Saiga: Should I stop here?

[Grim Peeper]

This is my saiga rifle Ive done the mag conversion and I think Im satisfied. I actually like the the bolt hold open and the trigger. I guess my question is what makes the full conversion really worth it. IS it just having the trigger group farther forward Who really care about that? Cant I just get the gas tube which will give me enough complaint parts and be done with it. Whats your opinion?



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[TheDriver]

Do the full conversion. The trigger pull just gets tons better. Plus, LOP and ergos are better (relatively). You can keep the BHO lever.

Plus, it's pretty fun. Check the saiga-12 forum for tons of info if you haven't already.

 

[sv51macross]

It's not hard to do the full conversion. I have to say yay just on trigger pull, the Tapco G2 is a great trigger, and gets you 3 compliance parts. I've heard that another main reason to do the full conversion is that moving the grip forward the few inches much improves the gun's balance.

 

[mr.trooper]

The first and only thing I would bother doing to a Saiga is converting the pistol grip and stock to standard configuration.

IMO you haven't even started.

 

[Grim Peeper]

"The first and only thing I would bother doing to a Saiga is converting the pistol grip and stock to standard configuration."

I probally will eventually but why is moving the trigger group so essential to everyone. I would think that the mag conversion would be much more important in terms of convenience in using real surplus steel mags.

I understand that the balance will feel better and the G2 trigger is a little better but wow that is a ton of work for a 2 inch difference lol

 

[cbrgator]

Pardon my ignorance, is that the stock/pistol grip combo where it is all one piece?

 

[Grim Peeper]

Yes, it is the tapco T6 stock made specifically for a unconverted saiga.

 

[cbrgator]

I've been considering it for my Saiga 12. Does it feel sturdy and durable?

 

[Grim Peeper]

Yes it is extremely solid and no wobble at all. In fact I like it so much I really would like to keep it. I also really want to convert it as well but I have so little time and I just want to make sure its worth my time.

 

[cbrgator]

I like the sound of that. What else did you replace to make it 922r compliant?

 

[Grim Peeper]

Well I have some USA tapco mags that arent as good and the euro mags pictured but I keep them around because i think they count as 3 parts also im concidering a gas tube and hand guards that count as compliant part as well. But if you have a saiga 12 gauge I would order a tapco stock first and they sell them everywhere online and there great!!!

 

[Onward Allusion]

Using Tapco mags & buttstock makes it 100% compliant.

 

[cbrgator]

Using Tapco mags & buttstock makes it 100% compliant.

According to the parts counters I have found, a US mag and a buttstock/pistol grip replacement leave me 1 foreign part too many.

 

[Grim Peeper]

Get on the dinzag arms website im sure they will have a part for your shotgun that will look great and make the rifle function better as well as make it more 9 22r safe.

 

[tkopp]

Tapco mags are good to go in a Saiga (some WASR-10s may have issues depending on how far they were opened), but with combloc mags being cheap, plentiful, and well-built it's worth getting the other parts to be able to use them.

 

[Grim Peeper]

I dont care for the tapco mags but if I use the tapco stock and gas tube and hand guards I shouldnt need to move the trigger group to be legal that being said I may move it anyway when i get the time. But i guess my original question was if it really makes that big of a difference. Im learning that the main advantage is being able to install a better trigger system. But is it really that much better seeing i already have a PG stock magizine conversion completed and the other nessesary 922r parts? Note that the gas tube and hand guards are still on their way.

 

[aka108]

I left my Saiga alone. Shoots decent as it came.

 

[03Shadowbob]

My S308 is not converted either and it seems fine for me. Balances fine, ergos are fine, etc however I may do the conversion one day. Mine had a trigger job completed to include the G2 as well as some hammer, disconnector, bolt hold open, anti walk work done.

 

[JustinJ]

Another vote for moving the trigger forward. Ergonomics are far better which is why it was put there in the first place. The farther out you have to hold the foreguard to support the gun the quicker your muscles will become tired. Simple fact of leverage. Handle any ak platform with the grip and trigger in the right place and i'm sure you'll see why.

 

[M1key]

I am converting mine after several years of putting it off.

SC

 

[Onward Allusion]

cbrgator
Quote: Using Tapco mags & buttstock makes it 100% compliant.
According to the parts counters I have found, a US mag and a buttstock/pistol grip replacement leave me 1 foreign part too many.

???

A standard Saiga 7.62x39 has 14 evil imported parts. Replacing the mag is 3 parts. The buttstock is another. Brings it down to 10...

AH - just saw that you have a Saiga 12... Yeah, 1 more part needed for you...

 

[M1key]

Yep, he's legal with Tapco buttstock, pistol grip, and USA mags.

M

 

[Grim Peeper]

Im most likely going to get another saiga chambered in 7.62 and convert it. I think Im gonna keep this one the way it is and make the new one a side folder. If it goes well Ill convert my first one but in a different way. Has anyone else converted multiple saigas in different ways? If so pease post the pics to help give me ideas.

 

[M1key]

Just finished a 308 and 223. The 308 was a little more involved than the 223 but still relatively simple. Now I am eyeing my x39.

I don't have pix, but if you want info and pix and videos and links...go to the best source: http://forum.saiga-12.com/


M

 

[Evergreen]

Don't forget to shoot the thing . So many people deck out their Saigas, but then feel to scared to shoot them because of all the $$$$ they put into the thing. I admit, there is a place in heaven for such pretty guns, but I can hit my targets with the crappy Russki irons at 200 yards with my converted Saiga 308 and I am happy. Basically, I'd rather take all the extra money I'd put into beefing up a Saiga and purchase a nicer quality gas-piston AR-platform type of gun, like a LMT MRP 308.. What's the point of spending gazillions on a gun that will never be any more accurate and still has the same cheap AK parts as its base.

The only exception is the Saiga 12, which is in a league of its own, being a "battle" shotgun.