IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hello. I'm back again. Picked my saiga up from the gunsmith. Everything went well, till I installed the pistol grip. I'm using one of those overmolded grips. When I put it together, I found quite a gap. Should I send it back to get the grip moved forward? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Something doesn't look right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) I just hope its fixable. Well, with gunsmiths, you have well known places with FFL transfers where you have to ship your guns, or local places. I've used this one in the past, but I wasn't expecting this. A converted AK is not supposed to have that gap. I just pray to God it's fixable. Edited June 28, 2014 by IxLikexRussianxGuns Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Yea, I just converted mine with a kit from CSS. The trigger guard had a threaded hole in it for the screw that holds the pistol grip on so it locates it right up next to the guard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Every AK has a pistol grip that lines right up with the guard. I just hope it's repairable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 I'm sure it's fixable. Does your gunsmith normally work on AK guns? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Where in Ohio do you live? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gout72 8 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Have you tried removing the grip and checking inside to see if it's been grinded down to change the angle of the pg screw so it will line up with the pg nut once inside the receiver? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) He used the sporter trigger hole for the pistol grip nut, instead of cutting a pistol grip nut hole in the correct spot. Nothing wrong, just ignorance on his part. Kind of funny actually. You have an AK Builder trigger guard which requires the use of a standard AK grip nut. You just have to cut the hole in the receiver for it. Theres templates on here on how to do it, with a drill and file. Edited June 28, 2014 by Mullet Man 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 He used the sporter trigger hole for the pistol grip nut, instead of cutting a pistol grip nut hole in the correct spot. Nothing wrong, just ignorance on his part. Kind of funny actually. You have an AK Builder trigger guard which requires the use of a standard AK grip nut. You just have to cut the hole in the receiver for it. Theres templates on here on how to do it, with a drill and file. Bingo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 ^ Additional confirmation on what Mullet Man said.The guy who did this clearly doesn't have experience converting Saigas. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VladTepes 160 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 on top of that.. looks like bare unfinished metal on the bottom.. he couldnt hit it with some spraypaint? no offense.. but hack job.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JESS1344 508 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 GUYS, THE GRIP SCREW HOLE IN THE HOGUE GRIP IS ACTUALLY APPX. 1/4" TOO FAR TO THE REAR. I'VE PUT PROBABLY 10 OF THESE THINGS ON VARIOUS AK RIFLES, PISTOLS, AND SHOTGUNS. IT WAS THE SAME ON ALL OF THEM. SNUG THE HOGUE UNIT UP AGAINST THE TRIGGER GUARD WITHOUT THE SCREW. FITS PERFECT, RIGHT? NOW, TAKE A LINE-OF-SIGHT UP INSIDE THE HOGUE UNIT (A FLASHLIGHT HELPS). YOU'LL OBSERVE THAT THE HOLE IN THE GRIP, AND THE HOLE IN THE GUN, DON'T LINE UP. YOU'LL FURTHER OBSERVE THAT THE HOLE IN THE GRIP IS APPX 1/4" TOO FAR TO THE REAR. THE HOLE IN THE GRIP WILL NEED TO BE ENLONGATED APPX. 1/4" FORWARD (TOWARDS THE MUZZLE). FIXIN' TO DO ANOTHER FOR MY BUDS MICRO C-39.......... I POINTED THIS OUT TO MR. HOGUE HISSELF AT THE NRA SHOW IN HOUSTON, AND HE PROFESSED TO BE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. A COARSE RATTAIL FILE, OR SOME TYPE OF GRINDING THINGY IN A DREMEL, WILL MAKE SHORT WORK OF THIS. BE ADVISED................IF YOU'RE DREMELING, IT WILL PUT PLASTIC DUST ON EVERYTHING IN SIGHT, INCLUDING UP YOUR NOSE. DO IT OUTSIDE, OR DOWN INSIDE A TALL GARBAGE CAN, OR MAMA WILL HAVE YOU ON THE COUCH THAT NIGHT...... BE CAREFUL YOU DON'T WIDEN THE HOLE, AS YOU ARE ALSO LENGTHENING IT, OR THE HEAD OF THE SCREW WILL BE TRYING TO PULL THROUGH. THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO HUNT UP A WASHER TO GO UNDER THE SCREW HEAD. JUS SAYIN'........... WHEN YOU'VE REMOVED JUST ENOUGH FROM THE HOGUE GRIP, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE A LINE-OF-SIGHT OVER THE REAR EDGE OF THE GRIP, LOOKING DOWN INSIDE, AND YOU'LL NOW BE ABLE TO TAKE A SIGHT, AND LINE UP THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE ENLONGATED HOLE IN THE GRIP, WITH THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE HOLE IN THE GUN. STOP AT THAT POINT. JESS1344 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 That might be an issue but he still has the grip mounted in the sporter trigger hole. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JESS1344 508 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 MULLETT MAN, AAAH, GOT-IT, THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROBLEM THEN, BUT, ONCE HE GETS THE PISTOL GRIP NUT IN THE RIGHT PLACE, THEN, HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO DO WHAT I DESCRIBED ABOVE TO GET THE HOLES LINED UP. THANKS, JESS1344 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 So, in conclusion, it's fixable? And no. Not alot of Saigas in my region. