That's not going to mess you up on your 922 compliance is it?
Not at all actually. I did my research and found that it is quite easy to do the conversion now days. Back when I bought my MAK-90 in 1995, it was nearly impossible to do because hardly anybody in the USA made parts for the AK's and SKS's. (or the lack of internet on my part made it seem that way)
Sorry this is a "book", I have found myself in a sort of obsessed state over this project, learning all I can about 922r, Saiga rifles, and how to make it all work together and look awesome at the same time (staining furniture, and learning about the finishing process etc). I have been actually dreaming in the language of AK47 every night for the past week.
Yes... OCD is a disease. lol!!
The whole deal behind 922r had nothing to do with the AWB (I thought it did, but found out recently it doesn't). I just have to replace several parts within the rifle with parts that are made here in the USA to become compliant. I don't understand what the purpose of 922r was, because it surely didn't stop us AK and SKS collectors from doing what we want with our AKs. 922r basically says you can't have an imported rifle in "Evil Configuration" aka: pistol grip stock, bayo, muzzle brake, without having 10 or less imported parts on it. So you just have to assemble the rifle with American made parts to be compliant.
These are the 20 evil parts on the 922r list;
Receiver
Barrel
Barrel extensions
Mounting block (front trunion)
Muzzle attachment
Bolt
Bolt carrier
Operating rods (cocking handle)
Gas piston
Trigger housing
Trigger
Hammer
Sear
Disconnector
Buttstock
Pistol grip
Forearm, handguard
Magazine body
Follower
Floorplate
Say your AK has 15 of these parts in its build (very typical, a threaded barrel brings it to 16), then you would have to replace 5 of them with US made parts in order to be compliant. A US made mag, US made pistol grip, and a US made butt stock would be enough to get you compliant. (Most people do not rely on mags for compliance, and I am not going to either. I am changing the FCG also)
Shoot... a US made magazine is considered 3 US made parts. The mag body, floorplate, and follower. The FCG is 3 more parts. Then there is the gas piston, pistol grip, butt stock, and forearm furniture. All of these US made parts being readily available now make it very easy to legaly convert an imported AK or SKS to a pistol grip configuration.
My Saiga rifle when completed will have only 7 of the above listed parts, well under the 10 allowable limit.
Here is a great article on 922r ---->>
http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/922r.html See this also ---->>
http://thegunwiki.com/Gunwiki/BuildAkVerifyCompliance Here are lists of vendors:
Of course first and foremost is
http://www.milsurpstuff.com/ Then there is;
http://www.ironwooddesigns.com/IWDsite/IWDHome.html http://www.dinzagarms.com/ http://www.mississippiautoarms.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=287 and the list goes on.
