Conversion to AK

Ok, So I have a Saiga .223. I want to convert it to an AK. Take me through the process, in great detail. Also, give me an approximate cost. Thanks.

Try www.forum.saiga-12.com

This is research you need to do!

Not trying to be rude,but this info is there if you look.

Try www.forum.saiga-12.com

This is research you need to do!

Not trying to be rude,but this info is there if you look.

Already been there. I'm a member. I should have been more clear... I want people who have done it to tell me of their experience.

Already been there. I'm a member. I should have been more clear... I want people who have done it to tell me of their experience.
You don't accept the hundreds of "OH MAN! I converted my Saiga yesterday and it was SOOOOO easy, I'm kicking myself for putting it off for so long!"
posts over at the Saiga forum (http://forum.saiga-12.com)?

You realize that the majority of us with Saigas here are members there, too.

You don't accept the hundreds of "OH MAN! I converted my Saiga yesterday and it was SOOOOO easy, I'm kicking myself for putting it off for so long!"
posts over at the Saiga forum (http://forum.saiga-12.com)?

You realize that the majority of us with Saigas here are members there, too.

Many people don't even change their screen names from board to board.... Lazy Fu*kers....

I remove / drill out, the rivets holding the bottom plate on the receiver. Check to see if there is a square hole for the pistol grip. Some Saiga's have it but many do not. I measure and mark the square hole if it's not there using digtal calibers. I drill the center and cut it the rest of the way using a cut-off wheel on a Dremel tool. Maybe clean up the sharp edges of the hole with a very light filing or sand paper on a file.

If I want to use hi cap magazines I dril the smallest hole in the trunnion and tap it. I make a bullet guide using 3/4 inch steel black pipe nipple from Home Depot / Lowes. I attach the bullet guide using an allen head screw. I forget the exact size but I can check my records. I shorten the top of the magazine lever to allow the magazine to catch in it. You can use a small file or careful use of a Dremel tool and cut off wheel against the top of the magazine lever. Not much metal needs to be removed. If using cheap US made platic 223 magazine you can remove plastic from the magazine instead of the rifle's magazine lever. If you want a trigger guard you add the one cut off the bottom plate. It's easiest to remove while the plate is still riveted to the receiver. You can attach it with screws and nuts and drill a hole under the magazine lever. If you have the tools to properly remove the four magazine lever rivets, there is a special AK-Builder tool, you can replace it with an AK trigger guard but make sure to use the selector stop plate that came with the rifle.

Many people don't even change their screen names from board to board.... Lazy Fu*kers....

I hear ya
:rofl_smal

Many people don't even change their screen names from board to board.... Lazy Fu*kers....

So what?

Some of us dont need multiple ID's

One suits me fine.

Me a Lazy fucker?

Not hardly.

I,m the same anywhere. AK files, FAL files, or Saiga forum, i don't have anything to hide.

Yup. I'm a lazy f#$ker also.

lazy... no, can't remember shit...YES! one username is enough for me.

I too am very lazy. Same name for 3 boards and several online games.

http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

Everything you need to know. Youtube is another resource that has mobile pictures and audible compilations that take one through the process.

Oh, if you do the shotgun, buy the Tromix DIY trigger guard. Its $50ish but waaaaay worth not haveing to drill a trigger hole, plus it looks sweet. It might work for other cals but I know it works for the 12ga. The retainer plate is also way better than the shepherds crook. And if you stick with the BHO and use the plate, you will need to dremel off some of the safety to get it back in the gun. To make it fit thru the hole in the receiver.

I just did a 3 port saiga 12 shotgun and it was quite easy as reported above. So far it eats Remington heavy dove/pigeon load on #2 setting, guess I need a KA piston puck and a gun fixer gas plug, so it can digest the cheaper Winchester target loads.

Mind you the trigger guard can be recycled by bending back/breaking off the front piece and rewelding it to match the hole on the receiver.

Also since there are so many compliance(922r) parts for the saiga 12 you can recycle a trigger group from a Chinese AK, all you have to do is upgrade the receiver to double hook while the trigger guard is out the way and reshape the hammer for clearance so it can swing and smack on the firing pin. On the saiga 12 from my point of view is a must to keep the BHO feature. So you will need to trim the right side of the hammer for the BHO piece to fit.

All of this information is out here just google it and it will show for you to read and enjoy.

Also there are some 3/16" plastic plugs available out of Lowe's pn/139446 that will fill in the holes on the left side of the receiver, on the right side you will need to enlarge the holes to match the left side for the black plastic plugs to fit.

Have fun.

Oh, if you do the shotgun, buy the Tromix DIY trigger guard. Its $50ish but waaaaay worth not haveing to drill a trigger hole, plus it looks sweet. It might work for other cals but I know it works for the 12ga.

Thanks for the plug Charlie.

The DIY guard works only for the 12 gauge.

I would think you would prefer to get a U.S. trigger group rather than Chinese as it will count toward 3 compliant parts.

I would think you would prefer to get a U.S. trigger group rather than Chinese as it will count toward 3 compliant parts.

Yes I agree, but in my case why not use the Chinese trigger group since I have other USA made parts on the gun (Saiga 12), for example

1 butt stock, AR M4 stile collapsible, not pretty but it was laying around unused.
1 Saw stile Tapco PG.
3 Pro-mag 10 rd magazine.
1 Gunfixer gas-port adjustable plug.
1 USA made Go Gun gas piston.
1 USA made muzzle brake The Gunner.

So at this point I think, I can get away with recycling the double hook smooth action of the Chinese trigger in the Saiga 12.

I could still add one more USA made part in the form of the handguard, but so far I like the stock handguard. I may just cut vent holes on it for the cool look :).