Anyone Here Ever Modify A Saiga AK To Take Standard AK Mags?

[twyacht]

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.



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

[twyacht]

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,,,

[tombogan03884]

I'm surprised, but you seem to be breaking new ground here.
Terra incognita.   

[twyacht]

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.....

[twyacht]

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...

[Sponsor]

[CJS3]

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.

[santahog]

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..