AK Question, To build or buy???

[Rate_of_Twist]

Well, at this point its turns out that neither is an option with all the issues at my place of employment but ill ask anyways

I got the opportunity to put a few mags down range out of my friends Arsenal AK74, and I really enjoyed it. The 5.45 had zero recoil and the gun was reasonably accurate. This got me thinking of jumping back into the AK platform ( I was not a huge fan of the norinco in 7.62x39 I had ) after looking at the prices of the Arsenal stuff I was a bit shocked at the $850+ for an AK price tag. With the recent blitz of saiga rifles for $299 I wondered if that in the ling run would be a better option seeing as how there's a few things different I like to have that aren't on the arsenal guns

If you've done a saiga conversion, what did the total built ( using decent component's )cost you

What about Waffen Werks AK's, anyone have one?

Is it cheaper in the long run to just spend the money on the Arsenal AK?

 

[millcity]

My saiga conversion totaled 540 +/- a few bucks with the kvar hanguard and the 120ish conversion kit from css.

 

[SKS Ray]

It really depends how far you want to go for looks and features. To really make an authentic looking Saiga conversion you're looking at just under what it will cost you for the Arsenal model. Thats swapping out the gas and sight block and installing a lower handguard retainer, etc.

To do a conversion with just the basic mods to make it a functional pistol grip model, its about an extra $70 for a pistol grip, screw/nut retainer, and a Tapco butt stock.

Every feature you add costs more $ of course. Bolt on lower handguard retainers are about $50, a new gas tube is around $25, upper and lower handguards from K-Var can be bought for about $50 or $120 for a complete stock set with grip, handguards and butt stock.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

It really depends how far you want to go for looks and features. To really make an authentic looking Saiga conversion you're looking at just under what it will cost you for the Arsenal model. Thats swapping out the gas and sight block and installing a lower handguard retainer, etc.

To do a conversion with just the basic mods to make it a functional pistol grip model, its about an extra $70 for a pistol grip, screw/nut retainer, and a Tapco butt stock.

Every feature you add costs more $ of course. Bolt on lower handguard retainers are about $50, a new gas tube is around $25, upper and lower handguards from K-Var can be bought for about $50 or $120 for a complete stock set with grip, handguards and butt stock.

Ray, I guess I'm more interested in the "utility"part of the AK platform..... so I don't need and exact copy of a AK.

 

[SKS Ray]

Ray, I guess I'm more interested in the "utility"part of the AK platform..... so I don't need and exact copy of a AK.

Some places sell complete conversion kits for anywhere from $100 to $200 to get you up and running but you can save a buck or two by re-using the original trigger guard and buying parts separate if you know exactly what you want.

If you want to use high cap magazines you'll most likely need a bullet guide kit which is around $20. Depending on if your rifle has a flat trunnion or round trunnion determines which one you'll need. Dinzag Arms sells the round trunnion models as well as flat. Some 5.45 rifles don't require a guide and feed all the rounds except the last one in the mag.

I forgot to mention you'll need a new fire control group and a retainer which will run $30 to $40 depending if you want one thats modified so you can re-install the bolt hold open. I don't reuse them but some people like the feature.

So for a basic build you're looking at:
$30 for a FCG
$8 for a retaining plate for the FCG ($2 if you use a wire or shepards crook)
$1 for small screws and nuts to use when reattaching the trigger guard
$10 for a pistol grip
$5 for a grip screw/nut retainer
$31 for a Tapco butt stock
$20 for a bullet guide

Those items plus a drill and decent set of drill bits, and a Dremel with a cut off wheel is all you need to do a conversion and have a functioning pistol grip 5.45 Saiga that takes high caps.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

Some places sell complete conversion kits for anywhere from $100 to $200 to get you up and running but you can save a buck or two by re-using the original trigger guard and buying parts separate if you know exactly what you want.

If you want to use high cap magazines you'll most likely need a bullet guide kit which is around $20. Depending on if your rifle has a flat trunnion or round trunnion determines which one you'll need. Dinzag Arms sells the round trunnion models as well as flat. Some 5.45 rifles don't require a guide and feed all the rounds except the last one in the mag.

I forgot to mention you'll need a new fire control group and a retainer which will run $30 to $40 depending if you want one thats modified so you can re-install the bolt hold open. I don't reuse them but some people like the feature.

So for a basic build you're looking at:
$30 for a FCG
$8 for a retaining plate for the FCG ($2 if you use a wire or shepards crook)
$1 for small screws and nuts to use when reattaching the trigger guard
$10 for a pistol grip
$5 for a grip screw/nut retainer
$31 for a Tapco butt stock
$20 for a bullet guide

Those items plus a drill and decent set of drill bits, and a Dremel with a cut off wheel is all you need to do a conversion and have a functioning pistol grip 5.45 Saiga that takes high caps.

Great info and post Ray, thanks! I think I'm headed in the saiga direction......

 

[mac1911]

I have pondered the ak build, I have decided until I move to a free state or the laws change in mass. My underfolder kits will have to wait.

 

[flintoid]

My underfolder kits will have to wait.

oooh. Kits you say? Do tell.

That's the last "version" of a AKM I have yet to build.


as far as the OP is concerned, I think you're on the right track with a Saiga conversion. If you aren't worried about it being an exact "replica," it's the most cost effective and reliable route you can take. They run like a top when you get them and with a bullet guide, they'll run like a top with military surplus AK74 magazines.

 

[mclina]

I think I spent around $550 total for my first one, pretty much as SKS Ray stated above using Tapco stuff. I've got another one coming through the latest group buy, but I haven't quite decided how it's going to look yet. I ordered the basic FCG parts, bullet guide, and a Hogue PG, but I haven't settled on the rest of the furniture.

I have ordered one of those $35 'grab bag' packs of 3 sets of old furniture from Apex. If I fall in love with any of them, they may end up on this rifle.

 

[Dirtypacman]

I too am in the boat of trying one of these Saiga conversions. Seeing since I just bought a bunch of stuff it looks like it will have to wait a month or so but I hope I can still get the price under 300 like I have been seeing.

 

[Da_lucche]

I think I spent around $550 total for my first one

Same here. Spent $550 and change on an Aero Precision assembled lower, DPMS pre-ban assembled flat-top upper and a pinned M4 stock along w/ BUIS. Of course I bought some other goodies for it and used some left overs I already had around the apartment

EDIT: Oops. Misread the thread title lol. I read "AR". lol. To get back on track, I purchased a Zastava PAP for $400 bucks and had the magwell dremeled out to accept double stacks. Ran me $100 bucks. So $500 in total for my Zastava project.