Gandalf

Sure you can put a folding stock on it, as long as your parts count is correct and the rifle length is long enough (with the stock folded). Do you plan to use a US made stock or foreign one?

Don't say such things. You intimidate mechanically impared people (like myself) from attempting it.

It's a parts count issue. You can keep the Saiga stock on the rifle, assuming you replace enough other parts to keep the rifle compliant with the law. If you keep the original stock you will need to replace 4 parts (it's 5 if you add a pistol grip and six if you add a pistol grip and muzzle attachment). For example, if you replace the fire control group (trigger, disconnector, hammer), that is three parts. If you replace the magazine floor plate and/or follower, that can be another one or two parts.

For therapy you need to buy another Saiga and take it shooting. You'll feel happier and more relaxed in no time.

Hmmm...thinking about this. Why make a .308 with only a 16" barrel? Well, If you want a CQB rifle with penetrating capabilities, it would work very well. Put a half-decent scope on it, and you're effective out to about 400+ yards. By "effective" I mean a combination of accuracy, penetration, and bullet drop. If your looking for a 500+ yard rifle, I'd go with the longer barrel.

I understand Dinasystems has an adaptor that will fit Saigas. Joeken also had a push-on muzzle break for the Saiga, but I prefer the ability to screw it on and off for cleaning.

Actually, I don't see any major changes in Saiga rifles for some time. Remember the '89 import law and its parts requirements. Russia can't ship AK rifles to the US in normal configuration, hence we get "Saiga" versions. What Izhmash could do is officially partner up with an American importer that then adds the US parts. We would then see prices close to Vepr prices. I'd guess at least $450+ (remember, American parts + American labor). I bought my Saiga .223 for $230. For about $130 I can easily convert it to a more classic pistol grip configuration. Kvar buttstock + grip $50.00

Well said. I plan on taking pictures of the parts I buy complete with receipts. The packaging will probably say something to the effect of "made in USA". I also plan on keeping the old parts as evidence. I've noticed that buttstocks made in the USA sometimes have "US" stamped on them. I wouldn't be surprised if US mag floorplates have something similar stamped on them. Keep your documentation in order, and it should be easy proving that you're compliant with the law. A quick look over the gun would probably be enough to resolve concerns, especially if "US" is stamped on visible pa

PM2790, I actually think a stock Saiga comes with 14 parts. If you convert it to a thumbhole/choate/dragunov stock you only have to use 4 US parts. Putting on a pistol grip separate from the buttstock is adding one part to the total, hence you have to make sure to use 5 US parts in that case. You are right about how a muzzle accessory also adds to the count, so we have to be careful there too. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong about this. So, if I understand this correctly, I could do the following legally: 1. Put in new US made fire control group (3 parts) 2. Put US made f

Thanks Bvamp. My eyesight isn't the greatest and it was a strain to use the peep sights. It would take my eyes several seconds to focus through the sights, and then several seconds more for them to adjust back to normal once I finished shooting. The Saiga sights are somewhat crude, but much more forgiving on the eyes. Oh, here's an irony from the shooting experience. No boys were hurt in any way from the AR or the AK rifles (of course we had an adult sitting right by each boy, supervising him as he used the rifles), but we did have one injury...from a deer rifle! The third adult broug

On Saturday I was invited to help with the Varsity Boy Scouts and their rifle merit badge. One Scout Master brought his AR15 and I brought my Saiga .223. Each boy was carefully taught the basics (safety rules, proper technique, etc.) and allowed to fire three groups of three shots from each rifle. Between each three shot group the scouts got to go see how they were shooting and what they needed to do to do better. I'll admit that during the practice shooting, I was feeling a little ashamed. The AR was getting much better groups than the Saiga. Some boys couldn't even hit paper with th

Thanks for the info Bvamp. I was just thinking about how to secure the muzzle break (press on). Know what? I think I'll just find a short non-folding stock to put on and not worry about the length issue. I hate tip-toeing around grey areas of the law.

First the nazis made sure to take the guns. Then, when the population had nothing to defend themselves, the nazis came for the jews. I don't like the pattern I'm seeing.

Well I don't plan on shortening my barrel at all. In fact, I'm planning on adding a muzzle break. So if anything the barrel length + m.b. will be over 17 inches. I'll check my state laws.

Once the Clinton-Feinstein gun ban ends and folding stocks become legal again, how short can I make my Saiga and still have it be legal? I measured my Saiga last night, and from the tip of the barrel to the back end of the receiver it was over 25 inches. I figure that even a folding stock would still put it over 26 inches. Would 26 inches be legal by federal standards? Or are the standards set by each state?

Thanks Mrapathy2000 for the information. I've been planning my conversion and trying to figure out what I can and can't do. I'm sure I'll be referring back to that list often. Oh, and Bigfoot Wallace, thanks for pointing out Joeken. I've heard conflicting reports about them. Some people like them, and others strongly dislike them.

I have a question. I'm doing a conversion of my Saiga and I'm going to replace 5 parts with US made parts to make the conversion legal. Once I do the conversion, can I add any imported parts, such as a muzzle brake, and still keep it legal, or do I have to only add US made parts?

I've got short arms, and want to be able to bring the rifle in close while still keeping the stock at my shoulder. What are good options for short American made buttstocks? I like the paratrooper-style metal skeleton buttstocks, but I'm open to hearing about the other styles too, including the dragunov styles. Thanks.

Mrapathy2000 has spoken. So let it be written, so let it be done! I shall banish my fears of AK tinkering. When the conversion is complete, it shall be unveiled for the world to see! Then my Saiga and I shall slay many a water-filled milk jug and two-liter plastic bottles. Ah yes, the mighty milk jug. A noble beast indead. Truly worthy of hollow points. I shall say many a "Hail Kalashnikov" while firing his creation in joy...thus my penitence will be complete.... Err...Umm...I mean, yes, I'll get going on the conversion right away.

Yes, I'm sure there will be some AK's in the market with those features. My question is whether or not Saiga's will have those things. I thought Saiga firearms were regulated under import laws that are different than the AWB. Am I wrong? god forbid you take it to a smith and have it installed. or do it yourself within limits of law AWB sunsetted. [hangs head in shame] Yes, you are correct. What do I need to do for my penitence? I guess I better just get together what I need for the conversion. The current stock is causing me problems because I have short arms. Putting the

Yes, I'm sure there will be some AK's in the market with those features. My question is whether or not Saiga's will have those things. I thought Saiga firearms were regulated under import laws that are different than the AWB. Am I wrong?

What changes for us Saiga owners after the end of the Clinton-Feinstein AWB ends? "Normal" capacity mags? Anything else?

I'm very curious. What can we expect in regards to Saiga products after the end of the Clinton-Feinstein AWB? Will there be "normal" capacity magazines for our rifles and shotguns? Since Saigas are effected by import laws, is there any chance of getting different configurations at all, or are we stuck unless we do the conversion ourselves? I ask because I'd hate to be stuck out in the cold like a red-headed stepchild after the end of the '94 AWB. I wish we could order the Saiga firearms "ready to convert". Imagine if the Saiga rifles came in the original AK configuration minus t

Feeding Wolf hollow points and Federal FMJ, I've never had a single problem with reliability. This gun was designed to take proprietary magazines. Using those mags, I don't see how you could have a problem.

I see. Hmmm... sounds like false advertising to me.