Polish Tantal

[maverick2076]

I haven't even gotten my AMD-65 in yet (hurry up, Bud's!) and I'm already looking at my next rifle. I'm thinking about getting a Polish Tantal, so tht I have something in 5.45x39. Anyone have any experience with them? They seem a little cheaper than the AK-74's around, and the mags are a lot cheaper as well. Thoughts? Opinions?

[JeepGuy79]

great guns. who is the builder? I am assuming it is not a tantal imported from poland but a parts kit built in the US right? Make sure that you get one with a chrome lined bore. That ammo is amazing!!! but the cheap stuff is corrosive. So get a chrome bore and clean it after you shoot that stuff.

Also, have you thought abought a Saiga IZ340? It is very ez to turn into a standard ak74 configuration and is made in Russia at the izmash plant (where kalashnikov himself is on payroll)

[maverick2076]

The Tantals are all Century builds. That makes me a little leery, but all the reports on the newer ones seem to be pretty good. I hadn't really considered a Saiga. In reality, how hard is the conversion to do, and what tools and parts are needed?

[JeepGuy79]

It is super ez. Really all you need is to get some US parts to meet 922 compliance. Use a tapco G2 trigger and US furniture for a regular AK and a US gas piston. You take the firing parts out of the gun and drill out the rivets on the bottom plate that is under the firing group. It is not painted under there. I have found that 3000* BBQ paint matches the factory paint very well. Some people sandblast and paint the entire gun. The only one I completely redid I parked. Then you put the standard AK trigger group and pistol grip in it and trigger guard. In the back where the stock is I thrown in a couple rivets where the holes are left. Some people weld them. I have done a handfull of them. First one I did was one of my saiga shotguns. I think I dumbed my way through it in about 2 hours.

I don't own any century guns. I have fixed a couple century wasr guns with retarded stuff like super canted sights and whatnot and fixed a couple hk33 clones with no bolt gap. but I am not a gunsmith so I couldn't give you a real good opinion on them.

Whatever you get, lets see some pics!

[maverick2076]

It'll probably be a bit. I've got to get the AMD-65 first and get it accessorized to my taste.

You have intrigued me with the thought of converting a Saiga. I have read nothing but good things about them. If I decide to go that route would you be willing to offer some coaching and maybe lend a helping hand? I buy beer... and occasionally Scotch.

[JeepGuy79]

where you live? If close by I would be glad to help a man with his avtomat kalashnikov! Also willing to coach you through the bumps. I think you have to drink a good potato vodka when working on one although I love a good scotch.

This gun is a little different than the IZ340 and this guy does some steps different than I but it gives you a really good idea of the changes you make. http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mike1951]

The Tantals are not all Century builds.

One of mine is a High Standard, assembled here in Houston.

[maverick2076]

The Tantals are not all Century builds.

One of mine is a High Standard, assembled here in Houston.

The ones I'm looking at that are in stock are all Century's. I saw that HS builds them too, as well as IO, but I didn't see anyone with them in stock, and they run a good bit more than the Century build.

[Mike1951]

Yep, I bought several a few years back. They were all upwards of $600.

[maverick2076]

where you live? If close by I would be glad to help a man with his avtomat kalashnikov! Also willing to coach you through the bumps. I think you have to drink a good potato vodka when working on one although I love a good scotch.

This gun is a little different than the IZ340 and this guy does some steps different than I but it gives you a really good idea of the changes you make. http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm in Rosenberg (SW Houston)
I've noticed 2 different Saiga 5.45 models for sale: The IZ240 and the IZ340. The 340 looks like it has a standard AK forearm. I'd assume this makes it worth the extra price, rather than converting it yourself?

[cajunautoxer]

While the ammo is cheaper you may want to look at the cost of mags

[maverick2076]

I have, and I get that mags are more expensive. It isn't all about ammo cost... I think it will be a fun and practical round to shoot as well.

[JeepGuy79]

I am not an expert on the 74 series guns but I am pretty sure that the IZ340 is just a Izmash AK74M with some evil features changed to make it into our market. Really just the pistol grip, stock, trigger location, semi only function and lack of flash hider I think is the only differences between it and the war rifle. In my opinion my saigas are the highest quality AK's I own. I have a milled zastava m70 that is pretty nice but absolutely no more accurate or reliable than the lighter and much cheaper izmash built guns.

polish AK's are good guns in general. I have a polish underfolder that is of good quality. I am sure you will be happy with a polish tantal as well. It blows my mind how much AK's and AK parts kits have gone up in the past few years. Especially ones with original barrels. I have a pile of romy G kits I got for under $100 a pop with original barrels that I build one of when I get bored every once in a while.

If I wanted a 74 though I would buy a saiga and convert it. If I wanted a Tantal I would find a kit with an original barrel and a nodak spud receiver and make sure it is built by someone that cares. I am not too crazy about US barrel guns and would be furious if I got a century screw up. But I <3 AK's and am picky about them.

[maverick2076]

I'm in no way set on the Tantal. I just saw them as a very affordable way to get into a different caliber. The Saiga conversion might be a better way to get into 5.45 though, if the quality is really that much higher. Plus it gives me the added bonus of getting to tinker with a rifle, and I love learning new things. Building my M4 was great, and I look forward to building more in the future. Converting the Saiga would probably give me a similar rush.

I had considered converting a 7.62 Saiga for my first AK, but the TGI built AMD-65's seemed like too good of a deal to pass up, based on all the reviews I read. Plus, its my first AK, so a complete rifle seemed to be the best way in. I'll really have to consider the Saiga for 5.45mm though.

So, are you anywhere close to me if I need a helping hand on the conversion???

[JeepGuy79]

I am all the way up in Texarkana my friend. Will be happy to help coach you through it though. If you have a dremel and a drill press you can gring down the rivets then drill them out much more easily. To me that is the most difficult part of the whole thing removing the rivets. It is cake after that.