How much should I pay for a basic SAIGA 12 conversion?

[jharanavarro 0]

I am from Northern Cali (Bay Area) and I want to convert my Saiga 12 to a pretty basic conversion. I am wondering how much $ did any of my fellow SAIGA-12 owners have to put out?

 

Will I save money by buying the kit and have someone do the labor or just have the person that will do the conversion buy what's needed.

 

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

-JN

[vulcan16 971]

If you want someone else to do it, shop for that person before buying parts.

Some smiths don't want you to bring in your own parts without consulting them first.

And you can't blame them in this litigious society we live in today.

[garnaz 215]

JT engineering Jack is a business member here.

[snafu360 21]

JT engineering Jack is a business member here.

+1

[EthanM 514]

Jack does great work.

 

Here is a thread that describes what he does in a basic conversion.

http://forum.saiga-1...ersion-special/

 

The best part is that your gun will be 100% Guaranteed to cycle with Federal Bulk Pack (2 ¾ Inch, 3 Dram, 1 1/8 oz shot).

 

You will just need to buy a conversion kit.

http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-CONVERSION-KITS-cln-SAIGA-12/Categories

Edited November 19, 2011 by Ethan M

[blackknight135 9]

Convert it yourself. It is pretty easy to do. Send your stuff to Pauly to get polished. If you have a drill, center punch, screwdriver and needle nose pliers you can do it. Look at the thread by Moe Zambeak at the beginning of this forum for pointers. Around $300.

Edited November 20, 2011 by blackknight135

[dwnthehatch 14]

I had mine converted at JT Engineering. Jack does great work. I have had absolutely no problems with it.

[PapaZorro 401]

Convert it yourself - it'll save your money and you'll enjoy the process. All the answers you'll find here on the forum.

[D.C.MORRISON 494]

i vote you do it yourself, all the information and help is here. i did my own, and learned a lot about how the weapon functions. there are even videos to guide you.

i consider it a confidence builder as well. takes the mystery out of it, and i have the confidence to do my own fine tuning or repairs.

[drkstrw 15]

Jack does awesome work. If you have any self doubts i would send it to Jack. I did it was well worth the money.

[Fitty% 808]

one more vote for a DIY.....I only have one arm and I did mine

[evlblkwpnz 3,418]

These following are the main reasons that I would recommend that someone who is not 'hands on' send a Saiga 12 out for conversion.....

 

Reliability service (reprofiling, gas work, etc)

Welding the left over holes in the receiver

Refinishing the receiver with a product like Duracoat, Cerakote, etc.

AK100 stock installation

SBS

Shortening the barrel or threading a non-threaded barrel

Welded sight installation (HK, etc)

LRBHO installation

Magwell installation

 

If you aren't getting any of that, DO IT YOURSELF. Most of us know someone who is good with their hands, if we aren't. The basic conversion process is very easy and I would rate it at a 3 out of 10 in difficulty (only because cutting, grinding, and drilling is necessary, however minimal). For reference, building an AR15 from parts would be a 1 or 2.

Edited November 20, 2011 by evlblkwpnz

[Matthew Hopkins 1,065]

another one for converting it yourself. I am not the most mechanically inclined person but I was able to do a simple conversion.

 

some things you need a pro to do, but this isn't one of those things. there is a step by step tutorial right here on this forum. you can do it with simple hand tools, and in about a couple of hours or less. beats paying someone hundreds of dollars and waiting god knows how long before he decides to get to yours.

[Bridis 319]

Send it to me. I'll do an awesome conversion. Unfortunately it won't be Cali legal and I'll have to keep it.

[Fuckar's 2]

Talk to gabe at sportsmans arms in Petaluma ca he has a guy that will do it locally for 150.00 if u buy the parts from him. His phone number is 707 766 7677 I think

[xICEMANx 13]

i vote you do it yourself, all the information and help is here. i did my own, and learned a lot about how the weapon functions. there are even videos to guide you.

i consider it a confidence builder as well. takes the mystery out of it, and i have the confidence to do my own fine tuning or repairs.

 

This! After doing mine I feel 100% more confident.

[The_Caged_Bird 474]

I too, say to do it yourself, BUT, as you'll read here, it probably won't eat the cheap shells if you convert it only. Be forewarned of that, now if a 'smith is offering to convert it AND do a reliability service so that when you get the gun back it will eat whatever you load into it, that's a different story. I still wouldn't pay more than $400 in that case though...

 

Think of it this way, converting a Saiga is kinda like changing the oil in a car, it will require some tools and careful thinking the first time you do it. You can pay someone to do it for you but with how easy it is, why pay unless you just have the money sitting around and have some sort of aversion to getting dirty? Same thing for the conversion...

 

Personally, I'd research the laws in my state as far as what I can and can't do, then I'd buy the parts and do it myself, then send it off to Pauly and pay him a C-note. You're looking at around $300-$500 for all of that anyway...