SaE 3 Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) Hi guys. New to the forum. I love my SAIGA 12 and had it long enough to start changing parts or modifying it. I can empty a 20 round drum as fast as my finger can pull with the lowest quality shells I can find. I hunt, shoot skeet and want to try 3 gun with it. The first thing I want to do is get rid of this plastic stock though. I would like to change out my plastic stock with a quality folding stock. I’m more interested in finding the parts to change my solid trunnion into a folding block/trunnion mechanism first. I do not want an add on or work around, I want a Russian made folding mechanism made for my gun to install, even if it’s going to involve a lot work. I’m not afraid of filing, drilling, cutting and riveting. I mean it could be American made but only if it’s a replica folding trunnion to what the 12-C variant uses. Then I’d like to search for the stock I want, unless I can find it all in one go. I like the SVDS style folding stock, PT-3 or Russian triangle the best so far. Of course I would convert it after all this, before putting the gun back together and refinishing it. Could anyone help me with what exactly I need for this and what all it involves? Also, where can I find these parts or where do I look? I would appreciate the help. Edited May 20, 2020 by SaE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeterGriffin 3 Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 A quality adapter won't be cheap, I'd check with JMac Customs, Stormwerkz, Bonesteel Arms and of course Carolina Shooters Supply to put together what you need for starters... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted May 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 55 minutes ago, PeterGriffin said: A quality adapter won't be cheap, I'd check with JMac Customs, Stormwerkz, Bonesteel Arms and of course Carolina Shooters Supply to put together what you need for starters... Thanks for the info. I’m going to go through and contact them to start gathering parts. Must be good people, I been lurking heavily since I joined and saw a few of those names already. Price is always a factor but I’ve had this gun for a long time now, definitely know I like the gun and haven’t done anything to it but always wanted to... so I’d like to spend the money on a quality conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeterGriffin 3 Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 You're welcome! And if you wanna do it right, it's gonna cost you and it's cheaper to do it right the first time around, otherwise you're gonna have to the second. Buy once, cry once as they say! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted May 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2020 Well I have took advantage of Memorial Day sales going on and pulled the trigger on which stock I’m going with. I ordered a ZenitCo PT-3. I really wanted an original SVDS stock but they are very hard to find and after a lot of hours, finding a couple, led to them being high prices. While also I been researching and finding myself looking up the PT-3 stock a lot, between all of this. They are pricey too though... Then, all of a sudden this good price jumps out at me for the PT-3 while I was searching for parts and research. I scrambled and ordered it. I’m pumped for it to come in. I think I’m going to really like this stock, it does everything I was looking for in function, looks badass and looks to be quality built + solid. Wish I would of ordered the longer cheek riser with it but too late now. If I need it, once I get to actually use the stock, I will order one. Also I feel I will use this stock happily on another build if I would decide on a different option for my SAIGA 12, down the road. What do you guys think of the ZenitCo PT-3 stock? Took me awhile to decide on a PT-1 or PT-3 as well... So what’s your opinions on the PT-1 vs PT-3? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeterGriffin 3 Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Did you get it from Ivan The Bear? You CAN'T go wrong with anything legit ZenitCo so y'all done good for sure! I'd say it's a coin toss between the two, I've seen more firearms kitted out with the PT-1 as opposed to the PT-3 so it'd be nice to see your Saiga with that stock installed if you can post a pic... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 4 minutes ago, PeterGriffin said: Did you get it from Ivan The Bear? You CAN'T go wrong with anything legit ZenitCo so y'all done good for sure! I'd say it's a coin toss between the two, I've seen more firearms kitted out with the PT-1 as opposed to the PT-3 so it'd be nice to see your Saiga with that stock installed if you can post a pic... Yes, I did get it through Ivan The Bear. They answered any questions I had right away through email. Also ordering through their website and the process went smoothly. They already gave me a tracking number, which was fast. That’s why I’m assuming I couldn’t add the extended cheek riser now but I’m not complaining with the fast service/handling that’s for sure. I’ll update with how the shipping goes. Sure thing, I will update with a pic. I’m still searching the market and parts gathering but I bought a ZenitCo PT-1 lock for a fixed stock trunnion. I’m almost certain I can mod it to work for a PT-3. If it works out I’ll update with a pic soon but if not it’ll be after my conversion. Either way I’ll throw up some pics of the stock itself, once I get it though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeterGriffin 3 Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Ivan has an excellent reputation and I'm sure you won't be disappointed...now you got me thinking about my unconverted Saiga...hmmm.... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Our Saiga’s deserve to be converted. Let’s do them this justice. Do you have any ideas what you want to do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Good to hear that you can’t go wrong with anything ZenitCo and about Ivan’s excellent reputation. Going to help with this wait. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 On 5/18/2020 at 3:19 PM, SaE said: Hi guys. New to the forum. I love my SAIGA 12 and had it long enough to start changing parts or modifying it. I can empty a 20 round drum as fast as my finger can pull with the lowest quality shells I can find. I hunt, shoot skeet and want to try 3 gun with it. The first thing I want to do is get rid of this plastic stock though. I would like to change out my plastic stock with a quality folding stock. I’m more interested in finding the parts to change my solid trunnion into a folding block/trunnion mechanism first. I do not want an add on or work around, I want a Russian made folding mechanism made for my gun to install, even if it’s going to involve a lot work. I’m not afraid of filing, drilling, cutting and riveting. I mean it could be American made but only if it’s a replica folding trunnion to what the 12-C variant uses. Then I’d like to search for the stock I want, unless I can find it all in one go. I like the SVDS style folding stock, PT-3 or Russian triangle the best so far. Of course I would convert it after all this, before putting the gun back together and refinishing it. Could anyone help me with what exactly I need for this and what all it involves? Also, where can I find these parts or where do I look? I would appreciate the help. You need an AK100 kit from wherever you can find one and a Saiga-12 front latch from AKbuilder.com. You may have a very hard time finding a triangle stock though. Most likely you will need to buy a poly AK100 kit and then get a triangle stock later. I have some of them, but I am not sure I want to sell them. It will require some cutting, but it sounds like you are a detail guy, and it isn't rocket science. Even if it doesn't turn out great at least you had the stones to do it. If you absolutely hack it up you have done as well as two well respected 'professionals' that I know of. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted June 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2020 On 6/1/2020 at 12:19 AM, evlblkwpnz said: You need an AK100 kit from wherever you can find one and a Saiga-12 front latch from AKbuilder.com. You may have a very hard time finding a triangle stock though. Most likely you will need to buy a poly AK100 kit and then get a triangle stock later. I have some of them, but I am not sure I want to sell them. It will require some cutting, but it sounds like you are a detail guy, and it isn't rocket science. Even if it doesn't turn out great at least you had the stones to do it. If you absolutely hack it up you have done as well as two well respected 'professionals' that I know of. I appreciate the help. I’m planning on taking my time and measuring everything carefully with calipers, to do as precise job as I can. Really looking into it all, I think I can do a decent job. The only thing I’m concerned with is the front latch but I think once I actually have the parts in hand and can look at it in person, it’ll alleviate those concerns. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted June 6, 2020 Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 The front latch isn't all that hard. The work at the rear is where most people make their mistakes. You will do fine if you are actually going slow enough to measure things and think about what you are doing. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted June 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 Good to hear. My ZenitCo PT-3 buttstock cleared customs. Can’t wait to see it in person. @PeterGriffin @evlblkwpnz or anyone know if the ZenitCo PT-3 will lock folded on a SAIGA 12? I just assumed so and didn’t even think about making sure or checking into this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 I think it did lock, but there was something different about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted June 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 2 hours ago, evlblkwpnz said: I think it did lock, but there was something different about it. Yeah I think you’re right. Looks like there is a lock built in by a separate piece you put on and pick if you have a 4.5mm or 5.5mm for which piece you need. So the stock doesn’t use the front latch. I was wondering how this would work with the stock being adjustable in size, if I had to adjust it to a certain size every time for the stock to lock folded or what. I’m still installing a front latch on my SG12 even though this stock might not use it because I would like original style stocks to lock folded and my gun be properly converted. Also I don’t know if I’m going to use this ZenitCo stock yet. The project is going to take awhile to just get my parts in, might end up with another stock before it’s done. Still torn on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaE 3 Posted July 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 I received my ZenitCo PT-3 awhile back. I should of updated about it but I can’t install it on my gun until I get all my conversion parts. So, everything has been stored and been on standstill with this build. It is a very nice and high quality stock though. It feels lightweight compared to the looks of it and how solid it is. I’ll definitely not have to worry about dropping it, beating the gun around, or using the stock to hit a person with. There is one aspect that I don’t like about it and is a design flaw but it affects the function of the stock very minimal and does not affect ergo’s at all. It also can be fixed. It’d be hard to explain for anybody to understand without me posting pictures, unless they handled a PT-3 before. I’m enjoying my holiday weekend right now and am away from my parts but I’ll update on this at a later time. As for doing business with Ivan the Bear, it’s been top notch. I recommend ordering Russian parts through them if you need to order from Russia and it’s not available in America. They have a nice website that functions well, respond back to you fast, all the parts came in shipping that I ordered and everything goes smoothly. Along with making anything right if you have any issues with your order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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