Saiga conversion

[Jimbo]

I'm looking at picking up a standard sporter Saiga in 7.62x39 with a 16" barrel and was wondering if anyone knew a good place that does the conversions on these. I would like to add my AK74 style brake as well as my stock and some other parts I already have. Thanks for any info ahead of time.

[GrayStangGT]

This is where I got the conversion for my siaga 12

https://www.carolinashooterssupply.com/

[CJ]

It's really easy jimbo, I've done several. Do it yourself, seriously.

[petyweestraw]

I keep reading "converted " when saigaw12s come up. Can someone explain what that is?

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[CJ]

I keep reading "converted " when saigaw12s come up. Can someone explain what that is?

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Imported rifles cannot come into the country in evil assault rifle form. Izhmash converts their AK-47's to "sporter" rifles by moving the trigger further back and added a traditional gun stock, they also remove the evil front handguard and gas tube, and remove the feed ramp for standard AK mags. When you convert them you remove all that shit, add a pistol grip/stock/front handguard and turn it back into an AK like it should be.

Here is a saiga .223 AK I converted.

starts like this:


converted:

[kingjason]

I keep reading "converted " when saigaw12s come up. Can someone explain what that is?

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http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/40886-step-by-step-conversion-with-pics/

[petyweestraw]

Huh well now I know. If I ever get the extra cash I can finally get one lol. I think that and the AR style shotguns are cool.

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[Jimbo]

It's really easy jimbo, I've done several. Do it yourself, seriously.

That's what I've heard and from what I've seen it doesn't look like much more than drilling rivets for the FCG. But, I've chosen to be lazy about this one and have it done.

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[Semper299]

The other advantage to doing it yourself is you really learn the platform. Being an AR guy, doing my own 7.62 conversion forced me to learn all about the AK platform. Just bought another one from Atlantic and am getting my parts together to convert it.

[bulldog896]

Conversions are really simple

I usually cut and weld the trigger guard back to the appropriate position just because finding good trigger guards at a decent price has become difficult

Past that it comes down to how nice and original of an AK you want

You can get forearm retaining blocks that bolt on, run the original forearm that came with it, or pull the front sight and gas block and install a proper retainer.

rivet in or weld in a feed ramp and cut back the mag catch.

weld up or plug the holes left from the original trigger pins and your done

[CJ]

I don't think you can really know an AK until you've built one from scratch. Even then you only know one design, there's about 10 in total. There is more to know about an AK than an AR for sure, much more in depth and quite a bit more skill to build. However, they are much more forgiving in tolerances and overall more enjoyable to build in my opinion.

You don't have to weld up the trigger guard, you can just move it forward and rivet/screw it in place inside the mag release housing. Both approaches work. I did mine this way just to get them done, but I will be going back soon to weld up the holes and trigger guard.

[Nash B.]

How many special tools does it require to build one from a receiver and parts kit? And how much are you going to spend on the tools?

[CJ]

How many special tools does it require to build one from a receiver and parts kit? And how much are you going to spend on the tools?

Well, if we're talking about the topic here, there is no special tools required to convert a saiga. The most demanding part of the conversion is drilling/tapping a hole for the feed ramp (which, you don't have to do if you're okay with using special mags).

For your question, to completely build one out from a parts kit the professional tools are going to be quite a bit, around $1,000 for everything. However, people have done it for as cheap as $100 (modifying harbor freight bolt cutters to smash rivets for example). It all depends on how much talent you have, really.

[bulldog896]

If you watch the boards there have been a bunch of people selling their build tools since AK kits are drying up

If you hold out for a plinker type jig it will set both front and rear trunion rivets this is what I use along with a harbor freight press You can also set scope rail rivets though it is tight

You will need a trigger guard rivet jig there are a bunch out there I recommend the one that is solid steel with milled out spots for the rivet heads

final tool needed is a barrel press both in and out and a fixture to hold the receiver to install the barrel pin. A pin press set is helpful but a punch can be used if careful.

I saw a full set of the above sell recently on ar15 for $250 minus the press If you bought them new you'd spend over a grand

CJ is right there are a bunch of variants or you can throw parts together and call it a khyber pass rifle. I wish I'd squirreled away more kits back when they were stupid cheap. Now a simple romy G kit brings $450-500 might as well buy a wasr 10 and be done with it

[Jimbo]

I went ahead and bought the thing. I think I'll pick up the kit from Carolina shooters and maybe a new hand guard. So, one you guys with the experience, tools and time needs to offer to do the conversion for me when it comes in, lol.