Question about converting a Saiga .308

[10mm Mike]

So I have it disassembled and I'm trying to remove the 2 front pins with a punch and they just aren't cooperating. I've been beating on them all day long and they wont budge. What am I doing wrong? How do you remove those stupid things?

I watched a video where they convert a 7.62x39 and he punches them out quite easily, and from all of the conversion instructions I've read, they are supposed to come out without much difficulty, so what gives?

I know about the saiga-12 forums and did some reading there without any luck.

Just for clarification, this is the .308 version, and it does not have the 2 rivets that need to be drilled out. I'm referring to the 2 front pins that are just under the side rail.

 

[nalioth]

You'll need to remove all the internals, and then you'll see the retaining wire that's holding those pins in.

Those pins are called "pivot pins".

 

[rangerruck]

the best video on these , is on Vimeo, though i cannot say if they show the
308 version.

 

[10mm Mike]

the best video on these , is on Vimeo, though i cannot say if they show the
308 version.

Yeah, thats the video I was watching. It is probably the best video I've seen on how to do it, though he was working on the 7.62x39 I believe.

You'll need to remove all the internals, and then you'll see the retaining wire that's holding those pins in.

Those pins are called "pivot pins".

Thanks for the the link. I'll take a look and give it a try.

update: I'm having trouble removing the retaining wire since it is wrapped around the rear pin like a spring. How in the heck do I get it out? Also, do I discard it once removed or re-use it?

 

[nalioth]

[quote="10mm Mike";]update: I'm having trouble removing the retaining wire since it is wrapped around the rear pin like a spring. How in the heck do I get it out? Also, do I discard it once removed or re-use it? [/quote]
To get it out, just grab it with some needlenosed pliers.

You can reuse it (if you don't mangle it too much) or make another one out of piano wire, or buy a retainer plate and save yourself some gray hairs.

 

[10mm Mike]

Excellent. Thanks for the help nalioth