Converting further...

[imarangemaster 315]

Well, I know I talked about liking the full length factory handguard with vent holes on my converted Saiga 7.62x39. I also know that I did say I wish it had a liner, as it got hot with 300 rounds. With that said, I am putting AK100 hanguards on my Saiga, anyway! I wish I could justify it with rational reasons, but alas, I JUST LOOKS DAMN COOL WITH AK100 series handguards! I already have the K-VAR stock and grip.

 

I have ordered a K-Var set from Brian at Dinzag, picked up a new Yugo gas tube for $17, and ordered a standard handguard retainer (East German, I like the long sling slot) $18 and adapt it to the Saiga like MD_Willington's design to bolt on. Now I need to find a short cleaning rod with the same thread as the Russian. I found Chinese 17" but think they have a different thread.

 

 

NO! I AM NOT REPLACING THE FSB SO I CAN USE A 74 BRAKE AND BAYONET! That's what God made KBARs for. Heck I I have to spear someone, I am in deep SH$#@T Besides, I really do think the AMD 65 brake works awesome and has a certain panache!

 

I had not idea how addictive this is! :cryss: :cryss:

[shades_of_grey 1,092]

Hell yeah, man! Get some proper handguards on that Russian biatch!

 

I loves my plum guards with steel heat-shield.

[imarangemaster 315]

Hell yeah, man! Get some proper handguards on that Russian biatch!

 

I loves my plum guards with steel heat-shield.

 

I actually considered the K-Var plum, but I already have the black KVar warsaw pac black and AK grip, so I will keep my "black rifle" BLACK!

 

I handled an AK with teh K-VAR AK 100 pattern handguards, and they are nice! Stainless heat shields, and the exact lines of the Russian. Should make my Saiga Girl VERY happy. Heck, I'm 57, and should be too old and wise to succumb to just putting them on because they look cool.... , Awe, what the heck. My wife says I am a 12 year old anyway!

 

WHERE DO I GET A DANG SHORTER CLEANING ROD? I thought of cutting this long one down, threading the end, and coming up with a little knobby jobber, but I would rather just get the right one. Problem is, I have run into several different thread patterns on AK brushes and rods. Anyone know if thew 17" Chinese rods have the same thread?

[Shellshock1918 1]

Well, I know I talked about liking the full length factory handguard with vent holes on my converted Saiga 7.62x39. I also know that I did say I wish it had a liner, as it got hot with 300 rounds. With that said, I am putting AK100 hanguards on my Saiga, anyway! I wish I could justify it with rational reasons, but alas, I JUST LOOKS DAMN COOL WITH AK100 series handguards! I already have the K-VAR stock and grip.

 

I have ordered a K-Var set from Brian at Dinzag, picked up a new Yugo gas tube for $17, and ordered a standard handguard retainer (East German, I like the long sling slot) $18 and adapt it to the Saiga like MD_Willington's design to bolt on. Now I need to find a short cleaning rod with the same thread as the Russian. I found Chinese 17" but think they have a different thread.

 

 

NO! I AM NOT REPLACING THE FSB SO I CAN USE A 74 BRAKE AND BAYONET! That's what God made KBARs for. Heck I I have to spear someone, I am in deep SH$#@T Besides, I really do think the AMD 65 brake works awesome and has a certain panache!

 

I had not idea how addictive this is! :cryss: :cryss:

Will a yugo gas tube work? Aren't the handguards on a Yugo longer than a standard AK(therefore requiring a longer tube)?

[taurussvt 0]

I had trouble with my cleaning rod and kit as well. I ordered a standard length cleaning rod from K-var when I switched over to a bayonet lug style FSB and AK furniture. Problem was, it didn't thread in to my regular saiga cleaning kit tools. I ended up ordering a regular AK cleaning kit from K-var and then everything was fine.

[imarangemaster 315]

Hahaha,

 

Stupid me, I forgot about Yugo handguards being longer with 3 slots instead of two!. It won't work. Ordered a Romanian in excellent condition for $20. That should work well. I just re-sell the Yugo on GB after I get it.

 

Thanks for reminding me 1918! I would have been pissed! The retainer and Handgards are on the way already.

[imarangemaster 315]

Update:

 

Got the K-VAR AK100 series US handguard set from Brian at Dinzag and it was awesome, especially with a stainless steel reflector liner in the handguard! It was on sale $50 for top and bottom. Also got the E German retainer in the mail today and did the modification like MD-Willmington did. Works perfect, and the sling loop on the side of it is wide enough for my 1" sling. I don't need a hook end sling.. Instead of putting a round bottom notch on the screw like he did, I notched the top of the barrel for a cross screw. I'll have finished the conversion, sights straightened, and a reliable tack driver. The AMD65 Brake looks real cool on it with the AK100 handguard. Life is good!

 

I got the E German retainer from: http://aa-ok.com/sections/5-ak-barrel-related-parts for $18. Ordered Wednesday and got it today (Saturday).

 

I will post pics in the picture thread when the gas tube comes in.

