Saiga Conversion

[nulfisin]

I picked up a new Saiga in 7.62x39. I like tricking out guns, but lack much time to do it these days. I'll definitely put an AK-style stock and grip on because they feel better and look great.

Aside from the ability to take standard AK mags, is there any other reason to do a full conversion into an "authentic" AK platform? The hole drilling, etc. doesn't bother me. I'm just wondering what the point of it is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[lipadj46]

The stock Saiga trigger sucks because of the linkages to get it back a couple inches. Also a conversion will shorten the overall length a couple inches. I like Saigas but they just don't look right in the bastardized stock format. The lines are all wrong. That said I could never deal with the trigger so a conversion is the only option IMO.

 

[Girodin]

I'll definitely put an AK-style stock and grip on because they feel better and look great.

If you are talking about the pistol grip and stock in one combo units I would avoid it. They are cheap tapco stuff that offer almost none of the advantages of a PG conversion. Additionally they look plain horrible.

Advantages of conversion:

Trigger: The difference is night and day. I recently fired one of mine that I have yet to get around to converting side by side with one I converted and the difference is considerable. This difference alone would make it worth it

Balance: A stock saiga is out of balance and rather front heavy. A pistol grip conversion that involves moving the FCG forward and putting things where they were designed to be does a lot to improve the balance of the weapon.

Ergonomics: Simply put the safety lever is a stretch for many when your hand is where it was intended to be. When you mover it as far back as the sporter stock puts it the safety lever is way to far away and hard to get to.

Customization: There are so many option in how to outfit your saiga when you do the conversion that one can tune it to their preferences and needs. You can go anywhere from mild to wild with it.

Looks: They look better with the pistol grip and other mods.

Magazines: You make the thing 922r compliant and can run cheap 20 and 30 round mags.

Its a project: I think doing the conversion is fun. The first one really helps you understand how your gun works and it is really satisfying to have a converted saiga that you did yourself.

 

[bobotech]

For me, its all about the balance and overall FEEL (ergonomics) of the rifle. The stock Saigas just feel so off compared to a standard AK.

 

[RP88]

Agreed on the part about the trigger. I still dislike the trigger, but when I tested out a Saiga stock trigger compared to the one in my converted Saiga (I believe it's a G2 trigger), I could immediately appreciate the difference.

 

[nulfisin]

Thanks, guys

Well, looks like there's work to be done!

 

[SN13]

Trigger.... OMG trigger.

You HAVE to convert for the trigger alone. People who do not convert are missing out on a huge component of sweetness.