I am looking for a factory Russian SKS that's 52 dated. It sounds like you have a Russian. If yours is a Russian in original configuration, I'd be happy to trade you a chinese SKS + cash for it. (that way you'd have a project rifle + some $ towards the conversion)
I will be going to Chattanooga sometime this week and maybe that's close to you.
That being said, your friend may cut you a good deal on the conversion. Usually, by the time you have the machine work done on the receiver and the labor in the conversion you could have bought an entry level AK or a Chinese SKS that already takes AK mags from the factory.
