billyjoebob

This could be a fun project... How tough would it be to fully convert a S-12 simply using spare AK-47 parts? I know you can get spare AK parts very cheap, but I never looked into the interchangability with the S-12 platform. Could be interesting...converting an S-12 on a budget

That's a lot of parts and items Do you have any plans for the gun (3-gun competition, hunting, etc) or is it for weekend target shooting? That can influence what parts you need to buy. If you are a hobby shooter, you can hold off on a lot of those parts until you take the gun out a few times and see how well it handles different types of ammo. From what you post, I only have two suggestions: 1) Look at the Chaos tri and quad rails again. The quality of Chaos blows UTG away, and I doubt you will be able to use your factory iron sights with the UTG (top profile is still going to be

Good ending! We get great warranty service from Cadiz, so it's also nice to see that the importer will also stand by their products.

I watched your video, and agree with prisonshank...your shells aren't ejecting very far from your receiver. That would tell me that the gun is either undergassed, you were using very weak bird shot loads, your gas plug was mis-set to #1, or the gun needs some more break in time (pretty much what everyone has already said). The only thing I'll add is while an MD gunfixr plug is a great device, it won't help an undergassed gun. First thing you need to do is make sure you have three unobstructed gas ports. With that said, if you continue to have problems (even after polishing and continue

IF, and I don't think another AWB or specifically a target on sporting shotguns is likely, but, if it would occur as with what happened to the USAS 12 or Sweet Sweepers/Striker 12's being changed to destructive device status, you can easily put a non converted saiga with the bolt on pistol grip back into sporting configuration in a matter of minutes, once converted, especially with welded up holes and trigger guards, unconverting is going not going to be easy. I too believe that an executive order changing the status of the S-12 to a DD, or an outright ban of all imported "assault" weapons

but now they are not freely replacing them like they should. It still pisses me off to no end It's crap that they won't replace them. With defective springs like this, I don't think it's a matter of "if" you have a problem...it's "when". Send them an e-mail, tell them that all are now broken, and when they ship you the new springs and a return label, just return the defective springs. Fu<k 'em.

I gotta say...that's surprising. Any e-mail's that I've sent to the company have been returned by Kevin (who I'm assuming is the owner) within a day, and he shipped me new springs immediately. I was geared up to argue, but he didn't ask any questions or want to see any receipts. All he asked was that I return the defective springs in the box with the pre-paid label. To anyone having problems, try an e-mail to the company and see where that gets you. As far as I'm concerned, AGP has been top notch.

I have several AGP's. First purchase was three from the e-store in mid-2009. When I read the stories about problems with the springs, I inspected mine and they were all discolored with slight rust. An e-mail to Kevin at APG brought me 3 quick replacement springs and a pre-paid UPS mailing label. According to AGP, they had a problem with the manufacturer of the springs who over heated them during tempering (or something like this). I know there have been issues between AGP and his vendors, but AGP's customer service and communication has always been TOP NOTCH by me (which is why I bro

I have to say...that was a troubling analogy

I totally agree with Cobra on this. While I don't have much hope that the Promags drums will work well, let's wait and see before we trash them. Maybe the've corrected their manufacturering issues. Maybe they've done their homework this time. Who knows...It's still too early. While I would think the MD-20 will beat their 20-rounder hands down, they have a new product that no one else has brought to market...a 12 round drum. I think many of us have been waiting for something like this since Cobra published the diagrams for his 10-rounder. But I can tell you (Mike at MD)...you do

You got a good deal. Actually, I split an order with a friend and ordered 10 at $20 each (AGP gives a price break on orders of 5 and over). I put them all together in about an hour...really wasn't too hard. The worst part was fitting each one to the gun, and adjusting the individual screws to ensure smooth shell feeding (but I had to do all that with the assembled ones as well).

I have both, and think AGP's are a bit better. While my AGP's required a bit more "fitting" for my guns, they have metal feed lips like the OEM russian mags. This should prevent snapping and premature wear. AGP is running a special now...$25 per mag, assemble it yourself. I picked up a few more, and took them out last week. All worked with no problems. Personally, I wouldn't spend too much on mags at this point. There are several new products that will be hitting the market shortly, and the competition is driving prices down. The MD-20 drum is down to $100 from $260 last month.

