Saiga Conversion Services

[steve10]

After looking at sites offer saiga conversions I was surprised at how much they charge for their services. The pieces installed are relatively inexpensive, and the work does not seem so complex as to require 300-400 dollars worth of labor. That being said I was thinking of starting my own saiga conversion business. This is 100% speculation at this point, but I have a few questions.

Would I need anything more than a standard FFL lisence to legally do this?

What would you look for in a quality saiga conversion?

If you have used one of the more expensive services, what did they offer that made the price worth it?

Thanks for your imput. Any and all advice is appreciated.

[nalioth]

Originally Posted by steve10

Would I need anything more than a standard FFL lisence to legally do this?

You are not manufacturing anything, so a standard 01 FFL will do fine.

Originally Posted by steve10

What would you look for in a quality saiga conversion?

High quality work to the customers specifications. Unnecessary holes tigged up professionally. Refinishing, of course (how many types is up to you [parkerizing / fancy-cote / etc]).

Originally Posted by steve10

If you have used one of the more expensive services, what did they offer that made the price worth it?

Most of the "expensive services" did not start out that way, but years of quality work and excellent customer service have brought them to that level.

[renegadebuck]

Originally Posted by steve10

After looking at sites offer saiga conversions I was surprised at how much they charge for their services. The pieces installed are relatively inexpensive, and the work does not seem so complex as to require 300-400 dollars worth of labor. That being said I was thinking of starting my own saiga conversion business. This is 100% speculation at this point, but I have a few questions.

Would I need anything more than a standard FFL lisence to legally do this?

What would you look for in a quality saiga conversion?

If you have used one of the more expensive services, what did they offer that made the price worth it?

Thanks for your imput. Any and all advice is appreciated.

It's not the price of the parts. It's what you sometimes have to do to them to make them work. I started a .308 conversion today and the Tapco single hook trigger group spring hole was not big enough and had to be drilled. Doesn't sound like a big deal, I let my grunt do it. Three hours later, after welding the sear back where he allowed the drill press to get off and drill through the side, re-tempering and polishing, I had a usable trigger group. Tomorrow I'll TIG up the unused holes and put a finish on the rifle. After it bakes on for 8 hours or so, I'll start assembly and hopefully, everything else will work correctly.

[7.62x39]

Tapco had a recall on the FCGs with incorrectly drilled disconnecter spring holes and replaced them all N/C. Beyond that, why would you spend 3 hours trying to save a $28 part?