can saigas be modified to take standard ak mags?

[fightingquaker13]

From what I've seen and heard the saigas are pretty a good little AK clone. The question I have is can they be cheaply/reliably modified to take AK mags (surplus not boutique)? Are they as tough as standard AKs? The reason I ask is that I sold my mini-14 when it became inpossible to get high cap Ruger mags. I always cussed ruger for not desighning it to take AR mags in the first place. I don't want to get burned again. I was going to get a new mini but $900???!!!!. I wish I had they were smoking up there in Hartford. Great gun for $600, but at $900, NO! The Saiga, at $400-$500 used seems like the same kind of knock around carbine. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
fightingquaker13

[warhawke]

Yes they can, all it requires is to expand the mag-well. You will need to add US parts to make it 922r compliant. It is an excellent AK (RPK actually) and if you convert it properly it is one of the best AK's you can own.

[fightingquaker13]

Yes they can, all it requires is to expand the mag-well. You will need to add US parts to make it 922r compliant. It is an excellent AK (RPK actually) and if you convert it properly it is one of the best AK's you can own.

Thanks. Can you explain the 922r thing. I thought your average AK Glock etc was all importd.
fightingquaker13

[Overload]

22r only applies to rifles and shotguns.

Section 922 Paragraph R:
"It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) of this chapter as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes ..."

[fightingquaker13]

22r only applies to rifles and shotguns.

Section 922 Paragraph R:
"It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) of this chapter as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes ..."

Thanks, but HUH? What does this mean? I'm not trying to be difficult here, I'm just not seeing where altering the reciever to accept a larger mag fits. If it does, let me know and what I need to do to get around it. I'm not asking for you to make sense of it for me, because when it comes to sense and federal firearms regs, the cat is not only out of the bag, but taking a dump on my pillow. I just want to stay legal.
thanks
fightingquaker13

[Sponsor]

[CZShooter]

The 922r thing is confusing at best, but to paraphrase...you can only import "sporter" rifles from other countries. One of the things that defines a "sporter" rifle is that it can't accept magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Once you modify it to accept standard mags...then it must not contain more than 10 imported parts. This is where the "compliance" parts come into play. If I remember correctly...AK-style rifles consist of 15 parts.

So...once you open up the mag well to accept standard mags, you will need to replace the appropriate number of parts to bring it back into compliance.

There is a site that explains this really well (better than I can). Once I find it again...I'll post the link.

[tombogan03884]

Adding an American made stock kit will take care of at least 2

[CZShooter]

Found it! http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/922r.html

The up side...if you buy us made mags, that counts as 3 compliance parts (mag body, follower, and floorplate).

[warhawke]

Low capacity Saigas are imported as-is THEY HAVE NO U.S. PARTS, as long as they have the "Sporter" stocks and low-cap mags they are legal under 922r. IF you modify the weapon to accept normal-cap mags then you MUST replace 7 parts to remain legal. The Stock, pistol grip, handguard, hammer, trigger, sear (get the Red-Star trigger group, it's more $ but well worth it, near match trigger) and gas piston need to be replaced to make it legal.

One Source Tactical is the only place I know where you can get all of it.
http://www.onesourcetactical.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=284
It is pricey to do, but well worth it.

P.S. if you rely on US mags to make content you cannot use OR OWN imported mags. If you have the imported mags in your house you can be charged! You don't need to put one in the weapon, likely to happen? Maybe not, but I won't risk the fines and jail time myself.

[tombogan03884]

 Tapco has stuff for them as well
http://www.tapco.com/catalog.aspx?id=312