How hard is it to dremel out a Saiga receiver for hi-cap?

[TheGewehrGuy]

I know all about 922r...


How hard is it for someone unskilled?
How difficult probably for someone who's never done it before, but extremely mechanically skilled?

How much would it cost to just have a gunsmith do it?



I ordered a VZ-58 through J & G, but they are backordered, and I probably won't get it for another 2-3 weeks, so I was thinking maybe I should just cancel my order and get a Saiga, and convert it. Although I may not have the money for it.

 

[brgr]

Saigas already take Hi cap mags. The mags are a little expensive thou, about $30 for a 30 rounder.

Now you could get a bullet guide and install it (many people have done this and they say its pretty easy). If you do this I believe the saigas will take almost all ak mags. Of course some will work better then others.

 

[nalioth]

There's no such thing as a "hi-cap" magazine. It is a legislative fiction pushed upon us by antigunners.

The Saiga mag well is the same size as the milspec AKs, but is missing the bullet guide that is required for milspec mags to function.

 

[rocinante]

What nalioth said. You also have to file down the catch a little to get it to lock on the milspec magazines.

I have done 3 saiga conversions and if you have basic handtools and basic skills it is doable. You should go the saiga 12 board to get all the details.

If you want a saiga get one but not because a vz2008 will take a couple more weeks to get to you. Right now saiga rifles are pretty scarce too and getting costly.

 

[nalioth]

Right now saiga rifles are pretty scarce too and getting costly.

Which is common with the Saigas, as they're only shipped once a year.

Guess what time it is? Time for the next shipment.

Once they arrive into the supply chain, the competition will get fierce, and $299 Saiga rifles may be found.

 

[TheGewehrGuy]

Well do you think $299 is a modest price? Or is that going to be what you *might find it at? Cause I could honestly wait a few more weeks if thats when the next shipment of them is in. Does anyone know when the next shipment is in?

And $299, plus WA state tax , plus shipping, plus dealer fee, plus conversion, would probably put me at around $40 more than what I will be paying for the VZ-2008, which in my mind would be worth it considering I would be getting a mostly Russian AK. But then again, I can always keep searching for a job (I got laid off at a cafe in feb, and I'm 17, I'll be making minimum wage), and save up the money and buy the Saiga.

Oh and thanks for the information on the bullet guide, someone told me you have to dremel it out, and I do have a dremel.

 

[nalioth]

According to sources, the shipment is due any time.

The $299 Saiga is going to be the reward for the person who can use the search engines the best, as the average price is probably gonna be around $350. These prices are for the 7.62x39, 5.45x39 and .223 Saiga rifles - other calibers and models will probably be higher.

 

[Sam1911]

I like AKs a lot ... but you're worried about waiting 2-3 weeks for a vz-58 ... that will cost you LESS than the Saiga? Learn to have the tiniest smidgen of patience!

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

According to sources, the shipment is due any time.

The $299 Saiga is going to be the reward for the person who can use the search engines the best, as the average price is probably gonna be around $350. These prices are for the 7.62x39, 5.45x39 and .223 Saiga rifles - other calibers and models will probably be higher.

How does one get plugged into these sources? Whom do I call to find out when the Saiga shipment comes in?

I'm still kicking myself for being uninformed and passing on them several years ago. Oh, for the $159 price tag....

 

[nalioth]

Whom do I call to find out when the Saiga shipment comes in?

You won't have to call - it'll be all over the boards.

As I posted, the $299 price point isn't going to be the common one.

 

[SSN Vet]

Right now saiga rifles are pretty scarce too and getting costly.

Yup... the days of the $247 (shipped) Saigas from Stanley's Sporting Goods are long gone...

To use inexpensive mil. surp. mags, you need to....

1. install a bullet guide (I made mine from a stub of 3/4" pipe)
2. either open up the catch on the rifle (which renders your factory 10 round mag useless) or..
3. file down the lock tab on the mil. surp. mags. (which renders them incompatable with std. AK rifles)

 

[Z-Michigan]

Two places I would watch for relatively lower priced Saigas:

http://www.classicarms.us/

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/

I've ordered from the first one with good enough experience, have not tried the second one.

 

[Rem870Fan]

Anyone know if the Saigas are finally in? I see Centerfire Systems has 7.62x39 Saigas for $349 but they still say backordered (I'm guessing that means they are still waiting). Has anyone found one less expensive that this that are in stock?

Nalioth, any suggestions on other places to look for that $299 price point?

Thanks!

 

[nalioth]

The shipment is here. Some vendors are already listing all the Saigas.

Nalioth, any suggestions on other places to look for that $299 price point?

Nope, but it probably won't be with the 'big guys' (they know they can bend folks over). . . .