jama555us

I retract anything positive I ever said about David Michener and Elite Firearms... I am sorry for supporting this loser. Holy Crap! I can't believe yall are talking about the same guy I just picked my gun up from. I went with him because he's about 30 min. down the road. Found him about 2 months ago, everytime I have ever talked to him, he's a super nice guy. I had him do a conversion on .308, took him about a month. I'm new, so I will try to post a picture. It turned out awesome, couldn't be happier with it, but you guys are scaring the shit out of me, because I left a S12 for the s

Hello: I have been notified by someone that has had work done with Elite Firearms recently. Apparently Dave Michener has set up shop somewhere else in Fort Worth, TX and now has opened up business to perform Saiga conversions again. Dave was doing boat work but now appears to be working on Saigas again, and is back to his old tricks by not returning calls, delayed work, and costing more than it was quoted. Please don't utilize his services. If anyone has work being done by him, and has not heard from him, please contact the ATF of Fort Worth. The horror stories here are true. I w

FYI, Dave Michener has relocated his business and has a new website, for Elite Firearms. Some of the website is not operational. He is charging $419.00 for Saiga conversions. I will still stick with the Gun Zone and Jeff, for my Saiga and AK repairs. Hopefully, Elite Firearms will have better luck, no need to elaborate. When he wanted to, he did great work. My AMD 65, turned out nice.

Hi: Your post is semi new so I can try to help you. Elite Firearms is still open for business, in the sense of still having his FFL license. However, his business is internet based only. He does not go to the gunshows, nor does he have anyone running the shop in his absence to make a sale. If all you are doing is wanting to buy a basic Saiga 12, go to the gunshows in DFW and have it custom made, after the fact. Dave has burned his bridges here in DFW, and will probably not get a lot of business from us locals. I would call the Gun Zone, in Mesquite, TX. Jeff, a machinist/gunsmi

Update: The matter between Elite Firearms, and I and the other members have been resolved. Elite Firearms apparently has returned the unfinished products, and Elite Firearms remains open for business. I am officially stepping down from getting involved in further matters with Dave Michener, and I will not be using his services anymore. I will use The Gunzone, in Mesquite, TX, and they have a Saiga gun builder, named Jeff, that works as a contractor for AKs and Saigas. He has fixed what needed to be fixed, at at a very good price, and well done. If there are still issues with Elite Firearms,

Update: I have spoken to Fort Worth ATF compliance code for FFL holders today. Their number is: 817-862-2800. The agent is looking into this matter and appears to have taken me very seriously, hopefully. He is going to initiate an investigation today. Anyway, He has strongly encourage anyone who has a missing firearm, still held onto by Elite to call 817-862-2800, and file a formal complaint. The more complaints, the stronger the case. I hope this helps. My email again is: jama555us@yahoo.com. This seems to be the only via lead I can offer besides of two others that have contacted

Just curious. I went to the ATF site. I could not find where I could file a complaint against a gunsmith or FFL holder. Not to be paranoid but I am hesitant to give personal to the ATF, if I proceed to filing the complaint officially against Elite Firearms. If anyone knows the protocol or steps to file a formal complaint, please let me know. Thanks. John

Well, he had my SKS, or should I say, My MC-5D, for around 3-6 months. I wanted to change out the magazine release to the traditional AK style mag release. He never touched the gun. Needless to say, his neglect actually saved me from ruining a collectible rifle. However, as much as he bragged about knowing about guns, he knew very little. All experienced gun smiths who work with SKS advised me to keep my SKS as is, to maintain its collectible status. He did not. Also, he sold me a Desert Eagle, .357 calibre. He told me it was a Mark VII, when it was actually a Mark I. How this man

Sorry to hear that you went through that. I really don't blame you driving that distance to get your gun back. At least you got it back. Unfortunately, you might have to get the Saiga 12 check out and fixed before firing it, for your safety and to prevent further damage to the gun. What a shame. Anyway, take care. John

Hopefully I can shed some light on this matter. I went to Bachman's Pawn Shop in Dallas, over the weekend. They carry Saigas .308 and 12 gauge quite frequently. I asked about the status of banning the Saiga 12 and how it will affect present to future sales. They said that it is nothing but scare tactics. Basically the ATF is inquiring about the possibility of banning the importation of the Saiga 12. They are in the process of talking with Congress about their alleged plan. If the worst case scenario would arise, that the Saiga 12 cannot be imported to the USA, they could not block the Sa

Hi everyone. Just wanted to update my status with Elite Firearms. Dave is no longer making firearms, and is repairing boats. He turned out to be a dirtbag, a thief and liar. He charged me less to make some of my guns because we became somewhat close as friends. But she still was a jerk and had no social skills. However, he held onto my SKS for 6 months and never touched it. At least I got it back. There were many guns he never worked on and never returned, or he started on and never finished and never returned, or that he finished and never returned. I was one of the fortunate one

There's a picture and a story floating around the AR forums of a Hesse AR15 receiver that cracked in two after a few shots. Good cast receiver, eh? Cast receivers can crack, break, etc, due to lack of ability to bend, with stress, use, or weather changes. Century Arms International is notorious for making their FALs with Cast receivers that only tolerate a few hundred rounds through it.

