Saiga 5.45 First Impressions and Conversion

Well I finally got around to taking pictures and I thought that I would give my first impressions of the new Saiga 5.45. The rifle comes in the standard Izhmash "crate" box. The rifle also comes with the standard buttstock cleaning kit, oiler, extra long cleaning rod, 10 round magazine, manual, and certificate. Everything comes packed in a lightly greased bag (minus manuals and accessories).

You guys should have seen the look on my wife's face when I pulled out this brand new rifle and said "Man, I can't wait to cut this mofo up!" :eek:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2220.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2221.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2222.jpg

First impressions of the rifle are awesome. The rifle now comes standard with the thing that everyone wants...dimples. Isn't it sad that a Russian military arms manufacturer listens more to the wants of American firearms owners than American manufacturers? Are you listening Sig Arms?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2223.jpg

Yes, you are seeing that correctly in the photo above. Standard AK-74 magazines fit perfectly without any modifications to the magazine release. Now I'm not too sure that if they're all like that but this seems to be the norm from what other owners are reporting. In this picture I have my East German Bakelite inserted.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2224.jpg

A big, big, big, big, BIG plus to me is the fact that my barrel already had the side handguard retainer flanges cut. This is what really concerned me about doing this conversion all by myself, so this was a HUGE relief to see it already done from the factory.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2226.jpg

The gas piston is the new style or AK-100 style solid head piston. For my conversion this will be replaced with the more recognized grooved piston (US made of course).

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2225.jpg

Now here's another feature that wasn't present on my Saiga .223, a bump rivet. Most know this rivet is to prevent the dreaded trigger slap. Unfortunately this is riveted through the plate that is attached to the bottom of the receiver, so in order to do the conversion this will have to go. This isn't a big deal since I'll be using either a TAPCO G2 or a Red Star Arms non-adjustable fire control group.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2230.jpg

Also another plus, the pistol grip hole and single hook trigger hole is already cut and is just waiting underneath the plate.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2236.jpg

Seeing some of these features got me all hot and bothered so I decided to go ahead with the conversion after a long day at work. Now for all of you Saiga users that are afraid to do a simple pistol grip conversion, hear this. I did this whole conversion up to this point with nothing more than a Dremel, a cheap Harbor Freight drill and bits, some punches, a cold chisel, a huge brass punch, and a big f***ing hammer. That's right, no 20-ton shop press, no drill press (even though I have one), no mill, nothing like that. If I can do it so can you.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2231.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2233.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2232.jpg

Everything is perfectly straight. I checked, checked, and checked again.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2234.jpg

And here it is so far. I'm still waiting on my stock set from Ironwood, my new trigger guard, FCG, and bullet guide from Dinzag. Once all that is here I still have to fill the extra holes in the receiver left over from the conversion, blast, and refinish with Norrel's Moly Resin. I'll update again once everything is done. Enjoy!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Russia/Saiga%20Project/IMG_2237.jpg

Wow nice work. Looks like that is a standard lower handguard retainer(not the clamp on the barrel type). Did you have to drift off the gas block and notch the barrel? If not please clue me in. I plan on converting a X39 soon and some info would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Wow nice work. Looks like that is a standard lower handguard retainer(not the clamp on the barrel type). Did you have to drift off the gas block and notch the barrel? If not please clue me in. I plan on converting a X39 soon and some info would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.Well the gas blocks on these 5.45's are peened not pinned. So I opted to just cut the FSB and gas block off. Once I did that all I had to do was cut the upper handguard retaining flange and install the retainer. I did it with a round file.

ON the gas block, did you use a standard Bulgarian gas block, or is is some other specific block? Also how did you line up the gas port hole? Did it automatically line up when the gas block stoped on the barrell?

ON the gas block, did you use a standard Bulgarian gas block, or is is some other specific block? Also how did you line up the gas port hole? Did it automatically line up when the gas block stoped on the barrell?I used a standard Bulgarian AK-74 gas block. Luckily on the Saiga it has one retaining pin hole already cutout on for the gas block which the handguard slides on. All I had to do was make sure that the rear hole in the new gas block was centered on that cutout. All I have to do now is drill the second one for the gas block and the two for the FSB.

I used a standard Bulgarian AK-74 gas block. Luckily on the Saiga it has one retaining pin hole already cutout on for the gas block which the handguard slides on. All I had to do was make sure that the rear hole in the new gas block was centered on that cutout. All I have to do now is drill the second one for the gas block and the two for the FSB.


How did you get the GB on?

Pound the shit out it with a hammer?

I have an X39 that I converted, but I have the clamp on HG retainer and DPH clip on muzzle break.

I'm thinking about getting a 5.45 when funds allow.

How did you get the GB on?

Pound the shit out it with a hammer?

I have an X39 that I converted, but I have the clamp on HG retainer and DPH clip on muzzle break.

