saiga?
- Thread starter jonfish
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nalioth
Member
Yes.
If you have simple hand tools and can follow simple directions, it's easier than falling off a log.
If you have simple hand tools and can follow simple directions, it's easier than falling off a log.
nalioth
Member
New? They've been being imported for at least 12 years.
"Most gun stores"? I couldn't answer that (depends on what you're calling a 'gun store')
"Most gun stores"? I couldn't answer that (depends on what you're calling a 'gun store')
Dyson
Member
Go to this Website they have detailed instructions that are pretty straight forward www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/. If that doesn't work just look up Saiga .223 Conversion on google.
I would recommend the Saiga since I have one in .223. A while back I bought a WASR-10 for $400, Big mistake it's crap and it shoots like crap. I believe I heard a quote one time, "An AK-47 could hit the broad side of a barn from the inside". That pretty much sum's the WASR-10 up. I later found out about the Saiga line of rifles and purchased mine new for $360 from Mid-America Arms in St.Louis when I lived there and it shoots beautifully for an AK with a 16" barrel, Decent accuracy at 100yds with iron sights. Anyway thats a little overload but buy the Saiga and do the conversion, I would not recommend a WASR. The alternative is buying something like an Arsenal AK but that's anywhere from $900 to well over $1000 dollars. Hope this Helped. Sorry for the Rant.
nalioth
Member
Please don't.Dyson said:
That write up was done over 11 years ago by a machinist with a full machine shop, and is his opinion of how to convert a Saiga.
The actual process is far simpler and doesn't require any special tools.
The Cross-Conn site is also sadly outdated in the laws it quotes.
Do yourself a favor and look up all the conversion videos on youtube.
Dyson
Member
Do you mind hyper-linking them? You've got my attention.
nalioth
Member
Steve in Allentown
Member
At the risk of being accused of being a traitor to THR, anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Saiga conversions can be found over at the Saiga forum:
http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?act=idx
I have done a number of conversions using the combined experience contained on that forum. The conversions are conceptually simple and require nothing more than basic hand tools although I did break down and buy a couple of carbide drill bits from Brownells that cut through rivets like a hot knife through butter.
The .308 conversion is the simplest followed by the 7.62x39 and shotguns.
http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?act=idx
I have done a number of conversions using the combined experience contained on that forum. The conversions are conceptually simple and require nothing more than basic hand tools although I did break down and buy a couple of carbide drill bits from Brownells that cut through rivets like a hot knife through butter.
The .308 conversion is the simplest followed by the 7.62x39 and shotguns.
wally
Member
Before you buy, remove the top cover and make sure the pistol grip square hole is cut out, then its easy. If its not, locating the place to cut it will be your biggest issue.
--wally.
--wally.
Try it out first
The conversion is not bad at all and you get the best AK around. But see how you like the sporter version first. Two factors made me convert. First, the factory trigger is not good. Also, the entire fire control grip is too far back. When you move it to where it belongs and add a pistol grip, the machine handles very, very nicely.
You may not care about the above. If you don't, I'm not so sure the conversion is worthwhile.
The videos are the Saiga Forum are your friend if you do convert. The process is not hard, but, unlike some guns projects, it's not something you can just figure out intuitively.
The conversion is not bad at all and you get the best AK around. But see how you like the sporter version first. Two factors made me convert. First, the factory trigger is not good. Also, the entire fire control grip is too far back. When you move it to where it belongs and add a pistol grip, the machine handles very, very nicely.
You may not care about the above. If you don't, I'm not so sure the conversion is worthwhile.
The videos are the Saiga Forum are your friend if you do convert. The process is not hard, but, unlike some guns projects, it's not something you can just figure out intuitively.
SSN Vet
Member
for years now, Saiga's have been inported with the normal AK FCG cutout and PG nut cutouts in the receiver under the plate that they rivot on for the sporter config.
This makes the conversion MUCH easier and cuts out several of the more difficult steps of the cross con procedure....
K-VAR bundles the conversion parts now and that saves $$
If you are tall.... consider a NATO length stock.... which will give you ~ 12-1/2" LOP.
Make sure you get the single hook G2 trigger components, as that's what the receiver is cut for.
if you can drill a couple rivots and a spot weld..... you can convert a Saiga...
Putting a bullet guide in the receiver (so you can save a few bucks on mil. surp mags) is the hardest part as you have to drill and tap a hole. But this isn't necessary any more, as there are several folks selling made in the US mags at reasonable prices that do not require a bullet guide.
It's a relatively easy project and it will increase your understanding of how the mechanism works ten fold, as well as giving you some pride and satisfaction.
In my opinion, the Saiga forestock is an improvement over the traditional AK fore stock, so changing that out is totally unnecessary.
Whatever you do..... get a 16" barrel.... as it is better ballanced, handier and gives up very little muzzle velocity.
Do your homework.... make sure YOU understand thoroughly the legal requirements for converting the import rifle back to it's "evil" military config. ... shop your parts... check out K-VAR and Dinzag's sites....
and have fun.
This makes the conversion MUCH easier and cuts out several of the more difficult steps of the cross con procedure....
K-VAR bundles the conversion parts now and that saves $$
If you are tall.... consider a NATO length stock.... which will give you ~ 12-1/2" LOP.
Make sure you get the single hook G2 trigger components, as that's what the receiver is cut for.
if you can drill a couple rivots and a spot weld..... you can convert a Saiga...
Putting a bullet guide in the receiver (so you can save a few bucks on mil. surp mags) is the hardest part as you have to drill and tap a hole. But this isn't necessary any more, as there are several folks selling made in the US mags at reasonable prices that do not require a bullet guide.
