irishsandman 17 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 So I got a take off AK gas tube/top hand guard combo from a seller. It doesn't drop in to my Saiga (seems like it's a tiny bit long). I've read some comments saying, essentially, "file it." I'm not sure which part to file. My guess at this point is to file the end that connects to the trunion? Should I just need to file the bottom lip of the tube, then? Any advice before I bubba the thing is welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RED333 1,025 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Compair it to the OEM and see what is diffreant. My bet is on the gas block end that has to be filed. Let others chime in before you do anything. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Agent Lemon 157 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Did you buy an AKM gas tube? Cause that wont fit. Saigas use 74 style tubes I believe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy21 18 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 i filed mine a little bit on each. I just did a little bit and tried it again and again. Eventually i was able to get it to close with some pliers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
themadhatter196 18 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 (edited) File on the rear sight block end of tube to match up and to be able to lock in and if it is still to long then switch to the gas block end and file it down to fit. Agent Lemon is right saigas do use 74'/100 series gas tubes with retaining spring and are of a slightly different shape. Yet a lot of ak's have different size gas tubes and a gas tube that will fit in one might not fit in the other even if they are the same models. I had to file my first gas tube down to fit but after I did the full front end build (swap gas block, front sight block, and handguard retainer) my gas tube wouldn't lock into place and I had to order an 74' gas tube to allow it to lock in place. Just file it to fit and enjoy. Edited May 15, 2012 by themadhatter196 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
irishsandman 17 Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Did you buy an AKM gas tube? Cause that wont fit. Saigas use 74 style tubes I believe. I bought it off a forum seller. not really sure how to tell the difference (other than it not fitting, maybe). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Agent Lemon 157 Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Do you have the original Saiga gas tube? Do what I did in these pictures. The one on the right is the AKM one, the one on the left is a Saiga one. The second picture is Saiga and Saiga. Basically, put your gas tube against the original Saiga one. They should be symmetrical. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
irishsandman 17 Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 but would a 74/100 style be exactly the same as the Saiga? I'll have to take a look on mine to see if they match up (not near the parts right now). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Agent Lemon 157 Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 but would a 74/100 style be exactly the same as the Saiga? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
semper299 284 Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Others may disagree, but I filed mine till it fit and I would much rather have to file a bit to make it fit as opposed to one that is loose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
irishsandman 17 Posted May 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 but would a 74/100 style be exactly the same as the Saiga? Not really beating a dead horse. I was trying to make sure there were only two styles of gas tubes, not three. thanks for the answer, by the way! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
04hemisportedt 0 Posted December 13, 2012 Report Share Posted December 13, 2012 Hello, I'm new...just got a Saiga 7.62 16". I have all the furniture from an old AK that I've refinished. I've been having issues trying to find gas tubes other than Dinzags '74 at $45. I found some from a '47 , AKM, for $20 shipped...I'm afraid I still don't know everything about AK's and was wondering if this would fit (even if minor filling is required?) Any help would be appreciated, sorry for the recurrent question. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rnemhrd 165 Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 (edited) but would a 74/100 style be exactly the same as the Saiga? I'll have to take a look on mine to see if they match up (not near the parts right now). Many of those parts may not be Russian even though AK74. There are parts from one Saiga to the next that may not be exact fits.If you look at the 2 Saiga tubes they are close but not EXACTLY the same. One may not lock on another gun without some fitting is all. I had to fit the gas tubes I used to put wood on the front of mine. Part of owning one of these things. Edited December 14, 2012 by rnemhrd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hdskumm 39 Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 (edited) interesting, I just bought a kvar one but haven't installed it yet. It said it fit 5.56x45, 7.62x39 and 5.45x39.5 and that it would work for saigas. I had know idea there was a difference. Edited December 14, 2012 by hdskumm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NM0 586 Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 Just installed one of those K-Var gas tubes. Very minor filing was required to have the lock lever fully close. Picked up a gas tube from CSS awhile back. It dropped in with no fitting and is little loose even with the tension clip. Have another gas tube on the way from a past forum member. Interested to see how that one fits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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