Dave was a close friend of mine for a while, till I got tired of his abusive ways. When needed, he could do very good work and have semi decent people skills. Otherwise, he could care less about your gun, getting back to you on a timely basis or completing your work at all. For those that need help recuperating lost money or non-returned gun, you can email me at: jama555us@yahoo.com I live in DFW and I have his work and home contact information. It blows my mind that one person could have done all this. I did praise him at one time but not anymore. I had to have my receiver rewe

Well, I have never owned one myself, but I have heard the horror stories. I do see the Lancaster Arms AKs at the Gun shows in Dallas, TX and they look like shit. The finish is horrible, the trigger pull awful, head space off and even bent barrels. And they are being sold for $800 to $900 dollars. My two cents.

I am willing to come forward, and be part of any investigation against Dave and Elite Firearms. The address listed for Elite is the current location. FYI, maybe there needs to be an investigation, lawsuit, etc against Dave and pull his FFL status. He has a huge collection of guns there, and machine shop. Maybe someone can put a lien on his business and get paid back for the crappy guns he sold. I lost his cell phone number but he does not return calls anyway. Currently, he is repairing and selling boats in Fort Worth, for those who want to look him up. Take care. john Copy of th

This is an email that I sent to a member here. I had purchased many firearms from him. Some very good, some not as much. I had gave some positive feedback him but he is a piece of shit, thief and liar as stated here many times. If anyone has bought a gun from him and it needs repair, don't try to contact Dave or send it to him. He will probably not return your calls, or your firearms. Instead, The Gun Zone in Mesquite contracts with a guy, named Jeff, who worked for Dave, and did work for Elite Firearms. The saiga .308 receiver looks perfect, now (see email below). So, if anyone here

I bought my Saiga 12 2 years ago from Ray's Hardward in Dallas, TX. I spoke with the Gun Zone in Mesquite, and they say the authorities are trying to outlaw the Saiga 12. Not sure where they are in the process.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=42895&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1 I wanted to cut and paste my pics here. I bought the Saiga .308 already converted with pistol grip and folding stock. It uses after market mags from surefire, and they work great. They also hold 20 rounds. There was one jam because the gun was being broken it but after that, no problem. Very accurate too. It is one of the favorites of my collection. Also a plus is that the bolt locks back on the last round fired, not sure if all are set up this way. Anyway, conversions can be done by the owner, if you

First, thanks for a great explanation. Let me see if I understand: 1=light load, because the gas port is mostly closed, minimal gas will escape, =minimal recoil. 2=heavy load, because the gas port is mostly open, maximal gas will escape, =heavy recoil. Now, the question is this: I have remington slugs, 12 gauge, 2.75", 1 oz, rifled, and in 1560 velocity, FPS. What setting should I use, 1 or 2? Thanks. John Martin.

Ask and you shall receive. I live in DFW, and he took very good care of me. I had the Saiga 12 back in less time, than quoted. He always was friendly, professional, and does make a great product. I bought a custom Saiga .308 from him. Maybe not the most inexpensive gun on the Saiga Market, but he knows his business. I will pay more for a better product. I know that the companies with banners here provide a quality product as well, but I was raised to give business to the locals first. So, sorry if my compliments to the guy makes people mad, but America is about opportunity and growth.

Yes Izhmash makes the SVD ( http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/svd.shtml ). Unfortunately you won't find many U.S. SVD owners. Only about 100 authentic Izhmash military pattern SVDs were imported into the U.S. before their importation was stopped in the mid 1990s, due to a mutal agreement the U.S. signed with Russia during the Yeltsin era. There were some other Dragunov pattern rifles, the Tigrs and the NDM-86s, imported into the U.S. up until the mid-1990s as well. I've never been able to find any source that knows exactly how many Tigrs and NDM-86s were imported into the U.S., but the estimat

The saiga will chamber either size...2.75 (70mm) or 3" (76mm) BUT you need to use the proper magazine for the shells to "ramp up" correctly. Thank you so much.... I have the factory original 5 shot, plus I bought a surefire mag, 10 round magazine as well. I really appreciate such a prompt feedback. John

Hi everyone: Really dumb question here. I was wonder was size shotgun shells the Saiga 12 uses, the 2 3/4" or the 3"? I am interested in using the Winchester, one onze slug, that are sold in the silver box. At Sports Authority, they are real expensive. Walmart sells them, but just want to make sure what is the right size shotgun shell the Saiga 12 uses. Any advice is well appreciated. John

Yep No mig! But I may take it over to someone that does. Best would be a straight up S12 replacement I just cant find one, I can get a Krebs but I really don't want to pay $65 for one. Hi. Just wanted to recommend putting in a tactical safety lever. My Saiga 12 received one as part of the upgrade, and my Saiga .308 came with it. I had one put on my SAR-1. It cost me with installation, around $50.00. Basically, you can raise or drop the safe with your right finger, while the right hand is still on the pistol grip. In addition, there is a slot that can hold the bolt back. Anyway, ho

Ask and you will receive