Definitive guide to converting a Saiga to AK configuration

Saiga forums....

There is no definative guide because there is no one right way to do it. That said this will help:

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=40886

This is for the S12 but it is almost exactly the same, the trigger guard is the difference I can think of off the top of my head. Oh, and the need for a bullet guide. The BG requires drilling and tapping a hole so its pretty easy too.

There are also some videos out there showing it step by step.

It is fairly very easy, and that is from someone with no real mechanical background.

its not hard at all. the hardest thing is deciding on how you are going to convert it. Make it look like a real ak 47/74 or take it and put your spin on it.
Thats what I did, I did my conversion and tried my best to make it look like a hk33. its close to being down.



there are some very good videos and written how-to's available.
http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

there are some very good videos and written how-to's available.
http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

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There are, but that's not one of them.

It's almost 12 years old, and most of its content is way out of date.

The rifles is discusses are no longer imported.
The parts situation is much changed.
The laws it discusses are gone, for most people.
It is presented by a guy with a full machine shop, which puts a lot of folks off ("I've got to have a machine shop? Forget this!")

If you're gonna offer something, offer the vimeo Saiga conversion video. It's modern and is more reflective of current conditions.

Crazy wella, what gas block is that?

Girodin said:

Crazy wella, what gas block is that?

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I suspect it may be one of these, and will wait on CrazyWella to confirm.

Ace Clamp On Front Sight

It seams like every other week theres a thread about the saiga conversions (Not complaining, I've started more than a few of them,). Would it be worth it to float one of the Saiga threads?

Nalioth,

Thanks. What are the pros or cons of such a modification? What's the word on that particular product?

Girodin said:

What are the pros or cons of such a modification? What's the word on that particular product?

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It's not a mod, at all.

Strictly bolt-on.




Pros? Coolness (c'mon, admit it - it's cool)
As far as any cons, you get a shorter sight radius.

It do like that general look but I think the Bolton below from Rifle Dynamics looks cooler, if we are just talking looks. I've held off on it because $100 seems like a lot of money just to make an AK look cooler.

Any word on how the Ace compares to the Bolton.

Girodin said:

It do like that general look but I think the Bolton below from Rifle Dynamics looks cooler, if we are just talking looks. I've held off on it because $100 seems like a lot of money just to make an AK look cooler.

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Does the $100 include the installation and refinishing? Cuz it doesn't look "bolt-on" to me.

The Ace actually "bolts on" - all you need is a hex wrench. It clamps right to your gas block.

The one in your picture appears to be needing the removal of the front sight block and gas block as it appears to replace the gas block (not clamp to it).

Okay I looked at the pictures after sleeping instead of after 14 hrs of work and I see the what the ace is.

If one was putting either on wouldn't he or she want to remove the front sight block though? A sight on the gas block and a front sight block seems a bit silly. In the pic above it looks like it was cut off. No offense intended to anyone but if I am doing a mod/or adding an accessory, that honestly is primarily for looks, I personally would prefer a more refined look than that.

Girodin said:

If one was putting either on wouldn't he or she want to remove the front sight block though? A sight on the gas block and a front sight block seems a bit silly. In the pic above it looks like it was cut off. No offense intended to anyone but if I am doing a mod/or adding an accessory, that honestly is primarily for looks, I personally would prefer a more refined look than that.

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Yep, the FSB needs to come off for both parts. It's an easy job, though, and'll be included in the installation charge for the "Bolton" gas block you showed (which I've honestly never heard of before you posted [it looks more like a Krebs Custom unit to me]).

If you have the Ace clamp-on sight, once the factory FSB is off, you can install a 14x1LH threaded version of an M16 flash hider with a crush washer and enjoy your distinctive rifle.

Everything you need to do a conversion can be found here:
http://www.dinzagarms.com/index.html
and here: http://dpharms.com/

Dinzag is the place to start, has links and tutorials and has been converting Saiga's longer than anyone can remember.

The standard Saiga conversion is cake. I just did mine a couple weekends ago with nothing but handtools, a dremel, and a drill. Surprisingly easy, whole thing only took a few hours, doing it again would take even less.

I was a little worried about refinishing the bottom of the receiver after removing the trigger plate assembly. - This turned out nicer than I imagined. High temp, chemical resistant automotive header paint is what I used. Matched the factory finish nearly 100%, looks awesome. I degreased the area, sprayed on a few coats, then hung the thing in my oven from homemade hooks and baked it to cure the paint per the directions. Seems very durable, very easy process. I think the brand paint I used was VHT from AdvanceAuto parts...


