Sorry, But Noob Needs Advice - Which Kit?

[bk1 0]

I have a x39 that I am looking to convert. This is my first one so I need some hand holding here.

 

I am looking for quality with this conversion but don't need anything fancy. I want reliable parts.

 

I am looking at these two kits:

K-Var Kit

 

Carolina Shooter's Supply

 

So, would one be recommended over the other? What additional parts would I need?

 

Thanks for helping me out!!

[chevyman097 2,579]

K-var has pretty good furniture, but their customer service is known for being....whelp some times next to none. lol Its hit or miss you might not have any problems you or....well you might. Just being honest.

 

CSS is a great vendor! and they offer a forum member discount, check their section here.

 

 

I didnt buy a full kit but you might save a little money doing it.

 

As far as the tapco stuff goes its pretty good. Minus the hand guard. They lack a heat shield in the build of their hand guards allowing alot of heat to make unprotected contact with the barrel.(just not good imo for an AK)I had one and melted it to my gun lol. If you plan on putting a high amount of ammo threw your gun and getting it hot, id go with some thing with a heat shield built in.

 

I now have the surefire hand guard and its great! its a little bit more but wont break you.

 

If you wanted to go with a Kvar stock set and a specific hand guard that would work too Im sure.

 

I used(and many others here) the tapco g2 trigger group and it is great as well.

 

If I didnt cover anything feel free to ask.

 

 

here is the surefire hand guard http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-61/SAIGA-forearm-rifle-tri-dsh-rail/Detail

 

I think CSS gives a 5% or 10% cant remember, discount to forum members. Its a little bit more than the tapco hand gaurds. But like I said the little extra money you will spend is WELL worth it.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Chevyman097

[mav 459]

My .02, Chevy is right about Kvars customer service, its damn near non existent. Their stocks are a little solider than the Tapco's, but unless you have small hands the standard AK grip is to tiny. Another option that looks good is MD arms new Molot style PG's.

[son of rooster 6]

Dinzag and CSS

[rob-cubed 74]

As another poster mentioned, lined handguards are better but under normal range use you won't notice a difference.

 

Stock length: Tapco is Warsaw (shorter) and doesn't have a trapdoor for the cleaning kit, while most of the K-Var stuff is longer (NATO) and includes the trap. K-VAR is a bit higher quality, but you pay for it.

 

The standard AK pistol grip I find tiny and uncomfortable. I like the SAW Tapco grip and the Molot-style from MD. The ones with formed finger ridges are awkward in my hands.

 

FCG: Tapco G2 really isn't bad for the price. It's very light. But there are tons of alternatives.

[NC76239 0]

I don't think you will be disappointed in the quality, service, or price at CSS.

[Jigen 8]

Well, the K-var furniture is very solid and looks beautiful. Tapco furniture will do in a pinch, but it is lesser quality and used to have a tendency to crack if exposed to extreme cold. The handguards can also melt under sustained fire.

 

The K-var kit you have linked to is nice, but it is missing a few things you would need for compliance since it was designed for converting a SGL-10. The SGL-10 already has an Arsenal front end and just needs the hunter stock and trigger guard switched out to be correct. Also, the Arsenal trigger that comes with that kit seemed to have some issues working with other converted Saiga rifles. So, to make that kit work you would need to get yourself a trigger group to go with it. You would want it for the compliance parts anyway. In addition, you'd also need something to crimp the rivets that come with that trigger guard. Now, K-var has their Nato length butt stock and pistol grip set for about 50 bucks. Everything else can be bought piecemeal from other places like CSS and AKbuilder and come in close to the price of the CSS kit.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Jigen

[bk1 0]

Man, I still feel confused on this.

 

How about this, say you have a $200 budget. What parts would you use and why. Bonus points for linking to the supplier you would get them from.

 

Thanks!!

[chevyman097 2,579]

Aight here is what I did on mine.

 

Hogue grip

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

tapco buttstock.

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

or you could do K var buttstock wich is nice for a little more.

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

surefire hand guard

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

tapco trigger group

 

and retainer plate.

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

and bullet guide. kit or by its self. ( depending on if you have a flat or round trunion, I dont know what you have)

 

flat

http://www.dinzagarm...x39/x39ftk.html

 

http://www.dinzagarm...x39/x39ftg.html

 

round

http://www.dinzagarm...x39/x39rtk.html

http://www.dinzagarm...x39/x39rtg.html

 

 

You can always go with a cheaper hand guard too.

 

 

http://store.carolin...il?sfs=d53116ea

 

 

 

Now you can switch and swap that stuff up to make it more affordable. But with the tapco buttstock you will be right at your budget minus the bullet guide. With the k var buttstock you will be a little more than 200. But like I said switch and swap, throw em in your cart and see what you come up with.

 

 

Oh and Carolina shooters supply will give you a 5% off for being a forum member.

Edited March 14, 2010 by Chevyman097

[bk1 0]

Very nicely done!! This is exactly the kind of info I am looking for.

 

Anyone else want to weigh in on their opinion?

[paprotective 362]

I went with the Tapco rail

 

http://store.carolin...ANDGUARD/Detail

 

This will save you $30 so you can get your Bullet Guide kit from DZ.

 

Or, you can just skip the handgard (which after the stock, pg, & FCG you'll be 922r compliant) you can save $$ till you decide which handguard type you really want.

 

You can trim another $7 by going Tapco Ergo type.

 

http://store.carolin...IGA-AK47/Detail

 

Here was my 7.62x39 before I moved all the stuff to my 5.45x39. >>

 

[Polak 10]

I say spend a few more dollars for the quality parts, because you will regret buying the cheap stuff later.

[bk1 0]

Definitely some great info here guys, thanks!!

 

Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

I am not opposed to upping my $200 budget if it is well worth it. I would definitely rather do it right the first time.

 

Thanks.

[pm-40 0]

Also make sure the place you are ordering from has the parts in stock . I had to call on some of my stuff after waiting 2 or 3 weeks to fined out it was on back order .

[Mide 0]

I got everything I needed from CSS for under $100. Very fast shipping.

[bk1 0]

I got everything I needed from CSS for under $100. Very fast shipping.

 

Mide: Would you mind providing some details on the options you chose?

Edited March 24, 2010 by bk1

[nalioth 405]

As mentioned, do not get the K-Var kit. It is not for the RAAC Saigas.

 

Those f*****rs do not tell anyone that that kit is only for the SGL-10/SGL-20 rifles and if you buy one for a regular Saiga, you'll be really disappointed.

 

Not only does it have parts you don't need, but if you actually try to use it, you may screw up your rifle for absolutely no reason.

[bk1 0]

Anyone else want to weigh in on this? I am going to be putting a shopping list together soon.

[wispa78 1]

Anyone else want to weigh in on this? I am going to be putting a shopping list together soon.

 

You've already got some good answers but I'll list what I bought...

 

All from Dinzag

 

Modded Tapco G2 FCG - FCGPGC1

AK retaining plate - AKRETP1

Saiga Conversion Kit - CONVKITSAW

K-var black WARSAW buttstock

Tapco SAW grip - TAPSAWBK

 

At the time I ordered this stuff I didn't realize Hogue or Ergo had grips to fit this rifle. They've been out for a while but I just didn't hear about them until after I converted my Saiga. I'm not sure if I'd like the pronounced finger grooves on the Hogue grip so I might lean towards getting the Ergo grip. That's just personal preference though. Just a heads up in case you didn't know either.