silverphoenix 11 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 What parts on a saiga 5.45x39 are interchangeable or not interchangeable with those from an ak74??? I'd like to have some spare parts on hand in case something breaks and want to make sure I'm not getting a non-fitting part Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L5K 162 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 Saiga bolts and carriers are AK100 only as far as I have ever heard. The gas piston is an AK100 piston, but I have an AK74 piston in mine and it works, just make sure you get the length correct. Trigger, hammer, disconnector, furniture, and magazine latch stuff is all good to go from any AKM/AK74/AK100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sickness 89 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 What parts on a saiga 5.45x39 are interchangeable or not interchangeable with those from an ak74??? I'd like to have some spare parts on hand in case something breaks and want to make sure I'm not getting a non-fitting part Funny. I was wondering this last night and decided to go look for a list or spreadsheet before I posted. Couldn't find one though. Probably the best way to go about this would be to buy parts from places that have a decent return policy. If folks can confirm what foreign/surplus parts work in their guns, I'd be happy to compile the info into a spreadsheet for public use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmac27 17 Posted July 23, 2011 Report Share Posted July 23, 2011 I used a Bulgarian AK74 lower hand guard retainer; gas block; and FSB and they fit fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
baraban7.62 20 Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 (edited) as far as i know, and tried, everything is interchangeable, sometimes it takes a dremel to fit, but it works, im no expert though Edited July 24, 2011 by baraban7.62 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silverphoenix 11 Posted July 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Well the main thing is the bolt and bolt carrier--and recoil spring. Has anyone tried the bolt and recoil spring to see if they work? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Going to require head spacing - not a drop in and go unit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Better question is what is the typical life span of a bolt, bolt carrier and recoil spring Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Also I think headspacing was taken care of when the rifle was originally built correctly by the Russians. Although technically you should check head spacing, the chances of the bolt not locking properly are slim. So more or less it is a plug and go piece. If it wasn't, that would mean every AK needing a bolt replacement would have to be rebuilt from the front trunnion/barrel junction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Bolt and barrel life are way, way higher in round count than most would fire. Change the bolt or barrel, and you will have to reset your head space. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silverphoenix 11 Posted July 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Even with the headspacing, would an ak74 bolt, recoil spring, and bolt carrier work in a saiga 5.45x39? This is my main issue. I would just like some spare parts on hand that if nothing else, I could pass down to my kids in case the rifle were to need parts replaced within their lifetime. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Even with the headspacing, would an ak74 bolt, recoil spring, and bolt carrier work in a saiga 5.45x39? This is my main issue. I would just like some spare parts on hand that if nothing else, I could pass down to my kids in case the rifle were to need parts replaced within their lifetime. I say yes with caution that one should head space the bolt, but like I stated before, it is not 100% needed. You should expect a plug and play kinda deal. Especially with the bolt carrier and spring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 Carrier and spring, yes, Bolt, no. It is not a drop and go affair. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Carrier and spring, yes, Bolt, no. It is not a drop and go affair. The bolt breaking is rare if I had to guess... what one would expect to replace first would be a firing pin and/or extractor. Am I right? That way, you could have pertinent replacement parts without the headspacing variable in the equation of replacement parts? Basically, to keep your saiga "passable" to other generations without them worrying about taking the gun apart, one should have recoil springs, carriers, piston, ejectors and springs, and firing pins? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Bingo. I wouldn't worry about the piston or carrier either though. I'd personally keep a spare set of every spring (don't forget the disconnector), a firing pin (retainer because hey, we all loose things), extractor, and that's it. My United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 shoots a much more potent cartridge than the Saiga 5.45x39, uses 2 locking lugs, and is a long stroke piston operated rifle. A set of springs and she's shooting like new. Not bad for a rifle made in 1955 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KC913 324 Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 (edited) If you're just looking to buy spare parts.. http://www.k-var.com...&cat=279&page=1 http://www.k-var.com...&cat=277&page=1 Pricey, but the only readily available source for Saiga specific bolts / carriers as far as I know. Edit: Also, for twice the cost of those 2 items alone you could buy a complete spare Saiga. Just sayin'. Edited July 29, 2011 by KC913 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sickness 89 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 My United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 shoots a much more potent cartridge than the Saiga 5.45x39, uses 2 locking lugs, and is a long stroke piston operated rifle. A set of springs and she's shooting like new. Not bad for a rifle made in 1955 God bless John Garand. Congrats on owning the "greatest single battle implement ever devised by man." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 You can too. http://thecmp.org/ (click on sales, left hand side, then rifle sales - can also buy ammo from them at pretty good prices!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted August 14, 2011 Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 You can too. http://thecmp.org/ (click on sales, left hand side, then rifle sales - can also buy ammo from them at pretty good prices!) Not that easy... You need to first be a member of the CMP to order from them. That entails qualifying at a local shooting club that is registered with the CMP... Or know someone that is a CMP member and a C&R license holder and have the rifle shipped directly to your friend's house. I shot one for the first time about a month ago. She was an original Winchester Garand made in 1941. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 The process is much, much easier than you describe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 The process is much, much easier than you describe. Easier is relative... But you cant just call up and say you want to purchase a rifle from the CMP... You need to be a member, which is not that hard to become. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 No, you have to be a member of an affiliated club. There are hundreds that cost about 20 per year. You must have taken a firearms training course (ohio ccw works, fir example, or attend an Appleseed shoot). Also you must be a US citizen. I bought mine this way last year. I didn't call up and mail order, picked mine out. You do NOT need a C/R for mail order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tStreets 1 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 No, you have to be a member of an affiliated club. There are hundreds that cost about 20 per year. You must have taken a firearms training course (ohio ccw works, fir example, or attend an Appleseed shoot). Also you must be a US citizen. I bought mine this way last year. I didn't call up and mail order, picked mine out. You do NOT need a C/R for mail order. Hrm.... I said the easiest way to obtain one IMO is to know someone that is a CMP member and a C&R holder and ask them to order you one... I have several friends with these credentials. And you do need to have a C&R to get the gun shipped to your house, otherwise you have to go and pick the rifle out in person. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeep45238 6 Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 You do not need a CR for a CMP surplus rifle man. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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