Saiga Bullet Guide

[Onward Allusion]

Does anyone know if standard Saiga mags will continue to work in a rifle that has a bullet guide installed for AK mags? I just want to be able to use AK mags in my Saiga w/o doing a full conversion AND continue to use my old Surefire Saiga mags.

 

[Girodin]

I just want to be able to use AK mags in my Saiga w/o doing a full conversion AND continue to use my old Surefire Saiga mags.

This sounds like a potential 922r issue.

I'll also skip the lecture of why you should convert to PG format, but you should.

Now to answer your question. The saiga facotry mags need to be modified. Surefires may need to be, but may not. Here is a thread on the subject: http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/52749-use-of-saiga-style-mags-after-bullet-guide-install/ be

Remember standard mags also require filing down the rifles mag latch (you can treat each mag but I really think that is the wrong way to go about it) In my experience you don't need to file much of the mag latch and mags that locked in before still lock in after.

Mil surp mags are better than surefires so you might consider just selling off the saiga mags and moving to only mil surps. If you want to keep surefires the either will work or can be made to.

 

[6x6pinz]

If you are talking the 762 39 I have not had to do anything to the mags, magwell, catch anything other than install the bullet guide, fill the magazines and shoot. Now I have only dealt with five 762 39 rifles with bullet guides so my cross section is pretty small but they all worked out well. I think only one rifle was not converted at the time. I use the guides from Dinzagarms if it makes a difference.

 

[amd6547]

My 5.45 Saiga fit and functioned with surplus poly mags with out any alteration.

 

[6x6pinz]

We have had one of the 223 models work with the AK poly mags without modifications. Don't you love the tight tolerances of these firearms)

 

[Onward Allusion]

This sounds like a potential 922r issue.

Will be using US made AK mags which count as 3 parts. Already have the US made piston. This would be the same configuration as what I currently have using the Surefire mags.

I know my limitations and am also not inclined to tinker with my rifles. I also don't want to ship 'em out and have a stranger touching 'em. So a conversion is out. I already have other AK pattern rifles, so this is just for grins & giggles.

 

[wally]

Generally the bullet guide you installs interferes with the bullet guide built into the Saiga Surefire mags. The mags will work if you grind off enough of the guide on the mag so it'll lock in, but then you've turned a $30-40 mag into ~$10 mag that requires the rifle have a bullet guide.

I did this treatment to my 10-round Saiga mags after installing the bullet guide as part of my conversion -- they are useful shooting prone or off sandbags -- never bought any of the US made Saiga mags except for my Saiga .308 where they are pretty much the only option.

 

[bri]

Will be using US made AK mags which count as 3 parts. Already have the US made piston. This would be the same configuration as what I currently have using the Surefire mags.

I know my limitations and am also not inclined to tinker with my rifles. I also don't want to ship 'em out and have a stranger touching 'em. So a conversion is out. I already have other AK pattern rifles, so this is just for grins & giggles.

Wow, considering you have other AK rifles, I'm surprised you can stand the neutered, jiggered-up FCG on the stock saiga! To each their own I guess...

 

[Onward Allusion]

bri
I know my limitations and am also not inclined to tinker with my rifles. I also don't want to ship 'em out and have a stranger touching 'em. So a conversion is out. I already have other AK pattern rifles, so this is just for grins & giggles.
Wow, considering you have other AK rifles, I'm surprised you can stand the neutered, jiggered-up FCG on the stock saiga! To each their own I guess...

Sometimes I like them neutered looking. Below the radar but still have the capability and capacity.

 

[Girodin]

Will be using US made AK mags which count as 3 parts. Already have the US made piston. This would be the same configuration as what I currently have using the Surefire mags.

Yep if you have a fourth part removed (and haven't added any foreign countable parts) you're good. I guess I just assumed if one was to install a bullet guide it would be to get away from using US mags, which are IME for the most part either inferior to mil surp mags, or more expense than milsurp mags or both.

I know my limitations and am also not inclined to tinker with my rifles.

If some illiterate guy in mud hut in Pakistan can put them together I'm sure you could handle running a dremel and turning a screw driver to do a basic conversion. Just saying. Honestly if someone really can't manage a most basic conversion there are a lot of other more common tasks I would be concerned about them doing.

 

[amd6547]

Count me as another Saiga owner who would like to keep it in non-converted form, and another who also owns a traditional form AK.
In fact, I built my own Kalashnikov during the boom times of cheap AK kits, so I know I have more than the minimal skill needed to do the Saiga conversion.
After cleaning and lubing the contact points in the Saiga trigger linkage, and having put 600-some rounds through it, the trigger is really no worse than the several Kalashnikovs I have owned.
I find I like the fast handling of the sporter configuration stock...it points very well and very quickly.
The un-converted Saiga 5.45 has become my favored HD long arm.

 

[M1key]

^^^+1

I have successfully converted five Saigas (223, x39, 308). My latest acquistion is one in 5.45. I am seriously considering leaving it in sporter config.

For those who don't like the factory trigger, they can be markedly improved with the simple addition of a JTE hammer spring, making it lighter and crisper while still providing reliable ignition.

Another option is to apply some molybdenum paste on the bearing surfaces of the hammer/trigger. This also noticeably effects trigger smoothness.

M

 

[6x6pinz]

The conversion is a perspective issue. The way I see it leaving it in sporter configuration is a converted rifle. Remember these are AK's not sporting rifles. The original design never had a monte carlo stock, it was a pistol grip with a warsaw length stock. So you are not really converting it as much as you would be UNCONVERTING it.