sailor

There are a number of threads in the past few years about the Saiga 7.62x39 firing pin lacking a spring - actually a designed free floating firing pin. A current advertisement online describes the same Saiga Sporter in 7.62x39 "includes a spring loaded firing pin" - as stated in the ad. Would that require a mod to the bolt and/or the firing pin supplied, as that system would not work with the stock bolt/firing pin? Or am I missing something. Wondering if there will be two different, but similar parts out there - to further confuse the parts issue. Anyone up to date on that issue?

Just got offline with CTD to order 500 rounds of 7.62x39 Brown Bear FMJ. Good price, and since shipping anyway, ordered a holster for my wife, and 100 rounds of Lawman 9mm, for practice. Thanks for the heads up on the price drop - I feel free to bang away again!

Good job! You did the right thing, and you seem to see that right off. Your confidence just may get another "I'll do it later" person to jump in and make their rifle a better tool.

I have two UTG side rail mounts, and find them to be as advertised. Tight fit, no loss of zero by removing and remounting. As with all order items, shop around before you buy - same item at different outlets = different price. Also, I have only quick-release mounts. Bolt-on mounts run around $5 less. I also second the "correct" conversion - you will appreciate your rifle more when you upgrade it.

Kind of a side issue, but related to the various posts with flashlights attached.I never trained as a "grunt", was always on shipboard, never had or used a flashlight with a rifle. I see a rifle mount like a ships sonar - when it is on and active (light on), you are the hunted - when you are passive (light off) listening, you are the hunter. I wonder how much reach the light has (30-50 yards), while the opposing shooter can be 100-300 yards, and aiming a spread at the nifty little light out there! Anyone clear that up for me - other than maybe clearing a building, some thing dogs are for, if y

I just want to know where the "Master Switchboard" is to run all of that stuff. Sorry, I know that sounds bitchy - just pulling your chain. I feel that, just like cars, you have to go for what fits your needs, and even more, your desires. These are working guns, but just happen to turn into "hobbies" - too easy to do, too many ways to make it personal. Have fun with it.

You might watch for soft nose or hollow points to hang up on the flat face of the bullet guide. Not saying they will, but some of us have had that happen. A bit of filing with a 1/2 round or rat tail file to get rid of the sharp corner will eliminate that problem. Not a big deal, but be prepared.

All rifles and all mags. don't seem to be exactly the same. Most conversions with a Bullet Guide, require the stock Saiga mags. to have a bit of material removed at the front end (bullet end), in order to seat properly. There is too much material right where the mag. meets the bullet guide. If yours works without altering, you are in good shape. There are many photos and videos on this site that show this, as it is a common question. Prowl around and look at all the useful info that is posted.

NEO - just curious. Is a nail good enough steel to stand up to the constant shock of the piston action? It is a pretty harsh slam, and I realise the threads take the load, but I would have thought a hardened steel pin would be needed there. I'm asking because I also am considering a piston swap-out, but didn't want the hassle. You made it sound pretty easy.

Vladimir - No rattle, as I set a foam cutout in the stock, no reason to rust, unless I use the stock as a canoe paddle (I don't own a canoe), cheap parts that are useless if not with the weapon. If a spring rusts in the next ten or so years, I'll order replacements, Obama willing! Just a suggestion to have the most likely "breakables" with you, and in a secure, dry compartment. And if I never need any of them, no big deal. If I do need one or more of them, I shall be patting myself on the back for being so ingenuous and forward thinking (sarcasim off).

Thanks for that, makes life just a little bit easier!

Wondering if there was a simple way to carry spare parts, I have completed an arrangement to carry a recoil spring, firing pin and retainer, ejector with spring and retainer, disconnector and spring, AK tool set, broken shell extractor, bore snake and spare Red Dot battery, all within the stock and PG. The only problem was the recoil spring, which was easy - a 9" piece of 1/4" dowel with a washer and retainer pin each end, and spring well under control, and safe. A suggestion for those with a hollow stock and pistol grip.

Nalioth - while discussing the 922r fiasco (my feelings), I would bet you know if the factory threads on a Saiga 7.62x39 count as an extra 922 point (15 original Russian parts, rather than 14), as with the Saiga 12 choke threaded barrels. I mention this only because of the fairly recent number of Saigas with factory threaded barrels (mine is threaded), and the lack of mention of this in the checkoff list for compliance. Could be a significant count difference to be aware of, if true - needing one more USA part to convert legally. I don't know if that is so.

Mine (I only have one) is converted Saiga style, not AK-47. It is meant to be the basic self defense tool, reliable, capable of close-in and out to 300+ yards of whatever happens. I would love to have a "traditional" Ak-47, just because that is the grand daddy of the "everywhere" rifle, but funds do not allow at present. It is fun to see all the approaches to both traditional and tacticool that a Saiga/AK-47/AK/74 can be shaped into, though.

I'm still learning of new sources. Best is to browse around and do "comparison shopping". There can be some significant differences in both cost and availability of some items.

I've got two K-VAR UTG quick release mounts. Fair price, very rigid, both hold zero when removed and replaced - I have yet to re-zero either the red dot or scope. I'm happy.

post-a; obviously, this is all done at the factory to cause us to fall all over ourselves trying to figure out what some factory folks are doing, and why. No rhyme, no reason - just Russian. I'm still trying to sort out if the factory barrel threads mean one more 922r count, as in the Saiga-12. Not covered in the 922r checkoff list, apparently because there were no threaded barrels showing up until recently.

Of all the necessary and usual conversion/restoration items for a Saiga to become a "normal" Ak-47/74, the bullet guide issue is the most dreaded - at least from reading the questions and "I screwed up" comments. It is a readily available part, specific to your rifle (flat/rounded), supplied with the basic tools to complete the job (Dinzag), not expensive, and requires correct placement (print and video directions), mark and punch, drill ONE hole, tap SAME hole, and install with ONE screw. Finished. Keeping the drill properly aligned, and not breaking off the tap, are the only problems - slow

Yes, I had one jamb with a Wolf HP that just barely caught against the lip of the BG, just enough to mash the hollow point to stop the feed. A little filing with a half round small file on the leading edge of the BG was enough to give the smooth feed needed. That is all the BG is there for, to tip the round up just enough to slip into the chamber.

I had one Wolf HP hang up on the front of the bullet guide - the HP just barely caught the lip of the guide. All I did was use a small half round file to smooth off the sharp lip of the guide, and have had no further problems.

There should be no problem using your factory 10 round mags after mods to use HiCap mags. I did my mods carefully, now have a tight fit with 10's and 30's, no feed problems, no latch problems. See post above to mod to fit.

Klassy - good point, but I am trying (soon as I can get to the range) the 2500 degree welders soft cloth from Home Depot (I think - looked at too many stores). I just cut a piece to fit into the bottom of the HG, and about 2/3 way up the barrel. With 5 oblong vents in the HG, it is about all I hope to need to keep the HG reasonable to bare hands. At least the bottom of the HG shouldn't heat up. We shall see.

Switching out instead of filing down? Does not compute! About 4-5 swipes with a file, test, continue if needed. How simple can it get? Or am I missing something important? I can understand replacing a broken spring, but not replacing the catch.

I'm no expert on available slings, but many of the gun supply and mil surp online stores list a variety. I got a couple different ones at my local military surplus store. The Saiga stock sling attachments only take certain size/thickness snaps or straps, so watch for that. The function is the important part - have you any experience using a sling offhand? That is the part that counts, as it is a useful way to steady your sight picture.