Post conversion questions.

[Rabu 0]

Howdy saiga folk.

 

First time poster long time lurker here, and I have a few concerns with my new conversion.

 

 

First, I replaced the saiga mag catch with a proper AK mag catch/triggerguard using a screw plate from AK builder and loc-tite, but my mags have just the tiniest bit of play front to back and it concerns me a bit as I've not messed with any AK's prior to this, I'm unfamiliar with how much is okay. I know side to side isn't anything to worry about but front to back seems like it's a bad thing from what I've read, keeping in mind it's like not even 1/64ths of wiggle, I can hardly move it, but it's apparent, most so in my bakelite mag [it feeds fine] but I'm slightly concerned.

 

Second, I had a FTE and an FTF today using brass winchester whitebox, is this common for AK's? brass being such a soft material I figured the extractor bit deep into the rim and didn't kick it out properly, if this is the case, it's fine, I usually shoot steel anyway, I just got the Winchester to try, I'm curious to see if this is just mine or if it's common.

 

I'd also like to ask where I might get a 3mm reamer for the changing of my FSB? I can't seem to find a definate answer anywhere, so I figured I'd ask the guys that know what's up.

 

Pics below, pardon the cellphone grains, room was dark.

[Tool_of_Society 15]

I've shot hundreds of rounds of Partizan PPU Soft point ammo with no failure to feed or fire. Seems some AKs are more finicky then others when it comes to brass. I've heard stories of people having trouble with their AK not liking SPs.

[mancat 2,368]

Dear sir,

 

You are freaking out. All will be well with your Saiga.

 

Soft-cased brass is more likely to malf in a semi-auto such as an AK, but it shouldn't be a common thing. Personally I don't have a very high opinion of Winchester 7.62x39. If your gun runs fine with steel or hard milsurp brass (Yugo) I wouldn't worry.

 

You can get 3MM bits from most fastener/hardware suppliers such as Fastenal or Grainger. Most will actually be 2.8/2.9MM and provide a good interference fit for the pins. Use anti-seize when installing the pins. Lightly chamfer the outer edges of the pins to avoid galling/seizing on initial entry.

 

Good job so far.

Edited December 15, 2012 by mancat

[Rabu 0]

Ah, thank you both, you've got no idea how much peace of mind you just bought me, and yeah, I didn't really think much of the FTE considering it was cheapo Winchester, just made me chuckle slightly since I'm an AR guy and actually NEEDING to buy steel/hard cased is a strange occurrence even though 2/3 of my AR's eat steel fine...

 

And yeah, I stumbled onto Fastenal's website literally like an hour after writing the OP and ordered up a bunch of them, thanks again.

[philip271 7]

Did you install a bullet guide?

[Rabu 0]

Yes sir, it actually surprised me how simple it was.

 

I psyched myself up hard on that.

 

Now I'm just worried about the FSB change, Don't want to mess anything important up.

[mogunner 240]

I quit using WWB after getting two rounds of 9mm with no powder in them, got tired of knocking bullets out of my bore. I stared checking OAL on various calibers of theirs and they were all over the place, plus I can buy other manufacturers cheaper in pretty much every caliber I own.