Edited May 3, 2009 by imarangemaster

[VladTepes 160]

in for pics

[unclejake 428]

Kudos Range!!

[imarangemaster 315]

Here's some pics of the progress.

 

 

 

 

The retainer came out alright, though I think I may pick up another as I have a few ideas about cutting a little different. MD Willminton used a yugo retainer, and the hole for the lock lever is farther foward, and give more room for a cut. I used the East German because I like the larger sling loop.

[Kymasabe 1]

Have you considered the handguard from SGM Tactical? Has slots for venting, has three rails, has a liner, bolts on just like the factory handguard. No sling swivel though, I had to buy a swivel for a pic. rail.

 

Hey, does that AMD brake add alot of weight to the front of the gun? I had a AK74 style brake on one of my Saiga conversions but it was so front-heavy that I didn't enjoy shooting the gun and got rid of it. I've been using the Phantom flash hider from DPH Arms since but it doesn't offer the "brake" characteristics, just flash suppression. I've thought about the AMD brake but wasn't sure, it looks heavy.

Edited May 3, 2009 by Kymasabe

[jeepranch 16]

Hahaha,

 

Stupid me, I forgot about Yugo handguards being longer with 3 slots instead of two!. It won't work. Ordered a Romanian in excellent condition for $20. That should work well. I just re-sell the Yugo on GB after I get it.

 

Thanks for reminding me 1918! I would have been pissed! The retainer and Handgards are on the way already.

where do I get the Romanian gas tube? Edited May 3, 2009 by jeepranch

[imarangemaster 315]

Have you considered the handguard from SGM Tactical? Has slots for venting, has three rails, has a liner, bolts on just like the factory handguard. No sling swivel though, I had to buy a swivel for a pic. rail.

 

Hey, does that AMD brake add alot of weight to the front of the gun? I had a AK74 style brake on one of my Saiga conversions but it was so front-heavy that I didn't enjoy shooting the gun and got rid of it. I've been using the Phantom flash hider from DPH Arms since but it doesn't offer the "brake" characteristics, just flash suppression. I've thought about the AMD brake but wasn't sure, it looks heavy.

 

I thought of a rail handguard, but decided against it. I don't plan on lights, ;lasers, or for grip. Just a plain jane AK.

 

As for the AMD 65 brake, it hollow and light weight. Don't notice it is there, and works really well on felt recoil. About 30% at least.

[imarangemaster 315]

Hahaha,

 

Stupid me, I forgot about Yugo handguards being longer with 3 slots instead of two!. It won't work. Ordered a Romanian in excellent condition for $20. That should work well. I just re-sell the Yugo on GB after I get it.

 

Thanks for reminding me 1918! I would have been pissed! The retainer and Handgards are on the way already.

where do I get the Romanian gas tube?

 

A guy on Gunbroker (for $20) I think he has more. His email is: dropdbombnow@cs.com

[jeepranch 16]

thanks, would a yugo gas tube work?

[imarangemaster 315]

thanks, would a yugo gas tube work?

 

I don't think so. They have longer handguards. A yugo retainer, will though, it does not have the sling loop.

[imarangemaster 315]

Here's an update. Went to the hardware store and got a 8/32 cap screw (hex allen head, already black) and a flat speed nut (also already black). It is about 4mm diameter. The original rocking retainer pin was 5mm, but I did not want to notch the barrel that deep if I didn't need to. Put it on and cut the screw to length, dabbed the end with cold blue. I am going to to a total repaint once I get the Rommy gas tube. Notice the stock gas tub on it now. The 8/32 screw engages the shallow notch in the top of the barrel and would not let it budge forward at all, even when whacked with a prass hammer. I don't think recoil will be an issue! I plan on getting another retainer and cutting it a little different (read NEATER), but this will do for now.

 

"A man going by on a horse would notice a thing, especially if he was blind in one eye, and couldn't see out of the other!"

Edited May 3, 2009 by imarangemaster

[unclejake 428]

All and all, not a bad job Range! It doesn't look bad and it was a good practice run fer ya! I appreciate the pics!! Now this ol' clod ought to be able to do one! LOL

[imarangemaster 315]

My Rommy gas tube came in so I could finish the conversion. Sweet. It is brand new/unissued. Black paint matches my Saiga. Slipped in the K-Var top handguard from Brian at Dinzag, trimmed the top rear end bevel a tad to fit it to the Saiga. Perfect fit! No wiggle, even without a spring. Now it looks like an AK should! I will post pics in the picture thread. Instead of worrying about a cleaning rod under the barrel, I am getting a German G3 kit with a pull through chain. They come with a second, nice big brush that works for the gas tube.

[shades_of_grey 1,092]

rangemaster.. get a cleaning rod for the looks.. don't worry about whether it's the correct thread for the tools in the AK cleaning kit you have. For cleaning, just take the easy and extremely effective way out and get a .30 caliber Hoppe's Boresnake.

 

That's my advice, anyway. I use a Boresnake, not my cleaning rod.. it's both much faster and easier on the rifle to go that route.

