Saiga Magazine Problem

[BSA1]

I have a essentially new Saiga Sporter Carbine in .223. I think I have only fired 40 rounds through it. I have three 10 round factory magazines.

My problem is I cannot get any of the magazines to seat fully in the gun when they are fully loaded with 10 rounds. They will not latch in place. If I download the magazines by one round I have no problem with fully seating the magazines in the gun.

Is it typical to have to download the magazines for AK rifles one or two rounds?

 

[M1key]

They are plastic. File a little bit off the bottom of the rear lug of the magazine.

M

 

[GRIZ22]

M1key, wouldn't filing down the rear locking lug on the magazine cause it to sit low and the bolt wouldn't be able to strip the round out of the magazine?

 

[WardenWolf]

M1key is correct. You don't want to do that. My advice is to get a Surefire / SGM Tactical magazine. You won't have any problems with those. Alternatively you can install a bullet guide (easy to do using hand tools) and use the cheap Tapco Galil magazines.

 

[M1key]

M1key, wouldn't filing down the rear locking lug on the magazine cause it to sit low and the bolt wouldn't be able to strip the round out of the magazine?

No. File just enough material off the bottom edge so they lock up snug.

M

 

[BSA1]

Ihank you for the replies.

I didn't realize it when I made my first post that I have two different brands of magazines.

Upon rechecking them I found that the 10 round magazine that came with the gun inserts just fine when fully loaded with 10 rounds.

The others are made by SGM Tactical and will not fully seat unless downloaded by a round. Upon close inspection the rear locking lug on both of them are poorly made. They both have the mold line showing and the top of the lug is angled upward instead of being level. One also has a burr on the lug.

I am going to follow MIkey suggestion. I am going to trim off the excess material from the mold line and level the top of lug. If that doesn't let it fully seat then I will attack the bottom of lug using the magazine that came with the gun.

I will report back on the results.

 

[BSA1]

The results are...

I give up. I spent a lot of time carefully trimming and filing the locking lug on the back of magazine and it makes no difference. 10 rounds no go / 9 rounds good to go.

With 10 rounds the magazine lacks between 1/16 and 1/8" of fully seating. It is a enough of a gap to see daylight on the other side.

This two magazines will be for range use. What are good AK mags 10 -30 rounds?

 

[.375]

check http://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/category_s/1841.htm

 

[WardenWolf]

Sounds like your Saiga may be a "vodka special". Sorry to hear.

 

[M1key]

You can try taking them apart and trimming the underside of the follower so it goes down further. I made my 8 round 308 factory mags into tens.

M

 

[Deus Machina]

I had a magazine or two for my x39 model that would do that when fully loaded. After inspection, it turned out that the follower was a little long and pressing against the bunched spring/floorplate when pushed that little extra.
Disassembled, removed around 1/16" off the follower's legs, problem solved.
YMMV.

 

[BSA1]

Sorry for the slow response. I just saw your replies. I'll trim the leg of the followers down and give it a try.

Sounds like your Saiga may be a "vodka special". Sorry to hear.

Actually the magazines are a "Jack Daniels Special" since they are made in the USA and the Russian magazine that came with the gun works fine.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Just for S&G, have you checked to see if the magazines lock in on an open bolt? Your sporter should have a bolt hold open that can be activated by pressing up on it with the trigger finger while pulling the bolt to the rear with the support hand. If the magazine can be locked in with the bolt open, and the bolt can travel over the feed lips, the locking lug isn't the problem.

 

[rbernie]

Exactly - any magazine issues with the locking lug would be evident whether the bolt was open or closed and whether the magazine was loaded or not. If this only happens when loaded and the bolt is closed, it's a follower issue.

 

[BSA1]

Nope on open or closed bolt.

Both lock into place when loaded with 9 rounds.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

The magazine won't lock in place on a open bolt if it's loaded to capacity, but will lock in place if downloaded one round?

That's a bad magazine. The only possible explanation for that is that the mag body or feed lips are deforming under pressure.

 

[marsofold]

Did the adapter mod on mine so it now can use AR15 mags.

 

[BSA1]

Good Morning Guys,

Don't you have it when someone asks a question but never answers if they fixed the problem?

I tried the advice of trimming 1/8" of plastic off the bottom legs of the follower. The plastic was easily cut with a razor knife. That fixed the problem and both now will fully seat when loaded with 10 rounds.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[WardenWolf]

Did the adapter mod on mine so it now can use AR15 mags.

Let us know when your trunion cracks. Sorry, but I heard too many horror stories about doing that. The only AK design that can be easily adapted to take AR mags is the Galil, where there's a drop-in adapter for around $100.

 

[Girodin]

The AR mag adapter is such a big step backwards for a 5.56 AK IMHO. Given the price of ARs and AKs these days it seems even sillier spending time and money trying to turn an AK into an AR. I'm not opposed to modernizing AKs but not a da of the mag adapters for a number of reasons.

I went with a bullet guide and circle ten mags on my 5.56 AK.