Saiga Sporter Conversion

Cucamonga

One day at a time
Charter Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2016
Messages
408
Location
Etowah North Carolina
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Back story, I bought a sport configuration Saiga rifle new in 2012 quickly converted the rear end, ran a mag or 2 through it and haven't fired it since.

I got to looking at it the other day and started thinking I may want complete the conversion. I think did a good job on the rear conversion and at the time I know I didn't want to use the plastic caps that came in the conversion kit to fill the 4 sporter trigger rivet holes, so my answer was to use small cap screws, I may now want these holes filled or welded.

I would like to learn of contacts for filling/welding the holes, sources for all work and parts needed and suppliers. I do the work myself with exception of welding holes or have everything done pending cost.

I haven't decided if I will keep or sell the Saiga, nice rifle and who knows if we will ever see Russian imports again, but then I also have an unfired O-Pap that has been put up for some time and if your not enjoying something or passing to on to family...
 
There are a few conversion threads here in the "Kommie Rifles" subforum. Basically, a lot has changed in the past eight years, and generally you're going to need more effort and more money to source the parts, especially depending how authentic you want the build to be. In a nutshell the parts you'll need/want include:
  • gas tube
  • gas block
  • handguards
  • handguard retainer
  • FSB
  • muzzle device
  • cleaning rod
  • paint
  • oh, and a bullet guide (if you haven't already done this)
@digitalpaladin10 can surely help. If you have the time, tools, and talent to DIY, check out the "Gunsmithing" and "Marketplace" sections of the AK Files.

Also. here's a (long) two-parter on converting the Saiga sporter:




Plenty of other YouTube Saiga conversion videos, but you'll have to dig a bit to avoid all the Bubbas. Good luck. Post pics.
 
Hoosier's post was fantastic and covered about everything. Sometimes there is threading under the front sight block on Saigas. I can weld and fill the 4 holes and all of the parts you'd need can be acquired at rusweapons.com from Gregory. I've done countless conversions. They're great shooters and collectable.
 
I just threw some tape over my holes. The plastic rivets wouldn’t fit with this e. German stock I’m using

At the end of the day it’s an AK man, shoot it and enjoy it

convert the front end though.

If you’re gonna send it off and have the holes welded, get the proper ak-103 side folder conversion done while you’re at it. There are some very talented ak builders I can recommend, if you are interested pm me.

59DF2999-54A5-4BBA-88D3-9F8507414063.jpeg
05502ECC-1190-453A-AD8B-0EBF0FD51DDD.jpeg
 
Good information, I think I will be going for the AK 103 look? But no folding stock.
  • gas tube
  • gas block
  • handguards
  • handguard retainer
  • FSB
  • muzzle device
  • cleaning rod
Need to get some time and figure out how much these parts are going to cost....


During the rear conversion I didn't demil the mag release or bolt hold open and suspect I will leave as is.
IMG_1990.JPG



Previously installed the bullet button
IMG_1991.JPG

Screws used to fill 4 sporter trigger holes but will want to fill or weld. A little surprised in video it was suggested to use JB weld to fill some holes in the receiver.
IMG_1988.JPG

Appears my saiga gas block is dimpled and pined?
IMG_1987.JPG


And front sight blocked is dimpled?
IMG_1986.JPG
 
Last edited:
Holly crap, a check on part cost can quickly adds up, $350+ for Bulgarian gas block, hand guards, FSB, hand guard retainer, muzzle device, cleaning rod. At this price this project won’t be a priority.

Tell me about using parts other than Russian or Bulgarian, pros and cons other then not having authentic parts.
 
Holly crap, a check on part cost can quickly adds up, $350+ for Bulgarian gas block, hand guards, FSB, hand guard retainer, muzzle device, cleaning rod. At this price this project won’t be a priority.

Tell me about using parts other than Russian or Bulgarian, pros and cons other then not having authentic parts.

Most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the Bulgy and Russian stuff, but they look slightly different
 
Holly crap, a check on part cost can quickly adds up, $350+ for Bulgarian gas block, hand guards, FSB, hand guard retainer, muzzle device, cleaning rod. At this price this project won’t be a priority.

Tell me about using parts other than Russian or Bulgarian, pros and cons other then not having authentic parts.

