budney

Right, I'm planning to make one following the tutorial. I didn't mention it because it's under "misc hardware" in the shopping list. Both--but I'm unsure whether it's as convenient as I'm imagining. Basically for easier transport and storage. I have nothing against a fixed stock, and would happily go for a non-folding Euro-sized plastic stock if I got a good deal on one. I'd actually sorta prefer that, because I like the classic look. As of the last update, I hadn't found one, and the Romy folder was both the cheapest and most solid stock I'd found so far. I agree--exactly that ha

Didn't plan on replying to my own post, but I just ran across this photo, which isn't very fancy but certainly is attractive:

This is a bit more frivolous than the Gun Kote vs Krylon debate, but I'm artistically challenged and looking for some suggestions for the finishing step (which I haven't gotten to yet!). This will be a Saiga 7.62x39 converted with a Romanian wire folder, 30-round magazine and SAW-style pistol grip. Looking around for some "traditional" ideas, it looks like there are really only two choices: all black, or black with red/brown furniture. If it weren't for the wire stock, I'd probably lean toward the black/brown look, but the stock can't be brown, and that sorta ruins the slick, traditional l

Now you should do the mag with the same technique.

(lost my edit button) Here's the current list. The total cost of the conversion is $122.97 plus shipping and misc. hardware: From JSE Surplus: SAW-style pistol grip, and Tapco single-hook trigger group. Cost: $44.00 plus shipping. From DPH Arms: Romanian folding stock, shepherd's crook retaining plate and a US-made 30-round magazine. Cost: $78.97 plus shipping. Notes on the current list: The Romanian steel folding stock is reputed to be "rock solid," much better than the Tapco plastic stock. I planned all along to get a 30-round magazine, but left it out of the list; it's included now

Thanks for all your help! I'm ready to put the order through, except for one thing: the more I search this forum, the more bad things I hear about the Tapco buttstock. The Ace is out of the question for cost reasons, but is there a better stock (folder or not) for a good price? I found this set at K-Var, which keeps me in the ballpark on price, but I'd prefer a side-folder if I can find one. I could've sworn that as I looked in this forum, I found a link to a an aluminum side-folder that resembled the Ace one, for about $50--but now I can't find it. Am I dreaming? Thanks! Len.

I've tried to edit the original post to keep the "shopping list" up to date, but it was a bad idea: the more I edit the post, the more unreadable it becomes. Below is the current state of my "shopping list" as I follow this thread and keep trying to come up with the cheapest, simplest, legal Saiga-AK conversion. Here's the current list. The total cost of the conversion is $83.50 plus shipping and misc. hardware: From Kreb's Custom: Custom retaining plate. Cost: $9.50 plus shipping. From JSE Surplus: Galil-style folding stock, SAW-style pistol grip, and Tapco single-hook trigger group.

Doh! Devildog is 100% right... The cheapest and easiest option is to get the Saiga-specific version from TAPCO. Awesome! I've updated the original post with the new sources and prices. Thanks to your tip on a cheaper butt-stock, the entire package is less than $1 more than the price of my original shopping list. One thing I'm curious about, though: is there anything special about the grip screw? It's $9.95 from RPB. It would seem like a similarly specced screw from the hardware store should be under $1. --Len.

Hello! This didn't take long. My Saiga 7.62x39 hasn't even arrived yet, and I'm salivating to convert it. I've read the howto, and searched this forum for guidance, and put together a tentative parts list, using Froogle.com to find the cheapest prices: (EDIT: Keeping the shopping list up-to-date as the thread progresses) 1) From Gun & Holster: Tapco Galil-style handguard for Saiga, and retaining plate. Cost: $63.78 plus shipping. 2) From JSE Surplus: Galil-style folding stock, SAW-style pistol grip, and Tapco single-hook trigger group. Price: $74.00 plus shipping. 3) ED