It's a relatively easy project and it will increase your understanding of how the mechanism works ten fold, as well as giving you some pride and satisfaction.
In my opinion, the Saiga forestock is an improvement over the traditional AK fore stock, so changing that out is totally unnecessary.
Whatever you do..... get a 16" barrel.... as it is better ballanced, handier and gives up very little muzzle velocity.
Do your homework.... make sure YOU understand thoroughly the legal requirements for converting the import rifle back to it's "evil" military config. ... shop your parts... check out K-VAR and Dinzag's sites....
and have fun.
nalioth
Member
ssn vet said:
** Warning **
The above info applies ONLY to the SGL-10 Saiga that was exclusively imported by K-Var/Arsenal, Inc.
It is not a "conversion parts kit" for regular RAAC imported Saigas (as many ignorant folks have been finding out).
Norinco982lover
Member
The conversion is not very hard.
I just finished mine:
I just finished mine:
ThePants
Member
wcoats - the best way IMHO to modify your Saiga to take standard mags is to purchase a bullet guide and install it. This will take a bit of drilling and tapping for the screw, but as long as you take your time and are careful you should be just fine. Then shave a bit off or your magazine catch a little at a time until the new magazine fits securely. This can be done with a file or a dremel. Again, just be careful and don't rush it.
Oh yeah.. before you order a bullet guide be sure to open your rifle up and check to see if you have a flat or round trunnion.
jonfish -
Here is a pretty handy video that I found helpful when I did my conversion. Nice to the point and easy:
http://www.vimeo.com/2787027
I bought everything I needed from Dinzag and Carolina Shooter Supply.
Use this little checklist to make sure you keep her legal:
http://thegunwiki.com/Gunwiki/BuildAkVerifyCompliance
As long as everything else you use in the conversion is US Made you should be able to use import mags, and maybe even an import forearm/handguard.
I still used the cross-conn site because the pictures do come in handy from time to time when you need to check something out a bit closer.
One handy thing I did that none of these videos shows is a trick to getting the BHO spring installed. (Bolt Hold Open)
Take a piece of dental floss, run it through the hole in the spring and through the hole for the back FCG pin, then tie it off into a good knot. You can use this to pull the spring tight until you line up the pin, once everything is lined up, cut the dental floss and push the pin on through.
Oh yeah.. before you order a bullet guide be sure to open your rifle up and check to see if you have a flat or round trunnion.
jonfish -
Here is a pretty handy video that I found helpful when I did my conversion. Nice to the point and easy:
http://www.vimeo.com/2787027
I bought everything I needed from Dinzag and Carolina Shooter Supply.
Use this little checklist to make sure you keep her legal:
http://thegunwiki.com/Gunwiki/BuildAkVerifyCompliance
As long as everything else you use in the conversion is US Made you should be able to use import mags, and maybe even an import forearm/handguard.
I still used the cross-conn site because the pictures do come in handy from time to time when you need to check something out a bit closer.
One handy thing I did that none of these videos shows is a trick to getting the BHO spring installed. (Bolt Hold Open)
Take a piece of dental floss, run it through the hole in the spring and through the hole for the back FCG pin, then tie it off into a good knot. You can use this to pull the spring tight until you line up the pin, once everything is lined up, cut the dental floss and push the pin on through.
nalioth
Member
That's because it's a political appendage.ThePants said:
It's only in the Saigas to add import points.
"Sporting firearms" have bolt hold opens. "Scary evil killing machines" don't.
The vast majority of Saiga rifle converters leave it out and weld up the hole.
ThePants
Member
Ah, well my scary evil killing machine does. I sorta like having it.
They really weld up the hole? That seems a little bit silly to me considering it's not really the most tightly crafted weapon in the first place.
I knew most left it out but I thought it was out of sheer laziness.
If you take your newly restored Saiga Rifle to a range with a functioning BHO it does tend to make some people feel a bit better about things and keep anal retentive range officers from givin' ya too much hassle about the possibility of havin' one in the tube when we're all supposed to be cold.
I avoid those ranges typically, but I'm still one who don't like to make waves.
Thanks for the info though! I always appreciate your wisdom nalioth, but I'll probably keep the ol' BHO in on my next conversion and remain part of the minority.
They really weld up the hole? That seems a little bit silly to me considering it's not really the most tightly crafted weapon in the first place.
I knew most left it out but I thought it was out of sheer laziness.
If you take your newly restored Saiga Rifle to a range with a functioning BHO it does tend to make some people feel a bit better about things and keep anal retentive range officers from givin' ya too much hassle about the possibility of havin' one in the tube when we're all supposed to be cold.
I avoid those ranges typically, but I'm still one who don't like to make waves.
Thanks for the info though! I always appreciate your wisdom nalioth, but I'll probably keep the ol' BHO in on my next conversion and remain part of the minority.
rangerruck
Member
also , the Vimeo video is proly the best.
THE DARK KNIGHT
Member
+1 the vimeo is the best conversion video:
http://vimeo.com/2787027
I've converted 2, it's easy, and fun too.
http://vimeo.com/2787027
I've converted 2, it's easy, and fun too.
SSN Vet
Member
I did NOT like the stock Saiga BHO at all....
I simply did the "dremel a notch in the safety" for a solid manual BHO.
I can smack the rifle down on its but end, and my BHO will hold fast..... where as the stock BHO would usually give way.
and if you shape the back end of the notch with a ramp, all you have to do to releas the BHO is "sling shot" the charging handle.
I simply did the "dremel a notch in the safety" for a solid manual BHO.
I can smack the rifle down on its but end, and my BHO will hold fast..... where as the stock BHO would usually give way.
and if you shape the back end of the notch with a ramp, all you have to do to releas the BHO is "sling shot" the charging handle.
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