Welcome to the bass ackward world of the AK in 2020 :confused:

You mentioned the possibility of selling in your first post. Remember - even if you could somehow build literally the best, highest quality AK-103 clone on earth, but at the end of the day it's just that ... a build. And you might be the best DIY builder on earth, but your clone probably won't fetch the absolute top dollar since it's still a DIY build and not factory, or assembled by one of the established, highly reputable builders in the AK community. That said, you'll still get more for it the more "correct" you can make it. If your plan is to sell and maximize profit, I'd take some time and try to source the necessary authentic components at the best prices (private sales/trades might be your best bet vs. buying from retailers). Plenty of enthusiasts champing at the bit for an as-correct-as-possible AK-103 clone. It's still a rear-converted Saiga though, so it'll sell no matter what.

If you're planning on hanging on to the thing and shooting it and/or passing it down to family, I'd consider sourcing cheaper alternative parts, but like @WadeWatts just mentioned, it won't be as authentic of a clone and might look a bit funky. If that doesn't matter so much to you then rock on and go that route. And heck, any relative would be lucky to inherit a free AK with a Russian heart, even if some of its bones come from other countries.
 
Sourcing the needed front end parts has turned into quite a treasure hunt with most online vendors being out of stock and anything found on the the AK Files is sold quickly, and of course all Russian and Bulgarian parts are selling for top $$$$.

I did find the AK-74 complete FST on Apex, seems like the right part but I am still learning here. My barrel measures at 0.572/0.575" using calipers with measured just behind the FSB. Is this the right part, if so please tell me and I will order before it is gone.
https://www.apexgunparts.com/bulgarian-ak74-front-sight-block-assembly-beadblasted-very-good.html

Unless I stubble onto Russian parts for a good price its going to to be Bulgarian parts or tell me what other counties parts could be used. I just may have to settle with a Russian heart and a mixture of various country bones for the gas block, gas tube, hand guard retainer. Is there any difference in AK-47 (AKM) or AK-74 for these components?

On a brighter side, no hurry to complete this project as I have a 9mm AR build AR 9mm a two dedicated 22LR AR builds in the hopper.
 
Sourcing the needed front end parts has turned into quite a treasure hunt with most online vendors being out of stock and anything found on the the AK Files is sold quickly, and of course all Russian and Bulgarian parts are selling for top $$$$.

I did find the AK-74 complete FST on Apex, seems like the right part but I am still learning here. My barrel measures at 0.572/0.575" using calipers with measured just behind the FSB. Is this the right part, if so please tell me and I will order before it is gone.
https://www.apexgunparts.com/bulgarian-ak74-front-sight-block-assembly-beadblasted-very-good.html

Unless I stubble onto Russian parts for a good price its going to to be Bulgarian parts or tell me what other counties parts could be used. I just may have to settle with a Russian heart and a mixture of various country bones for the gas block, gas tube, hand guard retainer. Is there any difference in AK-47 (AKM) or AK-74 for these components?

On a brighter side, no hurry to complete this project as I have a 9mm AR build AR 9mm a two dedicated 22LR AR builds in the hopper.

That sight should work fine. I got mine new from K-var, but it proved to be a little harder to install since it didn’t have any pin holes pre drilled.


The Saiga is built to AK-74 specs. On my rifle I used a Bulgarian handguard retainer, Bulgarian AK-74 gas block and Bulgarian AK-74 front sight, and an Arsenal 7.62 muzzle brake.



C6FD81E6-9477-4F64-9BF5-F2B1086346E3.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Is there any differences in Russian AK-47 and Ak-74 gas tubes or are they the same?

Besides possible minor fitment issues that might require some slight filing, you should be good to go with either.
 
Using a 74 gas tube on mine. Dropped right in, no fitting or grinding. Ideally I’d go for a AK-74 or AK-100 gas tube if you can find one, one with the tension spring. But I ground a 47 gas tube to fit before I found what I was looking for.

Is there any differences in Russian AK-47 and Ak-74 gas tubes or are they the same?
 
Guessing I will be able to use the existing Saiga tension spring?

I managed drill, Dremel, remove the front sight and gas black, no damage to barrel.
 
I think I have managed to collect all of the needed parts to convert my Saiga to a AK103 with the exception of a 90 degree gas block and lower handguard retainer. I've been putting off getting these last two parts, don't want to have to pay Gunbroker prices.

If anyone has these parts that are correct for the AK103 and are willing to part with them, I have cash or ammo to trade.
 
@Cucamonga have you posted a WTB on the Files or any other large forum? There are also some private/hidden BST groups on Facebook that might be lead-worthy if you're over there.
 
I did post and buy most of the needed parts from the files before the site got hacked, no luck getting the gas block or hand guard retainer but will try again.

How to find the hidden face book sites?
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom