Forge 11 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 OK, I went to the gun show today and was fully intending to get a 7.62x39 Saiga. I already have a 223 that I converted and had the itch for another one in a different caliber. I had already been kicking it around for a while and was trying to decide between 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 and finally decided on the 7.62. I got there early and saw two of the 7.62 for $410 on a table. I walked the rest of the show very quickly to check pricing and came back to find that they had already been sold! There was only one other individual who had a non converted 7.62x39 rifle and he was asking $580 for it - a stock saiga sporter! Jackass. The only other stock Saiga there happened to be in 5.45x39 for $409 which happened to be my second choice anyway, so I bought it. My question is this. I happen to have an extra 223 bullet guide. Would it work for the 5.45, or are they different? They are both the round trunnion design. What is the difference between the two bullet guides? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 The guide I put in my Vepr 5.45 was of the same design as the one I recieved for my .223 from CSS. I havent had trouble with either. The current Russian guide looks like this Hope this helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 It might work, might not. 5.45: 223: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigChongus 765 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 You could *TEMPORARILY* superglue the .223 guide in place and hand cycle it to see what the story is. That way if you see any issues you can just snap it out and replace is with the appropriate guide. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Watch for sheered bullet tips when you hand-cycle, and for shards around the bullet-guide area. Just because the bullets feed successfully into the chamber doesn't mean that it is working properly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RSkibinski 10 Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) Are the shape of the trunnions the same? Edited November 5, 2012 by RSkibinski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Forge 11 Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) OK, per Greg at Carolina Shooters Supply, the 5.45 and 223 Saigas use the same bullet guide, providing that they are both round trunnions! Time to hit the garage and begin... Edited November 5, 2012 by Forge 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) FWIW, there have been people in the past that have built custom 5.56 parts kit AKs using a 5.45 bullet guide and trunnion. I plan to do this somewhat soon. The 5.45 bullet guide feeds 5.56 snap caps from mags without any issue. Edited November 29, 2012 by mancat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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