Just got into the hobby and have been bitten hard. Any opinions on where all the parts kits are?
Massive hoarding or just none around?

Several countries have been bard for more than a few years from importation, add to that the recent ATF ruling that barrels could no longer be imported intact, and then add the panic and just about all the parts kits have been eaten up, the left overs are predominantly Romanian kits with the barrels chopped for the same price as ones that had intact barrels.

If you want a good AK that is less expensive and that you invest a little time in, since it sounds like you were contemplating a build, I would suggest you get either a Saiga and do a conversion, or get one of the new $399 Yugo PAP's that have come in and do a parts swap and mag well open.

Google "barrel ban" and you'll have your answer.

Thanks for telling me about the PAP.  I have a Saiga being delivered to my FFL this week.  For those interested, here is a link to another thread I found on the PAP.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=64&t=120162&page=1

Any Idea where I can find a new Yugo PAP (other than on Gunbroker)?

Thanks.

I understand that the importation of "non-sporting" barrels was curtailed in 2005, but I would assume that there would still be (post barrel ban) kits available without  barrels and Green Mountain barrels would be substituted.

There are some being supplied with GM barrels but I believe due to demand and back orders that those are mostly being bought up by outfits like Century.

Any dealer that is connected with any of the major US wholesalers can order you one, they are listed under European American Armory (EAA), just so you know dealer cost is between $300 and $320 depending on wholesaler. The average profit margin is about $100 so expect to pay about $399 like they are on GB,

Importers don't want to invest in kits unless barrels are readily available.
Barrel makers won't make barrels in small lots for retail sales.
The barrel ban has effectively ended BIY AKs, just as the government intended.