You will need to install at least five US-made parts on your Saiga to make it compliant. Most often those parts are: fire-control group (hammer, sear, disconnector) which count as three, pistol grip, and stock. Many people will go further and change out the forward furniture as well, but you'll need a few extra parts for that.
For a basic conversion you will need to:
*Purchase or make a bullet guide, and drill and tap one hole to install it
*File a small amount of material off the top of the mag catch so it will accept standard AK mags
*Remove the existing buttstock
*Drill out and remove the two pins holding the stock trigger
*Remove the entire stock fire-control group--save the disconnector spring
*Drill out the three rivets holding the receiver bottom plate on
*Paint the exposed underside of the receiver
*Either trim and reuse the stock trigger guard, or purchase a new one
*Install a new FCG, preferably with a steel axis pin retainer plate
*Reinstall the stock bolt hold-open if desired
*Install a new pistol grip
*Install a new stock
I wanted a more traditional look for mine, and the ability to use regular AK furniture up front, so I:
*Removed the stock front handguard
*Installed a new US-made gas piston (optional, but another compliance part)
*Purchased a new gas tube
*Purchased a bolt-on lower handguard retainer
*Purchased new upper and lower front handguards
*Will be finishing it off with a '74-style muzzle brake whenever I get around to it
Here's a pic of my (mostly) finished rifle:
The beauty of the Saiga is it's all new-manufactured parts, including a chome-lined barrel, and you have the versatility in a conversion to take it as far or as simple as you want to go. Many of the conversion parts can be purchased from Dinzag Arms, Milsurpstuff, or Carolina Shooter Supply, but there are other sites as well.
Feel free to post any questions here, or over at
forum.Saiga-12.com.
