Magazines?

[intoxicologist99 0]

I recently purchased a Saiga 7.62x39. and plan on doing the conversion. Without the billet guide what mags will work? with or with out mods? any info will be appreciated. THanx

[nalioth 405]

The search feature works, oh repeater of a commonly asked question.

 

If you can't get it to work for you, ask Uncle Google "search terms here site:saiga-12.com"

 

It's not like the info isn't here to find.

Edited March 12, 2009 by nalioth

[intoxicologist99 0]

i found some threads, but nothing with a specific answer. IF i decide to add the billet guide will i be able to use any ak mag?

[red_johnny 0]

i found some threads, but nothing with a specific answer. IF i decide to add the billet guide will i be able to use any ak mag?

Ok, the first reply should NOT be telling this guy to use the search function. Is it that hard to tell him the answer? Anyway, from what I found you can use the metal 30 rounds without the bullet guide. I have not had a jam yet BUT have only fired 1 30 round clip. More testing to follow. Now you do have to grind away to make the metal mags work in the Saiga but its easy to do with a dremel. Hope this helps you out!

[intoxicologist99 0]

thanks, with the billet guide installed i would be able to accept any ak mag without any mods to the mag?

[nalioth 405]

i found some threads, but nothing with a specific answer. IF i decide to add the billet guide will i be able to use any ak mag?

Ok, the first reply should NOT be telling this guy to use the search function. Is it that hard to tell him the answer? Anyway, from what I found you can use the metal 30 rounds without the bullet guide. I have not had a jam yet BUT have only fired 1 30 round clip. More testing to follow. Now you do have to grind away to make the metal mags work in the Saiga but its easy to do with a dremel. Hope this helps you out!

I respectfully disagree.

 

The search engine (ours or Google) should be used first.

 

Click on the last period in my original response and see for yourself just how many times this has been rehashed here.

 

As far as using metal mags w/o a bullet guide - you are very very lucky in that the tolerances of mag and rifle are aligned so that this works. Like "go play the lotto" lucky.

 

A bullet guide guarantees positive functionality with all AK47/AKM mags, not just "lucky" metal ones or "special' US made ones.

[red_johnny 0]

i found some threads, but nothing with a specific answer. IF i decide to add the billet guide will i be able to use any ak mag?

Ok, the first reply should NOT be telling this guy to use the search function. Is it that hard to tell him the answer? Anyway, from what I found you can use the metal 30 rounds without the bullet guide. I have not had a jam yet BUT have only fired 1 30 round clip. More testing to follow. Now you do have to grind away to make the metal mags work in the Saiga but its easy to do with a dremel. Hope this helps you out!

I respectfully disagree.

 

The search engine (ours or Google) should be used first.

 

Click on the last period in my original response and see for yourself just how many times this has been rehashed here.

 

As far as using metal mags w/o a bullet guide - you are very very lucky in that the tolerances of mag and rifle are aligned so that this works. Like "go play the lotto" lucky.

 

A bullet guide guarantees positive functionality with all AK47/AKM mags, not just "lucky" metal ones or "special' US made ones.

You assumed he did not do a search but he said he did and did not come up with close matches. I do the same thing, search first then ask questions. Now as far as being lucky I dont get what you mean by that. I have asked about this before and got little responce!!! After a search of course that yeilded no information that was useful.

[Raoul_Duke 113]

i found some threads, but nothing with a specific answer. IF i decide to add the billet guide will i be able to use any ak mag?

Ok, the first reply should NOT be telling this guy to use the search function. Is it that hard to tell him the answer? Anyway, from what I found you can use the metal 30 rounds without the bullet guide. I have not had a jam yet BUT have only fired 1 30 round clip. More testing to follow. Now you do have to grind away to make the metal mags work in the Saiga but its easy to do with a dremel. Hope this helps you out!

I respectfully disagree.

 

The search engine (ours or Google) should be used first.

