emf 2 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Just picked up a Saiga 7.62.x39 with 20" barrel. This is my first Saiga and I want to convert it to an AK configuration. Does anyone have a good link for videos or walk-through's of these processes? I have found a couple on youtube but the video quality was pretty bad and really didn't have instructions. Thank you for any help! (here's the rifle) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdub 6 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 This one is pretty good - Pretty sure there is a lot of information you can search on this site, just got to dig around a bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 That's a 20 incher! Don't convert that one buddy. Worth a lot more the way it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 That's a 20 incher! Don't convert that one buddy. Worth a lot more the way it is. You'll have to excuse my newbness. Do I have aftermarket options for a pistol grip setup without doing any mods? Larger mags? If I could get away without making any permanent changes I would greatly prefer to do that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 The 20's are rare. Much more rare than the 16's. I would leave it alone, but that's just my opinion. You could always add the Saiga skeleton stock to it, but you can't legally use hi cap mags without swapping out parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 (edited) Yup there are a few companies that make "external" stock sets with the PG. I believe Tapco is one of them, you pretty much remove the stock and install the new one, 3 screws and you're done. Kinda ugly but it works. You can also buy an external receiver block then attach a stock and PG of your choice. Ive never heard the 20" was rare but I've never seen one in person either. There are also a few companies that make 30rd Saiga specific mags, ProMag being one i know of but im sure there are others. The 20's are rare. Much more rare than the 16's. I would leave it alone, but that's just my opinion. You could always add the Saiga skeleton stock to it, but you can't legally use hi cap mags without swapping out parts. Why can't he just use a US made 30 rounder? I didn't know there was a law saying you cant use more than 10 rounders without converting to a compliant gun. ETA: hello? Edited March 12, 2013 by dubya Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thank you for the info so far everybody I have a question about the video that was posted.... Is the bullet guide required if I don't plan on using AK mags? I cycled ten rounds through the Saiga mag without any issues so I'm wondering what it is needed for. Thanks again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Star 38 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Hey man! I also have one of the 20 inchers, but I have not converted it. I have added the skeleton stock, and a muzzle break to it though... If 20 inchers really are more rare, I would say not to convert it. You can get a bunch of different stocks that will let you have a pistol grip, or the skeleton stock, and save yourself some time and effort not replacing the fire control group or adding bullet guides... I'd say that if you wanted to convert a saiga, get another one! I did, i got a 5.45 with a 16 inch barrel that is fully converted. I just installed the RSA trigger group too... The trigger on a stock Saiga isnt that bad, and after some practice with it, your 20 incher will out shoot most other people at the range. Thank you for the info so far everybodyI have a question about the video that was posted....Is the bullet guide required if I don't plan on using AK mags?I cycled ten rounds through the Saiga mag without any issues so I'm wondering what it is needed for.Thanks again! and no, if you do not plan on usimg AK magazines, you dont need the bullet guide. Saiga specific mags have the BG built into the magazine, eliminating their need. If you want to use legit AK mags, you will need to install the bullet guide, and modify your saiga magazines to work with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mostholycerebus 415 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Why own a rare, cheap, shitty gun? Sell it to a collector or convert it IMO. Unless you are collecting semi-rare midrange russian production guns. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deadeye 325 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I would convert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HighPlainsDrifter 466 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Convert it or possibly swap the stock for a saiganov like the one below. Whatever you do, don't do nothing... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Yeah I just need to figure out if I want to convert this rifle or sell it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Ive got a 20" with wood furniture. Im debating on doing a conversion. I already put a bullet guide in, and filed the catch down, so I feel I have to convert it. lol I dont like the fact of having it unmolested at this point. I have a DMR project in mind for it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Yeah im just gonna go ahead and convert it I think. I have it listed on a couple sites for sale and trade but the offers have been rather sub par. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Like someone else pointed out the Saiga in stock form is kinda crappy, the 20" may be rarer than the 16" but it's never going to be a collectors gun. Convert it and ENJOY it! The conversion is 75% of the fun of owning Saigas IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I'm looking at a UTG Quad Rail right now. Looks like it would be $55 shipped. Is this a good price, and is it a quality part? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LuPiN8oR 333 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I have it, its tough but heavy as hell. Modified my factory hg and added magpul moe rails to it and shaved a pound off the rifle after ditching the quad rail. Also with that quad rail i would get vertical stringing at 100m. So it kinda depends on what you're doing with the rifle and how much 'rail estate' you need. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Hmmm. That's the style I was going for, but I was hoping you wouldn't call it heavy, lol. I can't really find anything else in that price range though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breid1970 327 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Well, since I am in the shallow end of the finance pool until June I would go with the tapco intrafuse. Its really not too bad. Seriously. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigtwin 219 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 http://gunwiki.net/Gunwiki/BuildSaigaVerifyCompliance Once you modify it in any way that takes the rifle from "as imported" you will have to deal with the 922r law. That link will help you there. As for guide to convert/restore...this one is great, I used it. http://vimeo.com/2787027 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mostholycerebus 415 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Take a look at the Midwest Industries rail. Seems as good or better than everything else on the market, but not excessivly heavy. You can get optic-specific upper handguards too, or just a rail. Check here: http://jobson.us/922r/ for 922r calculator. Basically, once it can accept 20 or 30 round magazines, you have to make sure there are enough US parts on the rifle. During conversion, the FCG will be 3 parts (trigger, hammer, disconector), the railed forearm will be 1, and try and get an american stock and pistol grip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emf 2 Posted March 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 This one is pretty good - Pretty sure there is a lot of information you can search on this site, just got to dig around a bit. In this video, he removes the gas tube but never ends up doing anything with it. Do I need to modify the front end at all to put an AK forend/handguard on there? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 I believe you'll need a 74 gas tube if you use a Kvar AK handguard but I'm not 100% positive. You'll need the retainers also which are usually sold separately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
semper299 284 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Convert it if you want! Make it what you want it to be. So many options out there, so do some research, look at pics of other conversions and decide what you want to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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