OK, AK lovers - let's hear your suggestions!

[Preacherman]

I'm going to convert a Saiga carbine in 7.62x39 into a full AK configuration, as a gift for a friend who's coming home from the sandbox. I know roughly what I want, but I'm sure there are many on this forum who can offer good suggestions. The parts I want to add are:


Tapco G2 trigger group - do I need the single-hook or double-hook version for the Saiga?

Tapco SAW pistol grip

Modification to use standard AK mags (with ramp below chamber for ease of feeding)

Ultimak gas-piston housing - do I need the model with side cut-outs, or without? Not sure what the Saiga uses...

Tapco folding stock

I'd also like to install a flash hider or muzzle brake (the latter with flash-hider properties, if possible). Suggestions as to the best part are welcome.

Apart from these items (or instead of them), what would you recommend as being the best thing for a defensive rifle on an AK platform? Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[MAUSER88]

Here is a picture on my two. One in 7.62 and the other in .223 Both conversions were done by AK-USA.

 

[Preacherman]

Nice conversions, but which parts were used? Can you identify them? Thanks.

 

[PAC 762]

Tapco G2 = Good
Tapco Furniture = Fugly

IMHO, Stick to milsurp furniture or ironwood.

 

[glockamolee]

I'd find out what version of AK he is encountering in Iraq. THAT is the version I would build for him (as long as it is legal). I wish I could tell you to build that full auto Krinkov... Oh well.

 

[Coronach]

Single v Double hook trigger group...

1. Field Strip

2. Look down into the receiver to where the milspec trigger group will sit.

There should be a square cut in the bottom of the receiver where the milspec trigger will protrude. IIRC, Saiga covers it with a plate when they move their FCG aft for the "sporter" configuration. On the front edge of this square void should be one or two small cuts, just little divots cut out the the receiver. If you have two of these little cuts, you can use a two-hook FCG. If you have one, you should use a one-hook FCG.

OTOH, people say the two-hook FCG has a better feel, and you're already dremmelling out some stuff for the conversion...I think you can just cut out a space for the second hook and you should be good to go.

I'm sure someone who has done a Saiga conversion can confirm.

Mike

 

[Titus]

I picked up a GP WASR-10 and just put an Ultimak and a CompM2 on it. Only other accessory I could think of to get was a Chinese 75 round drum. I would say after the items you listed, the only thing to add would be more magazines.

Based on looks rather than actual experience, I'd second PAC 762's sentiments on milsurp or Ironwood furniture. But that's just my taste, not a review of the TAPCO products. I do like the G2 that came in my WASR though, nice trigger.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

tapco g2 single hook
tapco saw grip
3/4 nipple feed ramp, with lots of polishing and shaping...
plenty of welding on the trigger guard, feed ramp and the receiver holes...
lots of sanding on the bolt carrier and trigger...
even more hours shaping and sanding the stocks....
a little spary on bed liner makes a good finish for an ak...
too much like work...


you can use the ported gas tube if you want, but given the choice i'll just wear out the stock one first...

if i were to goto battle with the saiga first thing i'd want is a peep sight...


i made several post when i was doing the conversion, you can search the forum for more pics and details...

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

how about an update so you can see the welding and finish, huh??

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I'm going to convert a Saiga carbine in 7.62x39 into a full AK configuration, as a gift for a friend who's coming home from the sandbox. I know roughly what I want, but I'm sure there are many on this forum who can offer good suggestions. The parts I want to add are:


Tapco G2 trigger group - do I need the single-hook or double-hook version for the Saiga?

Not sure about these from first hand experience. The RSA and the Power Custom are probably better, but they cost over twice as much. I am cheap and can't afford the more expensive units so I'll probably be ordering one of these in the near future for my WASR. I would recommend the detent plate TAPCO sells to go along with the G2. It makes disassembling the fire control group much easier.

Tapco SAW pistol grip

Modification to use standard AK mags (with ramp below chamber for ease of feeding)

The M249 grip is awesome. Very comfortable and worlds above the standard spatula style grip. I highly recommend it.

As for the magazine conversion, I can't speak from personal experience on this other than to say my WASR had to be converted to accept standard capacity mags and even then it was a little rough and I had to Dremel some corners away to make it accept the Bulgarian waffle mags. Being able to accept something other than the butchered reduced capacity mags is pretty much necessary with a Kalashnikov copy.

Ultimak gas-piston housing - do I need the model with side cut-outs, or without? Not sure what the Saiga uses...

I hear all sorts of good things about the Ultimak, but at $90 I can't afford it when my rifle already has a side mount.

Tapco folding stock

The TAPCO folding stock is cheap plastic crap. The locking mechanism is made of plastic and is quite flimsy. I had mine come apart on the first range outting after it fell about two feet. Two thumbs down. Save your money for an actual Commie stock or an ACE.

I'd also like to install a flash hider or muzzle brake (the latter with flash-hider properties, if possible). Suggestions as to the best part are welcome.

I am threading my muzzle and will probably end up with the M16 style flash surpressor over the AK-74 style just because the 74 style does a good job of keeping the muzzle down, but basically nothing, in my experience, to keep the flash out of your sight picture and nobody can tell me how the Krink brake works to control flash. Flash surpression is more important to me.

