saiga 308=standard ak compatiblity?
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I have a Saiga in .308 coming at the end of this week (shipped 10/4) from CDNN down in Texas. I?ll be taking a look as soon as it comes and post what I learn. I?m thinking of doing a conversion to a pistol grip configuration and need to know what standard and thus replaceable parts it has. I?m hoping the piston and trigger group is standard so I can trade them out. The reason I want the pistol grip is because I have Arthritis and Carpal Tunnel and a straight stock is getting uncomfortable to hold and shoot. Oh! and because the pistol grip has a certain cool factor too.chopchop said:
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Red Star Arms make a specific FCG for the .308 that only works if you are converting it to pistol grip configuration, IIRC. Check Blackjackbuffers.com .
I'm not sure about the piston, but I hope its an easy switch to something like the RSA piston or even Tapco.
I'm not sure about the piston, but I hope its an easy switch to something like the RSA piston or even Tapco.
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Hello all I'm new to posting on the forum but I read through it at least twice a day thanks for all the info guys. Now to answer your question about the saiga yes they are the same fcg as a regular AK. I have a saiga 12, saiga 410 that I converted it doesn't even take an hour if you have a drill and a dremel you can do it, hell i didnt even have a dremel and did it in less than an hour. All you are really doing is moving the fcg back to its original place the pstol grip hole is there its just hidden underneath the plate on the bottom of the reciever as alsois the original trigger hole so its pretty much just drop in. I hope this Helps:thumbup1:
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I talked to Ken Roberts the President Red Star Arms via email and was told that a standard FCG works and that the special one they make is for the VEPR line of guns not the Saiga.
I picked up my .308 Saiga today! One thing I didn?t know was that they are made with 16 and 22 inch barrels. I got the 16? and it?s the only length that CDNN carries I guess. I?m impressed with the quality of the gun for the price paid, ($265 w/shipping) and I like the fact that they added a bolt hold-open button next to the trigger. I found that the piston seems to be 3/16 shorter than the AMD-63 but I think a standard US made replacement part should work because there?s plenty of room (length wise) in the gas block. With the 16? barrel it makes a nice short home-defense type weapon and has a very heavy barrel that makes it feel good in your hands. The only drawbacks are the rear stock because it?s hollow and the fact that the magazines are only 8-rd and cost $25 each. For now I?m keeping the stock but will fill it with expanding foam to cut noise and for a more solid feel. I?ll see if I can convert an FAL or M-14 Mag to fit the gun, Just don?t know if I can make that work, but having 20 rd?s sounds better than 8 to me.
Comparing the Saiga to my AMD-63?s I find a few things different,
1. Larger bolt head with different extractor and larger cam, carrier made to fit larger cam.
2. Limiter block on return-spring guide to limit max rear position of bolt carrier in recoil.
3. Firing pin is spring-loaded and rear of bolt has smaller diameter.
4. Rear trunnion is a little different but should work the same.
5. Love that bolt hold-open. I think we can add this to our builds with a little work. It looks simple.
6. 90 degree gas block. Who cares, it looks great.
7. Receiver has bulges like a Dragunov does on each side in front.
I picked up my .308 Saiga today! One thing I didn?t know was that they are made with 16 and 22 inch barrels. I got the 16? and it?s the only length that CDNN carries I guess. I?m impressed with the quality of the gun for the price paid, ($265 w/shipping) and I like the fact that they added a bolt hold-open button next to the trigger. I found that the piston seems to be 3/16 shorter than the AMD-63 but I think a standard US made replacement part should work because there?s plenty of room (length wise) in the gas block. With the 16? barrel it makes a nice short home-defense type weapon and has a very heavy barrel that makes it feel good in your hands. The only drawbacks are the rear stock because it?s hollow and the fact that the magazines are only 8-rd and cost $25 each. For now I?m keeping the stock but will fill it with expanding foam to cut noise and for a more solid feel. I?ll see if I can convert an FAL or M-14 Mag to fit the gun, Just don?t know if I can make that work, but having 20 rd?s sounds better than 8 to me.
Comparing the Saiga to my AMD-63?s I find a few things different,
1. Larger bolt head with different extractor and larger cam, carrier made to fit larger cam.
2. Limiter block on return-spring guide to limit max rear position of bolt carrier in recoil.
3. Firing pin is spring-loaded and rear of bolt has smaller diameter.
4. Rear trunnion is a little different but should work the same.
5. Love that bolt hold-open. I think we can add this to our builds with a little work. It looks simple.
6. 90 degree gas block. Who cares, it looks great.
7. Receiver has bulges like a Dragunov does on each side in front.
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I just converted my Saiga .308 the other day. The trigger must be replaced but you can salvage the hammer for re-use. The rear trunion is standard AK and requires no modification to accept a standard AK buttstock. The receiver requires a little more work than the .223 or x39 due to the fact that no hole exists for the pistol grip screw nut and the bottom cover plate has two spot welds that must be ground down. Keep in mind that the barrel is considerably larger in diameter than a standard AK so a front handguard retainer will not fit without modification. Also, im not sure but it appears that the front sight is actually part of the barrel or welded onto the barrel. I havent tried to pull it yet but it does not look good.
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I can't remember where I saw the post but I'm pretty sure someone converted one to take inexpensive H&K 20 rd magazines. It was a real beauty. Anyone else remember it?
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I was thinking of using a converted FAL mag in my Saiga .308 but I found that I?d have to widen the front of the mag well, the original mag narrows towards the front and every type of mag I?ve looked at is kind of square with no taper.Any ideas?
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I think the saiga converted to take G3 mags was done by Leadhead, if I remember correctly. There weren't many details given at the time and no close up shots that I remember, but these attached pics are ones saved from the original thread.
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Actually the Fal mag conversion is very straight forward if you have a welder.
Widen the front of the mag well. Then weld a tit on the trunion in the front.
Then drill a hole in the front of the FAL mag that hooks in the tit.
Thats about it from what I have heard.
Widen the front of the mag well. Then weld a tit on the trunion in the front.
Then drill a hole in the front of the FAL mag that hooks in the tit.
Thats about it from what I have heard.
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Looks like some kind of adapter plate was added to the magazine to compensate for the difference in the two mags. Or am I seeing something else?
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Any links for more info? This is good. DSA has 30 round FAL mags for sale too.Fargo said:
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