Just a place to talk about Kalashnikov rifles

[Podmonkey]

Their website is finally back up!

Firearms Archives - DEFINITIVE ARMS

It's a little bare right now but I expect it to expand soon.

If I could put together a couple grand I'd send em a factory Saiga sporter to turn into the sexy beast I posted earlier...... in 6.5.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Yesssss

 

[Podmonkey]

Yesssss

The STANAG magwell conversions run from $699 to $999. But that includes a plethora of additional custom work.

 

[Edwardteach72]

The STANAG magwell conversions run from $699 to $999. But that includes a plethora of additional custom work.

That's actually not horrible e

 

[Podmonkey]

That's actually not horrible e

About $2k (including the cost of the Saiga sporter) gets you just about the best AK you can buy. This despite other top line AK manufacturers such as Rifle Dynamics and Krebs Custom having rifles costing more.

Yep, the AK is becoming the rich man's rifle now.
You want good and cheap? Get an AR.

 

[Edwardteach72]

About $2k (including the cost of the Saiga sporter) gets you just about the best AK you can buy. This despite other top line AK manufacturers such as Rifle Dynamics and Krebs Custom having rifles costing more.

Yep, the AK is becoming the rich man's rifle now.
You want good and cheap? Get an AR.

The AR is now what people think the AK is

 

[Podmonkey]

The AR is now what people think the AK is

Because anyone with a small CNC shop can build a good one.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Because anyone with a small CNC shop can build a good one.

Exactly, or just get the main parts from the big name companies in bulk and "build" vs what actually goes into building an ak

 

[Podmonkey]

Exactly, or just get the main parts from the big name companies in bulk and "build" vs what actually goes into building an ak

Y'know what though? My prejudice against billet receivers has always been that they were heavier than forged. Now that there are numerous companies offering lightweight billet receivers I'd have no qualms about getting one.
A billet receiver can be easily done in house.
V Seven, Battle Arms and 2A Armament all offer lightweight billet receiver sets that are about 5 ounces lighter than a milspec forged set. They are not cheap though. That is other want I have on the plate somewhere, lightweight AR with carbon fiber handguard, stock and grip from Carbon Fiber Smoke Composites. I posted about them before. They are the only company that offers a carbon fiber handguard with an integral M1913 top rail. The stock uses a carbon fiber receiver extension too. I added up the weights, looking at a sub 5lb AR15 with full features. This is using a Faxon pencil profile steel barrel which is lighter than a carbon fiber one the likes of the Proof Research one. Much cheaper too.

 

[meketrefe]

Cetme L .... it looks like a well executed kit.

 

[Podmonkey]

Cetme L .... it looks like a well executed kit.

The CETME L had quite the poor reputation in Spanish service. Though it's been suggested that poor quality springs and mismatched spring rates are to blame for much of it. I do know buying a completed CETME L kit rifle can be a real crapshoot.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Sig PE-90p anyone?????

Only $8,000


Copper Custom Armament

 

[Edwardteach72]

Ok so because work was boring earlier at work. And got to thinking about pricing out a 5.56.

So ok thinking start with a basic Arsenal SLR-106FR at about $1,050



Have it sent to Definitive Arms for their magwell conversion package A at about $650...

Then add NY Legal Arma AK stock and see if they can deal with the threads maybe even just weld a thread protector over them.

In the end... roughly $1,800ish +/- so to be fair I'll round it to 2K and have a NY legal 5.56 Kalashnikov rifle that runs STANAG mags

 

[Edwardteach72]

Ok so my rationalization....

I really want a CZ TSO and I also really want a HD/Boogaloo rifle (yes my Saiga will do just fine but we all know AR mags are always going to be easier to come by than AK mags)

Well the CZ is also about $1,500-$1,800 I'd get it in 40sw to shoot recreationally once in a blue moon at friendly competition or super tits (as far as NY can handle) boogaloo rifle

 

[meketrefe]

The CETME L had quite the poor reputation in Spanish service. Though it's been suggested that poor quality springs and mismatched spring rates are to blame for much of it. I do know buying a completed CETME L kit rifle can be a real crapshoot.

There were two versions. The original version and the political version. The earlier original version and the ones issued to the Guardia Civil and few other places were excellent. But then some politician came with the idea to create a cost effective cheaper version for the Army and that is when they fvcked up.
The main problem was the receiver (cheaper) and springs and general fit and finish (half price version).

Since these are said to be new receivers properly heat treated and look well done they should be GTG. They are good firearms but there are better ones for $800-1K. No need to spend more.

 

[Podmonkey]

Ok so because work was boring earlier at work. And got to thinking about pricing out a 5.56.

So ok thinking start with a basic Arsenal SLR-106FR at about $1,050

View attachment 47766

Have it sent to Definitive Arms for their magwell conversion package A at about $650...

Then add NY Legal Arma AK stock and see if they can deal with the threads maybe even just weld a thread protector over them.

