Buy a Saiga that had a substandard conversion?

[GasRN]

There's a Saiga near me for sale that was waaaaaay lower than I would have thought. Turns out the guy converted it without problem, until the bullet feed ramp. It looks like the tap messed up and then was drilled out. The screw that should hold the feed ramp plate in place will not fit in this (now too big) hole.

For those who have done these conversions, can a gunsmith fix this, or should I not even consider buying? I'd hate to spend more to fix it than to buy it.

Thx.

[Ls1]

Uh yeah, just bolt it down with a larger screw.

You can either use a bolt and nut, or simple tap the bigger hold and put a bigger screw in. You'll have to enlarge the bullet guide hole, not a huge deal.

I could do this in my shed.

[din_blix]

Buy it and have it repaired, saigas are top notch AK type rifles.

[AK_guy]

How big is the hole? If it's like a quarter inch it's not a problem. If it's like a half inch that's a problem.

[GasRN]

a 6/32 tap is loose, so I'm assuming a 8/32 might work. Only problem area for bolting underneath or threads is that the hole lines up well with the bullet feed ramp plate, but there is like NO room in the vertical metal support under it. It would almost leave that area exposed to the front of the magazine.

[din_blix]

You COULD ditch the feed ramp and use TAPCO saiga mags. AK mags can also be "modded" to work without the feed ramp IIRC, If its a .223 saiga Galil mags, also avalible from tapco work without the feed ramp again IIRC.

[din_blix]

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

[Hungry]

Difficult to say without seeing it, but LS1 has the right idea. It sounds like you need the next size drill, tap, and screw, maybe have to enlarge the hole in the feed ramp too.

I don't recommend this but I have heard of people using something like JB weld to form up a feed-ramp. If you have access to welding equipment this could be done more permanently I think. Good Luck

[din_blix]

How much they want for it and what caliber is it?

[GasRN]

Thanks to all for input. I bought it for $450, and will get the bullet guide attached. LS1, I'm hoping your fix works, as this is Plan A. Looking at current hole location and where guide edges will be, I may have to have the guide dremeled along the right side to prevent bolt interference.

Pics to come once completed.

Thanks all.

[Ls1]

Worst case scernario is that you have to have a new bullet guide welded in.

[Sprout47]

Just weld it in place - have had to do that on a few that the tap didn't work out so well on.

[MH12194]

There are tons of ways to fix the problem.

Weld the hole and re drill and tap.

Weld the bullet guide in place.

Fit a larger screw to the hole.

The list goes on and on.

It's all about what price you are willing to pay for it. If it's cheaper than buying a Century arms AK then I'd do it. Either way you cant go wrong with a Saiga.

Worst case fill the hole with JB weld or fill the hole with something. And use expensive Saiga mags.

[Guerilla]

Originally Posted by AK_guy

How big is the hole? If it's like a quarter inch it's not a problem. If it's like a half inch that's a problem.

What AK guy said. If I was you, I'd have serious reservations listening to a 24 year old kid who says he can fix your AK in his shed without even seeing it. ls1 must be a real AK magician.

[Tenfeathers]

Drill the hole clean, use JB Weld to attach the feed ramp back on. It does work I have done it 500 rounds later it is still there

[TAKEZO]

Just drill it out to the next size screw.
Then do your thing with a dremmel on the screw head to blend it down.
No problemo--no foul.

Also put a little JB Weld under the ramp when you cinch it down, then quickly wipe off the stuff that squeezes out. This will hold it down better.


ST

[GasRN]

I drilled/tapped a new hole next to broken initial tap. It placed the bullet guide a little to far up (about 4 o'clock), so the guide needed a bit of dremmeling along the lateral edge to allow free motion of the bolt.

I put 200+rds through it this week with various mags, and had no failure to feed or eject, and no bolt issues. Seems to handle well out to 100yds with Yugo ammo.

Thanks to all for the advice.

[AK_guy]

Sweet! Glad it worked out for you. You should post some pictures.

[GasRN]

Some photos of the bullet guide, post "problem" resolution. Also last pic is magazine catch.

DSC_6934.jpg

DSC_6935.jpg

DSC_6936.jpg

DSC_6937.jpg

DSC_6938.jpg

[Ls1]

I'm glad it worked out for you! I thought it would be just fine.

I've become a shade tree gunsmith over the years, Making custom scope bases, drilling, etc. It's not that hard