Apart from these items (or instead of them), what would you recommend as being the best thing for a defensive rifle on an AK platform? Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Get a Mojo ghost ring sight. The thing works wonders on your sight picture and I think is about the best thing to be done about the AK sights without being able to extend the sight radius. Look into a Kobra reflex sight. I am getting one for my siderail as soon as funds will allow. They have a very good reputation for quality, cost less than many comparible Western units, and maintain the authentic Russian feel of the weapon. Models are available to fit on Weaver mounts or work with the side rail bracket so regardless of whether you choose to go with the Ultimak, I would keep on in consideration. The AK's sights are still its weakest link IMO and I think a reflex or red dot sight could work wonders on it.
And if the rifle is to be used indoors or in an urban scenerio, test your ammunition before you use it. If I didn't live in a fairly rural area, I'd accept nothing less than a rapidly expanding soft point but would consider myself very well armed so equipped and sleep better knowing I had capabilities far beyond even the scattergun for protection of life and limb.

 

[grimjaw]

I have the Tapco G2 single hook for a Romanian SAR1, but I haven't installed it yet. Should go in this weekend, so I'll let you know. I went with a solid polymer buttstock, and I think I'd rather have an underfolder than a side folder, but that's just MO. The only side-folding AK stock I've seen that I liked so far was on an Egyptian MAADI. Metal, and had a very solid lockup at either position. Dunno if you could get the same thing for the Saiga.

jmm

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I installed a G2 FCG and the Tapco side folder on a Saiga. Get the single hook G2. The rifle has several hundred rounds through it now (tho subsequently traded to a friend) and it's running great. The trigger pull is smooth, light, and consistent. It is not adjustable like the Red Star Arms unit is, but it's half the cost and simpler.

The Tapco side folder is not good. Quality is so-so and it's not nearly rugged enough for use on a defensive rifle, IMNSHO. A better option would be to pick up a set of furniture from K-Var. If a folder is required then go for one of the Romy or Polish metal side folders, or an Ace unit. They'll be much tougher.

A Mojo rear sight would be a nice touch. I have one on my Arsenal, Inc. SLR-101SG and it is a huge improvement over the stock open notch rear sight.

 

[Preacherman]

Thanks for the replies so far. A few comments and questions based on your feedback.


1. STOCK. If the Tapco side-folder ain't much good, I can look at either an AR style collapsible stock, like this:




or an underfolder (if I can get one) like this:

Which would be better, in your opinion? I'm inclined towards the underfolder, myself, but never having used either style, I'd appreciate feedback from others who have. How steady are the underfolders - tight enough for accuracy when firing, or loose and floppy?


2. HANDGUARD.

Given that I'll have the Ultimak rail up front, I don't need an upper handguard. For the lower handguard, I'm considering this Galil style from Mako - it looks like the Tapco handguard with a rail attached:




Anyone used them? Any alternatives? The idea would be to have the sight mounted on the Ultimak rail, while allowing for the use of a flashlight on the handguard if so desired. I can't afford the full handguard rail systems from Ultimak, but if anyone knows of other lower handguards for the AK that incorporate a rail or rails, I'd be interested to hear about them.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I am looking to put the TDI on mine ( http://www.riflestocks.com/ak.htm ). The reason being is I have heard more reviews about it and most seem to indicate it can take the heat of a couple magazines worth of bump firing or double tap drills without deforming or burning the user. I think I am also going to try the TDI short vertical foregrip ( http://www.botac.com/tdiforegrip.html ) and see if it mounts far enough back to be comfortable while still allowing magazines to be rocked in/out of the rifle.

I have no experience with the T6 stock. I think of the two you listed I would go with the underfolder personally. I put a 6-position M4 style stock on my WASR but got it from ACE and it folds to the side, giving me the best of both worlds--the compactness and liberal wrath of a folding stock with the LOP adjustment and comfort of the M4 stock. Lock up is secure, the stock seems durable, and the folding stock mechanism is steel. My general impression of the ACE is that it is worth every penny of its $160 price tag. But some people don't want to make permanent modifications to their rifles, and I can understand that. If I didn't go with the ACE, I would get an underfolder such as the one you are looking at or skip and get a fixed synthetic furniture set from KVAR.

 

[grimjaw]

Preacherman, beerslurpy just got one of those M4 style Tapco stocks, mentioned here. You might ask him his opinion if he doesn't chime in.

jmm

 

[Crosshair]

Several things.

1. 7.62x39 Saiga uses a single hook trigger.
2. The M4 stck is nice as it can be adjusted for different people and clothing. Important in the north where we have cold winters.
3. Feed ramp, Made mine out of pipe and put it in with Epoxy. No problems with mine.
4. SAW grip is VERY nice.

 

[Preacherman]

Thank you all very much for your input. You've been great! Based on your recommendations, I think the final configuration will look like this:


1. ACE M4 side-folding six-position stock:

2. ACE TDI lower handguard with rail:

3. Ultimak gas tube optics mount:




4. Tapco G2 trigger group and SAW pistol grip:

5. Mojo Sights' new Microclick rear sight for the AK:

6. I'll also have a flash-hider fitted, although precisely which model I don't yet know. The mag well will have to be enlarged and a feed ramp fitted as well, of course, but that's a routine modification.


That combination should make for a very efficient fighting weapon, and should keep my buddy happy for a while! In fact, I might just have to build up another one for me...

It'll be expensive, with those parts, but I think that it'll be worth spending the money to get a high-quality weapon. Using the Saiga as the "base gun" will provide a high level of quality to begin with, and spending the money on these parts will come to a cost a bit higher than a new Arsenal or VEPR, but with a lot of extra's that those guns don't have as standard.

Thanks again to all who contributed!

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Just wanted to say that I think you've got the makings for an excellent fighting rifle. That should do about anything you can ask of a good carbine. Ought to be quite a looker, too....