Problem with Converted Saiga in .223

Check to see if the rifle has the bolt hold open re-installed. Its a grayish part which will be against the side of the receiver with a button protruding underneath. I have a suspicion that this part may be catching your bolt. It is retained by a small spring that a pin runs through. I would say that if this is the problem, you have two options, take it out completely, or make sure its in there right. I cannot think of anything else, if you've field stripped it to make sure that the reciprocating assemblies look right.
If rounds are actually getting jammed up, look to make sure the bullet guide is there and installed right.
Hope that helps a little.

when you say bolt hangs up, is there also no probs with the ammo, such as a double feed, bent round, etc.?

maybe you are pushing the bolt-holder...

take it apart clean it and try again....

A decent pick of the internals may help. Are the springs hooked over the trigger or hammer?

If yo uare using the wrong mags, and your saiga does not have a bullet guide, the tip of the bullets will hit the face of the chamber...

A guy my brother works with had the same issues with his Saiga, also a .223.
He sold it real cheap before I could have a go at it. He had a local smith take a look, but they couldn't figure it out.

wait. wait. wait. I cant resist.

Isnt this the gun I have heard 10 MILLION times could be assembled in "a mud yurt by unskilled <insert ethnic class seen as sub-standard here>"

?

So... we have two people with less gun assembling skill than the aformentioned mythical mud hut dweller

Fun poked, I hope you get that sorted out man. I am sure it will end up being something small and obvious in the end. Always is.

I agree it sounds like you don't have a bullet guide installed.
Take off your dust cover, remove your spring, bolt assembly, and gas piston then look at the base of your barrell there needs to be a bullet guide there.

Check this link for pictures, if it looks like the top picture you need a guide.
http://www.dinzagarms.com/saiga_223/223rtk.html

I ordered my bullet guide from that site and recieved great service.

two things; first , get a diff mag. second , we need a pic of how that bullet guide is installed. It is deff possible to put these in backwards...

wait. wait. wait. I cant resist.

Isnt this the gun I have heard 10 MILLION times could be assembled in "a mud yurt by unskilled <insert ethnic class seen as sub-standard here>"

?

So... we have two people with less gun assembling skill than the aformentioned mythical mud hut dweller

Fun poked, I hope you get that sorted out man. I am sure it will end up being something small and obvious in the end. Always is.

Click to expand...

9 times out of ten this is exactly the case, however in this case we are speaking of the saiga which has certain evil features removed so as to allow for leagal importation into the states. Things like bullet guides, bayonet lugs, and hi-cap mags are not compliant with 922r.

Another possibility is that the bolt rails got peened during the conversion and are now putting undue pressure on the bolt as it cycles.
Mauserguy

One more thing, pull the bolt out, not unheard of for a empty case to fall into the action.

What mags are you using?

Factory mags need to be modified when you install a bullet guide.