To convert a saiga or buy an arsenal

[Opoche]

Does anyone have any idea what the going price on Arsenal SLR 105's is?
I was going to sink money into converting my Saiga .308 , getting a scope and picking up some steel mags for it until I saw an Arsenal SLR 105 (ban era bulgarian Ak 74) at a local shop today. Living in CT I have to get an AWB era AK and it can't be chambered in 7.62x39. So we usually just get cheap neutered romanian AK 74 types. Now, I know that the 105 is out of production and Arsenal has a good rep,but is it worth the $650 they are asking?
Looking at dropping around 400 for the saiga conversion, but this may be the only time I can et my hands on a nice 74.

 

[briansmithwins]

You end up with pretty close to the same thing when you're done. If you ever plan on selling the finished product a factory Arsenal will go for more than a 'home' conversion.

By the time you buy the parts and tools I'd reckon you're going to be closer in price. BSW

 

[jhansman]

Depends on whether doing the conversion appeals to you. There is plenty of online info on how to do it (Youtube vids, PDFs, etc.) but I'd only undertake it if you have skills with tools, time, and patience. I did my Saiga .223 and enjoyed it. Looking back, I'm kinda surprised I took it on, but I really like the conversion.

Oh, and make sure you are up to speed on 922R compliance. Head over to the Saiga forum for detailed info.

 

[DMK]

What is the mag situation like in CT? With the .223, you can use Bulgarian Circle 10 mags in 20 rd or 30 rd capacities. I would trust them a lot more than the Saiga 308's Surefires or the metal ones you can get on the Saiga forum.


The .223 AK is also a heck of a lot lighter than a .308 Saiga. I have both a .308 and .223 Saiga. If I had to keep only one, I'd get rid of the .308 first.

 

[mshootnit]

The SLR 105 is definitely worth the 650.00 If I knew where it was I would buy it myself for that. That would be one of the best 74 clones out there. There are nice rail kits and muzzle brakes available for it too. I also really like the Saiga 308 but since the 105 is out of production its what I would go for.

 

[Opoche]

I'm thinking go for the Arsenal. I can pick up Saigas and parts any time I want around here ( barring a change in laws). Decent Ak 74's are hard to come by. By way of a for instance Century wasr 2 over 500 and the tantal for 6 and change were just a few of the gems I saw today..

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I have a saiga converted by a member on this board and it is the most accurate AK I have ever seen. Nevertheless, a $650 Arsenal sounds pretty good too and if you don't like it you can flip it pretty easily.

 

[Opoche]

Mag situation in CT is fine. We just have some AWB style laws : no bayonet lugs, no threading for brakes, grenade launchers, etc.( you must pin or weld brakes in place) and no AK style rifles in 7.62x39 (yes specifically 7.62x39). So we see saigas and 74s around in the AK department. The AK 74s always get jacked up in price drastically. Apparently spending 20 minutes grinding off bayo lugs and putting a spot weld on a brake is worth 2-300 bucks, but then it is a sellers market especially for AK style rifles here.

 

[nevermas]

i am still kicking myself for not picking up the 499 kvar deals on the slr21

hopefully the price will drop to that level again

 

[rangerruck]

650 for an arsenal is a darn good pickup. You will spend your Saiga to about that amount doing it yourself. and Arsenal makes some good stuff, and has a very good rep...

 

[aka108]

Go with the Arsenal. Worth a lot more if you ever decide to sell and the quality of the conversions the make is excellent.

 

[FMJMIKE]

Get the Arsenal....................

 

[lvcat2004]

I have a solutiong...GET BOTH!!

I did the coversion myself and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure what someone was talking about "by the time you buy all your tools..."

All you need is a drill, Dremel, and screwdrivers. There are places online where you can buy a barrel threading kit and I threded my own barrel. so there are not a whole lot of cost associated with it. If you LIKE that kind of thing, I'd do it. Forget resale value...you will NEVER sell a Saiga you coverte yourself. No way. But if you have the funds, I'd get the Arsenal, and buy a Saiga for your future conversion pleasure.

 

[Gelgoog]

i am still kicking myself for not picking up the 499 kvar deals on the slr21

hopefully the price will drop to that level again

it will never happen again...period. Kvar was in financial trouble and had to quickly liquidate some of their assets to pay the bills. Therefore the sale price was well below their dealer rate...so they actually lost money on the deal. You might see Kvar sell the same rifle again, but you will never get a $499 SLR21s for that price again from Kvar.

 

[Opoche]

Took lvcat2004's advice. Just finished my conversion.
Meant I had to skimp on the stock (obviously) but the ugliness has grown on me. Now I'm just going to have to live off ramen and PBand J for a while.

 

[nulfisin]

I have one of each. The conversion was fun -- which I think is the only reason to do it. I didn't save much, if any money. If you aren't in the mood for a challenging
but manageable project, get the Arsenal.