Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 This build started BEFORE the NY SAFE act so as a result some of the pics show what would not be in compliance. Partially for this reason, the current political climate, and the fact that I wanted to present this as a completed build I have not really shared many pics of it. That all being said, should I change my mind this whole thread may disappear. You guys haven't been sharing your builds enough, so let me show you how its done... I picked this .223 saiga sometime last year while work was doing very well for me. As usual I started hacking it apart almost immediately, what was unusual as the order and progression of things. As usual, I didn't work alone, and beer was involved in virtually every step. Big thanks to Akastormi. First up was removing the rear sight. This was gone using a 4 1/2" side grinder and a wide selection of hand files. Thats right guys, I have no machining equipment. (note the MSA adapter already fitted, Stormi did that one and I have no pics[he has milling bits he used in a drill press]) Also of note in these pics is the piece of pipe that would later become a bullet guide... Next up came a bulk piece of steel rail I got off Ebay, it too could not avoid the grinder and files... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 The front edge of the rail was welded solid to the gun, two tack welds were added to the sides, and it was drilled, tapped, and screwed to the gun in the rear(using red threadlocker). excess threads were ground out from the inside where the bolt carrier would need clearance, and smoothed out for clean cycling. welds were then cleaned up. This ones blurry, sorry... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
su16a 84 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 There you go, nice workaround ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 About this time I was back to waiting for parts. During this time I took the files to a MD arms Molot grip removing material from the upper back of the pistol grip, and removing the bottom finger grooves. it wound up looking something like this when my gas block arrived. and later once epoxy was added to reinforce areas that were made thin, and to increase the size of the upper finger groove looked like this... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Now we already said the gas block arrived, but it was for a 45degree gas block, and as we know saigas need a 90 degree. Measurements were taken, stormi drilled the new gas port through it using a press, and I set about moving the seat for the front of the gas tube with hand files. Slow, tedious work. came out perfect. The hood for the front sight post was split open, and shaped using hammers and a alan head bolt. Material was then re-added using a welder and a piece of brass as a backer, then shaped. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Hmm gunporn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 might have gotten the order mixed up, these are the pics of moving the end of the gas block forward... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jojo200517 68 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 I like what ya did with the rear sight rail replacement there, what kinda irons are you planning on using? Also why the adapter instead of the BASTARD thingy they make? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 The chosen handguard was a TP47IRS, but I didn't like the rails, so they got the ax. epoxy was used to fill the holes and reinforce the upper handguard that was now dangerously thin. I can't remember if the barrel had the slot for the front handguard retainer or not... either way, not a big deal. I like what ya did with the rear sight rail replacement there, what kinda irons are you planning on using? Also why the adapter instead of the BASTARD thingy they make? The BASTARD is AR grip specific, I really like the modified Molot/AR grip I made. Also, the custom bullet guide allows me to use either AR mags, or .223 ak mags. so there's a extra option there. Sights were always planned to use AK tech sights rear. Stormi using the old gas block to press the new one into place(well hammer into place). Once there it was welded into place. With this all accomplished the gun looked kindof like this... But there was something missing... what would we be forgetting? Oh thats right, we still never addressed the silly mickey mouse firing assembly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebobrusso 27 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 the bastard can be ordered to use ak grips Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Well my old welder died on me, and I had to get a new one. The new one has way more ass than the old one, as is evidenced by the fact that in working on the FCG I destroyed a G2 trigger... So then wait for another one(thank god for Gregs shipping policies). what was don was the trigger was put in a press with round stock in the trigger pressing it open. Then weld was added to the back side to reinforce it, and then material was removed from the front. this in effect gave a longer trigger, and a smoother contoured front surface. the back and bottom were then shaped as you see here. the bastard can be ordered to use ak grips News to me, so thanks for clarifying, however the BASTARD wasn't even out when this was started. I spent hours fine tuning the trigger for travel, and polished the bejesus out of it to smooth it out. That accomplished I needed to make a trigger guard that could fit the enlongated trigger. Inspiration again came from a AR. Side rail was removed during the conversion process also. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 With the tech sights added, barrel chopped back slightly, threaded, and crowned, Brake added, welded into place, and a cheek riser added this is where it currently sits in the process. Oh Big thanks to the guys from R&R, this is one of their old safetys made for a S-12. Was easy to fit, just needed a few measurements, and some material removed to fit the thinner receiver thicknesses.