Jump to content

FTE trouble with my Saiga 12


Recommended Posts

I have a Saiga 12 24" with fixed sites that I can not get to eject with bulk pack ammo. I have a V-Plug in it set to the proper setting. I just ordered the CSS puck and front recoil spring for it and I hope this will help it. I've seen a lot of good reviews on the CSS puck. I may try the gas block mod that I saw here as well. Seems pretty simple to do. I will report back when I get my new parts.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Very close # to mine (H08407xxx) and I have no "fix-it" parts. Polish and port job is all I did. I'd do that before anything else.

 

BTW, I'm near Queensbury/Lake George.

Edited by Yeoldetool
Link to post
Share on other sites

This thread....http://forum.saiga-1...tart-to-finish/

 

And this thread...http://forum.saiga-1...cked-gas-ports/

 

I did the polishing myself before Pauly started Steelin', but he's the man for polishing.

 

I do have to add that I was EXTREMELY cautious about removing to much material. I will say that if you aren't confident that you can trust your own work, have a professional do it.

Edited by Yeoldetool
Link to post
Share on other sites

I have 2- 24" Saiga 12s and they are both converted. These are some of the things that I did to get them running well with bulk pack and MD-20s....

 

3 ports @ .080"

hammer and carrier reprofile

feedramp reprofile and polish

bolt reprofile

 

Try the CSS puck without changing your spring. I let a friend try my brand new CSS puck in his 19" today and it ran better instantly. His was right on the edge of working with MD-20s and Federal bulk. I had never tried the CSS puck before and was impressed. That is saying a lot as I am not easily impressed. Changing the recoil spring is not something that I would recommend. What do you do when you want to fire buckshot or slugs? Something to think about.... there is a reason that it is named "Low Brass Reliability Kit" and not "Reliability Kit". It is intended for use with "low brass" ammo only.

Edited by evlblkwpnz
Link to post
Share on other sites

Actually CSS says it will work with all 2 3/4" ammo as long as the proper setting on the plug is used. Its not hard to change the spring either as its just the front recoil spring which just pops off the recoil guide rod. I should have previously mentioned that this gun is not converted.

Edited by DeerSlayer7600
Link to post
Share on other sites

Actually CSS says it will work with all 2 3/4" ammo as long as the proper setting on the plug is used. Its not hard to change the spring either as its just the front recoil spring which just pops off the recoil guide rod. I should have previously mentioned that this gun is not converted.

See if it will run without changing the spring. It may be GTG without it the LRK spring and you can fire 3" shells without worrying about it. I have owned 6 Saiga 12s. All of them needed work and never once did I have to use a low power spring.

 

Here is a good way to go about parts changes and modifications until you really get to know a weapon system inside and out and which symptoms point to the origin of the problem. Change one part at a time and test fire. Do one modification at a time and test fire. At least that way you will know exactly what it took to get the weapon where you want it and you can use the experience as a reference when you see the same symptoms again. I have fired these things so much that I can "feel" what they need by shooting them. Some need the whole damn book thrown at them, usually '08 IZ-109s.

Edited by evlblkwpnz
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

When I ported mine it took 45 minutes from the decision point until it was put back together. It then cycled anything I put in it. I've often wondered if I didn't have to do the polishing job, which I did first. I probably would have ended up doing it anyway, and I'm happy I did.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yea, I know. Do you think I can get away with making my two ports .093"? What I meant was I gotta gaughe them with some small bits to see roughly how big they are.

Add one at .076"- .080" (probably the existing port size). It will keep the larger debris out of the gas block. 2 @ .093" would probably work, but I have never tried that port configuration. I'll do some math and see what that means, as far as port area goes.

 

ETA: 2 @ .093" will be slightly less surface area than 3 @ .080". I would still go with 3 @ .080" because of the reduced debris.

Edited by evlblkwpnz
Link to post
Share on other sites

Yea, I know. Do you think I can get away with making my two ports .093"? What I meant was I gotta gaughe them with some small bits to see roughly how big they are.

Add one at .076"- .080" (probably the existing port size). It will keep the larger debris out of the gas block. 2 @ .093" would probably work, but I have never tried that port configuration. I'll do some math and see what that means, as far as port area goes.

 

Whats the best way to add another port? I don't have a drill press so I'm kinda limited to what I can use. I'm thinking dremel with a small bit in it, make a mark on the barrel with a center punch so i can start the bit easily at an an angle.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Buy a cheap set of punches it you don't have any. I usually make one 1/8" punch into a dedicated centerpunch. Grind a decent point on it and it will make a great place to start a hole. Is there a Lowes near you? The more expensive Kobalt bits are great for starting a new hole (about $3 each). Buy two small ones (1/16") and get 2 that are the size that you want the port to be (5/64" for .080" or 3/32" for .093"). Sometimes they will bind and break, so buying a spare or two of each is probably cheaper than running back to Lowes and getting another bit. You can always take any back that you do not use. Do not buy cheap bits, barrel steel will almost instantly dull cheap bits and you will become frustrated.

 

I have done them with a hand-held drill and it isn't too hard if you use some aids. Stick something in one of the existing ports that will fit snug. This will be a guide for your drilling angle. If you are starting a new port, drill straight into the barrel for maybe 16" with the small bit, then slowly lay it back to match the guide. Go slow, heat ruins drill bits. A little cutting oil on there will help keep the heat down too. After getting the pre-drilling is done, switch to your larger bit and go slow with it for your final drilling. Don't apply too much pressure. You can remove any burrs with a copper bore brush or a cleaning rod, if you have some really stubborn ones. Gently file the outside of the barrel with a fine file to remove any raised burrs. Just don't go crazy or you may compromise the ability for the gas block to seal on the barrel.

 

It might not hurt to see if there is someone near you that is experienced and is set up to do this or can come over to your place with some tools and lend a hand. Just ask, many here jump at the chance to go hang out with others who share like interests. A 6 pack of beer when it is done doesn't hurt either wink.png

Edited by evlblkwpnz
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Chatbox

    Load More
    You don't have permission to chat.
×
×
  • Create New...