i'm trying to keep the cost down, previously i've gone the bulgy front end from k-var ($350-ish) add labor route, pretty soon the cost of the project is getting up there. i've got an ak-104 and an ak-105 (listed in the ee) but now i want an ak-102. here's my question, do i have to buy the k-var bulgy ak-102 front end or can i just buy the gas block/front sight somewhere, flash hider from chris butler and have chris cut down the apparently excellent steyr barrel to the appropriate ak-102 length?

Yes.  If you can get ahold of the FSB/gasblock combo thing, then you can have it installed and cut the barrel down (NFA laws apply, of course).

Quoted: can i just buy the gas block/front sight somewhere, flash hider from chris butler and have chris cut down the apparently excellent steyr barrel to the appropriate ak-102 length?

That's what I did when I SBR'ed my SLR-105R into an AK-105. I had a different 'smith do the work, but the idea is the same. Worked out just fine!

Quoted: Quoted: can i just buy the gas block/front sight somewhere, flash hider from chris butler and have chris cut down the apparently excellent steyr barrel to the appropriate ak-102 length? That's what I did when I SBR'ed my SLR-105R into an AK-105. I had a different 'smith do the work, but the idea is the same. Worked out just fine!

Chris has done that very thing on an AK-105 and -104.  Works great!

Spooky

So, where to get the gas/slight block for the 102?  Any ideas?  Thanks

Quoted: So, where to get the gas/slight block for the 102?  Any ideas?  Thanks

K-VAR, p/n AK-142B when in stock...

Thank you sir.

Quoted: Quoted: So, where to get the gas/slight block for the 102?  Any ideas?  Thanks K-VAR, p/n AK-142B when in stock...