Just Finished Saiga 12 Conversion

[jaymce]

Just finished my Saiga 12. Here is the Free State Config. How I would like it to look:

Here it is in the MA compliant Config.

Saiga 12 Converted by Will AT Red Jacket Firearms.
Barrel shortened to 18.5 in with brake welded on from a Fabarm FP6
TG replaced, polished, and moved, drilled guard
SLR-95 Thumbhole installed (no small feat)
Misc. small compliant parts installed
Safety notched for bho and drilled
Mag release drilled and enlarged
Fuglystick custom forearm allows for addition of rails etc and better control Gun stripped and sandblasted with 10% gloss powder coat applied
HK back up sights
Running cut down surefire mags. (4 round)

I can post more pics if you guys want.

 

[Dirtypacman]

Wow I have not seen in that configuration before.
You getting out to any member shoots I would love to check that out in person.

 

[icyclefar]

Sweet!

What did all that run you?

 

[doobie]

Why did you weld the break on in the free state config?

ETA: nevermind, you wanted a free-state look; my mistake.

 

[jaymce]

Wow I have not seen in that configuration before.
You getting out to any member shoots I would love to check that out in person.

If I have time. I am usually too late to get in on those shoots.
I set it up in that config to meet MA regs. Saiga shotgun mag = evil feature. I hated the ATI Dragonov thumb hole stock So I figured I would try one of these. Took about 2 hrs with the mill and a file to do.
Thanks for the kind words.

Sweet!

What did all that run you?

Thanks, Will @ Red Jacket did the basic conversion + chop barrel, thread and mount the brake. Provide and install the HK sights all for about 500$. I probably do not want to add up the $ and hrs. Far more than the gun is worth would be my bet. But under 750$ less the S12.

Why did you weld the break on in the free state config?

ETA: nevermind, you wanted a free-state look; my mistake.

Also a barrel in MA under 18 in is SBS and not legal. The total length on the barrel is 18.5in. .5 in over legal to be safe.

 

[GTOShootr]

You should put one of Jack's magwells on it. Regardless of mag size, it works awesome. The factory 5 round mags actually seat the easiest with it.

The magwell and trimming down of the bolt are must-haves.

 

[Rob]

I've been waiting for the pics. I love it.

 

[jaymce]

You should put one of Jack's magwells on it. Regardless of mag size, it works awesome. The factory 5 round mags actually seat the easiest with it.

The magwell and trimming down of the bolt are must-haves.

I have been making hand guards for Jack and he is supposed to send me a magwell when he gets to it. I know he has been busy lately. I wanted to put one on but since I did not have it yet it will have to get added later.

I've been waiting for the pics. I love it.

Thanks, Rob

 

[carnevale762]

Please post more pictures. Please! Particularly of the areas where work was performed and the fire arm was modified.
Of all the work done, which work did you perform?
I am getting a Saiga 12 next week.I have already ordered a SLR 95 thumb hole stock!

 

[flintoid]

Please post more pictures. Please! Particularly of the areas where work was performed and the fire arm was modified.
Of all the work done, which work did you perform?
I am getting a Saiga 12 next week.I have already ordered a SLR 95 thumb hole stock!

I suggest you become a member of www.gunco.net. They are by far the leading source of info for building AKM rifles and doing any kind of work on Saiga rifles. You could spend days looking through their library section browsing 'how to' guides and reading up on all the tips and tricks on how to work on your Saiga or AKM. And the people on the forum are some of the friendliest help on the internet I've ever encountered.

The main admin of that forum sometimes lurks this forum from time to time.

 

[lupis42]

You should put one of Jack's magwells on it. Regardless of mag size, it works awesome. The factory 5 round mags actually seat the easiest with it.

The magwell and trimming down of the bolt are must-haves.

I'm working on my own S-12 at the moment (slowly, to be sure). Which magwell do you mean, and will it be compatible with any of the LRBHO setups?

 

[jaymce]

Please post more pictures. Please! Particularly of the areas where work was performed and the fire arm was modified.
Of all the work done, which work did you perform?
I am getting a Saiga 12 next week.I have already ordered a SLR 95 thumb hole stock!

