Finally finished my Saiga 7.62 conversion...

[BrandonTN]

After contemplating even modifying my Saiga, I finally took the plunge. Parts include:

-Ace Skeleton stock w/ internal receiver block

-Tapco Saw pistol grip

-Tapco G2 trigger group

-Shepard's crook

-Hungarian 20 rd. mags & a 30 rd. I picked up at the show today

-Dinzag bullet guide (still waiting to this)

-Stock Saiga hand guard (I don't want to change this out quite yet)

I know a lot of people use the Saiga specific polymer mags or actually modify their feed lips on normal AK mags, but I opted to just grind down the mag release a bit so I can use any standard issue AK mag. Anyways, on to the pics. I still need to ditch the Chinese sling and find a mustard yellow Russian one. I have a BP02 mount, but I'm still searching for the perfect scope to put on it.

[mousegunner]

Standard AK mags are no doubt the right choice. Nice looking AK! Congrats on your nice work. Now you have a genuine Ruskie AK!

Mine is a MAK90, which I like very much.

[Guest bkelm18]

Very nice. I enjoy mine as well. If you can find the sweet spot on filing down the mag catch, it'll accept both Saiga and standard AK mags. Eventually I'm going to add a folding stock and maybe some optics to mine.

[BrandonTN]

Very nice. I enjoy mine as well. If you can find the sweet spot on filing down the mag catch, it'll accept both Saiga and standard AK mags. Eventually I'm going to add a folding stock and maybe some optics to mine.

I think that I definitely missed that sweet spot...I ground down enough so the release barely closed and I had to force it open, so I took another hair off and that seemed like almost too much. There is a very tiny bit of slop, but I think I'm just being anal...I can't wait for the bullet guide to come in so I can hit the range! I might take it out tomorrow and try it w/ the Saiga mag...there is more slop w/ it now, but it should still feed.

[Guest racr28]

Very nice AK. Looks good in black.

[Guest bkelm18]

I think that I definitely missed that sweet spot...I ground down enough so the release barely closed and I had to force it open, so I took another hair off and that seemed like almost too much. There is a very tiny bit of slop, but I think I'm just being anal...I can't wait for the bullet guide to come in so I can hit the range! I might take it out tomorrow and try it w/ the Saiga mag...there is more slop w/ it now, but it should still feed.

Well when I built mine, I wasn't really going for the sweet spot either, it just happened. I just shaved off minute amounts from the catch until it fit a standard mag and afterwards discovered it would still take the Saiga mag as well.

[BrandonTN]

Well when I built mine, I wasn't really going for the sweet spot either, it just happened. I just shaved off minute amounts from the catch until it fit a standard mag and afterwards discovered it would still take the Saiga mag as well.

Actually, I just inserted a loaded factory Saiga mag and it still fit pretty snug in there. Looks I should be able to use any mag now, including the stockers.

[Guest bkelm18]

Actually, I just inserted a loaded factory Saiga mag and it still fit pretty snug in there. Looks I should be able to use any mag now, including the stockers.

Cool. Is that Ace stock the sidefolder or just the regular? Looks like you had to cut off the tang for it.

[Guest canynracer]

Nice looking....I am thinking I want to go this route, but I want it to accept AK mags...I have heard it takes a bunch of stuff to "convert" it....when it is all said and done, how much do you end up spending?

[BrandonTN]

Cool. Is that Ace stock the sidefolder or just the regular? Looks like you had to cut off the tang for it.

It's just the regular non-folder and yes, I cut off the tang. It definitely has a shorter length of pull when compared to the stock configuration. The Ace stock is an 8.5" w/ 1" pad.

[BrandonTN]

Nice looking....I am thinking I want to go this route, but I want it to accept AK mags...I have heard it takes a bunch of stuff to "convert" it....when it is all said and done, how much do you end up spending?

Rifle - $280 (I saw a few at the show this weekend, but they started at $375)

Ace stock and internal block - $105

Trigger group, shepard's crook and saw grip - $50

Pistol grip nut - $5

When all is said and done, about $440 for a rifle out of the Izhmash factory + the cost of mags. You could obviously save a few bucks if you went with the Tapco plastic stock instead of the Ace. I've found that Brownells has fantastic prices if you register on their site. I did that and now all my prices are 15-30% off list for some reason...

Oh yea, http://forum.saiga-12.com/ is a great resource for these guns and conversions.

Edited June 1, 2008 by BrandonTN

[Guest c_o_jones]

Nice.

[Guest bkelm18]

Nice looking....I am thinking I want to go this route, but I want it to accept AK mags...I have heard it takes a bunch of stuff to "convert" it....when it is all said and done, how much do you end up spending?

Here's a good guide for the conversion: http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/index.htm. Its actually quite easy. Took me about 3 hours.

