Elite Firearms Conversions

[UnidenStew 1]

Saiga conversions can be a daunting task to the uninitiated whom don't have the tools, knowledge nor skills to gut a Saiga, start drilling holes, and making cuts with dremel saws and the like for fear of butchering the gun beyond repair. I know others have done it with great success on this forum, and there is a wealth of information from helpful enthusiasts to help you every step of the way, however, some like me just don't have the confidence nor the tools to attempt the conversion process.

 

So last month I sent my new Saiga 7.62X39 away to Dave Michener of Elite Firearms in Hurst, Texas for one of the four conversion packages that he offers. I got the basic Saiga 762 conversion that includes:

 

1. Shave magazine latch to accept high cap mags.

2. Add feed ramp. (Note: I sent him one of dinzags bullet guides that he installed in place of what he normally would at no extra charge).

3. Move trigger housing forward and rivet.

4. Cut new hole for pistol grip screw.

5. Fill original trigger pin holes. (Note: With threaded rivets)

6. Bead blast the old finish to bare metal and refinish to customer preference. (Note: The customer has two choices of finish. Dura Coat or Molly Resin.)

7. Install Nato length buttstock, US internals, and US pistol grip.

 

All that for $365 plus $15 SH = $380.

 

Not a bad deal I thought. Not a bad job either. It has a Tapco single hook FCG, a real nice Buttstock; it looks identical to the one that Kvar sells of the same type. Same with the pistol grip. For the finish I chose the Molly Resin semi gloss black. It's very well done. No runs, streaks, shiny spots or uneven faded areas. Even the inside of the receiver was done. This makes for a much smoother action as it adds lubricity to the parts according to the literature I've read about it. I can't honestly tell for sure, but the action does seem smoother. Probably in part due to the FCG being replaced, and all the the parts synchronized in harmony with one another.

 

The cuts to the receiver where the trigger is installed and moved forward, and the pistol grip cut were well done. Everything lines up as it should. There are no rough file marks that I can see, and the cuts are smooth and precise.

 

There is no way I could have done a better job. Granted, not all want to go to the extent that I did with what started out as an inexpensive gun to shoot, but now it's a personalized affair with me, and a heirloom that my grandchildren will one day inherit. When you add it all up. The cost of parts, and the refinish job to boot, it's a hard deal to beat IMHO. You can save a few bucks on the labor, but you will not be able to duplicate the refinish job unless you have the equipment already.

 

Nobody is picker than me when it comes to my guns. I MEAN NOBODY. And I give Dave a five star out of five for the work performed. His web site is: http://www.elitefirearms.net/ in case anybody is interested.

Edited February 27, 2007 by MacMan

[DaGroaner 2]

Duck!

[AegisDei 2]

Duck!

HAHAHA, nice one.

 

I'll say that for the price, I would choose Tony. But that's awesome that you now have a gun you're thrilled with! When Dave does good work, he does good work, I don't think many will deny that.

[UnidenStew 1]

Duck!

 

I know this is gonna be a real dumb question, but I gotta ask. You think I paid to much or something? Others I inquired about wanted $250 and up just for a refinish job.

Edited February 27, 2007 by MacMan

[dinzag 31]

Nah, that's the going rate. However in the past Dave has had some hit or miss reviews here.

Customer service was a problem that bugged many guys and some complaints about quality.

I can't speak to it other than some pics T.Rumore posted many moons ago.

 

Hey man, if you're happy with it, it's your gun you know?

 

I have seen a wicked bad Hesse conversion that was borderline fixable. We're still trying to solve that riddle. Never seen anything like it before. Take a canted out Saiga and beat on it with a sledge hammer.

(hey if you can't install the FSB properly, weld it! What the hell, weld in a non-usable bullet guide and a crooked brake too. Then if the gas block is straight, smack the hell out of it with a hammer so it's in line with everything else f'd up.

[UnidenStew 1]

Oh, so that's it then. Didn't know. Yeah, his customer service is not what I would call stellar, but in my case it was not all his fault either. You see, the first time he sent it back to me via USPS it somehow ended up in Niles, Ohio of all places. long story, but he did call me back from the message I left and told me he recovered it, and would send it out via another currier which he did. But it was not until the following week that he did. I called and e-mailed until somebody, I think it was his wife, told me he was out of town until Wednesday and gave me a tracking number. I finally received it Saturday. My thoughts were pacing in horror with the near possibility of it ending up in hostile hands and not knowing about it for so long.

 

He told me that in his town, the postal workers treat a gun like a box of chocolates, and priority mail means nothing to them. They ship it when they are damn good and ready, even it it sits in the post office for a week. And in my case, they somehow shipped it to Niles, fortunately however, the Niles, Ohio post office shipped it back to him so it was recovered. The box was beat up pretty good, but at least they did not hit it with a tow motor or something. The bubble wrap protected it there.

 

I'll let you know how it shoots as soon as we get that gas tube issue worked out. Thanks again. By the way, your new clamp on hand guard retainers are indeed rock solid, and very well done. Well worth the money for those reading this.

