Spacehog

Just out of curiosity, what kind of powder are you putting on it, i.e. type and manufacturer? I would definitely go with one of the harder formulations with a tight cross link. Also, I recommend some type of conversion coating pretreatment underneath. Minimum I would do on a firearm under powder would be iron phosphate, but manganese or zinc would be better options. It won't necessarily improve the aesthetics of the final coating but it will go a long way in long term adhesion especially on the barrel because it's gonna get hot under the powder. Just my two cents. Good luck.

I am getting fatter the older I get! Just kidding. Its named after the band from the nineties.

Thanks for the correction Chile. It's been a while since I cut mine but I remembered that you couldn't take the brake all the way back and pin it to the FSB. I Did the same thing you did with the pipe cutter and have been very happy with it.

One other issue is the portion of the factory threaded barrel is a longer distance from the FSB to the crown of the muzzle. On a factory threaded barrel the muzzle break will bottom out before reaching the FSB. It was no big deal for me as I just used loctite and it hasn't moved, but some folks modify the break so it can screww all the way back and a detent pin can be installed in the FSB. There is a thread somewhere about it on the sight. Also the factory threads are 14x1 LH.

Thanks. I have always wondered if the matte black was truly matte or if it has a little sheen with it. I have always thought it looks more professional with a satin finish similar to the park jobs on many US rifles. Your pics confirmed it is the right color for my two Saigas.

Looks great! Which black did you use to Duracoat? Is that matte black or one of the other choices. Also what bast media/size did you use to prep. I like the matte blasted bolt carrier. Great job!

I agree with the members that support the DIY approach. When you built your first AR, you were probably a little intimidated as well. Now you could probably tear one down and reconfigure it blind folded. The same principle applies with the Saiga. Doing the conversion yourself allows you to learn how the firearm functions. In comparison to an AR they are extremely simple. When I did my first Saiga 12 last year, I had no experience at all with the AK format, but with the help of this forum and the vids on Carolina Shooting Supply I finished it in a couple of hours, including cutting the tang

I was wondering the same thing about the sight post. Is it just taken from the bottom perspective of the barrel, so the sight post is hidden in the pic behind the barrel? Either way the top pic looks like the threads are present under the shroud. If it doesn't, it is not that hard to thread yourself. The tools are not very expensive compared to the S12, and there are several good write ups already on the forum. If you don't want to go that route, any competent local macine shop should be able to do it. Good luck.

My Saiga 12 is absolutely my favorite gun to shoot in my collection right now. One cannot empty a MD 20 drum without grinning from ear to ear. With that said, I still enjoy breaking out my 1963 JC Higgins bolt action 22 for a little precision shooting. Now I understand that I could completely destroy the area with my S12, however there is a certain amount of satifaction with being able to hit a very small target every time I pull the trigger. Not to mention the 22 is the first gun that I ever shot at 4 years old back in 1975. Still have it, still shoots well, and I will never get rid of it!

A large solar flare will take out many of the satellites as well as electronics on the ground, one side or the other will not matter. So probably reduced GPS, Cell signals, spotty internet and a few blackouts from power plant trips and or grid trips. Oh my God, that would put us back in the 70's People would have to read 2D maps, not know the latest mud on the celebs and actually drive a car without distraction. Woo Hoo bring it on I kinda agree with you. To a point technology is killing us. Kids don't know how to have a conversation face to face because all they know

OK eagle eyes. Are these rifles threaded or no? What says you? Top one yes, bottom one no. My 7.62 was an 09 version from Classic arms. I wasn't expecting it, but when it arrived, I could see the start of the threads. If you are not sure, take a tooth brush and scrub the area between the shroud and the barrel with dishwashing detergent and take a bore light to it. If you cant see the start of the threads it's not worth cutting the shroud. If you see the "spiral" it's time to cut the shroud and expose the threads. The only thing I can say, is it will be clear that he threads a

How stable is the rail on top of the receiver cover? Normally, I wouldn't trust that setup for optics. Has Legion done something to mitigate play in the cover itself? Just curious, not trying to take away from your new purchase. It is sharp, and will be even nicer after conversion!

Cleaning my firearms after every trip to the range while drinking a frosty beer is part of the fun of shooting.

Right, which was what I was thinking. Predicting apparent movements of cosmological phenomena needs some sophistication, but developing a theory explaining the mechanisms underlying the phenomena would seem to require an additional level of technological advancement that--while it may be lost to history--doesn't seem to be there. Unless there's another explanation... The dude's hair from Ancient Aliens automatically robs any credibility of what might come out of his mouth.

Absolutely incredible job! If the kit or build video comes out, itlooks like I'll be buying another Saiga.

Sorry Harley, You are above my pay grade on this one. I know that replacement rails are out there, but my understanding of correctly installing them so that they are lined up with the barrel is not an easy DIY project. Maybe some others on this forum can help. Good luck.

I am in the same boat in regards to the receiver and barrel. I am going to carry them to a customer of mine that parkerizes for the military. He'll bead blast them and put about 1400mg/sqft of manganese phosphate on them. I am just not sure whether I want to just oil over the park finish or topcoat with Duracoat. I kinda like the look of Parked and oiled over the top-coated paint option.

Have you tried using regular slow cure epoxy? The type that is clear and pourable. I would think that stuff would setup like rock and be more than capable of handling the stress. Just an idea.

I have been mulling the same idea with a polymer AK 100 stock, but I was concerned that there would not be enough plastic left after cutting off the internal block portion to securely fasten it to the ace folding mechanism. The idea I had was to take the butt plate off and fill the front up with epoxy to a depth of 3-4", let it cure and then drill for the attachment holes. I will try it as soon as I pick up the stock.

First of all, I am new to the forum, and I want to thank everyone for the wealth of experience and knowledge that is available here. I have successfully restored two Saigas a 7.62 and S12 in the last couple of months and have been bitten by the bug hard. I have searched for options on customizing or refinishing plastic and haven't found much outside of Duracoat or GK. Although both are fine options, I wanted to move away from the plastic look. I came up with this process to give a strongly textured look on the standard polymer AK stock. The process begins with clea

Chile, LMAO.

It was my understranding that the new ones for 499 no longer have the side mount for optics on the receiver and that all new imports will no longer have them. Just wanted to put that out there for anyone who prefers the optics mounted towards the rear of the gun.

Bought mine at Classic Arms for $299 unconverted. Nice rifle with 14x1 LH threads under the FSB shroud. You should have had to have the dealer where you shipped to fax a copy of their FFL to Arms of America. They will ship the rifle to your local dealer, you fill out the paperwork, pay the transfer fee, and take the firearm home.