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View Full Version : Build or Convert? Help.


Hakoomay
05-16-2012, 1:54 PM
Hey there guys,

I am currently building my AR and already have everything i need in my hands except a stripped lower receiver (which i already have on order with a vendor on here).

Now, since I have the building bug, I was thinking of getting myself an AK. I know there have been threads on here before about BP and Saiga Conversions, but I need an up to date input and help to find parts at the lowest price possible (college ain't cheap unfortunately).

I am officially leaning towards a conversion of a Saiga (7.62x39). BP will come later after i get some more smithing experience.

Ultimately I want to go from this:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Hakoomay/IZ132.jpg

To this:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Hakoomay/1000256.jpg

Now I'm going to build this very slowly as funds are slightly limited right now. I would like to see what your guys and gals opinions on how to tackle this with the least amount of $ spent. My budget is about $500.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a saiga rifle? (if outside of CA, who is the cheapest in price for transfers in Riverside/Ontario/Diamond Bar/Corona/etc area?)

Please help me if you can, or if you have something that i may be able to use please PM me. Thank you all in advance!

PandaLuv
05-16-2012, 2:09 PM
I built my AK and I kinda regret it, it cost me even more money to build it rather than convert it. I can't even sell without registering the gun and there is no way in hell I'm doing that. Building an AK is a lot of fun, but if you need money, it will be a pain in the *** to sell it. So if I were you, I'd just convert a saiga.

06roush
05-16-2012, 3:16 PM
looks like you and i are in the same boat.. AR is done. on to the AK!

jpm804
05-16-2012, 3:31 PM
You might want to consider the saiga version with the front end already converted and muzzle threaded, its a little bit more than a normal saiga but I think its worth it to have that done already. ($399 vs $449 at some places I have seen)

You can then just focus on converting the FCG, stock and pistol grip addition.

baih777
05-16-2012, 3:41 PM
riflegear
http://www.riflegear.com/p-803-saiga-rifle-762x39.aspx

i prefer this one if they get them back in stock
http://www.riflegear.com/p-1425-saiga-rifle-762x39-with-standard-ak-forend.aspx

you might be able to convert the first one to want you want.

baih777
05-16-2012, 3:42 PM
did you check ammo bros ?

tujungatoes
05-16-2012, 4:26 PM
Hakoomay if you've decided to convert a saiga I agree with the others recommending the saiga IZ332. Having the front end already done is worth the extra $100

I built my AK and I kinda regret it, it cost me even more money to build it rather than convert it. I can't even sell without registering the gun and there is no way in hell I'm doing that. Building an AK is a lot of fun, but if you need money, it will be a pain in the *** to sell it. So if I were you, I'd just convert a saiga.

Panda, you do not need to register your homebuild if you decide to sell it. Federal law only requires it have a serial number and place of manufacture. Read this (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=86627).

osis32
05-16-2012, 4:51 PM
idk what ak panda built but if it was more than 500 he did it wrong.

tujungatoes
05-16-2012, 5:08 PM
That depends on what he built. I have several parts kits alone that cost more than $500.

osis32
05-16-2012, 5:13 PM
well Im assuming he went with something along a saiga but idk for sure.

Hakoomay
05-16-2012, 5:47 PM
I built my AK and I kinda regret it, it cost me even more money to build it rather than convert it. I can't even sell without registering the gun and there is no way in hell I'm doing that. Building an AK is a lot of fun, but if you need money, it will be a pain in the *** to sell it. So if I were you, I'd just convert a saiga.

Really? I've been hearing that its cheaper to build especially from a flat but the only downfall it is very time consuming..

looks like you and i are in the same boat.. AR is done. on to the AK!

AWWW YEAAAHHH hahaha

You might want to consider the saiga version with the front end already converted and muzzle threaded, its a little bit more than a normal saiga but I think its worth it to have that done already. ($399 vs $449 at some places I have seen)

You can then just focus on converting the FCG, stock and pistol grip addition.

Which one is it exactly?

riflegear
http://www.riflegear.com/p-803-saiga-rifle-762x39.aspx

i prefer this one if they get them back in stock
http://www.riflegear.com/p-1425-saiga-rifle-762x39-with-standard-ak-forend.aspx

you might be able to convert the first one to want you want.

Is that the best prices around in socal?

did you check ammo bros ?

Do they carry the rifle? good prices? maybe price match?

Hakoomay if you've decided to convert a saiga I agree with the others recommending the saiga IZ332. Having the front end already done is worth the extra $100

So how much would i need for the other parts to get the build done though?

tujungatoes
05-16-2012, 5:55 PM
Building from a parts kit used to be cheaper, but with the barrel ban and increase in kit prices over the last 5-6 years it has narrowed the margin unless you're going for an obscure variant.

