gunguy98

My Saiga in the middle after a ton of work, 6th conversion under my belt and well worth it

Only if you convert them like I did , as you can see in my pics I replaced the front sight base and gas block with the military version which have the bayonet lugs. Just grind down the wings and you're good. Thanks Man. And you are in NYS? Did you buy your Saiga in NY (JW)? Yes and yes. I ordered both through a buddy of mine that's a dealer. I wanted to make sure I got the magwell dimples.

Only if you convert them like I did , as you can see in my pics I replaced the front sight base and gas block with the military version which have the bayonet lugs. Just grind down the wings and you're good.

Perfectly legal as long as you don't have "evil" features of an assault rifle. Mine: preban mags, pin & welded comp, ground down wings on bayonet lugs.

A couple of files , time and patience and you can make it fit a round trunnion. I needed to do that to my first .223 Saiga because of the round trunnion.

My particular 5.45 wouldn't run without a bullet guide. I had heard some were able to but mine didn't which wasn't a big deal. On all my conversions I've used the Bulgarian bullet guides from k-var. They are very easy to use. Just carefully cut off the bolt cam with a dremel tool or the like and file the rear of the guide down a little at a time to seat it deeper under the chamber. Works like a champ and haven't had a stoppage in hundreds of rnds fired.

Changing out the FSB is really not that difficult. Here is a pic of my 5.45, making sure everything is straight takes the most time but is not all that scary. Best way to drill is with a press. I did this one with a hand drill and went very slow to make sure I was straight, I drilled from both sides and met in the middle. I wanted to make sure the drill bit was sharp so I changed it out about 4 times and they cut like a hot knife threw butter. I believe it took me about 35 minutes total to drill the pins this way. When I did my 2 other .223's I used a drill press which made it a little quic

I live in NY too, and all you have to do is pin your stock in the open position so it doesn't close...no need to have to replace it in that configuration if you don't want to.

Thanks.....Plum really is the sexiness, lol

Here is my second .223 and my fourth conversion of a Saiga. Tapco compliance parts, comp has a blind pin so it cant unscrew and the tabs on the bayonet lugs were ground down for NY compliance, US stock set and Bulgarian GB , FSB, receiver cover and rear sight.

Found it on GB a couple of years ago..I held onto it in hopes of using it someday....and viola, along comes a 5.45 Saiga.

No threading involved...I knocked off the old gas block and front sight base and replaced with Bulgarian...The Bulgarian FSB is already threaded for the 24mm break

You've got that wrong...the Weigers are preban so the mag limit is moot, 20,30,40 or more rounders are fine as long as they are preban. Only mags made after sept 1994 have to be 10rds or less;ie mags made after the ban went into effect.

On all my conversions I've only ever just drilled the hole and used a small bolt and nut secured from the underside with red locktite. They are perfectly solid and after many thousands of rounds haven't moved or became loose at all. This method is so much easier.

As for wood, yes you can

Well, I've had this to the range a couple of times now and I'm very impressed with it's accuracy and functionality. This is my favorite AK right now...I never knew how much fun 5.45 really is. I think I might have to build another in plum furniture this time!

Where can I find a .223 with dimples? So far, the dealers that have them in stock only have the older non dimpled type.

I was curious to see if mine would work without one....it didn't, not a single round would chamber without it. Installing one is very easy, these guns are supposed to have them for a reason, so just put one in.

No, as long as it's not too deep, wouldn't be a problem...For me its cosmetic, even though it's covered by the fsb, my ocd kicks in and I would know it's there.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=52362

Yeah that's it, I should have been more clear. Do that, then you can add the '74 FSB with threads and the 90 degree gas port with lug and cleaning rod slot to turn your rifle into more of what is supposed to be.

Yeah, Dremel tool is the easiest way to go. Just be really carefull not to cut into the barrel. I cut down the length of both sides right through the dimples right down untill it almost kisses the barrel. Then I give the FSB a couple of whacks with a BFH and off it pops. this also works for the gas port.

I had a lot of fun doing this conversion. I received my ammo and some E.German mags last week, but haven't had a chance to shoot her yet. It's currently 3 degrees outside and that's way too cold to go to the range. I probably won't be able to do that until the spring.

Thanks, I'll be starting on another .223 very shortly. That will make 4 conversions under my belt.

I looked for a while to find what I wanted and didn't break the bank. I just happened to be at the right place and time with an on-line auction.