While MD's 20 round drum is great, the apparent dimension of this 12 rounder is really nice and much more compact. That's always the thing that bothered me about large drums....there is so much wasted space at the center of the drum, but there really isnt any other option for manufacturers...they are limited by the number of shells/capacity. I've been dying for Cameron to move forward with his 10 round minidrum for this reason. The blueprints of it on the Chaos sight look like it's very similar to the promag drum pictured on page 1 of this thread. Let's hope this isn't a typical Pr

I used the tromix modified FCG, and I did have to grind my safety by a hair, otherwise it wouldn't move into the "Safe" position. I would highly recommend making sure you have full mobility before finishing the assembly. If you do have to grind it down, you're only going to be taking a very small bit of material off. Also, when you remove the stock trigger guard, you may see a bit of discoloration or rust under it. That area of the receiver is not painted. I would higly recommend doing it right, and sanding that area before painting it.

Reference the trigger guard, I personally used a textured black paint after reading a recommendation here, and it matches the stock paint on the receiver very well. I'll pull the can later and get you the brand, but I do remember getting it at Lowes. Mine was used where the old trigger guard was mounted, and while it seems pretty durable, I'm not sure how it would hold up on a part that get's knocked around. For videos, go to carolinashooterssupply.com, and follow their video link. They have virtually the entire conversion documented there. The BHO was by far the toughest part of my co

Try sending an e-mail to Greg at carolinashooterssupply.com They carry quite a few aftermarket parts & items, and Greg is very knowlegible. If he doesn't have what you are looking for, he may be able to provide ideas and dimensions for substitutions.

Any tips or tricks you all are willing to share? The only one tip that I've seen (that I guarantee all the experienced gunsmith's here will HATE) would be to add another gas port by drilling it through the gas knob opening. This means that you will be drilling on an angle from the muzzle toward the receiver, which is opposite from the way the existing ports are/should be drilled. The problem with this method is, your gas system will be exposed to additional fouling as the newly drilled port will act as a "ramp" for carbon and debris coming down the barrel. But...I know there have been

Also, don't underestimate the difference between a "broken-in" gun, and a new gun. I also just bought a new S-12, and took it out to the range for the first time this past Wednesday along with with my older, converted one. The new one fired everything pretty well, including Federal Bulk Pack low brass. Only one FTF, which was due to tight screws in a new AGP mag. But when I hand cycle the old and new guns by hand, the bolt travel is MUCH smoother in the older one. It's smooth as silk, while I can feel the new one not only requires a bit more tension to cycle, but the travel on the rail

I just gotta add... If you are going to "convert" this gun, do it right. It's not that much more $$$, and it makes a PROFOUND difference in the weapon. By converting it properly, you get rid of the trigger linkage, can upgrade the main spring (big difference in trigger pull...much smoother), and change the balance of the gun. You will also change the center of gravity of the weapon for the better, and learn the nomenclature inside-and-out (critical, if you have any failures that you need to repair in the field or at the range). It's funny...I converted my first S-12, and just bough

Sounds like your gunsmith did not modify the mags correctly. You could always contact the manufacture or myself for help if you are having a problem instead of this. Greg- Can you explain what mods are needed? I've been looking at the JT magwell, but I can't find any documentation on what must be done to the mags... BJB

Not sure if this offer is dead or if the OP got his cover, but I just got an e-mail update from Tantal and he has S-12 dust covers in stock fro $25 + $5 shipping.

Cadiz is great, and they are a fantastic resource for this board. I'm convinced that if it weren't for their outstanding customer service (on behalf of RAA) over the past few year, the saiga platform would be far less popular than it is today.

I want to upgrade my sights. I looked at Krebs custom and the Russian sights at the e-store, and while they are both really nice looking, I don't care for the "bolt on" look. I'm thinking of ordering HK sights, and trying my hand at welding. Two question: 1) How do you properly align the sights? I'd rather not use a gun smith, but I don't really trust myself to eyeball it perfectly. Any tricks for do it yourselfers? 2) Do I have to worry about damaging the chrome lining in the barrel with the heat of the welder?

+1. Looking for the same thing. Also curious as to how the mags are modified for use with a magwell. Do you cut the front tab off?