Bridis 319 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 (edited) This was my very first conversion. Actually, it was my very first gun mod that involved breaking down a gun. So here we go... Parts involved: DPH-ALUM-TRI FOREARM-SAIGA 12, 20 ALUMINUM TRI RAIL AG47 GRIP AK/SAIGA CAA AG47 MD-GP GUNFIXERS IMPROVED GAS PLUG SAIGA 12 ADJUSTMENT KNOB JT-MAINSP JTE Performance Power Mainspring for All Saiga and AK variants INT-BLK RECEIVER BLOCK- SAIGA INTERNAL STOCK ADAPTER DPH-S12PHANTOM SAIGA 12 PHANTOM FLASH HIDER DOOR BREACH TRX-SGP44B STOCK-TROMIX SAIGA 6PLUGS TRIGGER GROUP HOLE PLUGS FOR SAIGA CONVERSIONS TRXSGP35 TRIGGER GROUP-TROMIX SAIGA FIRE CONTROL GROUP SGP59DIY TRIGGER GUARD-SAIGA 12 TROMIX D-I-Y FFG2 VERTICAL GRIP - FOLDING Everything laid out. As you can see the gun as been broken down already. If you can't figure that out send your gun to a gunsmith and don't go any further. LOL The tools you need. Rubber mallet to remove stock, Dremel with cutting and polishing wheels, drill with 3/16" bit, flat head screw driver, Saiga tap tool, laptop w/ Saiga Forums running and plenty of smokes. Here you can see the original FCG has been removed The 4 holes you see are on the right hand side of the gun. The 2 towards the stock were rivets attached to the original trigger/lever pins. The rivets have to be drilled out with a 3/16" bit to remove the pins. You can then remove and discard those pins as you won't be needing them. The other two holes under the safety are where the pins for the original hammer and BHO were installed. Those pins get tapped out with the tap tool and saved for reuse. Here you can see the original trigger gurad has been removed. You must remove the rivets from the 3 hole on the base of the gun (shown in this pic) that hold on the trigger guard. Cut off the tops of the rivets with your dremel and then drill out the remaining part with a 3/16" bit. Here you can seen the tang removed. Notice that when I cut it off, I left a little extra so that I could grind it flush with the sides. New receiver block installed. Preped. for paint. May I suggest a flat black. The glossy paint that I had lying around didn't quite match. Here you can see the new FCG installed. That was a bit tricky. I suggest you use the dental floss method that can be found on YouTube to install the BHO spring. You should also know that the retaining clip that comes with the Tromix Modified Trigger Group is a bit of a pain in the ass to install. Especially since it comes with no instructions and I've never done this before. See clip below. Install Instructions: The small end slides under your trigger pin. You must keep the clip pressed up againts the left side of the gun, because you want the clip to lock into the grooves that run around each pin. As you push the clip forward you'll need to press down on the longer side of the clip so that it will go under the hammer pin. Once the clip is completely forward, the circular part of the clip will have clipped around the trigger pin and the longer side of the clip will be latched under the hammer pin. Here you can see new the trigger guard in place and the old rivet holes plugged. You should know the the receiver block that I purchased did not have any holes drilled in it to allow the plastic inserts to be installed. So I had to install the block and drill 3/16" holes in the block using the original pin holes as a guide. Finished product. The whole job from start to finish took approx 5 hrs. That's with a learning curve, a few breaks and paint delay. Edited June 29, 2009 by Bridis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalioth 405 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Very nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 I've learned a lot about my Saiga thanks to this place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Good job bro! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saigafan12345 21 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Nice job Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Thank you. I really wanted a top rail, but I'm not so sure I want to remove the factory sights. I also hope that I'll have better luck with the Federal Target ammo after this conversion, based on the lighter hammer spring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR Young 175 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Great post and an asset to the community! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vintagedude88 16 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Nice kitchen table project! I like the pic showing all the parts on the table with the laptop on the side showing the saiga-12 forum up and ready for reference as you do the build. That should be an example for all newbies to set-up before starting a build for the first time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rogertc1 4 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Nice kitchen table project! I like the pic showing all the parts on the table with the laptop on the side showing the saiga-12 forum up and ready for reference as you do the build. That should be an example for all newbies to set-up before starting a build for the first time. What is your total spend with gun, stock, mags and all? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waynebar 52 Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Very nice job, how do you like the folding vertical grip? I've read mixed opinions, some people like them, some say they have a little wobble. Your opinion please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Nice kitchen table project! I like the pic showing all the parts on the table with the laptop on the side showing the saiga-12 forum up and ready for reference as you do the build. That should be an example for all newbies to set-up before starting a build for the first time. What is your total spend with gun, stock, mags and all? I spent approx. $530.00 on the gun, approx. $530.00 on the parts, I think $230.00 for the drum and $200.00+ on the combo laser/tack light. So add that all up and you're looking at somewhere around $1,500.00 minus shipping and labor. Why, you want to buy it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Very nice job, how do you like the folding vertical grip? I've read mixed opinions, some people like them, some say they have a little wobble. Your opinion please. I llike them. I've got this one and a different one on my L1A1. I haven't noticed any wobble. They're both pretty solid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
