[Saiga life span]

Based on the few 7.62 rounds I extracted using a 5.45 extractor, I think the 5.45 extractor should work with 7.62 rounds, but as 762 points out, if there were a problem there is always the option of possibly reshaping the 5.45 extractor. BTW, I just read Gabe Suarez's article in the new AK magazine. He states that in 5 years of AK training sessions shooting an estimated total of 2 million rounds, his AKs did not break a part. Again, this matches statements from others with a lot of AK experience.

[Saiga life span]

I think you mean the pin contact tip surface area and not the long pin shaft.

 

I put several boxes of ammo through the rifle with the 5.45 pin and have not pierced a primer yet.

 

 

 

 

 

If anyone's firing pin should happen to break, your going to have an expensive paperweight laying around waiting for Russia to

send spare parts which is probably never going to happen. A 5.45 pin works fine and thats after trying it out with Wolf, Military Classic,

Brown Bear, Fiochi, and Double Tap ammo and no primers pierced still. I researched it for a week and could not ever find any info that would indicate that a 5.45 primer has a thicker shell.

 

I think this has been discussed in the past. The 5.45 firing pin is a little different than the 7.62 firing pin. My concern was that the smaller diameter tip might puncture a 7.62 primer. I installed a 5.45 firing pin and 5.45 extractor in a Saiga bolt. I fired a few "primer only" cases and didn't get a punctured primer. 762's experience firing quite a few rounds suggests it may not be a problem.

 

The 5.45 extractor would extract dummy rounds from the chamber, although the cartridge rims were a little chewed up due to the tighter curvature of the 5.45 extractor. BTW, a typical 7.62 extractor is a different type than the Saiga 7.62 extractor. The Saiga 7.62 extractor looks like a claw (AK-74 style) while the typical 7.62 extractor is more like a cylinder.

 

Some Saiga owners (myself included) are uneasy with guns that we can't buy spare parts for, especially vital parts like extractors and firing pins. However, as near as I can tell, AK extractors almost never fail. T. Mark Graham ("the gunplumber") reports that he has seen ONE extractor failure in the thousands of AKs that have passed through his hands over the years.

 

I think this must be true because thousands are shooting Saigas and no seems to ever report having a useless rifle because the extractor broke.

[Where to find Saiga x39 bolt parts]

 

Thanks, I guess that means I'm going to have to buy a couple of backup Saigas.

 

This the same conclusion I have come to.

 

I have lifetime supplies of spare parts for all of my main guns and feel a bit nervous about not having the same for my Saiga's as many of you do.

 

However, apparently bolt part failures are almost unknown in AKs. Mark Graham (the "gunplumber") reported that in all the thousands of AKs that have passed through his hands over the years, he has seen exactly ONE extractor failure. The extractor is normally a weak point in semi-auto rifles. And in a lot of cases, these are rifles made from mixed, non-matching, old surplus parts. Saiga's are modern, matching part, factory guns.

 

A second data point. Thousands of Saiga's are in use today and no one has spare bolt parts. I have never heard someone report that their Saiga is down because it broke an extractor or firing pin and replacements aren't available.

 

IMO, accepting that Saiga's rarely break, a complete backup rifle is acceptable. A couple years back, I bought a used (but in good condition) 20" barrel Saiga for $225. I consider that gun my Saiga parts source. I also have multiple copies of new 16" barrel 7.62 x 39 Saiga's.

 

I also think the Saiga ruggedness (if that's a word) is also an obstacle to finding a source of spare parts. There is obviously a small market for spare Saiga parts from people like us who just want to have spare parts, but how large can the market be for spare parts for a gun that rarely breaks?

 

Now, if we had ARs...

[Where to find Saiga x39 bolt parts]

Would the AK-74 extractor have the lifespan of a saiga 7.62 x 39 extractor?

They are made of the same steel and both calibers have a cyclic rate of 600 rpm.

I can't see how the military spec 74 extractors will wear out any sooner.

Shaving off the right amount from the 74 version should prevent the extra deforming

you experienced.

 

What I was thinking about is the fact that the AK-74 has a tighter arc (smaller radius) than the 7.62 x 39 extractor. In other words, the 7.62 x 39 extractor has the same arc as the recess in the 7.62 x 39 cartridge case. On the other hand, the AK-74 extractor has a different arc to match the 5.45 x 39 cartridge case. I think this causes the tips of the AK-74 extractor to dig into the 7.62 x 39 case while the middle of the AK-74 extractor would not be as snug against the 7.62 x 39 case. I believe this is the cause of the "chewed up" cartridge rims that I mentioned earlier when I manually fed 7.62 x 39 cases using the AK-74 extractor.