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Yes, it's fixable. Tom Cole is in your region - and he works on a lot of Saigas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Looking back, that would have been a wise decision. However, to save face, I'll probably just let him finish the job. I'm really reluctant. I've used this guy in the past for other things, and it's been fine every time, no complaints. He was upfront that he's never done a saiga conversion, but I thought better him with his experience than me with none. I took it to the range anyway. Still cycles birdshot like a champ. But still, that's a pretty big thing to miss...probably shouldn't have just dropped it off stripped down to nothing. I have really bad luck with guns. Oh, the Cadiz guy? Yeah! I've heard alot about him. Yeah, that would have been a better option. But this ruise cruise has set sail, and I'm the captain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sdustin 578 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 You could do the conversion. It's not that hard. And almost anything is fixable. Hell I had to drill out three bullets from the bore of my 308. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 (edited) 15 minute job to do it yourself. Scribe the lines. punch a dimple in the middle and drill up in three stages. Finish out with a triangle file. I think these were the right templates, but it would probably be good for someone else to verify that. http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=22396 http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=22397 Edited June 29, 2014 by GunFun Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 I didn't use a template, I just measured up the hole in relationship to the trigger guard on one of my rifles and transferred it over to my s12. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 You could do the conversion. It's not that hard. And almost anything is fixable. Hell I had to drill out three bullets from the bore of my 308. I agree with Monty. It took me a long time to get up the courage to do my conversion. I watched videos of the process over and over until one day I said to myself, hell, I can do this. I used a kit from CSS. The trigger guard I used had the threaded hole built in for the pistol grip. It used all existing holes. Even if yours is already converted, you might be able to switch out the trigger guard to the one I used and problem solved. As Monty said, it isn't that hard. I also used the Hogue pistol grip and it works just fine. Here's my converted S-12 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
goldenpony 61 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 goldenpony, on 29 Jun 2014 - 1:10 PM, said: Ak Monty, on 29 Jun 2014 - 06:26 AM, said:You could do the conversion. It's not that hard. And almost anything is fixable. Hell I had to drill out three bullets from the bore of my 308. I agree with Monty. It took me a long time to get up the courage to do my conversion. I watched videos of the process over and over until one day I said to myself, hell, I can do this. I used a kit from CSS. The trigger guard I used had the threaded hole built in for the pistol grip. It used all existing holes. Even if yours is already converted, you might be able to switch out the trigger guard to the one I used and problem solved. As Monty said, it isn't that hard. I also used the Hogue pistol grip and it works just fine. Here's my converted S-12DSCF0012.JPG The trigger guard I used is available from Carolina Shooters Supply as Carolina Saiga bolt on for $45. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 I wanted a larger trigger guard to use winter gloves with my gun (Winter can get harsh here). Later down the line, can one trigger guard be switched to another without drilling? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Is yours riveted on or bolted, I can't tell from your pic? Bolted on (your particular TG), will leave two holes open if you swapped to a different style. Riveted on, you will have to drill thru or grind off the rivets, leaving two open holes. The bolt on style guards like goldenpony showed, use existing holes in the receiver. A riveted on guard is superior to bolt on, IMO, for looks, authenticity, and strength(permanent)/reliability(can't work loose). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IxLikexRussianxGuns 3 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 I opted for bolted, so I could remove it myself later on if I wanted to. I like the size of the trigger guard, I need that extra finger room. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Installing that guard required drilling two holes in the receiver. Other TG's utilize the two existing holes left behind when the sporter trigger plate gets removed. Drill and cut the square hole for the PG nut yourself and be done with it. Not that difficult. You have one of the best looking trigger guards available. Swapping it would be going backwards, IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sdustin 578 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I reused my old triggerguard tig welded it on. It's something I don't ever plan to remove. I was so worried about doing it. Then i Said fuck it I'm going to do this. Had the trigger conversion done in les than an hour. Water than building an ar15 lower. I didn't have to cut a pistol grip hole but I'm sure it's not that hard. And the design of the grip would be forgiving on being exact on hole placement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Yeah, It definitely doesn't have to be a perfect cut. The pistol grip lines up with the trigger guard, so you have a little room to play with when filing it square. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 When I converted the wife's S-.410, there was precious metal left to hold the pistol grip, so I made a reinforcing plat from a piece off of ginormous banding material. They sell PG reinforcing plates, and I recommend using one, they come with the hole for the PG nut and you only need to rivet it on and finish that hole thru the receiver. Makes for a much stronger PG attachment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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