Saiga sportster into AK105 conversion dilemma

[beanz2]

I have been planning this AK105 conversion for sometime now, and I am in Nevada. I'm planning on a full on conversion into an AK105, complete with a Form 4'ed SBR conversion, with as much genuine Russian parts as possible.

I had planned to have the conversion done by Rifle Dynamics, but today they told me that they will not do a Saiga conversion anymore as a proper conversion would require cutting holes where there are importer markings towards the back of the receiver. They would be happy to do the conversion with a Childers receiver, however.

My second option is to be have it done by JBI Armory in Texas. While they are not as well-known as RD, I have heard that they do a very good job. He does not seem to have a problem with the proposed conversion.

Now, which builder do you guys think is a better option? I have done my own Bulgy AK105 build already with Nicoroshi, but I wanted this one to be a top notch build. Would an Rifle Dynamics AK105 build on a Childers receiver be of lesser value than a JBI Armory build on a Saiga receiver?

[comifornia:(]

I would do option#2 and do it with the Saiga receiver.

[SVT-40]

Do you already have the necessary Russian made parts? The Russian and Bulgarian FSB/GB's are different. Are you going to use a Russian 5.5mm rear trunnion?

The Russian made FSB/GB's are the hardest part to find.

I built AK-105 and AK-104 clones using Bulgarian parts..




I also have an all Russian AK-105 build (or at least as all Russian as I can) in the works using a Saiga rifle for it's receiver, front trunnion, bolt carrier, top cover and bolt.

I'm using a Russian FSB/GB and Bulgarian AK-105 barrel... (no Russian's available)

Also a Russian 5.5mm rear folder.









Russian and Bulgarian FSB/GB's Russian above Bulgarian below. You can see the differences. The different lengths necessitate a bit of work to get the gas hole in the barrel to lineup properly and still allow the gas tube to fit properly.

[Marcus von W.]

Hell yes, stay with the Saiga receiver.

As much as I love and recommend Childers Polish made receivers for kit builds, original Russian receiver on a Russian gun is a no-brainer.

[beanz2]

Yes, Russian FSB/GB and 5.5 mm Russian rear trunnion. The only part I'm lacking is the gas booster (a Manticore booster is in the picture, but wrong threads LOL) but I'm thinking at this point I'd rather run a Dead Air Wolverine suppressor, as long as they make a direct thread adapter for the Russian FSB.

These are the parts I have on hand:

Sorry for the large pic, but I want people to see the details and tell me if something is incorrect.

Now, the stock optics rail is removed and is on the right top corner with others that I happen to find in my parts bin. Which one is the correct optics rail to use?

[SVT-40]

Why not just do it yourself?

The additional shop work including turning down the barrel and welding up the holes in the receiver you can have done...

Cutting the receiver to fit the rear trunnion is easy Dremel work.

The original scope base looks from the pic's I've seen to be the best match.

You also need a 5.5mm Russian solid folding butt stock. The AK-105's didn't use the metal skeleton type.

Is that the original top cover? Saiga's had the smooth type which would be correct for the AK-105. Post 1993 Russian AK-74's had the thicker smooth top cover along with all the AK-100 series rifles.

[beanz2]

I've only built 3, all under someone's supervision. Knowing me, I'll klutz it up

I'm also unsure about the issue of gas port re-location with the Russian GB. Doesn't the gas tube also have to be shortened or somehow adjusted in length?

I have a solid 5.5 mm stock, I'll switch them around. I just love the triangle stock looks. Same with the stock cover, I might use it. Thanks for the suggestions!

[SVT-40]

I've only built 3, all under someone's supervision. Knowing me, I'll klutz it up

I'm also unsure about the issue of gas port re-location with the Russian GB. Doesn't the gas tube also have to be shortened or somehow adjusted in length?

I have a solid 5.5 mm stock, I'll switch them around. I just love the triangle stock looks. Same with the stock cover, I might use it. Thanks for the suggestions!

You should be able to place the FSB/GB along the barrel and see how it's gas port aligns with the port in the barrel. Then put the gas tube in it's place on the FSB/GB and see how it aligns with the RSB...

You can see the issue I had in the pic's below. The maid issue was I was using a Bulgarian actual AK-105 barrel and a Russian FSB/GB.

You may not have that issue as you are going to use the original Russian Saiga barrel.



Bulgarian resting on top of the installed Russian FSB/GB. If I had placed the FSB/GB so it's gas port was in line with the gas port in the barrel the gas tube would have been to short. It was easier to mill out the inside of the FSB/GB sothe port in the barrel aligned properly (as in the pic above)

[SVT-40]

Have you gotten and price quotes for this build from either JBI or Rifle Dynamics? I'm curious to know what they are charging...

[beanz2]

Not yet. RD won't be cheap, but we'll see about JBI. They do Saiga conversions all day, but I'm not sure what category projects such as mine falls into.

Thanks for the info re: FSB/GB gas ports.

I should really post this question on AKfiles, but they probably would roast me for not doing it myself.

[hellayella]

What I hate is the velcro stampings or the RWC stampings on Saiga rifles that are in the way for the sidefolder rear trunnions to be fitted and drilled

[The Shootist]

What I hate is the velcro stampings or the RWC stampings on Saiga rifles that are in the way for the sidefolder rear trunnions to be fitted and drilled

Me too! Have one on my 5.45x39 and I was like ok....there is that.

[beanz2]

What I hate is the velcro stampings or the RWC stampings on Saiga rifles that are in the way for the sidefolder rear trunnions to be fitted and drilled

Yup. I could have started with an Arsenal SGL31-94 that has all the stampings on the right spots, but I'd rather start with an ugly duckling like the Saiga Sportster. The work with the SGL31-94 would be a lot less, but the end result wouldn't look too different than what I start with.

Wonder if I'd need a KNS adjustable gas piston if I'm running a can?

[ar15barrels]

velcro stampings

LOL.
That's an awesome name for those cover-up jobs.