essohbe 47 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 (edited) Ah, well, I went against my better judgement and used the Tapco retainer plate to hold my pins in with. After about 2 hours I finally got it in. Has anyone else had an ordeal with Tapco's plate themselves? &%!@#$ this little $%! thing wasn't even drilled/punched out right to begin with and it took me the good part of an hour to find where and why. The fire selector/safety selector arm barely goes in anyway, but they didn't punch the hole at the very top left correctly, it was off about 1/10" and I also had to grind a half-moon out of the bottom of it (the part that is supposed to hold the trigger pin in) because it stuck down too far - as if it would cover almost half the pin hole, essentially meaning it wanted to go half-way into the pin instead of stopping at exactly the rim part of it where it's supposed to. Here I have shown in red exactly where I had to alter it for my rifle: You get a good idea where I'm talking about by seeing in relation to where it is stamped "Tapco USA." Maybe your rifle is different, but this particular project of mine right now is one of the new imports of 5.45s. Just thought I should post BUYER BEWARE over this. I like the plate retainers because it can never fall out like people report the clips and springs have in the past. I don't like a few of Tapco products and this just justifies what I was saying in another thread about their flimsy SAW-style grips. ... if you actually buy this plate still, and have to do this on yours, be VERY precise and triple check the bottom part because if you cut too much into it then it won't do anything to hold your pin in place. Edited December 7, 2010 by Kalashniklown Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 I've used the Krebs retainer plates on 4 different rifles (one was a x39 that I ended up selling), and they have always been pretty much trouble free. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
essohbe 47 Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Thanks for the info, I'll try Krebs on the next one I do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vintovka1891 1 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 What is the retainer plate for? I notice that there is no retainer plate on 2 of my AKs and they work perfectly. Is this something Saigas need? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 What is the retainer plate for? I notice that there is no retainer plate on 2 of my AKs and they work perfectly. Is this something Saigas need? It secures the two pins that on which the trigger and hammer ride. Your AKs have something holding those pins. Any number of things might suffice, but I believe the Krebs retainer plate to be the most reliable, and it's also a lot more convenient that some of the other options. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vintovka1891 1 Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 What is the retainer plate for? I notice that there is no retainer plate on 2 of my AKs and they work perfectly. Is this something Saigas need? It secures the two pins that on which the trigger and hammer ride. Your AKs have something holding those pins. Any number of things might suffice, but I believe the Krebs retainer plate to be the most reliable, and it's also a lot more convenient that some of the other options. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stansplace 414 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 I would put my money on the Tapco part being correct and the variations are in the rifle. That is the nature of the Saiga. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 (edited) I would put my money on the Tapco part being correct and the variations are in the rifle. That is the nature of the Saiga. If the pins are in the wrong place, won't the FCG malfunction? The pieces would be wrongly spaced. I think this is one place where they are building to spec. Edited December 8, 2010 by Jim Digriz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkforce 4 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 crap that's the retainer i bought for my Saiga 5.45 conversion Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toshbar 36 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 (edited) Mobetta. $0.18 from the hardware store. Edited December 8, 2010 by toshbar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beefcakeb99 572 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Here is an idea: how about just stick with the original intended retainer? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bohound 281 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 My little brother had the same problem with his 7.62, and the Tapco plate. Mine is a Krebs- no issues. Funny thing, I thought his problem was unique, and now I see this, and nearly the same modifications were needed. Hmm... Tapco seems hit or miss to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Here is an idea: how about just stick with the original intended retainer? Jim Fuller of Rifle Dynamics called it the one weak point of the AK system, and recommends the Krebs instead. He also said (in a thread on Warrior Talk): "Guys if your going to buy a retainer plate (and IMO all AK's should have them) Get the plate from Krebs, all the other ones on the market are to brittle and can easily crack. The Krebs plate has an offset in it that makes it easier to install than the others." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beefcakeb99 572 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Here is an idea: how about just stick with the original intended retainer? Jim Fuller of Rifle Dynamics called it the one weak point of the AK system, and recommends the Krebs instead. He also said (in a thread on Warrior Talk): "Guys if your going to buy a retainer plate (and IMO all AK's should have them) Get the plate from Krebs, all the other ones on the market are to brittle and can easily crack. The Krebs plate has an offset in it that makes it easier to install than the others." While I value his opinion greatly, I am not buying it....how many million of AK have a shep crook, and how many have you ever heard of failing? Correct me if I am wrong but don't the russians use them also? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 (edited) While I value his opinion greatly, I am not buying it....how many million of AK have a shep crook, and how many have you ever heard of failing? None, but he apparently knows of some. His experience is vastly more than mine. Even if the reliability was exactly the same as with the Krebs, I would prefer the Krebs just because of how easy it is to install and uninstall. Edited December 8, 2010 by Jim Digriz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beefcakeb99 572 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 I do not understand what everyones bickering about ease vs difficulty...for me the shepards hook is pretty easy, and at less than half the price as well as the way it was designed seems to be more logical to me so that is my suggestion... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
essohbe 47 Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Here is an idea: how about just stick with the original intended retainer? Probably, the shepard's crook never failed on my other one. I thought I'd try the plate. I will use a Krebs if I do it again. The way I got in in there finally, there's no chance in hell it's ever coming loose and the pins are falling out unless it breaks in half somehow at the edge of one of the holes. Time will tell I suppose. Hopefully I am just not in a firefight for my life if/when this palte decides to fall out. Lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Hell, the stock wire retainer with very slight mod is perfect! Oh, did I happen to mention it is a Russian original design? I'll stick with the one that came with the rifle, thank you. Frosty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 The damned Shepherds Crook has always been a PITA for me, I don't know why. Krebs Retaining Plates on the other hand have been too easy, both the rifle and shotgun have fit with no fuss. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coaxel60 3 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 +1 chile relleno. I have had zero problems with the Krebs plates for shotguns and rifles and the stock retaining spring is a paint in my ass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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