Hunter to M76/Galil look alike?

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett

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I seem to recall one of the AK guru's on here converted Valmet Hunters to look like a M76 or Galil.

I'm curious how difficult a process this is? Is it more a matter of time/labor and parts availability or is it custom smithing that makes this conversion uncommon?
 
There's pics on here (or were) somewhere. I'll have to see if I can still find them. I recall seeing one on the EE for something crazy like $6k.


The first post in this thread has to some pics but there were more around. I think it was Klunk or Gunplumberr who did some.
 
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Davy Crockett said:
I seem to recall one of the AK guru's on here converted Valmet Hunters to look like a M76 or Galil.

I'm curious how difficult a process this is? Is it more a matter of time/labor and parts availability or is it custom smithing that makes this conversion uncommon?
Click to expand...

Galil conversion is relatively easy - parts are (relatively) easy to find, and most of them "bolt on". You will not end up with a 100% clone though, as there are many noticeble differences in the receivers.

M76 conversion is much more difficult. Finding parts ranges from very difficult to almost impossible. A lot of permanent modifications to the gun will be required. You can, however, end up with a near 100% clone of a prohibited M76 in .308. Receivers of wood/plastic-stocked M76's in .308 are almost identical to the Hunters. You can even leave it non-restricted if you shorten the barrel to 18.5" (instead of 18" like the M76).

What makes these conversions uncommon is parts availability (especially for M76 clone), availability of Hunters themselves, and the fact that you would have to modify them permanently.
 
Well put ZZDenis,

I actually have a complete Hunter in 308 with extra mags. I was gonna convert it BUT it truely is a beautiful gun and dont have the hart.

The Galil parts are available and somewhat afordable. The Valmet parts are hard to find - but still available & very expensive.

For all the cash? why? The Hunter is beautiful !!! it wont change your accuracy & for all the cash that you will spend get a CZ-858......

Keep your Valmet a Hunter........
http://www.icollector.com/images/1206/17270/17270_0237_1_lg.jpg


some pics......
Nicely converted to a 223 Valmet / Galil mixmaster - notice the custom adapter at the rear of the receiver.... Also, the trigger is not moved forward......
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/valmet_223_galil2.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/valmet_223_galill.jpg

Another acceptable conversion - mostly Galil 308 - notice the custom stock.... the trigger has been moved to the correct position.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/000_0165.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/1.jpg

Closeup of the rear of the receiver which creates the problems with the Hunter..... the side cuts
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/3.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/2.jpg

Mid-Conversion - Notice the trigger is in the wrong place and needs moving to facilitate the pistol grip - this is a mod to the receiver... (already machined)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/11292006001.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/11292006.jpg

Here is an example of the different angle on the back of the receiver from Valmet to Galil.... Galil stock on a Valmet receiver - the angle is off and requires an adapter... (I think)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m79/hfp75/Valmet-Misc/untitled.jpg

I have kept many pics over the years and have taken the liberty of posting them here. If this is your gun or project and dont want the pics up let me know and Ill remove them.
 
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hfp75 said:
Well put ZZDenis,

I actually have a complete Hunter in 308 with extra mags. I was gonna convert it BUT it truely is a beautiful gun and dont have the hart.

The Galil parts are available and somewhat afordable. The Valmet parts are hard to find - but still available & very expensive.

For all the cash? why? The Hunter is beautiful !!! it wont change your accuracy & for all the cash that you will spend get a CZ-858......

Keep your Valmet a Hunter........
Click to expand...

Hunter is nice, but M76 is nicer :) You're saying it as if the M76 is ugly.

When was the last time you checked with Samppa about his parts stash? Many parts that were once available are gone (probably forever). Certain parts like original stocks, magazine latch, original M76 pistol grip (not the newer M95 one) are impossible to find. I dont even think he has any handguards or receiver covers left.
 
zZ_denis said:
Hunter is nice, but M76 is nicer :) You're saying it as if the M76 is ugly.

When was the last time you checked with Samppa about his parts stash? Many parts that were once available are gone (probably forever). Certain parts like original stocks, magazine latch, original M76 pistol grip (not the newer M95 one) are impossible to find. I dont even think he has any handguards or receiver covers left.
Click to expand...


Would these parts not be importable? Or are they hard to source even down south or overseas?

Almost makes me wish I'd jumped on that M76 conversion a while back. It's hard to swallow dumping that kind of money on something that should only be worth a third (or less) but man it's so cool. The M76 version but in .223 or x39 would be the cats a$$.
 
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