Dimpled Saiga 7.62 work with standard AK mags without filing mag catch

[G19shooter 0]

Bought my first Saiga 7.62x39. When looking into doing a conversion, I have read that you need to file down the mag catch to use standard ak 30 round mags. I have 3 used metal 30 round mags and noticed they snap right it perfectly--I don't need to force them and it seems like the mag catch was made for these mags. Is this normal out of the box? Normal with a dimpled receiver?

 

Haven't had a chance to hit the range yet though. Oh, and since the receiver is dimpled, does that mean I will have to drill a hole for the pistol grip?

 

 

Thanks!

 

Here are the three used mags compared to the factory mag

{{Sorry for the sideways picture...not sure why my iPad does that sometimes?}}

 

 

The mag catch gap measures about 1/2 cm

 

Edited November 27, 2012 by G19shooter

[TJohn 8]

The 7.62 with the dempled receiver should have the hole for the pistol grip already, at least the two 7.62's that I converted did. Actually all the rifles that I have converted had the pistol grip hole already,including the .7.62, 5.45, .308 and .223 rifles and some of these were non-dimpled receivers. The only rifle that needed a hole drilled for anything was the .308 which needed one screw hole so the new trigger guard would fit. .Sounds like you got lucky on the mag catch issue, I had to hit mine slightly with a dremel/file to get the surplus mags to work, i.e., snap in properly.

[philip271 7]

+1 to what TJohn said. I don't think it's normal to have a mag just fit the Saiga 7.62x39 w/out filing the mag catch. Was this a brand new Saiga?

 

To use those mags though, I'm pretty sure you'll have to install a bullet guide.

[mogunner 240]

My x39 had all the holes it needed for the conversion, and the mag latch had to be filed a fair amount, at least it seemed that way to me but then I was using jewelers files and going slowly on purpose.

[JoeAK 337]

You mention the mags being used, maybe the previous owner filed the rear tabs on them.

 

Otherwise you shouldn't be able to lock in the factory ten rounder and a normal steel mag.

[G19shooter 0]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, this gun was purchased a few days ago new-in-box. The 30 round mag tabs are a bit fatter than the 10 round mag tab--maybe I just got lucky...or the mag catch is out of spec? If the mag catch it out of spec, hopefully nothing else on the rifle is. Who knows maybe the tabs were filed down on the old mags (I'll take a photo of both the factory and old mags when I get home.)

[richUK 90]

I had to file the mag catch on mine and thats got a dimpled receiver.i filed it enough for milsurp mags to latch in nicely and the standard to still fit without being loose, i modified those so they will work with a feed ramp (notched the front lip the same as milsurp AK mags).

[G19shooter 0]

Updated with pics, and yes, I still need a bullet guide. Thanks for the insight everyone.