Reusing trigger guard on 5.45x39

[Fallschirmjager667 729]

i just ordered a 5.45x39 saiga from Atlantic and have no idea how to reuse the factory trigger guard on a rifle, on all my AKs the trigger guard is part of the mag catch, so i ordered a trigger guard and mag catch assembly and wondered if the best thing to do would be just remove the old mag catch and put a whole new assembly on or try to use the factory trigger guard and mag catch. i am wondering about how to attach the front of the reused factory trigger guard for the conversion? also, the trigger guard assembly i ordered is from an ak47, would the mag catch be the same as a 74? i don't have any 5.45 guns to compare it to

[onehappycampster 25]

I reused mine. Since I didn't have any carbide drill bits, I had a problem drilling through a weld and used an EDM to burn a new whole. Very cool process but most people don't have access to that kind of equipment. You can anneal that part of the trigger guard which will also anneal the weld so you can drill a new hole. Instructions for reusing the old trigger guard can be found here. Good luck!

[vulcan16 971]

I reused mine. Since I didn't have any carbide drill bits, I had a problem drilling through a weld and used an EDM to burn a new whole. Very cool process but most people don't have access to that kind of equipment. You can anneal that part of the trigger guard which will also anneal the weld so you can drill a new hole. Instructions for reusing the old trigger guard can be found here. Good luck!

Don't drill the weld, chisel it. I use a screwdriver and a hammer s to break the weld, and it only takes a few seconds to seperate.

[Fallschirmjager667 729]

thanks, i'm probably going to just replace the whole mag catch with a new trigger guard/mag catch assembly, does anyone know if the 7.62x39 mag catch is the same as the 5.45x39?

[onehappycampster 25]

thanks, i'm probably going to just replace the whole mag catch with a new trigger guard/mag catch assembly, does anyone know if the 7.62x39 mag catch is the same as the 5.45x39?

 

Should be but will probably be a file to fit set up. I installed the RAM Speed Catch and had to remove quite a bit of material from it. I doubt OEM mag catches will require that much fitting though. Good luck.

[Fallschirmjager667 729]

i don't mind having to file it, but i guess if it's too loose with the new assembly i could swap the catch with the factory part, i imagine it would fit in the new trigger guard

[jbrubaker 13]

I have my factory trigger guard just inserted under the front mag-catch assembly. There is enough tension (due to it being just slightly too long for the rear holes to line up) to keep it where it is. Sounds shoddy, but I can't even begin to move it with my hands. If it ever became a problem, I can drill a hole, but I've never once had it move.

[NM0 586]

I have my factory trigger guard just inserted under the front mag-catch assembly. There is enough tension (due to it being just slightly too long for the rear holes to line up) to keep it where it is. Sounds shoddy, but I can't even begin to move it with my hands. If it ever became a problem, I can drill a hole, but I've never once had it move.

 

Same on one of mine. Works great.

[haugpatr 972]

I need to do this so I can put my slide fire on my S12 and 5.45.

[BCOWANWHEELS 0]

on my saiga i,am completely replaceing it with a ak 47 part.

[Sim_Player 1,939]

+1 on the triggerguard tuck. It won't budge, even when I yank hard on it. It sounded pretty "hokie" until I tried it. I'm a bit OCD and I'm still okay with it.

 

You could also just replace the triggerguard and leave the mag-catch alone, unless you are a "purest".

Edited May 26, 2012 by Sim_Player

[Fallschirmjager667 729]

i just did it tonight, cut the whole mag catch off and put an entirely new trigger guard assembly on, it works great

[canoecanoe 63]

I have my factory trigger guard just inserted under the front mag-catch assembly. There is enough tension (due to it being just slightly too long for the rear holes to line up) to keep it where it is. Sounds shoddy, but I can't even begin to move it with my hands. If it ever became a problem, I can drill a hole, but I've never once had it move.

 

Same on one of mine. Works great.

 

I have my factory trigger guard just inserted under the front mag-catch assembly. There is enough tension (due to it being just slightly too long for the rear holes to line up) to keep it where it is. Sounds shoddy, but I can't even begin to move it with my hands. If it ever became a problem, I can drill a hole, but I've never once had it move.

 

Same on one of mine. Works great.

 

I like to drill a hole through the reveiver under the mag catch and use a screw and nut. I just feel more comfortable with this. A little bit of a PITA, but worth it to me.

[Paulry 50]

Heck no, Always re-use! that's the spirit of the Saiga. I re-use the trigger guard and pin spring in place of a shepherds crook! Works great!

[CnRnut 3]

I replace the whole trigger guard with a Bulgie 74 unit.

I do have a trigger guard rivet jig so that does help,but your going to

want to reuse the selector stop from your Saiga.

[Fallschirmjager667 729]

that's exactly what i did, kept the saiga selector stop, stuck a romanian ak47 trigger guard on there using an akbuilder screw plate, it looks exactly like rivets except for small holes, it's much nicer than reusing a factory guard and it looks more original

[xjedix 6]

Nevermind

Edited June 8, 2012 by xjedix