Finished my Saiga conversion (sorta)!!

[spartand003]

I'm finally done with my basic Saiga conversion, so I figured I share it with you guys. I went with cheap Tapco furniture (for now, I plan on getting some surplus wood once I convert it fully). It's all nice and pretty, aside from some missing paint . I plan on doing a bullet guide next, and then eventually a new upper and lower handguard. Sorry for the quality, but here are a couple pics:

 

[bri]

Nice work, welcome to the addiction!

 

[mshootnit]

how much harder is it to do one of these than 308? I've done the 308

 

[spartand003]

Oops. I answered the opposite of your question. I don't know about the .308, but this was simple with the proper tools i.e. a drill press, files, vises, drift and center punches, and a hacksaw.

 

[mshootnit]

there's nothing wrong with that Tapco furniture by the way. Every bit as serviceable as KVAR stuff or milsurp.

 

[ChileRelleno]

In soviet Russia, Saiga AK convert you!

 

[Roan]

Very nicely done. I used that stock for a while on my Saiga 12. When you replace all the furniture, you might want to consider getting custom wood from Ironwood Designs. It takes a bit of time and it's more expensive than surplus wood, but it looks very nice.

 

[spartand003]

I'll keep that in mind, Roan. Thanks for the advice.

 

[PreMod70]

Ok, I know I am a geezer, new to computers and such but what is a Saiga 12 conversion, I honestly do not know what this thread is about.

 

[Rob G]

PreMod70 Ok, I know I am a geezer, new to computers and such but what is a Saiga 12 conversion, I honestly do not know what this thread is about.

Saigas are AKs imported in to this country in sporting configuration. So it has a straight rifle stock with no pistol grip. The trigger group is farther to the rear. And they don't really like standard AK mags. Plus under 922r you can't put hi-cap mags in it because it has too many foreign parts. So the Saiga conversion is essentially putting it back it's original AK form and replacing some of the parts with US made ones so that you can legally put hi cap mags in it.

A basic conversion like spartand003 did here involves moving the trigger group forward, adding a new military style buttstock, adding a pistol grip, and I think you have to add a bullet guide as well, although I've heard of guys not adding them and getting by.

A full conversion is all that plus replacing the front handguard, threading the barrel for muzzle break, and I think the gas tube has to be replaced as well. After a full conversion it basically looks like a Russian military AK minus the fun switch.

 

[PreMod70]

Thanks for a very good explanation.

 

[barnetmill]

there's nothing wrong with that Tapco furniture by the way. Every bit as serviceable as KVAR stuff or milsurp.

Stay away from the plastic tapco folder. It does not holdup.

 

[Rshooter]

Nice job on that one.

 

[spartand003]

Yeah, I thought about the folder for about 30 seconds when I realized it was a stupid design. You can make that kind of stuff out of plastic....

 

[Roan]

The Tapco stock used here (I used the same one) is made pretty sturdy and held up just fine to 12 Gauge recoil. I did replace it, but not because of any failure on the stock but because I wanted a longer stock.

I acquired the NATO length KVAR stock. It's longer, which is more comfortable to me, and it looks sharp.