If I have a chance I will post more pics later today.
I had Red Jacket Firearms preform the basic conversion (move trigger group, install/ move trigger group, Shorten barrell and install brake) The rest of the mods were preformed by me.

The SLR 95 is not an easy install. I had to use the Bridgeport and remove a bunch of meterial in order to get it to fit. I do not know about it fitting an unconverted Saiga though.

I'm working on my own S-12 at the moment (slowly, to be sure). Which magwell do you mean, and will it be compatible with any of the LRBHO setups?

Jack Travers makes a nice magwell. R&R Racing is another one but it is my understanding that they just ripped off Jacks original design. They are also producing a hand guard that looks strangely familiar...

Jack also recently came out with a mag guide tha will help with mag changes.

It is my understanding that Chaos is also working on a magwell and Steel 8 round mags for the Saiga but I am not sure when that will hit the market.

Shannon's (Cobra76two on the Saiga forums) LRBHO has been on the back burner for a while due to his heath issues but will hopefully be out soon. I doubt that Jack Travers magwell would interfere with it though as the LRBHO is supposed to work with all style mags and Mike D's Drum. The mod to the Surefire mags has to deal with the front of the mag where it traditionally catches the receiver at the front of the mag opening.

 

[jaymce]

This is a pic (bad one) of the mag release and trigger area.

I made a 1 inch circle of metal then welded it to the existing mag release. I then drilled the holes in it.

I also drilled holes in the trigger guard for a little different look.

At this point the gun had also been refinished with powder coat.

This is a better closer pic of the handguard.

Looking down at the handguard and HK Sights

Picture of the modified SLR 95

 

[Rob]

Every time I see this conversion I need to change my pants. One day my Saiga will look like this.....one day...

 

[jaymce]

Rob, Thanks for the kind words.

I have some more coming up as well. I am just waiting to iron out the order with my friends at MAA (Mississippi Auto Arms).

I am also looking to make mounts for the guards that will allow attachment to the rifles as well. Unfortunatly it seems the mounting on all of the Saiga rifles and shotguns are different.

 

[beaker]

Now, that's a shotgun. Very nice work. Nicest Saiga I've seen. Bravo!

 

[thousm]

Does your 18.5-inch barrel measurement include the welded mussel break?

 

[mac1911]

I kinda like the thumbhole stock, it just seems to fit---looks wise. Nice

 

[jaymce]

Now, that's a shotgun. Very nice work. Nicest Saiga I've seen. Bravo!

Thanks. I spent a lot of time putting it together and fabbing up custom parts. When I got it back I just could not handle the finish (it was chipping and was easily scratched) which is when I headed to the powder coater. In the end it is one of my favorite guns and I always have fun shooting it. Anyone is welcome to try it out @ any NES shoot I attend.

Does your 18.5-inch barrel measurement include the welded mussel break?

Not sure what a "mussel break" is... MMMMMMM steamed mussels in butter.... looks like the Causeway for lunch.

Back on track the muzzle brake was threaded, pinned and welded to the barrel that was shortened to an OAL 18.5 in by Will @ Red Jacket. The 18.5 is the OAL with the brake included. I could have gone a little shorter but not by more than 1/2 in and I would rather have the extra length in case some one measured it with a short ruler. Will said he could get an OAL of about 18 1/8 but I felt that was cutting it too close.

I kinda like the thumbhole stock, it just seems to fit---looks wise. Nice

The thumbhole would not be my first choice looks wise but I am really happy with the way it fits, points and shoots. Installing the SLR 95 on a Saiga is no easy task. I had to really modify the receiver end of the stock in order to get it to fit correctly. The SLR is the best looking choice in my opinion. Sadly though they are becoming increasingly hard to find. I have only come across 1 in the last year and still regularly look for more. With the sunset of the AWB I think most of the SLR stocks found their way into land fills.

Glostamon has a stock on his which feels real nice and is a good fit and does not require modification to be used. I may go with a wood stock set on the .410 if I decide to convert that and will use my last SLR on the 20ga I am getting ready to do.