I'm thinking about getting a 5.45 when funds allow.Using a big brass punch and an even bigger hammer. Went on perfectly fine with no major resistance. Of course I cleaned, deburred, and polished the surfaces of the barrel that the parts would be sliding against. I'm sure that this helped.

Shot it today, still unconverted. Here's the great part. I stuck regular Bulgy, Tantal, and EG mags in it and fired about 120 rounds without one jam!!!!! I do not have a bullet guide in this gun!!!

Shot it today, still unconverted. Here's the great part. I stuck regular Bulgy, Tantal, and EG mags in it and fired about 120 rounds without one jam!!!!! I do not have a bullet guide in this gun!!!Yeah, this seems to be the consensus on these rifles so far. However, a bullet guide is essential for 100% reliable feeding every time. My .223 Saiga was the same way in that regular magazines worked and it fed properly when firing. However when I started jostling the rifle around while shooting a I started to get multiple FTF's and the bullet slamming into the face of the trunnion. Since installing the bullet guide I haven't had a single problem.

Damn there goes my X-mas club account :wink_smal
Good work! now I want one !

what!? it did not come with the dangerous "destroy me" wrapping paper?

well let's see what it does on paper...

So I could buy a saiga 5.45x39 and throw bakelite mags and a 74 muzzle brake on it?!?!?!?!?

So I could buy a saiga 5.45x39 and throw bakelite mags and a 74 muzzle brake on it?!?!?!?!?After modifying it, yes.

I used a standard Bulgarian AK-74 gas block. Luckily on the Saiga it has one retaining pin hole already cutout on for the gas block which the handguard slides on. All I had to do was make sure that the rear hole in the new gas block was centered on that cutout. All I have to do now is drill the second one for the gas block and the two for the FSB.

I started my conversion, and now have a question. What will you use to drill the holes on the gas block and fsb? Cobalt drill bits or end mills? Seems to me that if you use bits you could walk the bit and egg the hole

I started my conversion, and now have a question. What will you use to drill the holes on the gas block and fsb? Cobalt drill bits or end mills? Seems to me that if you use bits you could walk the bit and egg the holeI haven't decided on that yet. I'm still looking into what the best way would be.

Now here's another feature that wasn't present on my Saiga .223, a bump rivet. Most know this rivet is to prevent the dreaded trigger slap.

Factory Saigas don't have 'trigger slap'.

I think you guys are jumping on the "internet meme train" with this "bump rivet stops trigger slap" story. I think Arsenal's attempts to make their sh***y trigger more 'user friendly' in their recent offerings is polluting the well of common sense.

From all the pictures I've seen, the Saiga "bump rivet" doesn't affect the trigger at all.

Factory Saigas don't have 'trigger slap'.

I think you guys are jumping on the "internet meme train" with this "bump rivet stops trigger slap" story. I think Arsenal's attempts to make their sh***y trigger more 'user friendly' in their recent offerings is polluting the well of common sense.

From all the pictures I've seen, it doesn't affect the trigger at all.And why doesn't a factory Saiga have trigger slap?

I forgot exactly where I read it (Tantal I think) but it said that the bump rivet was added to stop "trigger slap". The extended tail of the sear would stop on the rivet and thus not allow it to strike the rear of trigger causing it to shoot forward and into your finger. I'm assuming that is why Tapco sear do not have the extended tail at all. The same for Redstar Arms, K-Var, ect.

So I can see why the rivet was added. In pure Russian style they decided to do the easiest and cheapest thing possible and added a raised rivet instead of redesigning the sear itself. This is why they tell you to cut off the tail of a Century sear at the gunsite website (which for some reason is down).

But of course, my $0.02, IMHO, YMMV, ect.

OK, here's some visual examples. Here's what's happening during trigger slap:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Trigger%20Slap/04.jpg

Here's the modification to fix it:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Trigger%20Slap/05.jpg

And here is a Russian sear (or disconnect) compared to a Tapco:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Trigger%20Slap/1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/AEnemaBay/Avtomat%20Kalashnikova/Trigger%20Slap/2.jpg

And why doesn't a factory Saiga have trigger slap?


Allow me to show you why . .

http://www.novarata.net/abrams/saiga556/1024/saiga556_664_a.JPG

The trigger (item 9) doesn't directly connect to the "trigger" your finger is holding (item 8). If it does "slap", the loose connections between the actual hammer-releasing trigger and the finger lever "trigger" take all of it out along the way . .

Allow me to show you why . .

http://www.novarata.net/abrams/saiga556/1024/saiga556_664_a.JPG

The trigger (item 9) doesn't directly connect to the "trigger" your finger is holding (item 8). If it does "slap", the loose connections between the actual hammer-releasing trigger and the finger lever "trigger" take all of it out along the way . .Oh duh, when I hear Saiga I automatically think converted. You're right, even without the bump rivet in an unconverted Saiga you wouldn't experience any trigger slap. I'm sure it's in a Saiga because it's just another step in the process on the assembly line that they felt no need to alter even though it wouldn't be utilized.