You could get the saiga rear end conversion kit and bullet guide kit from carolina shooters supply for about $175.

Hakoomay
05-16-2012, 6:12 PM
and what about the wood furniture?

tujungatoes
05-16-2012, 9:17 PM
Depending on if you want cheapo or off the shelf fancy $30-160.....more if you wanna get really stupid.

PandaLuv
05-16-2012, 9:26 PM
Hakoomay if you've decided to convert a saiga I agree with the others recommending the saiga IZ332. Having the front end already done is worth the extra $100



Panda, you do not need to register your homebuild if you decide to sell it. Federal law only requires it have a serial number and place of manufacture. Read this (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=86627).
feeling a itd stupid today, but I keep reading this and I can't understand this. So all I need is a serial number, city, "name" of the manufacture and caliber. I have all that on it, right measurements and everything.
So if someone wants to buy, I just have to go to an FFL and do a transfer, correct?
idk what ak panda built but if it was more than 500 he did it wrong.

That depends on what he built. I have several parts kits alone that cost more than $500.

Really? I've been hearing that its cheaper to build especially from a flat but the only downfall it is very time consuming..



AWWW YEAAAHHH hahaha



Which one is it exactly?



Is that the best prices around in socal?



Do they carry the rifle? good prices? maybe price match?



So how much would i need for the other parts to get the build done though?

it was a romy g, with K-var stock. Kinda overpayed, the whole set up was about $550 for me, not including mags or the tutoring fee.

Hakoomay
05-16-2012, 9:28 PM
Which brand do you recommend in terms of a rich wood color but nothign to break the bank...

can the IZ-332 take a slanted muzzle like this: http://roman-forums.com/photos/albums/userpics/10008/romakrev26.jpg

jpm804
05-16-2012, 10:44 PM
Which brand do you recommend in terms of a rich wood color but nothign to break the bank...

can the IZ-332 take a slanted muzzle like this: http://roman-forums.com/photos/albums/userpics/10008/romakrev26.jpg

Should be a standard 14x1LH thread , so just make sure you get the right thread size and you should be good.

Hakoomay
05-16-2012, 10:56 PM
alright, and now the biggest question where are there IZ 332 saigas in stock and willing to ship to ca..? im looking for a really really low price, i found a few low priced ones (around $430 but they dont ship to ca :()

PandaLuv
05-16-2012, 11:07 PM
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/thatkoreannigga/IMG_0044.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/thatkoreannigga/IMG_0034.jpg


thats how it looks like.

TBH, building was a lot of fun, you are understand how the gun works once you put it together piece by piece.

lagann
05-17-2012, 12:01 AM
Get the Ak 74 instead. Ammo is plentiful and very cheap....as a just graduated college student with not a lot of funds, i regret going with the Ak47 because ammo is too expensive compared to the 5.45.

Also, get the Saiga with the already converted front. It will save you a ton of trouble...in fact, the front conversion was the hardest part for me as i did not have the correct tools to do it.....mainly a press.

shoebox56
05-17-2012, 3:51 AM
alright, and now the biggest question where are there IZ 332 saigas in stock and willing to ship to ca..? im looking for a really really low price, i found a few low priced ones (around $430 but they dont ship to ca :()

You try Atlantic Firearms yet? Try also the advertisers on this website. What you may discover more and more is that most places are out of stock.

Hakoomay
05-17-2012, 11:05 AM
Get the Ak 74 instead. Ammo is plentiful and very cheap....as a just graduated college student with not a lot of funds, i regret going with the Ak47 because ammo is too expensive compared to the 5.45.

Also, get the Saiga with the already converted front. It will save you a ton of trouble...in fact, the front conversion was the hardest part for me as i did not have the correct tools to do it.....mainly a press.

I thought about getting it in the 5.45, but i want the original ak47 round (7.62). Also, the availability for the round is easier to find than imported 5.45...

Im still considering the 5.45 though.

You try Atlantic Firearms yet? Try also the advertisers on this website. What you may discover more and more is that most places are out of stock.

I've tried and called a lot of stores in my area and im not finding anything. They are all out of stock and a lot of online vendors too! no ETA on anything!

lagann
05-17-2012, 6:21 PM
I thought about getting it in the 5.45, but i want the original ak47 round (7.62). Also, the availability for the round is easier to find than imported 5.45...

Im still considering the 5.45 though.



I've tried and called a lot of stores in my area and im not finding anything. They are all out of stock and a lot of online vendors too! no ETA on anything!

The x39 round sure is a badass round...which is what i love...but i dont like paying for it!

As for availability, the 5.45 is definitely not a round you can just buy in small quantities and/or buy as you shoot kinda deal. You have to stock up to a certain amount (usually have to buy it online). Last time i checked, which was awhile ago, 5.45 was around 14 cents per round shipped.