amd6547
-
Content Count
32 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Blogs
Calendar
Store
Posts posted by amd6547
-
-
I like it on mine...it's part of the history of the piece. Besides, when I'm shooting it, I never see it.
Of course, you could just get a little brass plaque inscribed at the trophy shop...something like "presented by Mikhail Kalashnikov". 50yrs from now, some fool might believe it.
-
My 5.45 Saiga has the flat trunnion. It also seemed to work fine using Bulgarian polymer 30rd mags...never a jam.
I wasn't sure about putting in the bullet guide, since it worked so well without it
However, when I did my conversion, I installed the CSS bullet guide.
After going to the range, I had to admit that while racking the bolt, feeding felt smoother...noticeably smoother.
-
I'm not sure which retainer I will use. Most are kinda expensive.
I have read that some modify a standard retainer into a bolt on. I may go that way, they are cheap.
-
I bought this 5.45 a couple years ago when they were cheap. Shot it in OEM trim and wouldn't have minded keeping it that way...the standard configuration fit me well, and I liked how it handled. The standard trigger, despised by so many, got better and better as I used it. I also made a habit of lubing the contact points of the linkage.
Well, with the recent attempt to ban the semis's we all love to shoot, I decided to do the conversion. I reasoned that if there were a ban, existing rifles would be grandfathered, and there would be no new ones.
The conversion itself was easy. I used parts from CSS, and they all went right on. Even the bullet guide was pretty easy. I did that freehand with a hand drill.
The front handguard will be the next step. I will be using a bolt on retainer, yet to be chosen. Probably, I will use a conventional AK handguard.
While I like the poly furniture, if I find a good deal on laminated wood front and back, I may go that way.
Not a big fan of the SAW grip...it handles great, but just doesn't float my boat in the looks department.
-
For those with this issue...
You have to take off the buttplate. Sand the internal contact points of the stock that hold the cleaning kit in place. These are the two plastic rails on the bottom sides, and the inside surface of the stock side grooves. Check fit. Don't take off too much. I wipe down the sanded surfaces with ballistol. Now the cleaning kit fits as intended.
Thanks for the help (not).
-
I just installed the KVAR Warsaw length stock on my 5.45 conversion. I like it a lot.
However, what has to be done to get the cleaning kit in the stock? Seems like it goes in almost all the way, leaving about 1/4" sticking out...and slightly stuck.
What's up with that? The AK cleaning kit has been around for decades unchanged. I would think engineering the stock to accept it would be simple.
I have not yet taken off the buttplate to see what is going on or how I can fix it...but I will.
Any tips?
-
Well, I went with the KVAR Warsaw length polymer stock for now. I have always liked the original AK buttstocks...I used to have a Romanian G build with laminate.
I finished most of my conversion last weekend...all except the installation of the bullet guide. Everything went well, it was easy and enjoyable work. However, you really know you are in deep when you take a Dremmel cutting wheel to a perfectly nice rifle and see the sparks fly!
I have the SAW grip on it right now for compliance. Not thrilled with it. I can't wait for the new magpul AK grip to come out...I have a magpul MOE on an AR and really like the feel. Can't wait to see what they do for a fore end.
I will probably do my bullet guide on my day off, tomorrow. I want it installed before I go to the range to try out the conversion. However, my Saiga seemed to run fine using Bulgarian poly 30's prior to installation. BTW, I am using the CSS bullet guide kit for my flat trunnion Saiga 5.45.
-
Thanks for the reply.
I'm open to the AR stock on an AK, since I like how compact they can be for storage...plus, I already have a couple buttstocks to choose from.
I have been reading up on this topic, and sight/stock relationship does not seem to be an issue.
These are just preliminary thoughts, though. I could easily see going with a soviet-contour plastic fixed stock.
Decisions decisions.
-
Hello friends
I have had a 5.45 Saiga for a couple years now, and have kept it in original configuration.
PS...I can't believe what original Saiga 5.45's are selling for now...roughly three times what I paid for this rifle.
I have decided to start buying conversion parts. I have built my own AK from a parts kit, so I know I can do this job.
I am looking at stocks.
In my man cave, I have a couple AR collapsible stocks....one M4 plastic, one CAR aluminum. I was considering using one on the Saiga.
Looks like the RDAK adapter would be one option...I already have a spare AR buffer tube. Another option is the adapter with tube sold by CSS...
http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-1152/M4-AK-Saiga-Stock/Detail?sfs=82de85d9
Any thoughts on which would be preferable?
Or are there other possibilities?
I will probably keep the OEM fore grip, as I like its feel.
-
I also would like to keep the standard Saiga stock on my 5.45.
After 600 rounds through my Saiga, and constant attention to keeping the trigger linkage contact points well lubed with WeaponShield CLP, the trigger seems to be about the same as my Yugo AK with Tapco G2. The Yugo trigger is a bit lighter, but then, I have shot it for a few years, plus I gave it a little polish before I installed it.
Really, the Saiga trigger is not nearly as bad as it is made out to be. If it could easily be removed and the contact areas polished, it could be made into an excellent trigger.
-
Folding stock Kalashnikovs fit in a tennis raquet case very nicely, as well
-
1
-
-
"Looks like" is an opinion. Have you shot one that was properly broken in and lubed? I have a lot of trigger time on the AK. The Saiga trigger can do good work once it is broken in.
-
I also am torn as to do a full conversion...I own pistol grip rifles, including an AK. Like them just fine. But, I also like the straight sporting stock too. I find the sporting stock to be very quick handling...fast to the shoulder, and excellent pointing.
As far as the trigger goes, I see a lot of criticism of the stock trigger. In my Saiga 5.45, out of the box, it was stiff and notchy. I took the time to clean it well, and lube all the contact points in the linkage...after each range session, I have donr this again as part of my cleaning. I have now fired about 600 rounds through this Saiga, and the trigger has gotten very good indeed...just light enough, and a crisp break...and smooth.
The only reason I am considering doing a conversion is that I want to run the AK74 muzzle break...doing the pistol grip conversion seems like the easiest, cheapest way to do that, and keep 922 compliant. Funny that the law is almost forcing me to add "evil rifle" features just to add a muzzle break.
-
Well, I have been shooting a lot of years, and I have fired 1000's of round of 7.62x39 through AK's, and I have never encountered residue like this. That is why I wondered. I don't like to see the muzzle so crusty.
-
I have been shooting 7N6 dated 1976 in my Saiga 5.45...three range trips, about 100 to 150 rounds each time.
In cleaning my rifle, I find that this ammo seems to leave a lot of residue. The gas pistol head has splotches of black that is almost like tar...and does not come off with bore cleaner. When I removed the 74 zig zag muzzle break, the muzzle and crown are black and rough with this residue, and again, it dosn't come off.
Anybody else experience this?
-
I don't know...but I have a feeling I should buy another case of 7N6...They must be selling a metric buttload of these.
-
Yesterday, my work was over with early in the morning...with the wife at her work, I was free as a bird to duck out to my clubs rifle range for a few hours. This would be my third trip with the Saiga 5.45.
I recently was on the hunt for a scope mount for my Saiga. I am usually not a fan of UTG products, but the reviews of their quick detach rail mount were just about uniformly positive...astoundingly so. Plus, I found it on Amazon for about $30 delivered.
The UTG mount slipped right on my Saiga and tightened right down. It seems like a solid piece of gear. I don't really have a need for the rail on the side, but maybe adds some stiffness and strength to the mount, so I can live with it.
For the time being, I have mounted one of the cheap Aimpoint comp 3 clones...a clone that goes so far as to wear the aimpoint logo and patent number. This clone was sold to me very cheaply a couple years ago, and has been on a couple different rifles, the last being a century cetme. The cetme has a history of destroying cheap optics, but this counterfeit aimpoint handled it just fine.
I set up at the range all by myself...we have a 25yd sight in bench, so I put up a target, put in a magazine, and settled in. My Saiga had a M16 clip-on bipod to shoot off.
When I fired the first shot using the cheap red dot clone, the round hit about two feet high....I cranked down the elevation shot by shot till the rounds were hitting about the height of the center of the bullseye. Then, I had to crank the windage to move impact into the center as well. The Saiga was then printing tiny inch and a half groups in the X. The red dot is really a CQB scope, so I wanted it zeroed for close range...but of course, I had to see what it would do at longer range.
I set up a target at 100yds. The red dot covered the bullseye at that distance, but I did my best to center over it, and center on the target sheet...The five rounds grouped about 5 inches above the bull...
I reloaded and fired the next five with the red dot held under the bullseye, with some space between them...the five rounds were all in the black.
