Saiga Mag converting or not?

[kuntreeboy80]

Need opinions on if I should convert my Saiga to accept standard high cap AK mags or just keep with the Saiga mags? If I do convert will it still accept the Saiga Mags? Also how hard is the conversion? I will be putting a new trigger on it soon possibly a G-2?

 

[WardenWolf]

That depends on how many Saiga mags you already have. If you already have a few, I'd say buy a feed ramp but don't install it. Once you install a feed ramp, you will need to file or grind off the lip from your existing Saiga mags for them to still fit. Since Saiga mags are polymer, there is always the risk they will eventually wear down. Because of this, having a feed ramp is a good insurance policy. However, because of the inconvenience of not being able to use your old mags without altering them, I'd say buy the part and sit on it.

 

[nalioth]

That depends on how many Saiga mags you already have. If you already have a few, I'd say buy a feed ramp but don't install it. Once you install a feed ramp, you will need to file or grind off the lip from your existing Saiga mags for them to still fit.

You can carefully remove some material from the factory magazine lip so that it just fits with the bullet guide, but still has enough lip on it to feed in Saigas w/o a bullet guide installed.

Since Saiga mags are polymer, there is always the risk they will eventually wear down. Because of this, having a feed ramp is a good insurance policy.

If you're shooting enough to wear down the feed lip on a Saiga magazine, you can well afford to buy another one. They're made from military grade composite.

 

[SSN Vet]

well for starters, it depends on what caliber Saiga you're talking about, as you options will vary.

For 7.62x39, click on the following link, read your three options and make the decision that works best for you.

http://www.dinzagarms.com/downloads/x39_mag_options.pdf

I personally don't care whether I can use anybody elses mag. in my rifle. I'm not joining any militias and I have one Saiga.

Also, I didn't want to ditch my 10 round factory mag, as it is quite handy off the bench or prone, or should I get the strange itch to take it afield.

So I modified the lock tabs on my mil. surp mags and did not change the notch in the rifles mag. lock.

If I had any interest in running multiple AK's, I'd modify the notch on the rifle mag. lock and keep the lock tabs on the mag unaltered.

You can carefully remove some material from the factory magazine lip so that it just fits with the bullet guide, but still has enough lip on it to feed in Saigas w/o a bullet guide installed.

that's what I did.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

I currently only have two mags for it so no big loss on just two. I didnt receive a 10 round mag it cam with a 30 might have been nice to have a 10! It is a 762x39 sorry should have put that on the original post. Well it looks like I will have to do more reading! I am in the beginnings of building my first AK so it got me thinking if I am gonna have AK standard high cap mags around I would like to be able to throw them in the Saiga just in case!

 

[FMJMIKE]

I have converted over 8 Saigas to pistol grip configuration and so they can use high capacity mags. If you are handy with a Dremel tool then converting one will be no problem. Just go slow..remove a little metal at a time. The great thing about converting a Saiga is the value of the rifle will increase a lot. Good Luck!!!

 

[kuntreeboy80]

"I have converted over 8 Saigas to pistol grip configuration and so they can use high capacity mags. If you are handy with a Dremel tool then converting one will be no problem. Just go slow..remove a little metal at a time. The great thing about converting a Saiga is the value of the rifle will increase a lot. Good Luck!!!"

FMJMIKE
The Saiga I have came with a pistol grip from the Gunshop I bought it at. What all has to be moded to make these fit?

 

[WardenWolf]

A pistol grip or a skeleton stock? There is a skeleton stock available for Saigas that has a grip.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

It has a pistol grip with a stand alone stock. I bought a tapco kit with a pistol grip and a collapsible buttstock I couldn't get the pistol grip to fit on it left the one it came with it is very skinny looks like a black plastic version of the original wood ones

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Here is a pic of it. Never mind the items above it! Thats bone stock from the gun store there is now a Tapco stock Collapsible stock on it that Im not real fond of!

 

[MD_Willington]

whats it look like right before the chamber?

little welded bump?

 

[kuntreeboy80]

"whats it look like right before the chamber?

little welded bump?"

MD
Not sure from which side you mean? Bottom, inside, outside? I can take different pics if needed.

 

[FMJMIKE]

This is a photo of the bullet guide I installed in my .223 caliber Saiga so it will use high capacity mags. On a 7.62 X 39 Saiga you will have to install a bullet guide and file down the mag catch a little so high capacity mags will lock in the receiver. I am not sure what has been done to yours though.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Horrible pics my cams dead and my girlfriends sucks! But here they are yes there is what looks like a glob of weld there and has been painted over. So I take it I have to file that out and install a feed ramp? Do the Saiga factory mags still work after I install it?

 

[ByAnyMeans]

It appears that your Saiga has already been converted and it's a normal AK magazine that came with the gun.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Right now all I have is the Saiga mags I will go purchase some AK mags, I'm building an AK anyways, and see if they will fit! More tomorrow

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Anyone have a picture of a non converted Saiga chamber area so I could match it up with the way mine looks?

 

[FMJMIKE]

This is a photo of an unconverted Saiga .223 rifle. The 7.62 Saiga has a curve to the area under the chamber.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

No mine definitely doesn't look like that! It has a rounded area looks similar to the feed ramp. Other than that what other mods have to be made to fit the AK mags? I tried to make it to the gun shop today but of course by the time I made it they were closed!

 

[chris in va]

You'll have to gently file/dremel down the mag catch on the rifle to use AK mags. It might already have been done if you have the conversion.

 

[TimboKhan]

My Saiga in 7.62x39 is converted. It didn't necessarily need to be given my experiences with other Saigas, but it was converted when I bought it.

I like it. AK mags are cheap and plentiful, and I have had zero problems with reliability with them. Again, it's not necessarily a "must-have" mod, but given the ability to use both mags (and my rifle will still accept Saiga mags with no problems), why not do it?

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Well I slapped some metal mags in and they work just as well as the plastic ones? I guess some Saiga's come already moded? Well I havent been able to fire it with the mags yet, probably wont be able to for a while, but they connect in with no problems. Thanks for your help all.

 

[kuntreeboy80]

Well let me change it a little here most metal mags are working in the Saiga some are not! But oh well I guess I'll just have some mags for the AK I'm building as soon as I get the receiver in!!!

 

[klover]

might read up on 922r issues

silly part counts might matter to keep it compliant

 

[ByAnyMeans]

"But oh well I guess I'll just have some mags for the AK I'm building as soon as I get the receiver in!!!"


Sounds good to me, there's always a reason to need a new gun.