Getting into trying to convert to the standard AK handguards gets more involved, but the the main saiga conversion process is easy IMO.

Saiga Handguards

Hey MAKOwner, I agree, replacing the front handguards can be a pain in the butt. But, look into that Dinzag Arms website, they have bolt on handguards which makes the conversion easy. Also, check out the front handguard from SGM Tactical, I think ther call it the Tri-Rail. It's an easy replacement for the stock Saiga handguard, no modification required, is very well made. Has a comfortable area for your hand and three rails for accessories. Only thing I've added to my SGM handguards was a nice sling swivel that mounts on the rail.

If you're thinking of doing a conversion, but are concerned that you might be in over your head...don't be. I bought the Saiga before I knew it could be (re)converted. I found out about it, got in touch with Dinzag, and completed it with ease. Like mentioned earlier, simple hand tools and a rattle can.

The first one I did was a 308 and it took a few nights after work, mainly because I ran into a few 308-specific snags I didn't know about. The next one (12ga) I did this weekend in a couple hours while watching a football game. I was apprehensive at first, not knowing anything about AK internals and not having any gunsmithing tools, but after you dive in it's fun, you get to know the "guts" of your rifle, and get the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

Summary:
Remove buttstock, receiver cover, recoil spring, bolt/gas piston
Remove "guts" (fire control group and hammer assembly, 2 main parts) by punching out or drilling out a couple pins (depends on model)
Remove "trigger plate" by drilling out a couple rivets on the bottom of the receiver, most models have the holes for the regular trigger & pistol grip already there under that trigger plate, revealing the true form of the rifle, an AK
Bolt on pistol grip, new trigger guard, put new fire control group and hammer in re-using the pins you puched out earlier, a couple springs, AK-style buttstock, and voila!

The cost of conversion parts is between $130-$175 for a fixed stock, about $100 more if you want a folding stock. I second the recommendation for Dinzag. Brian is a great help and can give you a list of the parts you'll need and the costs. There aren't really any complete conversion "kits" because you have several choices for buttstocks, pistol grips, fire control groups, and trigger guards, but it's fun to customize it to your tastes.

Ok this may be a really stupid question and its probably been answered a billion times, but with that bein said im really interested in saiga firearms. Can somebody please tell me what the conversion of a siaga is? Is it necessary? Is a saiga 12 junk in its out of the box form? Thanks in advance.

TexasKid- Saigas are imported in a fashion to comply with the bullshi-...well, unreasonable ATF 'sporting purpose' clauses. Anyway, the conversion is the process of taking a factory stocked Saiga and converting it to traditional AK form, by moving the 'guts' of the trigger forward and allowing for a separate pistol grip and stock. The Saiga 12 CAN be a piece of crap out of the box, but that's mostly due to running low-brass loads on a gas system made for combat or hunting rounds... ie; it doesn't eat cheapie weak bulkpack ammo well, until you get an upgraded gas plug to allow better cycling. That pretty much covers the whole bit. Oh yeah, and you gotta use 3 USA made parts in the conversion to comply with some 922 b.s. (further ATF lunacy). The conversion isn't super easy, but it's not hard, either, for a do-it-yourself'er. I did my Saiga 12 in about 3 hours with a knock-off dremel tool, a DeWalt drill, and some super cheap bits. But trust me, it's the most essential and rewarding work you'll ever do to an Saiga-AK platform firearm.

Chopdoktor said:

nd you gotta use 3 USA made parts in the conversion to comply with some 922 b.s. (further ATF lunacy).

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It's not "3 parts", but it is lunacy.

The 922r law requires no more than 10 parts from a list be of foreign origin. Depending on the Saiga and what is done to it, this could require as few as 0 parts added to the gun.

This was my first ever "gun smithing" project.... I just finished this minute



I was very easy.

I bought the gun (223) for $369

A $125 conversion kit from Carolina Shooters Supply along with a scope mount for another $35

I purchased a bullet guide and installation kit from Dinzag Arms for $35

A couple of drill bits and a Tapco/Galil Magazine for $10

Total price was $575

there are some very good videos and written how-to's available.
http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

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I sold an SKS last night to the guy who wrote that. Super nice man.

Ok so if one was thinking of purchasing a saiga 12 would you all for the most part recomend doing a conversion? Would it be better to try to find one to purchase thats already been converted? Are all conversions equal?