[Tommo]

Found a Saiga .308 parts kit, very expensive, yikes! The rifle is an odd duck in that the receiver shell is 1.27 centimeters think and the trunion has a bulge on the right side only which is wider top to bottom than the ones on an RPK. The trunion is not narrowed like an RPK trunion, but fits a into standard 1.0 centimeter AKM shell except for the bulges. Rivet pattern on the front trunion is the same as a standard AKM.

I am think about rebuilding it with a Yugo type 1.5 receiver but am concerned because will need to remove some of the bulge in order to fit it into the Yugo shell. Will have to thin the lower part of the front of the shell to 1.0 thickness. The left side of the trunion will not meet the bulged shell and will need to insert a piece of the old receiver shell to fill the gap. This will have the rivets holding the left side of the front trunion not in direct contact with it at their heads.

Maybe it would be better to use a Yugo RPK front trunion and convert it by removing the feed plate and opening it enough to fit the Saiga .308 mags which are as long as M14 mags.

Any thoughts on which would be the better way to proceed?

 

[Tommo]

Update: Decided to use original Saiga trunion which is now fitted and holes drilled, will crush rivets tomorrow.

 

[762upyoass6911]

less than 20 inch barrel
5\8x24 thread
CSS handguard
aimpoint 9000sc
kalinka mount

 

[762upyoass6911]

proper pic

 

[Tommo]

Unfortunately, found the receiver was uneven at the front trunion. Have ordered a new one, but due to many deaths among family and friends over the past couple years have been unable to complete the build, may start again this Fall.

 

[moleman]

Sounds like a neat build Tommo! Completely understand the need to be motivated to build them though.

 

[Tommo]

I should have checked the blank before starting to work on it especially since I experienced the same probablem years ago with an AK74 build. Had to strip all the parts and start over, yikes! Yep, moleman, I do not deal well with the deaths of those close to me, just takes me allot of time to get over it.