Not entirely true, Gelgoog. I've been keeping my eyes on the Saigas and doing the research over the last couple weeks, gearing up for when I get the cash to lay my hands on one.
The 7.62x39 Saigas available online run ~$350-400, so after shipping and transfer fees you're looking at ~$400-450. There's a couple at my local shop for $399-419.
The following is a (almost) complete basic conversion kit, priced at $124.95:
http://store.carolinashooterssupply....VERSION/Detail
This kit lacks a bullet guide (kind like a feed ramp), which is needed to make the Saiga take standard AK mags. Not hard to add, from what I read, but should be considered. Note that this does not include the stuff to replace the Saiga fore-end, but if you're like me and you like the Saiga fore-end, it doesn't matter.
I personally plan on going through
http://www.dinzagarms.com for my own parts, as you can piece together all the basic conversion parts, including a quality bullet guide, for <$150 with shipping. Still no fore-end, but I like it that way
. Dinzag also has good reference material for doing the conversion itself.
Either way, you end up at or below $600 to get a brand new, high-quality AK.
The Saiga conversion process itself scared me a bit at first when I first considered it, but after examination I am confident that even clumsy, gunsmithing-inexperienced me can accomplish it with relative ease, in about 3 hours if I go slow.
If I was not heart-set on the Saiga route (or if I did not like the idea of the conversion), I would most likely pick up that IAC linked by Gelgoog, or save a while longer and pitch in a bit more for the next models up. Note that Atlantic also sells already-converted Saigas for $639 (Red Jacket), and the Arsenal AKs starting at $759. Much more money than that and you start getting into AR territory, which I think is silly for an AK
[edit] I've read a couple places that Saiga tends to import their guns only once a year, and we're right around that time. I haven't yet been able to ascertain if they're already here or if they're going to come in inside the next couple months, but it may be something to keep in mind... [/edit]
[edit 2] After thinking about it a bit more, Gelgoog might be more right about the price than I first thought. I was not factoring in the front sight block and ability to use muzzle attachments, and the bayonet lug/cleaning rod on some of the other rifles. The extra cost of restoring those parts would definitely start adding up. If those things matter to you, the IAC and other rifles will be more desirable than the Saigas.
