030 Saiga Magwell Compatible Mags

[JDeko 792]

I rushed to get a Saiga before all the already imported ones went away. I ended up getting an IZ-433 030 from Legion only to now find out non-magwell mags don't work with it.

 

Is there any way to modify normal mags to work with a 030 type? It seems you can use Vepr Mags but I was really hoping to use the stamped metal ones that just came out for Saigas.

 

I could really use any info or advice you guys could provide, I never realized that this would all become so complicated.

[csspecs 1,987]

The Steel Vepr-12 mags are not directly compatible with the Saiga-030

 

How much modification is needed will be known shortly

 

I hope to be able to make it work with the Vepr design with a little alteration.

[JDeko 792]

Thank you. I forgot that I was talking to you [guys?] in my hunting thread. I really love your product because it doesn't look as childish to me as a lot of plastic mags look. I really hope that the Vepr-12 ones will be able to fit a Saiga 030 with a reasonable amount of poking.

 

I really feel in over my head with all this.

[MR_22 35]

There are some photos I posted here somewhere on the board for how to convert VEPR-12 mags for use in a the Legion 030 magwells. It's not hard. It takes maybe 2 minutes with a dremel tool and they are good to go. There are also some SGM mags that work fine without modification.

 

I'll see if I can find that link.

 

EDIT: Below is the link. Go to message #13 that I posted that shows the modification I did for a VPR-12 mag to work in a Legion 030 magwell Saiga.

 

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/93013-best-magazine-for-saiga-12/?hl=mr_22&do=findComment&comment=967052

Edited September 1, 2014 by MR_22

[JDeko 792]

So basically you just bend that latch up slightly? I can see the gap with light going through it on the converted one but i don't quite know the process that caused this effect

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

So basically you just bend that latch up slightly? I can see the gap with light going through it on the converted one but i don't quite know the process that caused this effect

Don't bend the latch. Take material off the underside of the rear locking lug of the V12 magazine. Study that pic MR22 posted in the linked thread.

[JDeko 792]

Oh, so you basically are cutting a slot in it? I still don't have any mags except the one it came with, but I'm still going to have to know what things I can modify and how to do it.

 

But if its just cutting that think slit there I'm guessing even if I can't I could ask someone more manually dexterous than I am to do it. Would you say its a hard thing to do and has a high risk of ruining the mag beyond salvage?

[sunnybean 939]

 

Or, file the magazine lug.

[JDeko 792]

So I just file it flat on until i can hand cycle rounds?

 

Also, I'm trying to make something work in a Saiga 030, IE a Vepr or non-magwell Saiga mag.

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

Or, file the magazine lug.

Sunnybean, when you filed the latch did your saiga police mags have a little more vertical play?

 

Edited: JDeko, to get your 030 to run molot/sgm V12 magazines you can either file the bottom of the rear lug on the magazine or file the latch on your 030. Which is better comes down to how comfortable you are with a file. In my case I have a lot of OEM Izzy mags. I filed the few molot mags I have.

Edited September 2, 2014 by HighPlainsDrifter

[Automatikjack 1]

It's reassuring to see I am not the only one pulling hairs trying to figure out a sensible option. I know that there have been people modifying the AGS Magazines to work in the 030, but what I am wondering is can that same process be followed for the SGM magazines that are in decent supply? IIRC basically the mags were sanded on the outside and the front nub was taken off the mag so it would clear the magwell. I know that it is certainly harder in practice (from fitting repro SVT-40 mags) but the idea is fairly sound right?

I'd like to keep my magwell if possible instead of removing it and bolting on that bit of metal as suggested by another member of our sister forum. http://www.vepr.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=253

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

It's reassuring to see I am not the only one pulling hairs trying to figure out a sensible option. I know that there have been people modifying the AGS Magazines to work in the 030, but what I am wondering is can that same process be followed for the SGM magazines that are in decent supply? IIRC basically the mags were sanded on the outside and the front nub was taken off the mag so it would clear the magwell. I know that it is certainly harder in practice (from fitting repro SVT-40 mags) but the idea is fairly sound right?

I'd like to keep my magwell if possible instead of removing it and bolting on that bit of metal as suggested by another member of our sister forum. http://www.vepr.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=253

SGM Vepr12 magazines is the easiest answer. I must also add that I modified a CSSpecs V12 mag to work on a 030/040. It was an extensive modification but it latches up perfectly, activates the LRBHO, and drops free. Mike and I will have a discussion this week to see if he can tweek his design. I also should have a tutorial posted within a weeks time. So my point is, there are options. Be patient with CSSpecs as they are quality mags, it just that you have to file the fuck out of the V12 mag to get them to fit.

[JDeko 792]

Is the fuck-filing process fool proof because I drool like a schoolgirl over those CSSpecs metal mags. I actually really enjoy sanding wood, like if there was a job that just involved hand-sanding rough wood with sand paper I'd be tossing people infront of buses to get said job.

