while the milled may develop stress cracks.

Before somebody goes berserk, this will not happen in your lifetime. Check a 40 year old milled AK that some Mujahadeen is carrying around and then get back to me.

The milled receivers have that rectangular lightening cut on both sides.