longhunter 0 Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 A friend picked up a 21 inch barrelled Saiga, wants to convert it, but wants to shorten the barrel to 16.5 inches. What are the ramifications of this, as it relates to reliability? Will the gas port size need to be changed? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Digger44 0 Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Shortening a barrel isn't all that difficult, but it would need to be crowned. The whole process is probably better left to a gunsmith than a weekend warrior. It just goes to reason that a shorter barrel is less accurate by default. It won't change the reliability factor on the AK whatsoever. The barrel length will not affect the gas port. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reverendfranz 160 Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Just buy or trade for a shorter barrel. The work of shortening the barrel doesnt add any value to the gun, but will cost you, even if you do it at home and buy the tools. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 (edited) I'd advise your friend to sell that rifle and buy a Saiga with a (factory) 16" barrel to replace it. Cutting down the barrel is not going to be worth the cost and/or hassle, imo. Edited December 12, 2009 by post-apocalyptic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 21" is really for a scoped rifle platform, i.e. 3x scope, Harris bipod, etc. With Saigas cheap and plenitful, even if he looses a little on the sale of the 21 inch, the 16 inch won't kill him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sfven 0 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 A friend picked up a 21 inch barrelled Saiga, wants to convert it, but wants to shorten the barrel to 16.5 inches. What are the ramifications of this, as it relates to reliability? Will the gas port size need to be changed? Let's actually answer your question. It will not affect reliabilty. The Saigas are overgassed as it is and the gas port size will not affect the reliability from 21 to 16.5. Shorter than that and maybe. You can rent the recrowning tool from Dinzag and chop the barrel with a hack saw, dremmel, or chop saw. Just go slow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 how does shortening the barrel effect the chrome lining? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saigafreake 27 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 cutting the barrel can casue the chrome to flake off where the barrel was cut. Id also recomend selling it and buying a 16in model. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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