Saiga AK 47, First Shots and more...

WildBill45 · January 15, 2013, 09:03 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNNuC9pSW2o

I took my Saiga AK 47 to the range for my first shots … of this rifle … and first shot of any AK 47. The rifle is a ball to shoot, although humbling for me today. I normally shoot stuff from the hip all day long with my CZ 458 LOTT, and especially so with my O3A3! The pistol grip should have made it even easier, but, and there always is a but in life, that wasn’t so today. I need to adjust to the pistol grip and this rifle from the hip. Snap shots from the shoulder were right on, and my group at 100 yards off-hand was very good for shooting with the kludged Ruskie sights and shooting first time with this rifle … not to mention frozen hands being a bit of a hindrance, but we both worked through that.

The rifle feels good, and should prove to be a great ‘working rifle’ for truck, horse, or bike carry. I can shoot it fairly fast while keeping it on target, and that will speed up with a little practice with the new rifle. I just hope I can still get import ammo to shoot … that is the question tonight … as it may change tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed, and keep shooting!!!

The attached video says it all...

chris in va · January 16, 2013, 08:31 AM

Pretty much what mine looked like after conversion. What stock is that?

WildBill45 · January 16, 2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

What stock is that?

It is a factory fresh Saiga stock, that came on it in the box ... straight from the factory ...

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Fishbed77 · January 16, 2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

It is a factory fresh Saiga stock, that came on it in the box ... straight from the factory ...

That's not a Saiga stock. Those rifles are imported in as new IZ-132 sporters and converted in the US to meet 922(r) regulations by moving/swapping out the trigger group and adding a US-made stock and pistol grip.

It has to be a US-made stock - looks like a Tapco, but I could be wrong. The forearm is a standard Saiga forearm with the slots milled in for aesthetics and to improve cooling. The mag latch is filed down and a bullet guide added to use standard AK mags.

Nonetheless, that is a great rifle - in my opinion, these converted Saigas represent about the best AK value you can find these days. I just converted a Saiga myself, and the end result looks almost identical to your rifle (except with a KVAR stock and without the milled forearm slots). I would have just bought an already-converted rifle like yours if I could have found one locally, but, alas, none were to be found. Still, doing the conversion process myself was a great learning experience, and only took an afternoon.

WildBill45 · January 16, 2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

It has to be a US-made stock - looks like a Tapco, but I could be wrong. The forearm is a standard Saiga forearm with the slots milled in for aesthetics and to improve cooling. The mag latch is filed down and a bullet guide added to use standard AK mags.

I just took the rifle out of the safe to inspect the stock and pistol grip. After doing so, I cannot find a stamp or name on either piece.

Fishbed77 · January 16, 2013, 01:18 PM

One other difference I noticed. It looks like whatever shop converted the rifle elected not to re-install the Saiga bolt hold-open (note the small empty slot just to the side of the trigger) and instead notched the top of the safety to serve as a hold-open. No big deal - that's exactly what Krebs does with their high-dollar custom AKs. Re-installing the stock Saiga bolt hold-open during a conversion is a major pain - it probably took me 45 minutes of fiddling to get it back in.

But, just so you know - that's what the notch at the top of the safety is - it won't be described in the Saiga instruction manual.

WildBill45 · January 16, 2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

One other difference I noticed. It looks like whatever shop converted the rifle elected not to re-install the Saiga bolt hold-open (note the small empty slot just to the side of the trigger) and instead notched the top of the safety to serve as a hold-open. No big deal - that's exactly what Krebs does with their high-dollar custom

WOW, this is useful information ... I did not know that! I am so glad I did some detailed photo work to find that out. My AK is now sitting here with the bolt open, something I would have to liked to do at the range but did not know!!!

Thank you very much!!!

"Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"

as said by Rick in Casablanca

Fishbed77 · January 16, 2013, 06:08 PM

No problem. I'm no AK expert - I'm fairly new to them myself. But there are guys on the Saiga forum who can answer any question you'll ever have about your rifle:

http://forum.saiga-12.com/

WildBill45 · January 16, 2013, 09:10 PM

The Saiga forum looks nice ... will check it out in detail later...

Yung.gunr · January 17, 2013, 11:25 AM

Did you look closely at the muzzle to see if you can see the start of threads under there? I've heard there are some that are threaded so all you have to do is cut the plastic off of the end. Unfortunately, I don't think mine (.223) is.

WildBill45 · January 17, 2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Did you look closely at the muzzle to see if you can see the start of threads under there? I've heard there are some that are threaded so all you have to do is cut the plastic off of the end.

Why would I do that?

Fishbed77 · January 17, 2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Why would I do that?

If you want to install a flash suppressor or muzzle brake on the rifle.

From what I can tell, lately most IZ-132s (and by extension, rifles converted from them) do not have threaded muzzles, so if you wanted to add a barrel attachment, the the shroud (which is steel, not plastic) at the end of the barrel would have to be cut back, and the barrel threaded. Alternatively, the whole front sight base could be cut off and new front sight base with built-in larger-diameter threads could be installed by a gunsmith with a press.

Yung.gunr · January 17, 2013, 12:48 PM

Yes, brain fart... Not plastic.. Thanks.

WildBill45 · January 17, 2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

If you want to install a flash suppressor or muzzle brake on the rifle.

I see... I think it is funny that someone would want or need a muzzle break for a 7.62 X 39! A 458 Lott, YES for some, but an AK, which feels like a .22 ... that is funny!

Even if you are sensitive to recoil, and that is subjective, the noise damage to your hearing outweighs any felt recoil from such a small caliber ... AND, since it may be used indoors with no time to find your ear protection, that magnifies the hearing damage tenfold. If you did find your ear protection, now you cannot hear where the bad guys are, another bigger problem than the tiny recoil of the AK!