 

This dimensional mismatch definitely exists. Because the extractor material is so much harder than the mild steel or the brass of a cartridge case, it might make no difference even after many rounds. Especially, with an "overbuilt" extractor like an AK extractor. Or it might be one of those things like headspace where small differences make a big difference.

[Where to find Saiga x39 bolt parts]

Or maybe we could buy them from Venezuela now that Chavez has his own Izhmash licensed AK factory?

 

Dear President Chavez,

 

Like many of my fellow Americans, I was deeply touched several years ago by your generous offer to provide heating oil at a discounted price to low income Americans. Many of us admire the wonderful worker's paradise that you have created in Venezuela. We long for the day when we can wear old clothes, ride bicycles, and stand in line for food.

 

I am writing to inform you of a desperate need in our country that you may not be aware of. Many of our citizens need spare parts for their Saiga "hunting rifles". Probably many of them plan to use their Saiga hunting rifles to secure meat for the coming winter. You can keep the heating oil, but we would greatly appreciate it if you could send a few thousand Saiga rifle bolts our way. Much to our surprise, apparently our Saiga hunting rifles share some parts with the evil AK military rifles that some of our more enlightened political leaders have warned us about.

 

Your technical advisors from the Izhmash arms factory in Russia should be able to provide you with the correct part number for the bolt for a 7.62 x 39 caliber Saiga rifle. Please make sure the bolts are fitted with firing pins and extractors.

 

PS: If you are unable to send us just the bolts, feel free to send us entire rifles. We will safely dispose of these dangerous and unnecessary weapons after we remove the bolts.

 

Thank you,

[Where to find Saiga x39 bolt parts]

A 5.45 x 39 does fit in the Saiga bolt, but the tip is smaller, which makes sense for the smaller 5.45 primer.

 

Saiga extractors are type 2 extractors (looks like a claw). The standard 7.62 x 39 extractor is a type 1 extractor (looks more like a cylinder). The problem is finding a type 2 extractor in 7.62 x 39. I did install a type 2 5.45 extractor in an AK bolt. Because it was designed for a smaller diameter cartridge, the 5.45 extractor has a tighter arc (radius) than a 7.62 extractor.

 

I installed the 5.45 extractor and firing pin in a Saiga bolt. I've fed dummy rounds manually through that rifle. The rounds fed and extracted OK. The cartridge rims did look a little more chewed up, but with steel cased ammo it isn't a concern. I also test fired 7.62 x 39 cartridges (no bullet or powder, just the primer). The dents in the primers were a little different than with a 7.62 firing pin, but no ruptured primers. I haven't fired live rounds in the gun yet and may not.

 

 

I compared the saiga factory firing pin with a surplus ak74 firing pin.

I couldn't see any real difference.

I inserted the surplus ak74 (5.45)firing pin in my saiga 7.62x39 bolt

and it fit perfect. I examined the pin protruding into the breach face

and it worked flawlessly. I left the surplus pin in my bolt and

and hammered the retaining pin, and it fit fine.

I am going to live fire my saiga with the replacement firing pin when I get

a chance next week. I doubt that it will pierce a primer even with a

smaller frontal contact surface, but I will check the primers from the fired cases.

 

Your post made me curious so I got out my Saiga bolt with the AK-74 bolt parts installed. I compared it side by side with a stock Saiga bolt (I have several Saiga's in 7.62 x 39).

 

Not sure what you mean by "real differences", but when I compare the tip of the AK-74 firing pin with the Saiga firing pin, I would estimate that the tip of the Saiga firing pin has roughly twice the area of the tip of the AK-74 firing pin. The rear of the Saiga firing pin (where the hammer strikes it) is narrower, but thicker than my AK-74 firing pin, but both seem to fit in the bolt firing pin channel fine. I don't really think you can conclude that the AK-74 firing pin "works flawlessly" until you fire a bunch of rounds with it.

 

As I said in my previous post, I fired several primed cases (but no powder, no bullet) with the AK-74 firing pin and didn't see that any of the primers were pierced. However, the dents in the primers looked different (as you would expect with a firing pin with a different contour on the tip). The question in my mind is does the AK-74 firing pin create a thin spot in the 7.62 x 39 primers that would fail when subjected to the pressure from a live round with gunpowder in the case?

 

The other question I have is with regards to the AK-74 extractor. As I stated in my earlier post, it seems to extract fine when the action is cycled manually. How will it work during firing? The AK-74 extractor definitely has a tighter radius than the stock Saiga extractor designed for a 7.62 x 39 rim. Would the AK-74 extractor have the life of a 7.62 x 39 extractor? The 7.62 x 39 extractors seem to work forever.

 

Do you happen to have an AK-74 extractor that you could install in the Saiga bolt before you do any test firings? That way, you would be testing both critical bolt components - the firing pin and the extractor.

 

My guess is that the AK-74 firing pin and extractor WILL work in the Saiga bolt, but perhaps not as long as the correct bolt parts . But that's just my guess with no real science behind it. Firing a few rounds using a Saiga bolt with an AK-74 firing pin and extractor would be an interesting first step. Please report back after you've done your test firings. If you don't have an AK-74 extractor you can install in the Saiga bolt, maybe I'll work up the courage (or is it stupidity? ) to fire mine.

[Where to find Saiga x39 bolt parts]

Went through this myself a few months with a 7.62 x 39 Saiga. I'll try to remember what I did.

 

First of all, at that time I was unable to find a source for Saiga bolts or bolt parts (extractors, springs, firing pins). My focus was on bolt parts because I think bolt parts are more likely to break than the bolt itself.

 

As I recall, a standard 7.62 x 39 AK firing pin wouldn't fit in a Saiga bolt at all. A 5.45 x 39 does fit in the Saiga bolt, but the tip is smaller, which makes sense for the smaller 5.45 primer.

 

Saiga extractors are type 2 extractors (looks like a claw). The standard 7.62 x 39 extractor is a type 1 extractor (looks more like a cylinder). The problem is finding a type 2 extractor in 7.62 x 39. I did install a type 2 5.45 extractor in an AK bolt. Because it was designed for a smaller diameter cartridge, the 5.45 extractor has a tighter arc (radius) than a 7.62 extractor.

 

I installed the 5.45 extractor and firing pin in a Saiga bolt. I've fed dummy rounds manually through that rifle. The rounds fed and extracted OK. The cartridge rims did look a little more chewed up, but with steel cased ammo it isn't a concern. I also test fired 7.62 x 39 cartridges (no bullet or powder, just the primer). The dents in the primers were a little different than with a 7.62 firing pin, but no ruptured primers. I haven't fired live rounds in the gun yet and may not.

 

The question in my mind was "If spare Saiga bolt parts are unavailable, what are people using to replace broken parts?" After all, there must be thousands of Saiga's in this country. I think the answer was in a posting by T. Mark Graham (the "gunplumber"). He said that of the thousands of AKs that have passed through his hands over the years, he was seen exactly one failed extractor. This is surprising in light of the fact that lots of people take spare bolt parts to two day AR classes.

 

But, AKs just don't seem to break many parts. I guess that would especially be true of new Russian AKs like Saiga's.

 

I do have some Saiga spare parts from items left over from conversions (furniture, gas tubes, trigger parts, front sight blocks), but no bolt or bolt carrier parts. I also bought a used 7.62 x 39 Saiga with a 20" barrel for $225 that I would be willing to canabalize if needed.

 

I would be interested to know if anyone has a source for Saiga bolt parts. Maybe a source has appeared recently. Anyone?

[Yugo AK47 VS Saiga ak47]

I own both Yugo AKs and Saigas (both stock and converted). I think the price of an already converted Saiga (like the Arsenal SGL-20) is currently about $200 more than a Yugo.

 

The big advantage of the Saiga is that it's a new rifle. Most of the Yugo's are built from kits of used parts with non-matching numbers. As others have stated, the build quality of the Yugo's does vary from rifle to rifle. The Saigas are a more consistent product.

 

Some think the Russian origin of the Saiga is an advantage, although Yugoslavia also builds high quality AKs. I don't know that there is a real difference in quality between the two countries.

 

With the thicker 1.5mm receiver, heavier barrel, and bulged trunnion the Yugo has a much more solid (and heavier) feel than the Saiga. To some (like me) this is desirable. Others like the lighter Saigas.

 

Objectively, the Saiga is probably a better gun, but somehow the Yugo feels more like a real AK. Maybe it's the tank like build and honest wear.

[Bullet guide questions]

Thanks guys for the helpful advice.

 

Since you're so knowledgeable, maybe I can ask a couple more questions.

 

My plan is to install the bullet guide, shoot some rounds to make sure everything works, and then loctite the bullet guide screw with red loctite. Is the loctite a good idea?

 

Should I torque the bullet guide screw to a certain value or just tighten it down?

 

Thanks again,

[Bullet guide questions]

Been thinking about installing a Dinzag bullet guide in my 7.62 x 39 Saiga, but I had a couple of questions:

 

1. Is a drill press necessary to drill the hole (to be tapped for the screw) in the receiver or can it be done with a hand drill?

 

2. What should I use to hold the receiver steady and in the correct position? I was thinking about making a simple holder out of wood. I don't want to buy a machinist vise for a one time use and holding it steady with my left hand while I drill with my right hand sounds a little iffy.

 

Thanks,

[Saiga factory 10 rounders]

Anyone out there got a factory ten rounder they want to sell? I want to make another 15 rounder to go with the one I made. It is really handy, and 15 rounds doesn't make you feel gypped like a ten does! The Saiga 16" is so handy as a house gun with the 15, I want another to put in my pocket if I grab the gun and run, so to speak!

 

If not, any one know who is selling them at a REASONABLE price?

 

I bought some from CDNN a couple weeks ago for $20 each. New in the brown wrapper.

[think of buying but a few ?'s first]

i went ahead and bought got it for 310.00 not dimple. but it did have scope mount on side

 

You done good. I bought the identical used rifle a week ago for $325 which I consider a good price. I didn't have to think much before buying it. The cheapest new versions I've seen have been from Gilbert's Guns for $440, $480 once I add in shipping and transfer fee at my FFL.

 

My rifle has the "Scottsburg" marking on it too, but had a 2006 receiver just like my other Saiga's. My rifle was obviously used, but didn't seem to have a lot of rounds through it. Shot it last week for the first time and it shot well.

 

The dimpled receivers are relatively rare and all my Saiga's have the scope mount on the side. You got a good price on a great rifle.

[What typically breaks on an AK?]

I've given this question some thought.

 

The weak point of semi-auto rifles in general is the extractor. Without going into the details, the Saiga 7.62 x 39 extractor is different than the available AK extractors. Similar story with the firing pins.

 

Because of all the conversions, it's relatively easy to find stock furniture, FCG, and gas tubes, but not bolt or bolt carrier parts. Also, there are very few factory spare parts available.

 

Mark Graham (the "gunplumber") says that among the thousands of AKs that have passed through his hands over the years, he has seen exactly ONE failed extractor. Remarkable considering that AR shooters often take spare bolts with them so they can make it through a weekend training class. One of the reasons I don't own an AR.

 

Most AKs are built from parts kits with varying degrees of workmanship. Theoretically at least, Saiga's should break fewer parts than your average AK because they are new Russian rifles.

 

Mark Graham's experience is confirmed by the fact there there are thousands of 7.62 x 39 Saiga's out there and no one is posting about having a useless gun because they broke an extractor or something else.

 

My solution was to buy lots of Saiga parts leftover from conversions (furniture, gas tubes, sights, FCG) and several rifles so that if something does break, I'll have some spare parts or I can cannibalize one of the rifles. Last year I bought a used 7.62 x 39 with 20" barrel just for this reason. Of course, you might have a problem finding a $225 Saiga today.

 

Good reply - thanks!

 

I was thinking specifically of what you discussed - the extractor, bolt, etc. Since they are different - where would one get replacements / spares (besides another saiga)?

 

The Saiga 7.62 x 39 bolt uses a "claw" type extractor. Other 7.62 x 39 AKs use a "cylinder" type extractor which will not fit in a Saiga bolt. The only AK claw extractors I've seen are the 5.45 extractors. The 5.45 claw extractor will install in the Saiga bolt, but of course the curvature (radius) of the 5.45 is a little different than the curvature of the stock Saiga 7.62 x 39 claw extractor.

 

I don't know if this will make a difference in operation. I haven't fired the Saiga with the 5.45 extractor (and may not). When working the bolt manually, the 5.45 extractor seems to extract 7.62 x 39 cases fine. Maybe more marking on the cartridge rim.

 

The 5.45 firing pin will fit in the Saiga bolt. A standard AK 7.62 x 39 firing pin will not. The 5.45 firing pin is a little looser in the bolt and the tip of the 5.45 firing pin looks like it has a different profile. I have fired primed cases (no powder) using a Saiga bolt with a 5.45 firing pin. They fired fine with no primer rupture, but it may be different with powder in the case.

 

I haven't tried finding an AK bolt that will work with the Saiga 7.62 x 39 bolt carrier. My guess is that if anything breaks bolt-related, it would be the extractor or firing pin and not the bolt itself.

 

I haven't been able to find a source of Saiga bolt parts (other than a spare rifle). The Saiga importer told me that they're trying to get spare parts from the Russian factory.

 

Apparently, Saigas very, very rarely break extractors or firing pins. I've never heard anyone complaining that their Saiga is useless because they can't get a spare extractor or firing pin. Seems like there would be a few Saiga owners in this situation.

[What typically breaks on an AK?]

I've given this question some thought.

 

The weak point of semi-auto rifles in general is the extractor. Without going into the details, the Saiga 7.62 x 39 extractor is different than the available AK extractors. Similar story with the firing pins.

 

Because of all the conversions, it's relatively easy to find stock furniture, FCG, and gas tubes, but not bolt or bolt carrier parts. Also, there are very few factory spare parts available.

 

Mark Graham (the "gunplumber") says that among the thousands of AKs that have passed through his hands over the years, he has seen exactly ONE failed extractor. Remarkable considering that AR shooters often take spare bolts with them so they can make it through a weekend training class. One of the reasons I don't own an AR.

 

Most AKs are built from parts kits with varying degrees of workmanship. Theoretically at least, Saiga's should break fewer parts than your average AK because they are new Russian rifles.

 

Mark Graham's experience is confirmed by the fact there there are thousands of 7.62 x 39 Saiga's out there and no one is posting about having a useless gun because they broke an extractor or something else.

 

My solution was to buy lots of Saiga parts leftover from conversions (furniture, gas tubes, sights, FCG) and several rifles so that if something does break, I'll have some spare parts or I can cannibalize one of the rifles. Last year I bought a used 7.62 x 39 with 20" barrel just for this reason. Of course, you might have a problem finding a $225 Saiga today.

[Should I remove the stock?]

I have a Saiga 7.62 x 39 rifle that I want to store. It would be easier to store if I remove the stock first. However, I know the stock is held on by metal screws screwed into the plastic buttstock.

 

My question is "Will removing the stock slightly enlarge the holes in the buttstock so that when I reinstall the stock, the stock won't be quite as tight as it was"?

 

Has anyone removed and reinstalled a plastic buttstock multiple times?

 

Thanks,

[Parts for stock Saiga 7.62 x 39]

I'm interested in buying parts for a stock (unconverted) Saiga 7.62 x 39 rifle. Maybe parts left over from conversions?

 

Especially interested in bolt parts - extractors and firing pins. Please PM me with what you have and what you're willing to sell it for. Please include shipping costs in the price (I'm in Virginia).

 

Thanks,

[buy a second saiga 39 or an sks?]

Nothing wrong with having a duplicate Saiga. Especially since spare parts (not conversion parts) are hard to come by for the Saiga.

 

I have both Saiga's and an SKS. The SKS is nice if you want a milled gun made the old fashioned way, but the Saiga is the more logical choice.

[life expctancy]

thanks rubincon. I will most likely by one just to cannabalize it. hopefully people can keep this topic going for ahwile. Cause i'm sure I wont be the only one looking for small maintance references.

Why?

 

95% of the 7.62x39 Saiga is interchangeable with just about any other 7.62x39 Kalashnikov.

 

Buy a cheap parts kit with a FUBAR'd barrel for your spares.

 

Here's what my experience has been. Nothing would make me happier than if someone would point out something that I have overlooked.

 

The spare parts that I like to have with any semi-auto rifle are extractors and firing pins. The standard 7.62 x 39 AK firing pins and extractors won't work in a Saiga bolt. The firing pins won't fit in the bolt at all and the extractor is a completely different type (Saiga uses a "claw" type extractor while the standard 7.62 AK extractor is a "barrel" type).

 

The closest I've gotten is an AK-74 extractor and firing pin. The AK-74 firing pin is a little loose in the Saiga bolt. The AK-74 extractor is the correct "claw" type, but because it was made for the smaller diameter 5.45 cartridge, the curvature of the extractor is tighter.

 

I've tested the AK-74 extractor in a Saiga bolt using snap caps. The AK-74 extractor extracts the snap caps, but does chew up the rims a little (unlike the stock Saiga extractor). It seems like what's needed is a "claw" extractor for a 7.62 cartridge. But, I don't know where to find one.

 

What I can't understand (and please comment) is with all the Saiga rifles in use, don't Saiga owners break or lose firing pins or extractors? If so, what do they do?

 

Rubicon,

 

Dinzag got back to me and said that the Krink bolt he has is for the 5.45 X 39, and not the 30 cal. He said that the Krink bolts are virtually the same and would probably be a safe bet if you could find one in 30 cal. He said KVar used to sell them but no longer does. So I dunno what to do.

 

Does anybody know a source for a Krink 7.62X39 bolt or bolt assy?

 

I too would just like to find those simple, but critical parts so as not to have to spend money on an entire spare rifle for spare parts. AK's are to valuable to scrap out. And if your spare rifle is a Saiga... come on guys, you'd no more set it aside for spare parts than you would if you bought a brand new spare car... would you?

 

MacMan,

 

Yes. I haven't been able to find Krink parts, just the entire parts kit. RAA told me that they're trying to get spare parts from the factory in Russia. Their outlook is "a few months". I think Saiga Stock is going to sell the parts. Again, with all the Saiga's out there, I can't believe that SOMEONE isn't breaking or losing the occasional part.

[life expctancy]

The spare parts that I like to have with any semi-auto rifle are extractors and firing pins.

 

See, that's funny because the spare parts I like to keep around an AK is another cheap ass dead-reliable AK...

 

Sorry man, couldn't resist.

 

Yes. I do that too. The problem with an extra rifle is that not all parts are equally likely to fail. First extractor breaks - OK. Second extractor breaks, now you've got TWO useless rifles because you can't buy spare extractors.

[life expctancy]

thanks rubincon. I will most likely by one just to cannabalize it. hopefully people can keep this topic going for ahwile. Cause i'm sure I wont be the only one looking for small maintance references.

Why?

 

95% of the 7.62x39 Saiga is interchangeable with just about any other 7.62x39 Kalashnikov.

 

Buy a cheap parts kit with a FUBAR'd barrel for your spares.

 

Here's what my experience has been. Nothing would make me happier than if someone would point out something that I have overlooked.

 

The spare parts that I like to have with any semi-auto rifle are extractors and firing pins. The standard 7.62 x 39 AK firing pins and extractors won't work in a Saiga bolt. The firing pins won't fit in the bolt at all and the extractor is a completely different type (Saiga uses a "claw" type extractor while the standard 7.62 AK extractor is a "barrel" type).

 

The closest I've gotten is an AK-74 extractor and firing pin. The AK-74 firing pin is a little loose in the Saiga bolt. The AK-74 extractor is the correct "claw" type, but because it was made for the smaller diameter 5.45 cartridge, the curvature of the extractor is tighter.

 

I've tested the AK-74 extractor in a Saiga bolt using snap caps. The AK-74 extractor extracts the snap caps, but does chew up the rims a little (unlike the stock Saiga extractor). It seems like what's needed is a "claw" extractor for a 7.62 cartridge. But, I don't know where to find one.

 

What I can't understand (and please comment) is with all the Saiga rifles in use, don't Saiga owners break or lose firing pins or extractors? If so, what do they do?

[life expctancy]

You've hit on one of the drawbacks of having a Saiga - no ready source of spare parts. I've been looking for a source of spare parts for a while and haven't found one. Saiga Stock has a few - buttstocks, recoil springs, and mags. But, haven't found anything else.

 

Fortunately, AKs don't break many parts. But those that teach AK classes and see a lot of rifles report very occasional part breakage. You could buy duplicate rifles to cannabalize for parts (if needed), but that's all I can think of.

[Spare parts for a Saiga?]

Yeah, Saiga Stock is what RAA recommended me to try, too. I emailed Tantal. Still awaiting reply.

 

I appears you and I are the only ones that see the importance of this spare parts issue. In the coming Obama administration, spare parts as well as a vast array of semi auto firearms will be outlawed. The Ringknockers know this, and they will target the spare parts amongst other firearms related paraphernalia. If your gun breaks just one of these critical parts all you got is an expensive wall hanger.

 

We need to get on the stick with this. If the 101S bolt assy as a whole will work, then I'd get one for spare until we can find out more about the simpler springs etc. What a shame it would be if your liberty tool was out of service because a firing pin snapped, or the extractor suffered fatigue.

