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Posted: 4/11/2026 9:05:38 AM EDT
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A bud called me and told me he found a lightly used Saiga 7.62x39 16" rifle with a conventional hunting stick on it for $700 OTD. He figured he was just going to flip it but I told him he should consider having it converted to a traditional AKM or even do a conversion to a folding stock. He thinks that is good idea but neither of us know who to send it to or how much it would cost. He isn't a cloner so if the parts aren't just right or from the right country, he doesn't care as long as it looks the part. So the questions are who is the best outfit to send this rifle to for work and how much will it cost including parts? Thanks for any info in advance. |
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| Do it yourself. I did a 308 and 5.45 with a drill bit and a screwpack/trigger guard combo. I wish I had just left the 308 stock. The trigger wasn't horrible, but I wanted that ak look. I doubt you can find cheap tapco fcg like we had back in the day. But I wouldn't pay someone to do it. Your gonna need some furniture and compliance parts too, that stuff adds up quick. |
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Is anyone even doing Saiga conversions any more? They've been dried up for so long that I figure a lot of the guys doing this work have moved on. How much it would cost would depend on what level of conversion he wants to go to. If he just wants a pistol grip, normal trigger setup and the ability to use stansard cap mags - maybe a couple hundred bones. Needs a bullet guide installed, a trigger guard of some kind, and a regular buttock and pistol grip. This is all easy to do with regular garage tools. Full conversion into a 100 series clone? A lot more and there are some gotchas depending on the particulars of his model. You did say he doesn't care about that though. Just don't have him do anything stupid that ruins the resale value if he decides he doesn't want it. Because someone who DOES want to build it into a clone may come knocking |
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Just saw a video of a guy who converted his 223 into an AK12ish type of build. It turned out pretty good. I think sky's the limit if he wants a modern feature type of AK that is more useful. There are plenty of decent AK builders who could do something cool but money and wait times might be the biggest hurdle. If I could find one for OPs friends price I'd build something cool. Can't think of a better base than a saiga sporter for coolness and quality considering it's basically a few steps away from being about as solid of an AK you can have here. I see them at shows still but almost always way overpriced. Video I was referring to  AK12 vs Beryl: Which one is better for the U.S. consumer? |
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Attached File Attached File Attached File Cool gun, will be cooler should my friend decide to convert it. He is researching. I'll pass y'all's info on. |
Capitalism produces, communism reduces.
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Thanks OP for this Post. Reminded me of something I had forgot all about. I hope it is OK to ask this being as it is not the Exchange forum. But I would like some advice on how I might value these and maybe sell? I have never posted on the EE and don't know how - OK Boomer  In 2012, I sent 3 new in box Saiga 308's with 16" barrels to Rifle Dynamics in Las Vegas for full conversions. See screenshot of the detailed / itemized invoice for the Conversions for the 3 X Rifles showing what all was done. They look great and are unfired except for what Rifle Dynamics did. They are all still sat in the Gun Safe and have never been fired. Why now? Like I said, I had forgot about them, and Long story short.....Life plans and all - things changed big time. Our only son died in 2019 while we was oversea's - and he was the reason I was piling up hardware for when I retired someday. Man plans and God laughs. I have no clue as to what they are worth nowadays? I also have a pile of Magazines, see list. Thanks for any advice and comments If anyone is interested, I can take pictures of all of them and post them. gamboolman... ETA #3, Damit all, this is last edit. I also have one new Saiga 308 rifle with 16" barrel that has not ever been shot and is not converted. It is sat in the Safe also. Same comment - no clue as to value. Bought it back in 2012 ish also. I am going to turn off the dam pooter now before I think of something else - ha ! ETA #2, I also have a M1 Garand that our son bought in honor of his Grandfather who was in the 101st all the way thru the war. I have never fired it but it looks to be in very good condition. Same comment - no clue as to worth. ETA, I also have a Saiga 12 semi automatic shotgun that I have never fired. Our son bought it while we was oversea's and it has not been shot hardly at. Same comments - I have no clue as to what it might be worth? Here is the Magazines for the Shotgun Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By gamboolman: Thanks OP for this Post. Reminded me of something I had forgot all about. I hope it is OK to ask this being as it is not the Exchange forum. But I would like some advice on how I might value these and maybe sell? I have never posted on the EE and don't know how - OK Boomer In 2012, I sent 3 new in box Saiga 308's with 16" barrels to Rifle Dynamics in Las Vegas for full conversions. See screenshot of the detailed / itemized invoice for the Conversions for the 3 X Rifles showing what all was done. They look great and are unfired except for what Rifle Dynamics did. They are all still sat in the Gun Safe and have never been fired. Why now? Like I said, I had forgot about them, and Long story short.....Life plans and all - things changed big time. Our only son died in 2019 while we was oversea's - and he was the reason I was piling up hardware for when I retired someday. Man plans and God laughs. I have no clue as to what they are worth nowadays? I also have a pile of Magazines, see list. Thanks for any advice and comments If anyone is interested, I can take pictures of all of them and post them. gamboolman... ETA #3, Damit all, this is last edit. I also have one new Saiga 308 rifle with 16" barrel that has not ever been shot and is not converted. It is sat in the Safe also. Same comment - no clue as to value. Bought it back in 2012 ish also. I am going to turn off the dam pooter now before I think of something else - ha ! ETA #2, I also have a M1 Garand that our son bought in honor of his Grandfather who was in the 101st all the way thru the war. I have never fired it but it looks to be in very good condition. Same comment - no clue as to worth. ETA, I also have a Saiga 12 semi automatic shotgun that I have never fired. Our son bought it while we was oversea's and it has not been shot hardly at. Same comments - I have no clue as to what it might be worth? Here is the Magazines for the Shotgun https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/135217/Mags_for_Saiga_12_Shotgun_png-3745262.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/135217/1-May-2012__Rifle_Dynamics_Saiga_Convers-3745259.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/135217/Magazines_for_Saiga_s__jpg-3745260.JPG I have no idea what your rifles would be worth, but I suspect it would be more than what you have in them. You should definitely keep at least one of them. I say start a thread about them with pics. They sound super cool. |
Capitalism produces, communism reduces.
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Originally Posted By twistedcomrade: @gamboolman I have no idea what your rifles would be worth, but I suspect it would be more than what you have in them. You should definitely keep at least one of them. I say start a thread about them with pics. They sound super cool. Please don't hijack this thread. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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One of the bolt on trigger guards with grip nut would work fine. This way you keep the factory magazine catch and don't have to cut a square hole for the grip nut. https://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/saiga-rifle-trigger-guard-bolt-conversion-screws-p/css-rifle-guard.htm Use an angle grinder with cut off wheel to buzz down the heads of the rivets on the bottom, then punch out. Cut the goofy trigger extension pins with a Dremel if you can reach, or drill out the flare ends from the side. Install a normal FCG, butt stock, and grip. You might need a bullet guide, but maybe one is already installed if it's using regular magazines now. This will get you the AK stock and grip. There's a lot more you could do with the gas tube, forearm retainer, front sight, but as far a im concerned there's no more parts to be had and you would need a press and fixtures. If you find a gunsmith who's not afraid of AKs have him thread the muzzle 1/2-28 you'll be set for any flash hiders or suppressor. |
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https://www.ar15.com/forums/ak-47/SAIGA-full-conversion-tutorial/64-152759/ not to toot my own horn, but it's not that hard to do, and it is kind of fun. With the IGLIM 103 parts now here at Atlantic, one could put together a nice rifle, or nice-ish. If your friend wants an all original Russian AK, they can take the time to scour the internet and eventually find the proper FSB and GB. I hope your friend does decide to do the conversion, there's a lot of satisfaction of putting something like this together in the garage. |
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Iron curtain customs in Texas converted my 5.45 Saiga. He welded up the saiga holes, pressed the front sight on, riveted the trigger guard, and repainted. Quick turnaround (less than I month I think) and he was reasonable on price. If your buddy wants to save some cash, he can take all the saiga parts off, grind off the old trigger guard, and grind off the front sight if he wants a threaded one. Attached File Attached File |
| https://www.ar15.com/forums/AK-47/Saiga-Conversion-Thread/80-53631/ |
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