 

Anyway, I mean to say that if its just filing nearly endlessly until it fits and the LRBHO engages and there isn't a chance I'll destroy the thing by herping when I should've derp'd I'd love that method.

 

Also, those tutorials will be highly appreciated.

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

Is the fuck-filing process fool proof because I drool like a schoolgirl over those CSSpecs metal mags. I actually really enjoy sanding wood, like if there was a job that just involved hand-sanding rough wood with sand paper I'd be tossing people infront of buses to get said job.

 

Anyway, I mean to say that if its just filing nearly endlessly until it fits and the LRBHO engages and there isn't a chance I'll destroy the thing by herping when I should've derp'd I'd love that method.

 

Also, those tutorials will be highly appreciated.

The tools I used were a small file, dremel with grinding stone, and a sharpie. I am sure anyone can do it without fucking it up. Like I mentioned earlier, give me some time this week to get up a tutorial. Just know that even if CSSpecs doesn't modify their V12 mag design you do have options. I guess that was the point in bringing this up.

[JDeko 792]

Oh believe me, if I can make the CSSpecs ones work myself I'll be overjoyed. You're a life-saver really!

[Automatikjack 1]

Bottom rear lug? Are you talking about the red or green circle?

Edited September 2, 2014 by Automatikjack

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

Bottom rear lug? Are you talking about the red or green circle?

Neither. You will find the rear lug right of the red circle...

[JDeko 792]

that tabby looking thing?

[MR_22 35]

 

So basically you just bend that latch up slightly? I can see the gap with light going through it on the converted one but i don't quite know the process that caused this effect

Don't bend the latch. Take material off the underside of the rear locking lug of the V12 magazine. Study that pic MR22 posted in the linked thread.

 

 

Exactly. You need to file/grind off part of the lip that the magazine latch catches on to hold the magazine in place. It's not very hard, but keep trying it until it locks, so you don't remove too much material. I can convert a VEPR-12 magazine in about 2 minutes now--and that's if I take my time. I have converted 4 of the VEPR-12 5-rounders. They work great. Compare the two VEPR-12 magazines in the photo I posted. These are the same magazines, but one is converted and one is not.

 

I like the smaller 5-round mags for most of my shooting. I'll fill the 10-rounders that I got from HighPlainsDrifter only occasionally. I also have a 12-round VEPR-12 SGM mag, which I haven't converted yet. I haven't decided if I really want a 12-rounder for my Saiga, so I've held off on that one. LOL.

[Automatikjack 1]

OH I misread, I saw bottom rear lug instead of "bottom of the". Damnit. Looks easy enough, but it's still pretty tempting to grab 3 polys for the price of a metal. Not to mention that you can cut them to the length you want.

[JDeko 792]

I think you might need to do some MS Paint circling of the changes, Mr.22 as I still only see the slot that light is now passing through as opposed to any filing having been done.

[MR_22 35]

 

I think you might need to do some MS Paint circling of the changes, Mr.22 as I still only see the slot that light is now passing through as opposed to any filing having been done.

Does this help?

 

The shiny area below the modified section is where I hit the metal instead of just plastic--it's not necessary to grind the metal down here, but it's hard to miss it. The modified version has the lip filed down at an angle, whereas the original lip is almost perpendicular to the magazine body. You need to make it slanted toward the feeding area of the magazine for the 030 latch to catch it. It's a subtle difference that's hard to see if you're not looking closely.

 

I recommend removing only a little material at a time, then trying it in your Saiga until it locks in tight. Removing too much of the plastic material could be bad and might lead to a loose magazine (I haven't done that, so I'm just guessing that).

Edited September 2, 2014 by MR_22

[sunnybean 939]

Pop the feed lips off to avoid hitting them with a file.

[MR_22 35]

 

Bottom rear lug? Are you talking about the red or green circle?

Neither. You will find the rear lug right of the red circle...

 

 

Here, marked in yellow:

Edited September 2, 2014 by MR_22

[MR_22 35]

 

Pop the feed lips off to avoid hitting them with a file.

Great suggestion!

[JDeko 792]

How do you remove the feed lips?

 

Also, that explanation makes things a lot easier to understand. At least I'm feeling like I have choices now.

[sunnybean 939]

Just use a small screwdriver to get under the front part (rounded portion) on each side then pry them off.

[Legion USA 107]

If you do not want to modify any mags you can just switch the rear metal tab from your Saiga mag to the Vepr. Saiga mag on the left, Vepr on the right: 

[JDeko 792]

Anyone know how to do that easily?

[HighPlainsDrifter 466]

Anyone know how to do that easily?

It's no longer a viable option as the V12 latch isn't a readily available part. This brings us back to talking about modifying your existing latch or swapping it out with a modified JTE latch.