 

Click on the last period in my original response and see for yourself just how many times this has been rehashed here.

 

As far as using metal mags w/o a bullet guide - you are very very lucky in that the tolerances of mag and rifle are aligned so that this works. Like "go play the lotto" lucky.

 

A bullet guide guarantees positive functionality with all AK47/AKM mags, not just "lucky" metal ones or "special' US made ones.

You assumed he did not do a search but he said he did and did not come up with close matches. I do the same thing, search first then ask questions. Now as far as being lucky I dont get what you mean by that. I have asked about this before and got little responce!!! After a search of course that yeilded no information that was useful.

 

I believe I recall reading a thread or two that some would (miraculously) function, with a standard AK magazine, w/o a bullet guide.

 

I think that's what he means by being lucky. If not, my mistake. But all mine needed bullet guides . . .

Edited March 13, 2009 by Raoul_Duke

[nalioth 405]

I believe I recall reading a thread or two that some would (miraculously) function, with a standard AK magazine, w/o a bullet guide.

 

I think that's what he means by being lucky. If not, my mistake. But all mine needed bullet guides . . .

That's what I meant. Due to the vagaries of manufacturing, it is entirely possible to have a milsurp magazine-rifle combination that will work w/o a bullet guide.

 

Very unlikely, but possible.

[intoxicologist99 0]

thanks guys for your patience. i have a bunch of pistols, and this is my first rifle. so bear with me. thanks

 

are steel mags the prefered ones? i have read a few mixed opinons with polymer mags. I will be doing this conversion on my day off, following the instuctions provided online. now i play the waiting game for my parts......

[Raoul_Duke 113]

are steel mags the prefered ones?

 

If you can't afford/find Bulgarian "waffles" . . .

[Norty 13]

If you are going with Poly Mags the stick with the Bulgy Waffle (Circle 10) or Polish Slabsides.

[shades_of_grey 1,092]

Whether you prefer steel or poly mags.. the best ones are imported and thus will be banned by King Barry and his Merry Band of Socialists before long. I personally prefer steel, as it can't shatter like poly can. Afaik all steel mags are imports, so if I were you, I'd focus on acquiring at least 6-8, (per rifle), of those first. After you've got those, bulgarian poly mags seem to be the best available.. (I recently bought a couple 40 round bulgarian polys, they're fun).

Edited March 13, 2009 by post-apocalyptic

[intoxicologist99 0]

thanks alot, how long does the conversion process take?

[scoutjoe 276]

all depends on how fast you are, the tools you're using and what parts you're putting on.

 

generally <3 hours for the x39 (doesn't include refinishing)

[intoxicologist99 0]

thats not bad, i ordered a saw pistol grip, stock, trigger, disconnector, hammer, trigger guard, and now the bullet guide kit. i cant wait

[shades_of_grey 1,092]

thats not bad, i ordered a saw pistol grip, stock, trigger, disconnector, hammer, trigger guard, and now the bullet guide kit. i cant wait

 

I was lazy and just bought an Arsenal SGL20 online, cost plenty, but I'd rather let Legion and Arsenal do the work. It should be here in a week or so.. I, also, can't wait.

[red_johnny 0]

I believe I recall reading a thread or two that some would (miraculously) function, with a standard AK magazine, w/o a bullet guide.

 

I think that's what he means by being lucky. If not, my mistake. But all mine needed bullet guides . . .

That's what I meant. Due to the vagaries of manufacturing, it is entirely possible to have a milsurp magazine-rifle combination that will work w/o a bullet guide.

 

Very unlikely, but possible.

Ok, that makes sence. I did get lucky then. The 2 MAGs I got both work. I will still test some more to make sure they function properlly with more rounds fired through them. I would like to run at least 200 rds per mag to make sure.

 

My conversion took about 2 hours but I had to stop from time to time to get the right tool. I think it would have went fast had I laid out my tools and bench first and then started.