Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Yay! I finally completed my Saiga collection! LOL! Yeah I know, why do I keep saying that every time? By "complete", I mean now I've got at least one of every shotgun gauge and rifle caliber...not counting the ought six cause I just have no interest in owning one of those fugly bitches.... Well I picked it up from the gun shop yesterday. Got it from a fellow board member, just like most of my other Saigas. The PG conversion was already done on it, but I'm gonna take it from there and add my own touch to it. Pics to follow.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgconnor13 206 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Can't wait to see the pics. Glad to hear you're already getting back at it so quickly ! Looking forward too seeing what you'll come up with next Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Garys4598 1,065 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Congrats on the occasion of completing your Saiga firearms collection. Converting the IZ-240 should be "a snap" for you I am sure! Look forward to seeing pics of your completed project. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
elvis christ 451 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Come on dude, I need visuals. What are your plans for it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Don't forget to check the fired cases! Thanks and great news! Frosty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigj480 203 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Be sure to post pics! Yay! I finally completed my Saiga collection! LOL! Yeah I know, why do I keep saying that every time? By "complete", I mean now I've got at least one of every shotgun gauge and rifle caliber...not counting the ought six cause I just have no interest in owning one of those fugly bitches.... Think of the possibilities..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
2336 0 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Just waiting for your details so I have an idea what I'm gonna do! Got my IZ-240 about two weeks ago, and am trying to decide just how "gonzo!" I'm gonna go on the conversion! Already picked up a Tapco SAW pistol grip, (thanks concretus!), and am looking for other conversion parts! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Alright here she is! Sorry it took so long.....been changing my 7.62x39 around again at the same time... First I stripped it down and removed the DIY TG that was on it. I cut off, drilled, re-bent a factory Saiga TG from another conversion, and riveted it to the receiver in front and back. Then I had to remove the FSB and GB so I could install an AK HG retainer. These new guns are a pain in the ass to do this with, because you can't just drive out the cross pins and press off the parts, like it used to be.... Now you have to drill out the dimples in the sides of the GB & FSB, where they have been pressed in with a machine to hold them in place. In fact, with the GB you still have to out the pin that retains the factory HG at the front, then drill the dimples, and press off the parts. Even with the dimples drilled, it still takes some serious pressure to get them off....so the ol hammer and wood block shortcut is a thing of the past.... I don't like to drill into the barrel so I only drill most of the way through the GB / FSB....just enough to weaken it so it will pop out when pressed off. Then I had to cut a notch for the second cross pin in the 90 degree GB I replaced the other one with. (I could have used the same one over again if I wanted to patch up those fugly holes....) I also wanted the bayo lug though, so I just got a new one. I measured from the one existing notch to get them the same distance apart. I just eyeballed it straight and level. Fortunately, unlike my .223 and 7.62x39....the barrel on the 5.45 was already notched on the sides for the HG retainer stabilizer bars. That's a huge plus....Still I had to cut the notch in the top though, for the locking cam to seat in. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Beer break.... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raoul_Duke 113 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Lookin' good Cobra! I gotta get me some more tools . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Alright, so after fitting the old school Russian AK lower HG to the receiver for a super tight fit, I locked it in place with the HG retainer by locking the cam into my precisely ground notch in the barrel. Then it was time to install the new gas block. About this time, I started doing more working and less picture taking so.....lol.... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Got the GB put back on straight and pinned into place, hiding those fugly holes from the old pressed on one. Reinstalled the FSB too...after doing a little cosmetic work on it from where it had been roughed up some by the previous installer. Carefully lined it up straight so the sights were not canted. Installed the upper HG on a real AK-74 gas tube, with built in retainers....put that on and filed the top rear portion slightly to fit it. Beer.... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Trimmed the BHO and put it and the FCG back in the gun. (After putting a sweet tuneup and polish on the hammer, sear, and disconnect ) Installed the Russian wood PG with PG bushing and long PG bolt. Fitted and installed a Romy laminated AK stock that's been stained red to try and match the Russian PG and HGs as close as possible for now....eventually I'll be putting a Russian laminate 74 stock on it with the lightening cuts in the sides. Installed the Krebs Custom 74 brake and indexed it to the detent in the FSB. Test fitted my Bulgie AK -74 Bayo and took some pics! Gun PRON! Me likes the new addition to the Saiga family! Before.... After.... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Azrial 1,091 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Very Nice Cobra! You did good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe Zambeak 53 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Damn man, that came out looking GREAT!!!! Did you refinish the wood? It looks gorgeous! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Thanks guys. No I bought the stock from one of the regulars on gunsnet....AK- Nut maybe? The PG and HGs are original Russian laminate from the '50s. They REALLY come alive in sunlight. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
armedpolak 4 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Cobra, I want my rifle back!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Getting ready to go out back and shoot it. I hope it lives up to what I've been hearing about these rifles. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgconnor13 206 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 looks sweet! nice work Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KrisFox 69 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Getting ready to go out back and shoot it. I hope it lives up to what I've been hearing about these rifles. Hopefully it will out shoot your 5.45x39 AR-15 Don't forget to let us know if it marks the brass like the 7.62x39 does. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Well I'm pretty impressed so far...It did pretty good for just resting on sandbags on a couple of hay bales. I went down there with one 30 rd mag and scope I used to use on my .223 Saiga. Quickly got the scope dialed in on paper from 25 yds, then backed up to 50 yds and shot the rest of the mag out. Made a few adjustments to it while I was shooting. Now I think it's pretty damn close. Next time I'll take more ammo and see how it does at 75 & 100 yds. The ammo was Bulgie surplus FMJ with 50 gr bullets. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Getting ready to go out back and shoot it. I hope it lives up to what I've been hearing about these rifles. Don't forget to let us know if it marks the brass like the 7.62x39 does. I looked at some spent cases and verified that it does indeed mark the "brass" a little....not near as much as I've seen with my other Saiga rifles though. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Getting ready to go out back and shoot it. I hope it lives up to what I've been hearing about these rifles. Don't forget to let us know if it marks the brass like the 7.62x39 does. I looked at some spent cases and verified that it does indeed mark the "brass" a little....not near as much as I've seen with my other Saiga rifles though. You know what I'm talking about. All AK variants dent the case, but that's not what I'm asking about. It's if it marks the case like the .223 and 7.62? You know, the neck bulge or the case head ring? That's what I'm asking about. Please let me know. Thanks. Frosty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Keep in mind these are steel cases. The dents will probably be bigger in brass. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 And on the opposite side... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Oh, I forgot, Nice early version AK74! Thanks for the target photos as well. Frosty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 And on the opposite side... Great photos! Normal marks and dents! Sounds like this is the real ticket! Thanks Cobra! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KrisFox 69 Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Damn now I need to convert a S-5.45 to a 100 series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 You do good work! Keep us updated on how this rifle performs. I was going to ding you on the grip, but I'll be damn if I didn't find photos of that grip on early AK74's. Good job! Comrade Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Thanks bro. Can't wait to start building stuff like that for the members here. Getting ready to get my FFL as soon as this cancer shit's out of the way. Yeah I bought that grip with another matching one, along with the matching 1950's era Russian laminate HGs, from an old timer on one of the big AK forums. Some day I'll find a deal on a nice red laminate stock with the lightening cuts, to put on there and finish the project with style. It will look like this when finished... Here's what I did with the other grip....it's on my S-20 conversion..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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