The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: twyacht on May 06, 2012, 04:17:38 PM
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Alright, I finally got PO'd enough when pricing Saiga 7.62x39, 30 rd. mags. Surefire, Pro-Mag, Tapco, etc,.. I have about a bakers dozen or so, and have researched a simple modification involving installing a bullet guide at the base of the trunnion involving a #36 drill bit and a 6x32 tap....filing "just a hair" off the Saiga Magazine catch, and that's it.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/DSCF1552.jpg)
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/DSCF1551.jpg)
I love this AK...It is damn accurate, damn reliable, eats all ammo, and is simple stupid easy to maintain.
And I can still use the Saiga exclusive mags if I file just the "nose" a tiny bit off the Saiga mags to offset the installed bullet guide which overlaps the original trunnion space to allow standard AK mags to feed.
I went to some folks I know in the Carolina's good folks, very professional..and they had a vid...showing the install
after watching the vid, and pricing standard AK mags,....(about 10 bucks vs. 30 bucks)....I ordered the kit for $18.95 and two AK mags for 9.95 a piece....
This looks like a 15 minute conversion....Should be here this week.
Anyone ever done this? and how is it working out...
http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/StoreFront
Shameless Plug for a good outfit...
Thanks
tw
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Really? I stumped the collective braintrust? Even with the trolls and lurkers? With a simple Saiga? an AK to boot?
Ask around....I've heard good things....just looking for a first hand account.
Thanks,,,
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I'm surprised, but you seem to be breaking new ground here.
Terra incognita. ;D
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Parts arrived late today via Big Brown Truck, after my beer alarm went off after work, so I'll wait until its "coffee" time for the conversion.... ::)
Still no hits,.....hmmmm.... :-\
Ring Around The Rosey,
I stumped the forum,
Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down..... ;D
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Did the conversion, no problem, standard AK mags fit like a glove, I do have a however,......
With a snap cap AK rd. upon racking the slide, it feeds and goes into battery with no issues,...BUT the bolt becomes very difficult to extract the snap cap...only with a rd. in the chamber. Not when empty.
without a "rd." the bolt works/racks like a champ, "with" a rd. it becomes stiff. I noticed the bolt does a quarter turn "outboard" at closing to lock the lug for firing. It seems the rotation of the bolt is catching just a wee bit on the bullet guide to release easily upon racking.
Fooled with it for over an hour....everything else seems fine until you actually load a rd. Than a sticky bolt issue arises.....
Before I Flitz, polish and "dabble" with the riggin' I will be-bop it over to an evil "black rifle" shop I have in town for a once over...
That's my report, it seems too simple. After all its an AK platform,,,,so some steel toe boots and a hammer should fix it... ;)
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I didn't convert a 7.62x39, but Carolina Shooting Supply got plenty of my cash when I converted my 308 Saiga. I bought my 922 parts for my AK from them. They are a first class operation.
They have some nice "how to" vids for the trigger group mod too.
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I "had it done". Works fine with the AK mags now..
One "However" I got back was the bolt hold-open, that wasn't attached,but just tucked behind the spring in there..
The guy who did it has a resentment to all things non-AR so he wouldn't spend anymore time on it.. (That's why I'm STILL looking for a smith around here)..
It's a fine rifle though. I can make a 20 oz soda bottle jump at 100 yards every time (once me and the rifle are both warmed up).. I gave $300 for it new from Peach State Guns, just before they got so blasted expensive.. I like your hand guards too..