sailor

Jim - On the thread "AK You Tube Videos", click on TheAK47nut, and when that site comes up, on the right side selections of videos, is a KVAR "how to" for mounting upper HG. I hope it helps. Sailor

Which AK-74 brake did you install, and how is it to stay indexed? I used one wrap of teflon tape on mine, but have not yet had a chance to give it a workout to see if it is reliable. Also, it is tight against the leftover piece of shroud, cut to fit. sailor

photoshooter, or anyone else into venting the stock Saiga HG. A photo that is a bit cleaner to use as a reference for drilling, etc. Still trying to locate some appropriate insulating cloth or tape that may help prevent any chance of melting of the stock HG. Some day!

neon - my carbine, and I assume your's, is a 14x1 Left Hand thread. Some model rifles have 24x1.5 Right Hand threads. Most suppliers note the thread of their product, some don't. I am assuming that the factory threads count as a foreign part, as with the Saiga 12's, so I stayed with a USA muzzle brake. If that is not correct, please note a correction. Now I have to wonder if I am over the 10 allowable foreign parts - maybe need a USA gas piston? Naliath - are you out there?

Reference to "it hangs too low"; some complain it is an interference to the trigger finger. All you need to do, open the bolt and engage the BHO, scribe a line on it just below the receiver, and cut it off at that point (and file it smooth). It is then so short, but fully useable, that it is no longer in the way. Really easy to modify.

photoshooter - the HG vents were actually quite easy to lay out and cut, except for the hand work of finishing by file. I used a strip of vinyl tape on each side, to lay out the location of the initial drill holes. Stay away from the embedded steel at the ends. I drilled a hole at each end of a vent, then a center hole between, then some file work to rough out the holes. Finally, I routed the holes using just the original bit in a drill press. Last, I filed the hole edges to smooth and radius them, and used magic marker to get the full black on the cut areas. Pretty simple.

I kept my BHO when I converted. The range that I use has a requirement to stack rifles with the bolt locked open, when anyone is going down range to set/retrieve a target. Definitely NOT a problem, as a slight trim-off of the lever places it out of the way. Personal choice, not critical.

I finally have my Saiga x39 "Sporter" to the point where I am satisfied - excepting the HG, which is a change down the road, if at all. Pretty standard "restoration"; rigid composit buttstock, SAW PG, TAPCO FCG, filed mag catch, Dinzag bullet guide, stock HG with 5 vents each side, factory muzzle threads with TAPCO AK-74 copy muzzle brake, UTG quick release scope mount, Simmons 4x32 scope and BSA red dot, two stock 10 rnd mags mod to 13 rnd with TAPCO followers, four So. Korean 30 rnd mags with TAPCO followers, web sling, bipod - and a hard case. Now what do I do?

TR Young - I started cutting a test length off of the sleeve with a standard tubing cutter - no go - steel as hard or harder than the tubing cutter. Also, you are limited how close you can cut near the FSB because of the tubing cutter shape. I wound up using a mini hack saw, which worked well - just have to be careful at the bottoming out of the cut. Note the extent of the threads on mine (earlier post photo) - do not extend all the way to the FSB - 5/8" from the muzzle.

For paint - the easiest part of all - black BBQ Hi-Temp spray can works for me. I used the original trigger guard - easy to reshape, tuck in under the mag catch, then one bolt to secure it.

If it is any help, my threaded Saiga also has the factory "mini-ramp" from 4-8 o'clock on the chamber opening. I have 5 for 5 of the interesting barrel, dimples & PG hole items. Question: how the barrel HG grooves affect any kind of HG mounting, other than stock Saiga, which doesn't use them? My neighbor's WASR has them, but I don't see any connection with the HG. And yes, these are a fun weapon to modify - lots of useful items to play with, and you don't have to be an expert with a ton of specialty tools to accomplish good results.

+1 on the "two for one" - .223 & 7.62x39, opposed to one AR. The reliability is the first consideration, the rest is debateable.

Time to "wrap it up" - enough already. Only change that might follow this, is a different HG - not interested so far. I call this "complete to date".

Ak-74 brake copy installation complete, but no test firing yet.

