4th Saiga Conversion - Just finished!

[Smith]

Don't know if it was because this was my fourth or I just got the perfect Saiga but finished my conversion tonight in under an hour with a 18v hand drill, Dremel, flat blade screwdriver and a couple punches! still need to paint the underside, but that's no big deal.

My first 3 all had something that gave me fits. One the buttstock was darn near impossible to get out. Had to carve around the top tang and screw to get it out. Took near an hour just on that one part. My second one I had to cut the PG nut hole. My first one had to cut the PG nut hole and the trigger hole. aslo cut the rear tang for an ACE adapter. That was torture!

This one was easy as pie. I also got a bonus I had overlooked. It is a dimpled version! YEAH! doesn't have the third X, but I'll survive.

Anyway, anyone considering doing this, now is the time. Prices are back to normal ..... for 2 years ago at $300!

Now if i can only find a Tantal folding stock to put on it!. Found one! Just waiting to get here.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Smith

[Guest no_masters]

awesome. gotta see the pics for sure.

[Guest bkelm18]

Those Saigas are an addiction for sure. It's good to see they have come back down in price a bit.

[iyaoyas98]

I've got all the parts sitting in the garage to convert - just haven't had the willpower to get started. I have to cut the PG hole.........

[Westwindmike]

Smith, maybe you could host a class on converting now that you have more conversions on here than anyone else?

[Guest jimdigriz]

Now if i can only find a Tantal folding stock to put on it!

If you are right-handed and want a better cheekweld, try hunting for a Romanian push button folder instead. This pic makes clear why:

(When folded out, the Romy push button version is offset to the left compared to the others).

[Auburn]

Congrats. I just did my second one. Getting the welded plate off the bottom of teh receiver was kind of a PITA, but everything else was smooth.

[Smith]

Congrats. I just did my second one. Getting the welded plate off the bottom of teh receiver was kind of a PITA, but everything else was smooth.

I've found the easiest way is to Dremel the 3 rivet heads off then use a flat blade screwdriver to pry the plate up. Seem to come off pretty easy that way. Of course I don't try to reuse the trigger guard either. After that comes off i use a 1/8th drill bit and dril down the rivet post and finish them off with a punch.

[Smith]

Added the pics.

[Auburn]

I've found the easiest way is to Dremel the 3 rivet heads off then use a flat blade screwdriver to pry the plate up. Seem to come off pretty easy that way. Of course I don't try to reuse the trigger guard either. After that comes off i use a 1/8th drill bit and dril down the rivet post and finish them off with a punch.

That's pretty-much what I ended up doing. Of course, 2 of the rivets were no problem, but the 3rd one caused some trouble. I did reuse the triggerguard and found that if I bent it out a little, I could force it under the mag release catch..and it stays in place because of the tension. It beats trying to put a screw under the catch to hold it.

[Smith]

That's pretty-much what I ended up doing. Of course, 2 of the rivets were no problem, but the 3rd one caused some trouble. I did reuse the triggerguard and found that if I bent it out a little, I could force it under the mag release catch..and it stays in place because of the tension. It beats trying to put a screw under the catch to hold it.

yeah' if you reuse the tg it ca be a lot harder. The bolt on trigger guards are well worth the $18 they cost. I use the old trigger guard as leverage for breaking off the plate.

Carolinashooterssupply.com has a few different options. A must buy for coversions!

[Magiccarpetrides]

Smith what is the conversion cost minus labor?

[Smith]

I posted a break down on another thread, but a basic DIY conversion will cost $300 for the rifle and 118 for parts. So $418. That's about as low as you can get. If go for the front end you will more than likely need to pay someone about $320 for parts and labor.

Look down at post #7 for more detail.

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/long-guns/36523-things-we-need-know-about-saiga-conversions.html

[Moped]

If I remember correctly, CCA wanted $620 to do a Saiga conversion. That put my butt into gear to do it myself. Magic, it's not hard at all, and I am NOT handy with tools.

[Daniel]

I am going to be pickig up a saiga soon... I need to read up on thsi when I get home so making a post to be able to bookmark it.

[Guest mrl4ng]

Ive got a tantal folder on my saiga 12...

Its pretty nice...I need to get it refinished though. The grey looks ungainly with the rest of the gun.