 

Keep us posted with what you find out, and I'll do the same. Many hands make for light work, and together maybe we can get to the bottom of this issue for everybody.

 

I got an email from Saiga Stock saying they would email me when they got some more parts (unspecified) in. I'll post again when I have something to report.

[Spare parts for a Saiga?]

I e-mailed K Var with the same question last month, and this is their reply:

The best and cheapest way to go ,is to get the AK-101S it works with the SAIGA as long as you head space it correctly. Thank you

 

Hope this helps. Let us all know if you order it, and if they fit. You could always just strip the needed parts of it and use the original bolt as well.

 

Yes, I remember that thread. I did buy two AK-101S bolts. Of course, the extractors and firing pins from the AK-101S bolts won't fit the Saiga bolt. Your mention of head space suggests that K Var is saying that if something breaks on the Saiga bolt to replace the entire bolt with the AK-101S bolt. Is that correct?

 

The AK-101S bolts are small stem bolts like the Saiga bolt, but the locking lugs and other features look a little different. Have you tried the AK-101S in a Saiga yet?

 

Thanks for the information.

 

No, I have not. I was just looking for replacement firepins and extractors. Have you tried the bolts in your gun?

I asked Dinzag about it, and he said that they are being anal about the head space, but the question remains, will they work in the Saiga? I don't have a head space gauge to check the tolerance.

 

I can't believe somebody on this forum cannot shed some definite light on this critical issue. I've emailed RAA, and they state that they don't have any replacement parts at this time, and don't know when they will. I'll email Tantal, maybe he can help.

 

I haven't tried the AK-101S bolts in a Saiga. But, I do know that the AK-101S firing pin and extractor won't work in a Saiga bolt. The AK-101S firing pin is too fat to fit in the Saiga bolt and the AK-101S extractor is a AK-47 cylinder style extractor rather than the AK-74 claw style extractor used in the Saiga bolt. So, if the AK-101S is used in a Saiga it would have to be a complete bolt swap, which is what K-Var may have been saying when they talked about head space because just changing an extractor or firing pin shouldn't affect head space (I think).

 

It surprises me also that the spare parts issue hasn't really been addressed in this forum. I guess because AK parts seldom break. Don't know. However, those that teach AK training classes and see a LOT of AKs in action do report an occasional part breakage. Not frequent, but they do happen. Makes me uneasy that there isn't an obvious source for things like spare extractors which I think are the weak link in any semi-auto rifle. We'll all a chipped extractor away from having a real problem.

 

On their website, Saiga Stock states that they have or can obtain additional Saiga parts that they don't list on the website. I sent them an email asking about the availability of bolt parts.

[Spare parts for a Saiga?]

I e-mailed K Var with the same question last month, and this is their reply:

The best and cheapest way to go ,is to get the AK-101S it works with the SAIGA as long as you head space it correctly. Thank you

 

Hope this helps. Let us all know if you order it, and if they fit. You could always just strip the needed parts of it and use the original bolt as well.

 

Yes, I remember that thread. I did buy two AK-101S bolts. Of course, the extractors and firing pins from the AK-101S bolts won't fit the Saiga bolt. Your mention of head space suggests that K Var is saying that if something breaks on the Saiga bolt to replace the entire bolt with the AK-101S bolt. Is that correct?

 

The AK-101S bolts are small stem bolts like the Saiga bolt, but the locking lugs and other features look a little different. Have you tried the AK-101S in a Saiga yet?

 

Thanks for the information.

[Spare parts for a Saiga?]

I have several Saiga 7.62 x 39 rifles (unconverted). I know that AKs don't break many parts, but I want to have some on hand in case the parts become unobtainable in the future.

 

I have a spare parts gun, but I also want to have some extra parts for the bolt - firing pin, extractor, pins, and springs. It seems to me that these parts would be more likely to break.

 

I bought a couple of AK-74 repair kits from K-VAR. I know that the AK-47 firing pins and extractors are different than the ones in my Saiga's. The AK-74 extractor and firing pin fit into my Saiga bolt and they look very close to their Saiga counterparts. However, the arc on the extractor may be a little different which makes sense since the AK-74 is intended for a different size cartridge rim.

 

I'm interested in what Saiga 7.62 x 39 owners do for spare bolt parts? Has anyone broken a part on a Saiga?

 

Thanks,