YWHIC - Yes, threads are 14x1 LH; TAPCO AK-74 brake copy threaded on smoothly and secure. I threaded the Brake all the way to last turn that would index, then measured the gap, cut off and filed to fit, a piece of the sleeve cutoff. Drove it gently back on the barrel (polished and repainted), will Teflon tape and screw the brake on tomorrow. I hesitate to tell someone else to cut off at any particular location - ?? The idea of cutting just right to have the brake index is unlikely. Obviously, the idea of a Saiga Sporter with a brake was not anticipated. Even if mine had an index pin, it wouldn

YWHIC - converted two Russian 10 round mags with TAPCO "short followers". First, they did need a minor mod. to the small "bump out" located at the upper right of the OP photo. I cut that to the flat level, so it can return fully to empty. I also cut about 3/16" off the spring tower. I did not cut the spring itself. Total rounds = 13. Not really worth the cost/effort for 3 rounds, except it is another USA part (if more than 10 rnds loaded). Who knows, 3 rounds just might be important some day. I also replaced 4 So. Korean followers with TAPCO followers - seem to travel OK. I still wonder about

I'll try again to post the thread photo.

Threads exposed fully. Threaded for 5/8", taper & full barrel for 3/8" to FSB. The TAPCO AK-74 brake copy screws on fairly snug, bottoms out at taper 1/2 turn beyond index. I'll try using Teflon tape to further tighten the threads for holding index. I did not anticipate only 5/8" of threads - need to be extra careful if sawing off sleeve on solid barrel. Two pics (I hope).

Just a point to ponder: Saiga Sporter shotguns are either choke threaded (counting 14 import parts), or not choke threaded (counting 13 import parts). Saiga Sporter rifles are listed as 14 imported parts, assuming there are no threads cut on the barrel. The threaded (as mine is) have a sleeve covering the threads, so still equals 14 or 15 parts? I have to assume (dangerous word) being threaded and exposed, my Saiga actually has 15 imported parts. I could inadvertantly be out of compliance, through no action on my part. Easy to correct, but does raise the "count" question. YWHIC - just trim off

And just to keep Chevyman from getting further bored - The "I have a threaded barrel" lengthy thread does raise a question. Saiga Sporter shotguns are either choke threaded (counting 14 import parts), or not choke threaded (counting 13 import parts). Saiga Sporter rifles are listed as 14 imported parts, assuming there are no threads cut on the barrel. The threaded (as mine is) have a sleeve covering the threads, so still equals 14 or 15 parts? I have to assume (dangerous word) being threaded and exposed, my Saiga actually has 15 imported parts. I could inadvertantly be out of compliance, throu

Killshot44 - I started with a tubing cutter, as another poster was successful that way, but the steel was way too hard for that method. I carefull placed the FSB & GB in a vice and hand hacksawed about 3/16" off as a check. I used a 6" fine tooth blade on my 99 cent saw, and just went slow and careful. There is a "feel" when the saw cut through, because of the thread gap under the sleeve. You can look at the muzzle with the saw blade in the cut, and get an idea of how deep the cut is. If no threads on the barrel, it may not get the feeling of a gap.

I'll measure the useable thread depth of the TAPCO AK-74 brake when it arrives, and consider then how much of the muzzle sleeve comes off, or all of it. I also found the Dinzag brake not available, so will play with the cheap TAPCO to see what I really need/want.

jflow - I have a 6 magazine AR/AK shoulder strap pouch from Cheaper Than Dirt (yes - still a good place to do business). Cost $20.52 delivered. I am very pleased with it - ACE mfg, USA, heavy duty OD Canvas, 6-30 rnd AK mags fit. Their item # at the time was ZAA-024 - and no, I own no stock in the business, just a good solid pouch. The long mag flaps are velcro closed.

I have two TAPCO short followers enroute (maybe here Monday the 11th). Two advantages, if they do as advertized - bump a 10 rnd Mag to 15, and another USA part to count. Seems to me that there was a thread way, way back, about doing a mod by cutting down a follower, and cutting off part of the spring as well, to allow more rounds per mag, as the spring takes up a lot of space when compressed. I also have standard size followers coming for my 30 rnd mags - I really don't think I want more than 30/mag for weight - it is worth considering, though.

I second the "Sticky List". Same acronym problem crops up on all kinds of forums, not just AK. I do like KTSOMAK!