Saiga 5.45x39 Question

[Freagan]

I have been sitting around and thinking; 5.45x39 AR uppers can use regular 5.56/.223 AR magazines right? So would you be able to use the .223 AR magazine converter made by Magnolia Armory, but instead put it on a 5.45x39 saiga?

Did that make sense? Sorry I am a noob to all these new (to me!) calibers and compatibility

here is the link for the conversion kit I am talking about:

http://magnoliastatearmory.com/products-page/magnoliastatearmory/saiga-ar-adapter/#%27%20class=%27additional_description_link%27%20onclick=%27return%20show_additional_description%28

[1988]

The MSA converter is for Saiga 223. You need to contact them to make sure that it would work with Saiga 5.45.

[tenpercentfirearms]

I just ordered some Saiga 5.45s, but the company I ordered them from didn't have any magazines. Which makes me wonder, what kind of magazines does this thing take?

[69Mach1]

I just ordered some Saiga 5.45s, but the company I ordered them from didn't have any magazines. Which makes me wonder, what kind of magazines does this thing take?

That's a head scratcher. They should come with one factory 10 round magazine in the box from the manufacturer. These rifles will work with standard AK 74 5.45x39 magazines.

[Freagan]

I guess I should have clarified my first question, you can load normal 5.56/.223 magazines with 5.45x39 rounds correct?

If so, then couldn't you convert the saiga 5.45x39 to accept AR mags?

[Quiet]

I guess I should have clarified my first question, you can load normal 5.56/.223 magazines with 5.45x39 rounds correct?

If so, then couldn't you convert the saiga 5.45x39 to accept AR mags?

You could, but you will have reliability issues.
The 5.45x39mm rounds will not feed correctly in a 5.56x45mm AR magazine. The 5.45x39mm AR magazines are different internally than the 5.56x45mm AR magazines.

[1988]

I guess I should have clarified my first question, you can load normal 5.56/.223 magazines with 5.45x39 rounds correct?

If so, then couldn't you convert the saiga 5.45x39 to accept AR mags?

You need to double check this area. Sporter Saiga 223 has no Bullet Guide, and MSA adapter make use of AR mags without the BG. However, the new Saiga 5.45 comes with a BG to use standard Mil mags. I'm not sure if the present of the BG would affect anything. Also, the mag well of the 5.45 has some minor differences compare to 223. You can check with MSA to have it verified and tested.