WildBill45 · January 17, 2013, 02:59 PM

Is this the liner you are talking about???

See Attached photo

Quote:

From what I can tell, lately most IZ-132s (and by extension, rifles converted from them) do not have threaded muzzles, so if you wanted to add a barrel attachment, the the shroud (which is steel, not plastic) at the end of the barrel would have to be cut back, and the barrel threaded. Alternatively, the whole front sight base could be cut off and new front sight base with built-in larger-diameter threads could be installed by a gunsmith with a press.

WildBill45 · January 17, 2013, 03:13 PM

It is built into the safety lever, a cut out to capture the bolt manually.

See attached photos that I just shot @ 2pm...

Fishbed77 · January 17, 2013, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Is this the liner you are talking about???

Yes. That's the shroud at the muzzle that's attached to the front sight base.

WildBill45 · January 17, 2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Yes. That's the shroud at the muzzle that's attached to teh front sight base.

Does it twist off with a wrench of some sort?

Fishbed77 · January 17, 2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Does it twist off with a wrench of some sort?

No. It's pressed on. The only way to remove it is to cut it off.

If you just want to remove the shroud (and keep the front sight), it's possible to use a Dremel or the right diameter pipe cutter to remove the shroud forward of the front sight. Then the barrel under the shroud can be threaded for a muzzle attachment.

Alternatively, you can cut off the whole front sight block w/ shroud and replace it with something like this:

https://www.k-var.com/shop/AK-167B.html

From what I understand, these new front sight blocks are not easy to install and would require a competent gunsmith. AK barrels (including Saigas) come in many different profiles, so you have to make sure that you have the right front sight block to match your barrel.

.

WildBill45 · January 17, 2013, 06:08 PM

If that is the case then I shall leave it be. I am NOT a gunsmith by any means. I thought it may be already threaded with the just the cover to protect the area. OH well. I think of it as a working rifle, and the more simple, the more better ... if you know what I mean?

I am wonderfully surprised how much fun it is to shoot. It is a like a big .22 to me, blast about and have fun!

Venom1956 · January 18, 2013, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Well it's not a pure sporter nor is it modeled after an military ak. It's a blend between the to I suppose.

I don't mean that in a negative way.
It's definitely an izhmash! it just looks like a blend of their sporter models and a AK style one?

I think its really cool actually. I'm also totally digging that box. please please PLEASE tell me that is a WOOD crate!

Can u PM details where you got it? I have a friend who would love that rifle!

I posted this in his other thread. I'm glad fishbed knew more about its 922r conversion. because I was searching high and low for it. I'll post my baby on this thread too.

EdInk · January 18, 2013, 10:51 AM

They are conversions (but they have to be in order to be legal.)

Venom1956 · January 18, 2013, 11:12 AM

Yeah but who made his conversion it what I wanna know.

WildBill45 · January 18, 2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Yeah but who made his conversion it what I wanna know.

Please find photos of all the markings, save the serial number...

WildBill45 · January 18, 2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Yeah but who made his conversion it what I wanna know.

PS: IF this is a fake AK, do you think I can trade it with an SKS for a real AK at the gunshow tomorrow???

January 16, 2013, 01:18 PM	#6
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 1,549	One other difference I noticed. It looks like whatever shop converted the rifle elected not to re-install the Saiga bolt hold-open (note the small empty slot just to the side of the trigger) and instead notched the top of the safety to serve as a hold-open. No big deal - that's exactly what Krebs does with their high-dollar custom AKs. Re-installing the stock Saiga bolt hold-open during a conversion is a major pain - it probably took me 45 minutes of fiddling to get it back in. But, just so you know - that's what the notch at the top of the safety is - it won't be described in the Saiga instruction manual. Last edited by Fishbed77; January 16, 2013 at 05:48 PM.

January 16, 2013, 09:10 PM	#9
WildBill45 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Western PA. Posts: 1,233	The Saiga forum looks nice ... will check it out in detail later... __________________ ......................................................... "If Ands and Buts were Candy and Nuts, everyday would be like Christmas"

January 17, 2013, 06:08 PM	#20
WildBill45 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Location: Western PA. Posts: 1,233	If that is the case then I shall leave it be. I am NOT a gunsmith by any means. I thought it may be already threaded with the just the cover to protect the area. OH well. I think of it as a working rifle, and the more simple, the more better ... if you know what I mean? I am wonderfully surprised how much fun it is to shoot. It is a like a big .22 to me, blast about and have fun! __________________ ......................................................... "If Ands and Buts were Candy and Nuts, everyday would be like Christmas"

January 18, 2013, 10:51 AM	#22
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,902	They are conversions (but they have to be in order to be legal.) __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

January 18, 2013, 11:12 AM	#23
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 2,354	Yeah but who made his conversion it what I wanna know. __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph.

January 16, 2013, 08:31 AM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,723	Pretty much what mine looked like after conversion. What stock is that?

January 16, 2013, 06:08 PM	#8
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 1,549	No problem. I'm no AK expert - I'm fairly new to them myself. But there are guys on the Saiga forum who can answer any question you'll ever have about your rifle: http://forum.saiga-12.com/

January 17, 2013, 11:25 AM	#10
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,197	Did you look closely at the muzzle to see if you can see the start of threads under there? I've heard there are some that are threaded so all you have to do is cut the plastic off of the end. Unfortunately, I don't think mine (.223) is.

January 17, 2013, 12:48 PM	#13
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,197	Yes, brain fart... Not plastic.. Thanks.