Personal experiences with Saiga sporting rifle conversion

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Timradcliffe345

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I want to jump onto the Saiga bandwagon. Can someone list all the parts that I will need to swap out with US made parts to be 922R compliant?

Where can I find detailed instructions (with video or pictures) on how to convert a Saiga to accept the standard AK magazines?

Also, those of you that did the conversion yourself, how did it turn out?
 
You need 4 US parts if you use a thumbhole stock, 5 if you use a pistol grip and 6 if you use a pistol grip and add a muzzle brake. Basically, the rule is no more than 10 foreign made parts off the ATF list of parts. The stock Saiga rifle comes with 14. Pistol grips and muzzle brakes each add 1 part to that total.

When you replace the trigger group you get 3 US made parts right there, (hammer/trigger/disconnector). Now all you need to do is use a US made buttstock and pistol grip and you're compliant.

It's actually one of the easiest rifles around to stay compliant with, since when you do the conversion you need to buy all those parts anyway.
 
yes , you tube does have videos, and there is a ton of info on Saiga12.com.
the conversion can be done in less than an hour.it is easy, just have the right tools. The trigger alone will be so much better, that alone makes it worth it.
generally speaking , it takes at least 8 parts to make the conversion. On the 308, it only takes 4, but the reason is, it does not use foreign, military made, hi cap mags; it takes hi caps, but they are american made, and account for at least 3 maybe 4 additional american made parts. Foreign hi caps, add foreign made parts, so that is why you have to double the amount of american made parts, if converting the 223, or 762.39.
 
Dees said:
How much of a difference is there between a modded Saiga and an original AK?
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Depends on how much $ you want to put into it.

With the right amount of money, they can appear as any military factory Kalashnikov design.

It's usually cheaper with the FCG + buttstock and pistol grip ( one more part than required ) as shown above.

Timradcliffe345 said:
Does one have to install a bullet guide?

What is the hardest part in the conversion process?
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For the greatest cost savings and reliability, a bullet guide is a must.

The hardest part of converting is finding one to convert.
 
I'm just about done with mine, I'm hung up at the moment due to the fact that my rifle is a pre-EAA import (I guess it came in in like 98 or earlier) that doesn't have the pistol grip opening cut. So I'm stalled until I figure out exactly where it needs to go.

All in all, I've learned a lot about the rifle's workings during the process, and if I come across more at a decent price I'll probably grab them.
 
My Saiga 308 carbine

Below is the converted Saiga I bought used 4 years ago for $300.00. I also included a three shot group I shot today (last three rounds and the barrel was hot). Not bad for an AK.
 
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To be legally compliant, all you need is the U.S. made FCG and the buttstock. A U.S. pistol grip doesn't affect the parts count since it isn't replacing a foreign part.
 
Adding a pistol grip adds a part to the total part count. If you add a pistol grip, you then need 5 US parts. Add a muzzle brake and you need 6, since those are both parts on the ATF list.

The rule is pretty simple, no more than 10 foreign parts from the ATF parts list, can be on your rifle. A Saiga starts out with 14 foreign parts.
 
you can buy american made mags designed for the saiga that don't need a bullet guide, but if you have a 7.62x29 saiga and want to use regular AK mags you'll need a bullet guide. The bullet guide and the tapping kit to install it can be bought from www.dinzagarms.com


as far as compliance, you're rifle has 13 parts that are legally defined as "parts", and all of them are foreign made. if you want the rifle to be in non-sporting condition (i.e. having a pistol grip) you need to have less than 10 foreign made parts, which means you need to replace 3. the fire control group counts as 3, and the buttstock counts as 1. You need to use a US made pistol grip, because a foreign made pistol grip will bring the total to 10 foreign made parts. this is assuming you are using foreign magazines, if you limit yourself to US made magazines, or replace the floorplates or followers with US made parts, you can use a foreign pistol grip, because the mag counts as 3 parts.
 
Has anyone seen a decrease in "AK like" reliability with these conversions? Mine runs fine, I wonder how it would hold up in a carbine class or something.
 
Kenpo said:
Has anyone seen a decrease in "AK like" reliability with these conversions?
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You're kidding, right?


The only way I'd see a decrease in reliability is when the converter took 'short cuts' in the process (such as not using a bullet guide and depending on US made crap mags, etc)

As I keep pointing out: You really have to go far out of your way to screw up converting a Saiga.
 
I personally like the feel and balance of the stock Saiga stocks. I just do not like the ergonomics of the AK 47. I think a lot of people should get to know the stock Saiga before converting, they may be a lot happier with it stock.

That said, I perfectly understand upgrading the Saiga 7.62 x 39 to accept AK mags. Much, much cheaper mags.
 
If you're not adding a muzzle break, you change the following:

1) Fire control group (3 parts)- use the Tapco G2
2) Change the pistol grip out to a US made one (1 part)
3) Use a US made buttstock (1 part)

3+1+1=5 parts

Forget using American mags or any of that garbage. Pre-cut bullet guides are sold on K-Var.com
 
Forget using American mags or any of that garbage.
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:scrutiny:

Well......

If you happen to have the 7.62x51 Saiga, American mags (btw, tell Correia they're garbage) are very handy if you want more than an 8 round capacity.

OP never mentioned caliber, I believe.
 
meef said:
If you happen to have the 7.62x51 Saiga, American mags (btw, tell Correia they're garbage) are very handy if you want more than an 8 round capacity.

OP never mentioned caliber, I believe.
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You are correct.

Proportionally fewer Saigas in .308 out there, though.

The US makers of .308 Saiga mags also thoughtfully designed their offerings with built-in bullet guide on the mag, so you don't have the worries of 'install a bullet guide or grind dozens of mags' as with the military caliber varieties.
 
I just do not like the ergonomics of the AK 47. I think a lot of people should get to know the stock Saiga before converting, they may be a lot happier with it stock.
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I guess different people will have different things they prefer but IMO the saigas feel much better balanced after conversion. In terms of ergonomics the saftey lever is a long reach pre conversion. It is much easier to get to with a pistol grip. The trigger is unarguably better on converted saigas than stock ones.

To each his own but IMO covnersion makes for a more useful rifle.
 
I bought one of the pre-converted ones, and must say that I'm very happy with it, although I robbed myself of 80 bucks for nothing considering that I had to fix a couple things with it. Even a 'bad' conversion is gonna beat your cheap AKs. In retrospect, i wish I did it myself. But, you can't go wrong with a converted Saiga.
 
If you happen to have the 7.62x51 Saiga
Click to expand...

I always forget about that one. :) Well, that's the exception as noted above. I mean like Pro-Mag, National Magazine, and the others who make garbage that looks like the real deal but is nowhere near the same quality.
 
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