Couch-commando 0 Posted January 3, 2021 Report Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) Hi folks, I just picked up a Saiga 12 and am planning a full conversion. I've converted a Saiga 7.62x39 into an AK104ish SBR with an AK100 series side folding stock, so I know what I'm getting into (still need to pull the barrel to get it chopped). I'd like to install a magazine well. I'm primarily going to use this shotgun in 3-gun matches. I'm not very competitive at these, but have been running open class with a pump gun, and I've always lusted after a Saiga 12, so that's what I'm going with. First, what magwells are recommended? I see the SGM tactical magwell is available, and was thinking of that. But I know fairly little about these. Will installation of a magwell like this interfere with folding an AK100 style folding stock? I've found the special Saiga 12 latch in stock at AKbuilder and have a spare rear trunnion, so I'm probably going to go this route. Second, I know magazines must be modified to remove the front latch for use with the magwell. Does this result in a magazine of the same dimensions as a VEPR12? Can VEPR12 magazines be used instead? Will these mags "drop free" like an AR15 magazine? Third, I see SGM sells a drum, both for the Saiga 12 and the VEPR12. Will this mag, when properly modified, fit a Saiga12 with the SGM magwell? Are there other, currently available magwells I should consider instead? Thanks! Edited January 3, 2021 by Couch-commando Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pedal2alloy 206 Posted January 6, 2021 Report Share Posted January 6, 2021 I don't think the magwell will interfere with a folding stock. The SGM magwell will work better with some mags over others, you would have to search on here for what others have tried that worked. Most mags can be modified to work in the magwell. Also, the magwell mags like the VEPR12 will work, although anything you do will require some fitting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Couch-commando 0 Posted January 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 (edited) Alright, I've attempted the installation. At the moment, magazines are difficult to insert. Occasionally, it will hang up on the front against the receiver, and occasionally on the sides against the receiver. When the mag does go in correctly, it won't lock without applying pressure to the rear. They do drop free. I've attached a photo of my progress so far. My question is, if I hog out the front all the way to the edge of the plastic magwell, and the sides all the way out, will I run the risk of the magazine fitting "loosely"? Edited January 17, 2021 by Couch-commando forgot the pic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pedal2alloy 206 Posted January 19, 2021 Report Share Posted January 19, 2021 You do have to hog it out to the full interior boundaries of the magwell. It is scary, but people have done it and it works If you look around on here, there are examples of people who have done it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted February 1, 2021 Report Share Posted February 1, 2021 File a LITTLE, TEST. Repeat until it works, but remember-it is a LOT easier to remove metal than it is to REPLACE it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Couch-commando 0 Posted February 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2021 I hogged our the front all the way to the edge of the magwell. The mags are still catching on the sides. Should I hog the whole receiver out, or should I use jb weld to build a funnel in the plastic magwell? Also fitted and riveted in a new trunnion. Progress is being made! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pedal2alloy 206 Posted February 2, 2021 Report Share Posted February 2, 2021 If your are saying that the mag inserts all the way and seats properly, you can stop. But more likely that you will have to continue hogging out until you match the interior boundaries of the magwell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Couch-commando 0 Posted February 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 FYI: I got it running nearly flawlessly by filing more off the rear of the plastic magwell. Still sticks a bit on the sides, but it is 90% where I want it. I figure I can add material with JB weld or something to funnel mags in better if I care to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Couch-commando 0 Posted April 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 I'm finally at a point I can test this gun. I've had issues with magazines falling out of the gun upon firing. I believe I have found the issue; the magazine catch was binding on the receiver component it pins into, not allowing it to pivot far enough forward to fully engage the ledge on the magazine. I need to test since I made this modification, but using a sliver sharpy on the mag catch, I now have full engagement, when I previously had only partial engagement. Note, when I filed out the SGM magazine well to fit VEPR magazines, I filed off the front and the back until the magazine fit in the well. Given my mag catch issue, I strongly recommend ONLY filing off the back of the magwell. I suspect the magazine sits too far forward in relation to the feed ramp, due to the mag catch issue I described. However, it still fully cycles dummy rounds, so I'm hopeful this won't cause long term issues. If it does, I guess I'll have to buy another magwell. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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