(got it off them for next to nothing in the WTS section of the forum a few years back) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Plan is for a FAL style charging handle, stock charging handle chopped, and dust cover modified to fit the space the original safety would cover. Not sure if I should just weld the holes from the original safety, or use it to make a additional cross brace to stiffen the receiver some. Fires like a dream right now, great trigger, smooth operation, no kick to speak of and nonexistent muzzle rise. Haven't really gotten to check accuracy, and the sights are not sighted in. Been trying to get a LINCH charging handle for it for a long time now, and Davis tactical keeps selling out before i can get one. Not even sure if I can use the charging handle on the dust cover like that, or if I will have to move it to the receiver like gunfixer did back in the day. Going to need to get the mag release linkage for the crossover at some point also, and I planned on making a 1/4" funnel to be welded to the bottom of the adapter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebobrusso 27 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 (edited) check out this option its almost like what you made but more modulalalso i think this left side safety would be bad ass on this build Edited May 30, 2013 by smeeg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Try to keep links to non business members out. Linking pics and talking about products is fine, but no direct links please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebobrusso 27 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Try to keep links to non business members out. Linking pics and talking about products is fine, but no direct links please. sorry totally forgot thanks for changing it for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 As far as the LINCH, I'm not sure I can adapt it over to the AK Tech sights top cover. A attempt will be made first using the LINCH top cover, and modifying that to fit the tech sights. If that does not work, the rail and handle will be stripped off the dust cover, and fit to the receiver on the left side. For this reason the safety you showed me would not be a option, that space needs to stay open in the event this comes to pass. furthermore, the current safety can be manipulated with the trigger finger, and seems to fit well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebobrusso 27 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 (edited) keep us updated on the linch/tech sight hybrid i would love to do that myself Edited May 30, 2013 by smeeg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 What kind of color scheme are you going to go for? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Very nice build, nailbomb Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Haven't really thought about paint much. Too far off yet, still a lot of fab work to go. Maybe something warhammer esq? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SgtRaven 531 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Like it or not, the effort deserves "sticky". Thanks for sharing in such details. Can't wait to see it in its final phase. Great job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Haven't really thought about paint much. Too far off yet, still a lot of fab work to go. Maybe something warhammer esq? Thatd be pretty cool. I try to have an idea of what color scheme I want once the weapon starts to take shape. I like the way this build is looking, and look forward to the final results. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted May 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Like it or not, the effort deserves "sticky". Thanks for sharing in such details. Can't wait to see it in its final phase. Great job! I certainly won't be stickying this topic. I've never done that to any of my builds despite any tutorial effect they may have. Its simply a reasonably detailed documentation of a build meant to give others ideas, and myself a platform to bounce ideas off of. As far as like it or not, Its certainly not going to win any points with the traditionalist crowd, and the individual interpretation really is my own. I don't expect anyone to claim its perfect, but maybe they'll feel inspired by what can be done. Indeed, even by my own standards the design execution comes across very "cold", and that was kindof the point. I wanted to utilize more chiseled hard angles than traditionally found on a Ak platform. Its had a interesting effect in my opinion, bringing more attention to the boxyness of the receiver, with the barrel almost resembling a featureless piece of round stock projecting itself away. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HighPlainsDrifter 466 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Machinest's Art Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pyzik 597 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Great work so far! Looking forward to seeing it fully completed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jerry52 893 Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 how many have you done? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 how many have you done? Not many, But I get more complex with every one it seems. Keeps it interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 how many have you done? Not many, But I get more complex with every one it seems. Keeps it interesting. Its almost mandatory. I like to push myself to just how far I can go, and see the result. I like what your doing with this thing NB. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Star 38 Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 now when you say 'something warhammer esq...' do you mean Warhammer Warhammer? cos a Cadian colour scheme, or perhaps a Death Korps of Krieg would look awesome... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.