Build or Convert? Help.

[Hakoomay]

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:


To this:


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]

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]

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

[jpm804]

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]

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]

did you check ammo bros ?

[tujungatoes]

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.

[osis32]

idk what ak panda built but if it was more than 500 he did it wrong.

[tujungatoes]

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

[osis32]

well Im assuming he went with something along a saiga but idk for sure.

[Hakoomay]

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]

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]

and what about the wood furniture?

[tujungatoes]

Depending on if you want cheapo or off the shelf fancy $30-160.....more if you wanna get really stupid.

[PandaLuv]

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.

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.