On Friday night after work I started converting my Saiga .223 to AK configuration.

 

I bought all the parts from CSS except the gas tube which was out of stock. I ordered a non-vented tube from Dinzag which will arrive next week.

 

I used the axis pins retaining plate, a Tromix FCG (modified G2), a JTE Performance Power hammer spring and "Russian Red" Timbersmith furniture.

 

First I drilled the 2 permanent pins out with a 3/16" cobalt bit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I ground down the 3 rivet heads on the bottom plate using a dremel grinding wheel. I finished with the 3/16" cobalt bit:

 

 

 

I tested fitment of the trigger guard (rounded) and pistol grip. The front hole on the trigger guard does not line up as the magazine catch assembly is in the way:

 

 

 

 

 

That night I test fired the rifle indoors with 20 rounds of frown-gible ammo. No malfunctions.

 

Rifle with a Surefire/SGM 15 round magazine:

 

 

Rifle with pinned AK magazine:

 

 

 

 

Left to do:

- Re-drill receiver for current trigger guard or try a different trigger guard.

- Replace gas tube and install front handgrip (incoming)

- Install Mojo micro-click adjustable rear peep sight and smaller diameter front sight post (incoming)

- Install bullet guide

- Weld 4 side holes and remove match striker

- Prep and paint with spraycan

- Decide on a sling

* nevermind, I figured it out *

The gas tube and upper handguard retainer came in today so I installed front furniture tonight

 

The gas tube was a loose fit so I used the spring from the Saiga gas tube even though the replacement tube did not have a perch on top. Still not as tight as the stock tube but not loose.

 

The Mojo microclick rear peep sight and an assortment of KNS front posts should be in late this week or early next.

 

The buckle on the generic AK military sling I attached has been scratching the side of the stock. I added some tape to the outside edges of the buckle and I will try to get the scratches out.

 

 

Look'n Good... FWIW you could have salvaged the old trigger guard for your build, either way should look nice when complete.

good job!

Looks awesome - nice job!

Thanks guys

 

Mosin: When I was pulling the old guard off it bent and sheared when I tried to bend it back in shape

It happens, I mangled the trigger guard (hole) on the last one I did, it took small patch to repair it. On the first one I did I put the trigger guard on backwards. I had no idea until I found out afterwards that the correct way is larger opening goes forward, it is still on backwards, no big deal it shoots straight, LOL

So what is the secret to get the upper piece of wood in place on the gas tube? I broke mine in half trying to rotate it into place. That was the worst part of the entire conversion if you ask me. A really stupid way to mount it. The bottom piece was simple. You can't tell where I broke my top piece, just sucks that I could not rotate it where it had to go. Filed a lot of wood off of it to try to get it to fit. Well, the guns works perfect so at least the rest of it was right!

So what is the secret to get the upper piece of wood in place on the gas tube? I broke mine in half trying to rotate it into place. That was the worst part of the entire conversion if you ask me. A really stupid way to mount it. The bottom piece was simple. You can't tell where I broke my top piece, just sucks that I could not rotate it where it had to go. Filed a lot of wood off of it to try to get it to fit. Well, the guns works perfect so at least the rest of it was right!

 

I put the box end of the gas tube in a large crescent wrench which I pinched between my knees and then I slowly but surely rotated the wood around with 2 interlocked fists. I think the key is twisting the wood with equal pressure over the entire surface area. Luckily I didn't have to file mine

This week I received my Mojo microclick peep sight and an assortment of front post sizes and styles made by KNS. The post sizes were .034", .052" and .072" (.072" is OE Saiga) and each size comes with in both straight and ball tip styles.

 

I'm starting with the .052 straight post. I painted the tip in orange and the base in green:

 

 

The front sight post installed:

 

 

The rear sight leaf removal was mostly uneventful. If this rifle had just been parkerized I would be a little upset at the scratch I made under the leaf. It's an AK, who gives a shit, right?

 

 

The Mojo rear sight needs to be zeroed higher than normal so that the base of the rear sight doesn't take up the majority of the sight picture. You do this with a small set screw that raises the leaf off the base (I installed the front post a bit high in order to compensate):

 

 

I spent about 30 minutes trying to take one of those cool pictures where you show the sight picture thru the peep sight with the front post perfectly centered and in focus. I couldn't figure it out, this is how close I got:

 

 

I was supposed to zero it this weekend but the weather was perfect so I worked on car stuff instead. Tomorrow I have to work

Left to do (updated):

- Weld and smooth 4 side holes and misaligned trigger guard hole

- Re-drill receiver for trigger guard

- Install bullet guide

- Prep and paint with spraycan

 

Getting close to the finish line!

Murdock,

 

I am genuinely curious as to why you chose the MOJO sight over the Krebs? The Krebs is still elevation adjustable with the original slider & incriments(better system IMHO), and still retains original looks. Whats the advantage of the Mojo? Looks frail to me.

Murdock,

 

I am genuinely curious as to why you chose the MOJO sight over the Krebs? The Krebs is still elevation adjustable with the original slider & incriments(better system IMHO), and still retains original looks. Whats the advantage of the Mojo? Looks frail to me.

 

Hi Glenn

 

This is primarily a range rifle (my m70 is the fighting rifle) so I wasn't too worried about durability.

 

I didn't actually choose the Mojo sight over the Krebs. I didn't even consider the Krebs until you said something. I always go thru my options empirically before I settle so I'm sure a Krebs sight will find its way onto the rifle at some point. Although I much prefer a peep sight I may abandon the idea entirely on the AK because the rear sight is so far away.

Today I sighted in the rifle at Westchester after getting it close with a laser boresighter at home

 

I had a 6 inch spread with 5 shots at 100 yards. Having to load one round at a time thru the ejection port was not ideal for consistency. The downsized front post was helpful, I may even drop down to the smallest post (.034"). I reckon that a better marksman with younger eyes could probably shoot a 1-2 inch group with this rifle

 

I'm thinking about a scope for shooting 200 yards but there don't seem to be any good options for the AK. I hear good things about the Ultimak rail, from the picture it looks like the scope mounts up front like a scout rifle. Any ideas or recommendations?

 

This rifle will only be used for target practice and plinking but I wouldn't mind a red dot -- never used one before and I'm curious

The rail on the side is pretty good for a scope mount. It's nice and solid. I put a red dot on my WASR 10 but took it off because the AK species just looks good with plain irons. It did hold zero good.

Maybe not what you are looking for but I have the Fullfield E1 Riflescope 3X-9X-40mm on my 308 with a mount *like* the Adjustable-Dual-Side-Scope-Mount-Riser-Picatinny-Weaver-Rail, my mount is the same minus the logo, another eBay special. No complaints with the Burris scope(s) but I discovered that the slightest bump will knock the lateral adjustment off, I'm not happy with that. I’m may look for another mount w/o the vertical & lateral adjustments if this one wanders off the mark again. As usual I should have gone with the first mount I looked at w/o the extra adjustments.My sight isn’t what it used to be either but after 50 I’m just happy to get up in the morning

Thanks Sigman and Mosin. I will do some research over the next week or so and report back before I buy