In the end... roughly $1,800ish +/- so to be fair I'll round it to 2K and have a NY legal 5.56 Kalashnikov rifle that runs STANAG mags

Yeah, not cheap. But it would be better to send a factory Saiga in. Then you are looking at $1200-1300. In my case I'd use a Saiga Sporter too and have Definitive Arms do all the conversion work.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Yeah, not cheap. But it would be better to send a factory Saiga in. Then you are looking at $1200-1300. In my case I'd use a Saiga Sporter too and have Definitive Arms do all the conversion work.

Hard part is finding a sporter saiga in 5.56 especially not having that kinda cash laying around for those "oh shit look what just came up for sale" situations

 

[Podmonkey]

Hard part is finding a sporter saiga in 5.56 especially not having that kinda cash laying around for those "oh shit look what just came up for sale" situations

Gunbroker. They always seem to have one at SPAR. Prices keep creeping up.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Gunbroker. They always seem to have one at SPAR. Prices keep creeping up.

And honesty, as terrible as this sounds if I got my hands on any saiga or vepr these days (I do want to get another in 7.62x39) I'd like to keep it stock, mostly for investment reasons

 

[Podmonkey]

And honesty, as terrible as this sounds if I got my hands on any saiga or vepr these days (I do want to get another in 7.62x39) I'd like to keep it stock, mostly for investment reasons

One wonders how much further in value they will increase. If American AKs become equal in quality would that cap Saiga/Vepr values?

 

[Edwardteach72]

One wonders how much further in value they will increase. If American AKs become equal in quality would that cap Saiga/Vepr values?

Yea I still think the they are Russian will still hold some weight and probably top them out at 1,000-1,300 (my number out of my ass guess)

 

[Edwardteach72]

And a mid level companies build on Bulgarian kit for $1,000 isnt all that bad, especially since not many options for a 5.56

 

[Podmonkey]

Yea I still think the they are Russian will still hold some weight and probably top them out at 1,000-1,300 (my number out of my ass guess)

Still around $700 at SPAR. Last I checked a week ago.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Still around $700 at SPAR. Last I checked a week ago.

Give it 3-5 years

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Cetme L .... it looks like a well executed kit.

I still like the looks of these better. The 556 somehow looks incomplete. I think the lower hand rail puts me off. When I was shopping for a 308 it came down to this or the RFB. I think I may still get one of these. They are under 1k.

 

[meketrefe]

I still like the looks of these better. The 556 somehow looks incomplete. I think the lower hand rail puts me off. When I was shopping for a 308 it came down to this or the RFB. I think I may still get one of these. They are under 1k.

Yes "El Chopo" (The Popplar) is the original and a fine firearm if it is well converted.
They are great as soon as you don't mind the extra meat and you are using one time brass like berdan.
The flute marks are hard to iron out from the brass in the press.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Well my plan to get my saiga worked over and finished up has now taken a back burner.


As much as I really do love AKs I really wanted a "scary" gun for deer season.. I do think my saiga would fit the bill pretty well.

But I may have just ordered this. View attachment 47827

And found the new local gunsmith/dealer will transfer an AR15 lower as a pistol. I was going to order a blemished Aero and have it shipped to them but he said they should have Spikes Tactical lowers in stock for 75-80 and figured not exactly what I want but at that price will work...

So over the next couple of months I will be building a 12.5" .458socom upper and I already have a 16" 5.56 upper built, the 5.56 will be for dicking around and range fun and the .458 for slamming deer

 

[meketrefe]

Well my plan to get my saiga worked over and finished up has now taken a back burner.


As much as I really do love AKs I really wanted a "scary" gun for deer season.. I do think my saiga would fit the bill pretty well.

But I may have just ordered this. View attachment 47827

And found the new local gunsmith/dealer will transfer an AR15 lower as a pistol. I was going to order a blemished Aero and have it shipped to them but he said they should have Spikes Tactical lowers in stock for 75-80 and figured not exactly what I want but at that price will work...

So over the next couple of months I will be building a 12.5" .458socom upper and I already have a 16" 5.56 upper built, the 5.56 will be for dicking around and range fun and the .458 for slamming deer

That is a good round for a short barrel. devastating wounding. our dear friend gunner was a great fan of his BEO and the 35 gunner we created.
This is good for the animals. Fast killers, no wounding, no tracking, no BS.

 

[Edwardteach72]

That is a good round for a short barrel. devastating wounding. our dear friend gunner was a great fan of his BEO and the 35 gunner we created.
This is good for the animals. Fast killers, no wounding, no tracking, no BS.

Yea after I messaged you about looking into a .308 from about that same size I got to looking to other calibers and have always wanted a .458 and it seems to perform well within reasonable distances (I dont even see ranges past 100 or 150) and with a fixed 10 round 5.56 magazine I can swap between the 458 upper for deer season and 5.56 (might do a crazy stupid 7.5") upper for the range and lulz.


Will end up getting the Lee handpress to hand load. 458 (also need to get a chrono) since even basic ammo is going to be about $2 a round and good hunting ammo almost 3

 

[Podmonkey]

Still around $700 at SPAR. Last I checked a week ago.

We both should get one soon.