[imarangemaster 315]

Pics in the picture thread.

 

Bore snake a great idea. Cleaning rod won't work, as I used stock Gas Block and FSB, since I have an AMD65 brake that I love.

[shades_of_grey 1,092]

Pics in the picture thread.

 

Bore snake a great idea. Cleaning rod won't work, as I used stock Gas Block and FSB, since I have an AMD65 brake that I love.

 

So the brake is all that keeps you from being able to mount a cleaning rod in its little slot below the barrel? Shit, if that's the case, I might advise ya to cut the end of the rod down, (the end that extends into the lower handguard), so that it will fit behind the brake.

 

Is it a big deal? No. Do most people look for a cleaning rod below the barrel when they're viewing a pic of an "AK"? Yep. It just "looks right".

[protected static 19]

Here's some pics of the progress.

 

[snip]

 

 

The retainer came out alright, though I think I may pick up another as I have a few ideas about cutting a little different.

You said that you grooved the top of the barrel for the screw that replaces the retaining lever - did you also have to groove the sides of the barrel for the little tabs that are on the inside of the retainer's barrel band?

[imarangemaster 315]

Here's some pics of the progress.

 

[snip]

 

 

The retainer came out alright, though I think I may pick up another as I have a few ideas about cutting a little different.

You said that you grooved the top of the barrel for the screw that replaces the retaining lever - did you also have to groove the sides of the barrel for the little tabs that are on the inside of the retainer's barrel band?

 

Mine had the lateral grooves in it already. I got luck. Must be an AK103 barrel. My 223 Saiga did not have the grooves.

Edited May 12, 2009 by imarangemaster

[unclejake 428]

B.,it turned out very nice indeed!! You should be VERY PROUD!!!! I'm done hittin Mama up for the funds to finish mine out right...prolly around Father's Day...

[protected static 19]

Mine had the lateral grooves in it already. I got luck. Must be an AK103 barrel. My 223 Saiga did not have the grooves.

Okay, that probably explains it... I didn't remember seeing them on my .223 (or in MD Wellington's pics), and when I saw them in your closeup, I was afraid I was having an attack of the stupids or something.

[imarangemaster 315]

Ok, edition 10 of the continuing saga (Gosh, doesn't this conversion addiction ever end?)

 

Got the 24 mm FSB from Blackthorne for $25 (yes, I'm not a huge fan of theirs at times, but in the past they almost always did me right) It is very nice. It is not a pin on like a Bulgy, but has a 8/32 set screw in the bottom. Not usually an optimum set up BUT the way I am doing this is to set the FSB about 3/16" back from the muzzle and use a thin 14mm L muzzle indexing nut from Dinzag (used for indexing brakes) with industrial locktite snug against the front of the FSB. That will keep it from moving forward when the forward force of the 60,000 psi shock wave hits the backside of the internal front face of the brake. The 24mm AK74 brake ($19 on sale is enroute from combathunting.com) will fit over the muzzle nut. I will use the set screw, with a dimple drilled into the barrel, just to keep it indexed laterally after I true it up vertically.

 

Well, I also got the Bulgarian AK74 bayonet from APEX for $35 coming. It's about as close to the Russian as you can get without spending a fortune. I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to get a bayonet, as I have a K-Bar. What the heck. I got the FSB today, and decided that it would be lonely without a bayonet.

 

As for the cleaning rod, I think I am going to cut the Saiga factory to length, thread the end, and come up with a threaded round collar for the end. After putting it together, I will silver solder it together.

 

I have a puller already, and am picking up a couple copper washers the diameter of the muzzle to protect it from the puller.

 

I will post a series of pics in a separate cook-book post when I get it all rounded up and finally start the transistion.

Edited May 21, 2009 by imarangemaster

[redsoldier 7]

So what's wrong with the factory AK-74 FSB? I kind of like it.

 

Here's mine;

 

I used a real Russian IZMASH AK-100 rear trunion and folding stock, russian sling, Russian AK-103 mag, Russian gas tube, Russian AK-74 front sight base, K-VAR handguards and pistol grip, K-VAR 7.62 AK-103 brake, Tapco G2 Fire Control Group, Russian Pistol Grip Reinforcement plate, Russian rear sight leaf, Selector markings engraved. Punch welds instaleld on Gas block and front sight base. Refinished in KG Gunkote. Weapon accepts bayonets and sound supression devices.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

[shades_of_grey 1,092]

^ Nice rifle. If you don't mind my asking, how the hell did you manage to get an Izhmash AK-100 folding stock? That's the only part of your rifle I envy, (got a plum SGL20 myself ).

[redsoldier 7]

^ Nice rifle. If you don't mind my asking, how the hell did you manage to get an Izhmash AK-100 folding stock? That's the only part of your rifle I envy, (got a plum SGL20 myself ).

 

Actually, I got it from Jim Fuller from Rifle Dynamics. I don't think he's got anymore though. That was fairly easy to find, as jim had it. Belive it or not, finding a correct Russian gas tube and front sight base were much harder.