motoguy 1 Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 What is your total spend with gun, stock, mags and all? I finished my first (2) conversions a couple weeks ago. My converted S12 is basically identical to this one: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct423.aspx Selling there for $1149. Based on some quick calculations for my gun: $525 - S12 $65 - Ace stock $45 - MSA internal block $65 - Ace (or was it Tromix?) folding mechanism $15 - Tapco SAW grip $25 - Tapco G2 FCG $45 - Tromix bolt-in hand guard $30 - GunFixr's gas adjuster (not on gun listed above) Total: $815 for my gun as built, $785 for gun as built above. Prices do not reflect FFL fees, or shiping on parts. First conversion took me about 3.5 hours. I then immediately converted one of my 7.62s as well (except for bullet guide installation, which isn't required on the S12 conversion anyway). Same processes on 7.62 took about 1.5 hours, due to being familiar with the steps involved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I finished my first (2) conversions a couple weeks ago. My converted S12 is basically identical to this one: http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct423.aspx Selling there for $1149. Based on some quick calculations for my gun: $525 - S12 $65 - Ace stock $45 - MSA internal block $65 - Ace (or was it Tromix?) folding mechanism $15 - Tapco SAW grip $25 - Tapco G2 FCG $45 - Tromix bolt-in hand guard $30 - GunFixr's gas adjuster (not on gun listed above) Total: $815 for my gun as built, $785 for gun as built above. Prices do not reflect FFL fees, or shiping on parts. First conversion took me about 3.5 hours. I then immediately converted one of my 7.62s as well (except for bullet guide installation, which isn't required on the S12 conversion anyway). Same processes on 7.62 took about 1.5 hours, due to being familiar with the steps involved. NJ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BUFF_dragon 3 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Man, I just completed my first conversion..... OMG that was EASY, I know that it looked a little daunting, but WOW... I could have gotten it done in 2-3 hours MAX if I had've sat down and done it all at once. Now mine was a simple, basic conversion, Tromix DIY TG, Tromix FCG, CAA PG (with the interchangable inserts), Tapco Folder, Chaos Puck, and Gunfixr plug. I still plan to file the inside of the PG a little more so that it fits nice and super-flush to the reciever, but even now with a small gap it is ROCK SOLID and shoots the REALLY LOWbrass Federal Walmart bulk-pack on the 1+ setting. OMG I'm just so fuckin stoked right now.... YEA!!! Knob Creek Matches here I come... LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted July 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 There's nothing better than doing your conversion yourself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BUFF_dragon 3 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I completly, whole-heartedly agree.... it is a great feeling everytime I look at it and see that I DID THAT..... and its not even dinished yet, I'm still workin on getting the gaps JUST right before I paint it up with all the duracoat that's sitting in the box next to it on the futon in my office..... it did remind me of 1 thing though, I put a limbsaver slip-on on the sporter stock SHORTLY after buying the gun a few years ago.... well, I now remember why, WOW does that Tapco folder sting when it wallops ya.... gonna have to shoot more so that my shoulder toughens up for the recoil before the Knob Creek Match Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted July 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I think I'm gonna take off the tromix stock the next time I take it out and shoot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 Well I must say I had a great day at the range today. It was the first time out after I completed the mod. I guess the reduced tension front recoil spring, reduced tension hammer spring, gunfixer gas valve and bolt/bolt carrier/hammers polish was exactly what my Saiga needed. Federal Target ammo would FTE on setting -1 and +1, FTE every 4 to 5 rnds on setting 2 and cycled perfectly with no FTE on setting 3. Winchester "Super Speed" would also FTE on -1 and +1. But it cycled perfectly on setting 2. Which leads me to beileve that I should have some headroom to shoot heavier brass with the -1 and +1 settings. It's always funny to see how people react to a drum fed shotgun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gpqueen 545 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 Really nice job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Thanks, and you sell really nice stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 We have a few of these threads, and you know what? I never get sick of seeing them. every time i'm grateful that someone took the time to document and take pics. Good job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Azrial 1,091 Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 Nice job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sacsucks 3 Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 Cool! Good pics too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bridis 319 Posted July 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 This forum's life blood is people taking the time to explain things in detail and posting pictures of their experiences. I've learned everything I know about the Saiga 12 from this forum. I can only hope that I can be as much help to others as other have been to me. Thanks again guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greenego 0 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 It looks great. I am almost finished with my converting of a Sagia 12. First for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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