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Saiga to AK conversion

v35
Is a Saiga conversion to AK configuration legal?
I saw one advertised for sale with pistol grip and tubular non folding, stock. The barrel was also shortened but still over legal length.
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • v35
    As I am sure many already know the Russian Saiga rifle can be converted to AK configuration. What I wanted to know is if a Saiga was converted to an AK (pistol grip, and used regular AK mags) and had the following U.S. made parts: trigger, sear, hammer, gas piston, mag follower, mag floor plate, pistol grip, and stock. Would the rifle be considered U.S. made (eight U.S. parts) and if so would a folding stock be legal?
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  • rufe-snow
    GOOGLE, "saiga compliance parts", Start reading and clicking on all the links. As long as you have the required number of U.S. made, marked and documented parts you should be OK, This is contingent on ware you live also. The Saiga was originally imported and sold as limited capacity hunting rifle. You converting it into a AK isn't going to wash, in commie states like calli and New York.
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  • beantownshootah
    Not in jurisdictions where AKs are banned, obviously.

    The Clinton gun ban has expired, so as long as you keep the requisite number of American-made parts in there, I don't see why this wouldn't be legal.
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  • v35
    The issue is, how can one tell from a cursory examination that a Saiga
    having U.S. made pistol grip, tubular nonfolding stock and Picatinny style gas tube and sights removed is 922 compliant and does it have to be?
    Should a buyer require evidence the required number of U.S. parts have been substituted?
    Do these changes require 922 compliance in a gun friendly state?
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  • drobs
    quote:Originally posted by v35
    The issue is, how can one tell from a cursory examination that a Saiga
    having U.S. made pistol grip, tubular nonfolding stock and Picatinny style gas tube and sights removed is 922 compliant and does it have to be?
    Should a buyer require evidence the required number of U.S. parts have been substituted?
    Do these changes require 922 compliance in a gun friendly state?


    Fire control group should be marked on the hammer, disconnect, and trigger.

    Most likely FCG would be Tapco but some builders may have put a US maded Century FCG in. In which case those parts would be marked with a "C."

    Piston may also be US marked. Century pistons were never marked but Tapco ones were. Armory USA pistons were not market either.

    Figure, to have a pistol gripped AK with a foreign made receiver and foreign barrel, you need to have the following us made parts to use std non-us magazines.

    US Pistol Grip - 1pc
    US FCG - 3pcs
    US Gas Piston - 1pc

    Now I'd have to dig, but you might be able to substitute a US made butstock for a US made Gas Piston.

    Gas Pistons can be a pain to replace.

    Any muzzle attachment, needs to be US made.
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  • v35
    Thanks for the heads up.
    It turns out that by just adding a pistol grip to a Saiga, by BATF definition, comprises "building" a rifle to a non importable configuration.
    This qualifies a gun for 922 regulations. It can now contain only ten out of a list of BATF selected foreign parts.
    All other foreign parts have to be changed to domestically produced parts that are so marked.
    Magazine bodies are one of the parts.
    This will add a few hundred $$ to the cost plus involve some machine work.
    I was happy to get out of a non 922 compliant purchase today.
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  • drobs
    Tapco has a good break down of 922r on their website by rifle (SKS, AK, FAL, etc.). Filters here block me from pulling it up though.

    With those Saiga conversions, you either want to convert it yourself or buy it from a reputable builder / wholesaler. I think atlantic arms or aim was selling a pistol gripped Saiga that didn't have all the US parts and was missing the bullet ramp.

    This website shows how to add a bullet ramp to a saiga:
    www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

    Being that I have 50 some 7.62x39 AK mags and 2 chinese drums, I wouldn't buy or build an AK that couldn't legally take non US magazines.

    Now I do like those 308 and 12 ga Saigas and want to buy one some day.
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