I used a Bulgarian circle 10 30rd magazine for all my shooting...My Saiga does not yet have a bullet guide installed, but it worked perfectly with this magazine. I repeatedly loaded only five rounds as I was sighting in, and never had anything but smooth feeding and perfect function. I also fired with 10 rounds in the mag, and with 30 rounds...same story, perfect function.
I finished the day with a fully loaded magazine. With the red dot zeroed, and standing offhand, I ripped through the 30rds pretty quickly, just picking out features on the 100 yard dirt berm, putting the red dot under them and firing away, knocking visable twigs and dirt clods off with every shot.
The Saiga 5.45 ROCKS....but you already knew that.
Next, I want to find a reasonably priced 1-4 power variable scope...I feel that power range would be perfect. The UTG mount is so cheap, I may pick up a second and leave the aimpoint clone on the first mount all zeroed in.
-
Nice....are you going to do the FSB/muzzle brake?
I think I will keep the Saiga front handguard on mine...I like the way it feels in the hand.
-
Nah, I mounted a take-off Bulgarian front sight base to get the threading for the muzzle brake. Not hard at all. Plus, all I did was eyeball it for straghtness...and it turned out centered better than OEM!
Based on my shooting results using irons, I am really looking forward to seeing how the 5.45 does with a scope. I have a rail mount on the way right now. I am thinking that a compact, low powered variable like a 1.5-4.5 or a 2-7 would be perfect.
Still deciding on the scope...but I have an aimpoint clone red dot I will use till I decide. Once I find the right scope, the irons will probably serve as backup. I do good work with the irons as issued anyway.
-
Went to my rifle club today, West Branch Rifle and Pistol in Grafton, Ohio.
On the agenda was testing out the ZigZag muzzle brake I recently installed, and sighting in the new front sight it is attached to. Also, I wanted to see how this rifle worked with the Bulgarian 30rd mags I just got. Finally, I got a box of Hornady 60gn Vmax I wanted to try.
This is my second trip to the range with this Saiga. All shooting was done at 100yds.
The new front sight zeroed quickly, and the sight post, once zeroed, is centered very nicely...better than the OEM post, which was far to the right out of the box, and still hit right at 100yds.
When I had the sight set the way I wanted, I switched to the Hornady Vmax. The Saiga fed and functioned 20rds of this ammo with no problem. This load did hit to a different POA than the 7N6...it was hitting high two inches and right about 4. You would definately need to zero for this load specifically if you were going to use it for hunting or SD.
I put 90rds through the Saiga using two different Bulgarian poly mags....one was circle 21, one was circle 10. Both functioned perfectly. I used them slow fire and aimed, rapid (that is, firing quickly while still aiming...not shooting as fast as possible).
With one mag full, I was squeezing off doubletaps quickly...aiming the first round and firing the second as fast as I could...here is where the muzzle brake shined...the front sight barely moved.
I will probably install a bullet guide at some point, but it seems as if it is something I will do "just because".
All in all, a fun day, and the Saiga did great...got some questions from other shooters...."what rifle is that?....what caliber is that?...."
-
Since I have some West Virginia relations in my family tree, I object to your continued use of the term "Hillbilly" as a perjorative.
We prefer Mountain William.
-
1
-
-
Well, I shot my 5.45 with the 74 zigzag muzzle break today. Definately a different sound signature at the shooter end...seemed less to me. As for the sound to side, I couldnt say...but since the guy next to me was shooting a 16" barrel AR in 50 Beowolf, I dont mind if it was annoying...that 50 Beowolf was LOUD.
I didnt notice much difference in recoil, till I did some fast double taps...definately easier to keep the front sight on target.
-
The standard AK rear sight works great for me...I was shooting two inch groups today at 100yds using 7N6.
As a fan of US military aperature sights, I would be tempted to try a TWS style topcover rail with a an aprature at the rear.
-
I have shot my Saiga 5.45 without a break, and of course, recoil is negligeable. Just changed out the FSB and put on a Bulgarian zigzag break, and will be shooting tomorrow...I will give my impressions then. One thing I have read from soviet vets...The 74 break redirects the sound and can make it more difficult for an adversary to locate the source of a shot.
20" 5.45 Muzzle Brake Options?
in Saiga 5.45
Posted
The standard 74 muzzle brake is not "too heavy, too bulky", and I have found it to be extremely effective.