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Timbersmith troubles


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Before I post my issue I just want to say hello to all the Saiga folks here. I'm familiar with some of your members (especially Nalioth) from other boards, and now that I'm doing my own conversion I naturally came here for some answers.

 

My issue is this: I'm doing a conversion on a 7.62x39 Saiga and I really liked the looks of the Timbersmith black laminate furniture, so I ordered a set. Now that I'm actually doing the work I did a dry-fit to see how everything lines up and found (much to my dismay) that there is a very large difference in height between the inside dimensions of the receiver and the mating parts on the buttstock. Basically, when I put the stock in there's a large gap (at least 1/8" or more) under the upper tang. In order to give the stock a snug fit I'm faced with making some custom shims, which I don't necessarily mind doing, but I'm a little upset. Either my stock is seriously out of spec, or these aren't actually meant for Saigas and should have had a warning on the manufacturer's site and/or the place where I bought the stock.

 

I did a search for similar troubles on this board, and other than some other issues with the deep tang cut I couldn't find much, so my apologies if this is a recent repost.

 

Anybody else have these sorts of troubles with Timbersmith? I'm bummed because I really like the look, but these sorts of tolerances aren't acceptable in my book.

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Before I post my issue I just want to say hello to all the Saiga folks here. I'm familiar with some of your members (especially Nalioth) from other boards, and now that I'm doing my own conversion I naturally came here for some answers.

 

My issue is this: I'm doing a conversion on a 7.62x39 Saiga and I really liked the looks of the Timbersmith black laminate furniture, so I ordered a set. Now that I'm actually doing the work I did a dry-fit to see how everything lines up and found (much to my dismay) that there is a very large difference in height between the inside dimensions of the receiver and the mating parts on the buttstock. Basically, when I put the stock in there's a large gap (at least 1/8" or more) under the upper tang. In order to give the stock a snug fit I'm faced with making some custom shims, which I don't necessarily mind doing, but I'm a little upset. Either my stock is seriously out of spec, or these aren't actually meant for Saigas and should have had a warning on the manufacturer's site and/or the place where I bought the stock.

 

I did a search for similar troubles on this board, and other than some other issues with the deep tang cut I couldn't find much, so my apologies if this is a recent repost.

 

Anybody else have these sorts of troubles with Timbersmith? I'm bummed because I really like the look, but these sorts of tolerances aren't acceptable in my book.

 

 

It could also be the low manufacturing tolerances of Saiga's. It could be a fluke with the Timbersmith stock set, but I'd wager it's just the gun. As a general rule of thumb, if you add acessories to an AK, you might as well plan on doing some modifications to make it fit. Some cases, worse than others. Some parts actually fit.

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Appreciate the responses. I'm no stranger to fitting things and "make it work" projects, but the size of the gap caught me off guard. I've made my peace with it and now I need to find some sheetmetal or a thin piece of hardwood or something to make the shims out of.

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My issue is this: I'm doing a conversion on a 7.62x39 Saiga and I really liked the looks of the Timbersmith black laminate furniture, so I ordered a set. Now that I'm actually doing the work I did a dry-fit to see how everything lines up and found (much to my dismay) that there is a very large difference in height between the inside dimensions of the receiver and the mating parts on the buttstock. Basically, when I put the stock in there's a large gap (at least 1/8" or more) under the upper tang. In order to give the stock a snug fit I'm faced with making some custom shims,

 

Saigas are different than the old AKM pattern rifles. Saigas are based on AK103/74 type patterns. The firing pins, bolts, carriers, stocks, etc are different.

 

The timber smith is essentially made for an AKM which has a different trunnion shape and receiver relationship. The AK74 style stocks will fit much more perfect.

 

Why, because the difference between the AKM and AK74 rear openings result in a gap between the trunnion of the saiga and an AKM stock. The Tapco AKM stocks insert until

 

the outer stock edge presses the receiver edge and not the trunnion like it should. If you really must use the timber smith, make a shim so that it properly presses the rear trunnion

 

and not the knife edge of the receiver. In the picture, you can see a tapco AKM stock and the obvious gap difference compared to the saiga 74/103 pattern stock.

 

5czrk2.jpg

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^^^Thanks for the details. After sleeping on it I've made a decision: my original idea for this Saiga was actually to make an AK-103 clone complete with a '74-style brake, and after seeing all that's involved with this furniture I think I'm going to go back to that idea. I'm going to put the Timbersmith set up for sale and pick up a K-Var black poly set. Does K-Var offer a buttstock in the Warsaw length with the proper mating surfaces to fit snugly for a Saiga?

Edited by DanTheEldest
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Does K-Var offer a buttstock in the Warsaw length with the proper mating surfaces to fit snugly for a Saiga?

 

I had to use a mallet to get my stock in. They are made slightly larger, so you shouldn't have any gap problems.

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Does K-Var offer a buttstock in the Warsaw length with the proper mating surfaces to fit snugly for a Saiga?

 

All the Kvar 74 style stocks should fit perfect in saigas. I have several warsaw and a nato length one and they all fit snug against the inner trunnion.

 

I just recently finished a 2008 RAA Saiga rifle with a kvar stock set minus the grip.

 

2cnf5za.jpg

Edited by my762buzz
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