Saiga conversion
- Thread starter chaddy
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I've done eight. They are easy to do even for me, especially after the first one. How-to videos abound on the internet and use simple tools.
$850 and 3-6 months? They must have rifles in stock or are hoping for a fresh shipment arriving sooon. LOL
Cost to convert it (yourself) is around $150 depending on furniture and takes about an hour or two.
Good luck
M
$850 and 3-6 months? They must have rifles in stock or are hoping for a fresh shipment arriving sooon. LOL
Cost to convert it (yourself) is around $150 depending on furniture and takes about an hour or two.
Good luck
M
Dude, if 18 year old me can do it, you can do it. I'm pretty sure I was still in high school, and it turned out pretty well, I think. It's pretty hard to screw it up. I'd recommend going for it, and then being that much more familiar with your rifle.
unlimited4x4
Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2010
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- 236
Carolina shooters supply
You may want to try here.
http://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/default.asp
The website does not state they do this but they may be able to recommend some one else. They have been a reliable supplier of parts for years. I would also recommend considering doing yourself. It is not hard, just take your time. If you get to a point your not sure of consult the internet! Check out the video section on the website. The videos are very comprehensive. Good luck.
You may want to try here.
http://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/default.asp
The website does not state they do this but they may be able to recommend some one else. They have been a reliable supplier of parts for years. I would also recommend considering doing yourself. It is not hard, just take your time. If you get to a point your not sure of consult the internet! Check out the video section on the website. The videos are very comprehensive. Good luck.
Where can I order all the parts? Carolina Shooters has everything you need
Will any ak furniture fit? stamped receiver buttstock yes, forearm yes with adapter (or leave original)
What about painting it back don't u mess up the finish doing the conversion? BBQ grill paint
Follow instructions. Email Greg if you have further questions
M
Will any ak furniture fit? stamped receiver buttstock yes, forearm yes with adapter (or leave original)
What about painting it back don't u mess up the finish doing the conversion? BBQ grill paint
Follow instructions. Email Greg if you have further questions
M
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Chaddy, i know it's outside the scope of your question, but, I left the factory fore end on mine, and while I wouldn't mind having 360 degree protection from the gas tube and barrel, I really like both the look, and the added length. When I did mine, I bought most of my stuff from Tapco and Dinzag arms.
I didn't know what to do when I started, but there are some great videos on Youtube showing exactly what to do and how to do it.
My Saiga started life as a stock IZ-132:
In the span of one Saturday afternoon, I restored her to a proper configuration with no prior Saiga conversion experience. Even threaded the barrel myself:
In retrospect, I probably would have just left the stock Saiga forearm, rather than installing AK handguards and a retainer. The stock forearm is really is quite good.
.
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Jackal
Member
By the time you pay for the rifle, pay for the parts AND pay someone to do it, you could just buy a high end AK....
I've converted 3 Saigas but I also understand that some people don't feel comfortable doing the work or simply don't want to. Some people would rather pay than use their own time doing it.
The OP might want to go to saiga-12.com and ask around for a local place.
The OP might want to go to saiga-12.com and ask around for a local place.
BSA1
member
chaddy,
There is a small group of us on THR that have left our Saiga's in it's factory carbine version.
Consider for a moment that Saiga Sporters are banned from importation and probably always will be. Also once converted you can never go back to it's original factory stock which means if the anti's ever get their way your gun may have to go bye-bye.
You may consider buying a rifle already converted as there are so many out there and keep or resell your unaltered Sporter.
There is a small group of us on THR that have left our Saiga's in it's factory carbine version.
Consider for a moment that Saiga Sporters are banned from importation and probably always will be. Also once converted you can never go back to it's original factory stock which means if the anti's ever get their way your gun may have to go bye-bye.
You may consider buying a rifle already converted as there are so many out there and keep or resell your unaltered Sporter.
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sappyg
Member
^ this.
Lots of Restored Saigas around and plenty of other AKs to choose from.
The best call IMO is to leave the rifle as is or move it on for what you want.
Lots of Restored Saigas around and plenty of other AKs to choose from.
The best call IMO is to leave the rifle as is or move it on for what you want.
You could just as easily say don't buy an AR-15 or Glock 17 with a 17-round mag, or Colt Single Action Army, etc., etc., because the antis will just take it away one day.
I prefer, however, not to live my life in fear.
The likelihood of outright confiscation (while not impossible) is very remote. Even NFA items like full-auto machine guns were not confiscated when NFA registration came along. That doesn't mean we shouldn't stay vigilant, though.
BSA1
member
Actually the more Saiga carbines that are converted just means mine is worth more money. Like I said there are only a few of us that are leaving our Sporters in factory condition.
Anyway it sounds like the O.P. has already made up his mind so I out.
Anyway it sounds like the O.P. has already made up his mind so I out.
sappyg
Member
Cha Ching!
As M1Key said, Carolina Shooters Supply has everything you need.
They are a great vendor with excellent customer service and extremely fast shipping.
I used the US-made K-VAR handguards as a 922r compliance part. They aren't the cheapest, but they are excellent. Just remember that, to use them, you have to install an AK gas tube and a handguard retainer (I used the bolt-on one from CSS).
That said, in retrospect, there is nothing wrong with the stock Saiga handguard. The stock handguard gives you more real estate to hold onto, covers the hot gas block, and despite not having heat shields, blocks the heat from the barrel just fine due to its mass.
http://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/product_p/css-bracket-ak.htm
or just:
http://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/product_p/ak47-gastube-vented.htm
For the same money I would just get the gas tube thereby saving the original tube and handguard...if you happen to change your mind. If you want more options for stocks and handguards (and more money):
http://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/category_s/1887.htm
M
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While I've converted 3 Saigas I also have one that is in its' original sporter condition. I, like some others happen to like it that way.
Interestingly, ATF has written that while it is a violation of the import regulation to convert without using the requisite number of US parts, once done it is not illegal to own it. So if you happen to run across a stock Saiga that someone perhaps put a bullet guide in but never finished it is not illegal to possess, own or use that gun with other AK mags. The irony is that illegally converting it makes it legal to own as long as you aren't the one who converted it.
Interestingly, ATF has written that while it is a violation of the import regulation to convert without using the requisite number of US parts, once done it is not illegal to own it. So if you happen to run across a stock Saiga that someone perhaps put a bullet guide in but never finished it is not illegal to possess, own or use that gun with other AK mags. The irony is that illegally converting it makes it legal to own as long as you aren't the one who converted it.
The language of the law is that it is illegal to assemble from parts. Three of the countable parts are the mags. So there is an argument that when you put the mag in you are the one assembling it at that point. It is actually the most logical interpretation given that the magazine parts are the countable parts. I've not read any ATF opinion letters on the issue. So I don't know what exactly it said. However, I would note that the ATF has on multiple occasions changed their opinion on 922r issues. They changed the parts count on S12s and changed their opinion on 922r and SBRs.
JFtheGR8
Member
The trigger on mine is so much better after being converted. The wish bone linkage created a ton of slop. That's the main reason I converted mine. Could have been an isolated issue.
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