Going Green Conversion part 1

[zero]

Had fun out in the workshop today. Decided to document the process of my latest saiga conversion. This is my fourth so far, and most important since it is wife's rifle.

Most realize how easy it is and there's plenty of "how to" vids online. However many are still uncertain about tearing apart a perfectly functional rifle. If it is of interest to others in here I will follow up with more parts, bullet guide and mag fitting. Reassembly is probably unnecessary...it's an AK after gutted.

Being this is a defensive carry sight I understand if it is inappropriate. Let me know.

Part 1: Disassembly of the sportster FCG and trigger guard.

The red arrows mark what you need to grind/cut to remove FCG and trigger guard.

I use a combo of drilling and punch for the cross pins.



The dremel with a cutting bit and punch makes short work of removing the tough Russian rivets that hold the trigger guard/plate in place.




There's a lot of parts involved in the FCG for sportster import...and you can feel them when pulling the trigger. Getting rid of all that excess and returning the FCG back to its original place is one of the best things you can do to a saiga.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Rock and Glock]

Excellent photographs. Thank you.

[scott314]

This looks like a fun project. What parts, other than the rifle, are needed to do the conversion? Are there any legalities that someone doing this conversion should be aware of?

Thanks for the great pictures!

[zero]

Check the first "going green" post and you will see the parts needed minus the K-Var furniture that just came in. Hopefully I will get back out in the workshop this weekend and finish her up.

922r compliance is required...I put a compliance calculator on the first post too.

[Rigrat]

Zero if you use a small cone stone on the dremel , you can cut the rivets without much to any marking on the rcvr.

Great threads by the way.

[zero]

Good idea about using the cone for better control.

The scratches are on the removed floor plates not the receiver. I am careful not to scratch the parkerizing off the receiver under the plates and the holes on the side.

I really want to get back to work on it this weekend. Did Aluma-Hyde on the bottom and the OD green K-Var furniture arrived the other day. I have too many darn reports due early in the week...we'll see.