[AegisDei 2]

Oh, so that's it then. Didn't know. Yeah, his customer service is not what I would call stellar, but in my case it was not all his fault either. You see, the first time he sent it back to me via USPS it somehow ended up in Niles, Ohio of all places. long story, but he did call me back from the message I left and told me he recovered it, and would send it out via another currier which he did. But it was not until the following week that he did. I called and e-mailed until somebody, I think it was his wife, told me he was out of town until Wednesday and gave me a tracking number.

Yea, that sounds like Dave. Somehow every package isn't shipped until about 2-4 weeks after he claims it will be, and there's always a good excuse. (post office=box of chocolates, shipped to wrong address, grandmother died for her fourth time). unless you call, email, and threaten suit, you won't see your gun for months, but he's always sure to get his money up-front.

 

glad to hear you got your gun though. post some pics so we can see the new beauty!

[DaGroaner 2]

Duck!

 

I know this is gonna be a real dumb question, but I gotta ask. You think I paid to much or something? Others I inquired about wanted $250 and up just for a refinish job.

 

I have an S-12 Dave converted and he did a great job on it like yours. It also took awfully long time to get to me, like yours. And it wasn't his fault either, just like yours. The guy is just such a putz to deal with that whenever his name is brought up here the shit starts flying.

Edited February 27, 2007 by DaGroaner

[scoutjoe 276]

Duck!

 

I know this is gonna be a real dumb question, but I gotta ask. You think I paid to much or something? Others I inquired about wanted $250 and up just for a refinish job.

 

I have an S-12 Dave converted and he did a great job on it like yours. It also took awfully long time to get to me, like yours. And it wasn't his fault either, just like yours. The guy is just such a putz to deal with that whenever his name is brought up here the shit starts flying.

 

I think its because Tony and Will spoil us

[AegisDei 2]

I have an S-12 Dave converted and he did a great job on it like yours. It also took awfully long time to get to me, like yours. And it wasn't his fault either, just like yours. The guy is just such a putz to deal with that whenever his name is brought up here the shit starts flying.

 

I think its because Tony and Will spoil us

I loved my old S12 that Dave did. It was a helluva a gun. But it's not worth the hassle trying to harass him into finishing the work and shipping it back. Not when Tony is around and does work for comparable prices.

 

Which company is Will's?

[DaGroaner 2]

I have an S-12 Dave converted and he did a great job on it like yours. It also took awfully long time to get to me, like yours. And it wasn't his fault either, just like yours. The guy is just such a putz to deal with that whenever his name is brought up here the shit starts flying.

 

I think its because Tony and Will spoil us

I loved my old S12 that Dave did. It was a helluva a gun. But it's not worth the hassle trying to harass him into finishing the work and shipping it back. Not when Tony is around and does work for comparable prices.

 

Which company is Will's?

 

 

Will is Red Jacket. I have two samples of his work and a third in his shop as we speak. Here's some pics:

[UnidenStew 1]

I see. Had I known, and taken more time to do more research, better yet, asked around here, I would have saved myself a close coronary. Anyhow, I sleep better now.

 

I'd post a pic of some real good gun porn but I don't have a digital camera. I'll see if I can borrow one. I'll have to wait anyway, because there is a fitting issue with one of dinzags gas tubes. It just won't lock down. I sent it back to him, and we'll get it worked out. One out of ten from his supplier is bad, so he's looking into it. Until then, it's not complete. Diana (thats her name) sure looks sexy with that Russian laminate furniture, and dinzags clamp on hand guard retainer though.

 

I put some make up on her, too. Took some rubbing alcohol and cleaned up some of the markings on the receiver, and painted them with white paint. Wiped off the excess, and the paint stayed in the recesses of the stamped markings. Looks real sexy. Can't wait to get her down to the range and make love.

Edited February 27, 2007 by MacMan

[bett@_ak 0]

Dave Michener is a CROOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

this man took my money, in exchange for doing work on my ak, which included duracoating and cutting/recrowning my barrel. he used krylon or rustoleum in place of duracoat, and he hacksawed my barrel and attached a muzzlebrake without cleaning or crowning his hack-job. in addition to this, he tried to steal my east german bolt/bolt-carrier, and pass off the romanian original, that i gave him, as the east german. in summation this man not only tried to rip me off, badly, but also told me to go f@$% myself when i asked him if he had actually done this work.

 

this man needs to be put out of business. when you think of elitefirearms.net, you should think hessan/vulcan. that is the quality that you can expect from Dave Michener, lower quality than Century Arms.

 

that is my my word.

 

i sure hope some swindled and rightfully disgruntled customer doesn't buckwheat you and leave you in a field, Dave.

 

i testify to this with my balls and my word. it is the truth.

Edited February 4, 2009 by bett@_ak

[camaro1509 0]

that guy dave? at elite firearms tryed every way in the world to steal my bolt carrier telling me my SSr-85c2 single stack needed a new bolt carrier for heavy technical reason's he couldent get into at the momment after i miked it with a milled bulgarian ak47 kit they are built with same parts and miked both bolts and sent him an email he never called or would return my messages he wanted steal my bolt carrier!!!!!!!!!! and i have heared he replaced several nice ones with cheap romanian carriers i see he has alote of carriers for sale at 120$ lol im going to the fireing line