[Auburn]

Rifle - $280 (I saw a few at the show this weekend, but they started at $375)

Ace stock and internal block - $105

Trigger group, shepard's crook and saw grip - $50

Pistol grip nut - $5

When all is said and done, about $440 for a rifle out of the Izhmash factory + the cost of mags. You could obviously save a few bucks if you went with the Tapco plastic stock instead of the Ace. I've found that Brownells has fantastic prices if you register on their site. I did that and now all my prices are 15-30% off list for some reason...

Oh yea, http://forum.saiga-12.com/ is a great resource for these guns and conversions.

Did you not have to put a feed ramp in yours for the AK mags? I I did mine about a year ago and used the $20 kit that you buy from the Saiga forum. Works great.

[BrandonTN]

Did you not have to put a feed ramp in yours for the AK mags? I I did mine about a year ago and used the $20 kit that you buy from the Saiga forum. Works great.

Yea, I ordered the ramp from Dinzag and I'm waiting for it to come in...I think I mentioned that in the first post, but forgot to include it in the price. It was $25 or so. If you use Master Molder or Surefire mags, you will not need this, but I like the ability to use all AK mags.

[Guest canynracer]

I am new to all of this, so please dont think I am flaming...

When it is all said and done you are in the 450-500 range...cant I just buy an AK for that?

I am just trying to figure out what is best, there is obviously an advantage to the saiga compared to an AK from like Century or whatever...I just dont know what it is.. I obviously want the best I can get for the price range. Reliability, and accuracy

[BrandonTN]

I am new to all of this, so please dont think I am flaming...

When it is all said and done you are in the 450-500 range...cant I just buy an AK for that?

I am just trying to figure out what is best, there is obviously an advantage to the saiga compared to an AK from like Century or whatever...I just dont know what it is.. I obviously want the best I can get for the price range. Reliability, and accuracy

Yea, you could get a Romanian WASR for that, but I liked the fact that the Saigas come out of the Izhmash factory...and you aren't going to touch a solidly built Russian for under $500 unless you convert a Saiga. Plus, I like tinkering with things and this was a fun little project. FWIW, the show in Chattanooga had a couple WASRs starting at $400 and going up and most that I picked up had canted sights and the build quality didn't look too great. It all really depends on what you want out of your AK. I hope that helps at least a little bit...I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but after comparing Saigas and WASRs side by side, the build quality is evident.

Check out http://www.theakforum.net for all your questions...I never realized how many AK variations there were until I visited those forums.

[Guest canynracer]

Thanks Brandon!!!! That does help A LOT!!!!

I am thinking I will be going Saiga, what you said makes sense about being Russian....but I want a 223....Looks like the Rabbi will be getting some of the Stimulus check...if he has 223 around when I get the dang thing June 20th or so...

[Guest bkelm18]

Yep, Saigas are definitely the best deal going for AK's right now.

[BrandonTN]

Well the bullet guide from Dinzag finally arrived today. I got that installed tonight and everything appears to feed flawlessly. The G2 trigger group still feels a bit tight as the bolt slides over, but I have heard that breaks in eventually. Now I'm ready to hit up the range w/ the higher capacity mags. I've already put about 100 rounds down range from the 10 round mags.

[Smith]

Very nice. I went the folding stock route and normal hand guards, but I really like the Saiga ones. You can also vent them which looks really good. also check on the saiga-12 forum and there was a guy who would send a barrel threader for no cost.

Here's my 7.62x39 and 12g

Edited June 17, 2008 by Smith

[Magiccarpetrides]

So far I have gone the lazy route with mine. on the 7.62x39: Skeletal Stock, Receiver mount Scope Rail, Galil Handguard, and 2 Surefire 30rd Mags with bolt hold open....probably use my Eotech 552 on this one. on the .308 (22"): Skeletal Stock, Saiga Handguard, Harris Bipod, 3 25rd Surefire Mags, Heavy Duty Scope Mount and .308 Calibrated 3x Acog

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

So far I have gone the lazy route with mine. on the 7.62x39: Skeletal Stock, Receiver mount Scope Rail, Galil Handguard, and 2 Surefire 30rd Mags with bolt hold open....probably use my Eotech 552 on this one. on the .308 (22"): Skeletal Stock, Saiga Handguard, Harris Bipod, 3 25rd Surefire Mags, Heavy Duty Scope Mount and .308 Calibrated 3x Acog

Have you posted pictures of those bad boys before? In not....

PICS!

[Magiccarpetrides]

i knew that was gonna happen ....alright so I cheated a bit...the galil handguard hasnt arrived yet...when it does and I get off my duff I will post some up.

[Guest Schmootika]

Sweet! I was thinking about converting my Saiga but I got a sweet stock on it and am now looking for a scope. Here's my baby...

I intend on getting the feed ramp installed so I can use any AK mags. The mags in the pic aren't mine but I think she looks better with them. I think I'll leave her as is for right now although she sights like crap. I can hit a target at 100 yards but not dead center. I think I'd be dead on with a good scope. Any ideas guys?