The down and dirty…can anyone recommend a competent AK smith who could so a side folder conversion on a high dollar Saiga AK-105 clone who does not have a HUGE backlog? All of the usual suspects like PoHF, Inrange, etc. are all simply out of the question. I don’t want to wait 16 weeks on this, I need it done WAY faster.
The back story is I have decided that somehow I want to build an AK-105 clone (5.45x39). In my research KVAR has the SGL-32 Russian 5.45 listed on their site, and it looks very good…in fact nearly perfect save it has a fixed stock in place from the factory. I really want this rifle to have a side folder. I am thinking of getting the rifle, and one of their complete Izhmash side folding kits, then having the side folder conversion done. I just don’t want to wait months for the thing to come back, but at the same rate this rifle costs over $1k and the stock is about $250. Obviously this is not something I want some hack to half-ass and do a mediocre job on. I need someone with experience who can do it right.
I know it’s a tall order, but I have seen good work done by others and I just need recommendations.
Thanks!
You could try East Bloc Imports. They built my M92 and did a great job.
http://www.eastblocimports.com/
Or you could try Overland Industries. I had them build my AKS-74U and they took a bit longer but also did a nice job.
http://www.overlandindustries.com/home.php
Cheers
Buddy I’m in the market for my first AK and I saw that you recommended eastblocimports.com would you say I’m better off getting one of these builds or getting an arsenel. the east bloc’s are a couple hundred bucks cheaper than I can find an arsenal for. Thanks for the help.
as I’ve been down this road before and it caused me quite a bit of a headache, I’d only go with someone like Piece of History Firearms
In general, i’d personally go with a good factory built AK such as an Arsenal or Norinco over a kit build any day of the week. This is primarily due to the authenticity factor because in reality, a good AK smith can and should put the attention to detail in a build that cannot be achieved in a mass production facility. However, there are some exceptions; for instance, i’d buy an East Bloc Imports built Romanian AK over a factory built Romanian AK as most of the factory produced units I have seen have poor fit and finish quality.
I have heard great things about POHF.
Cheers