Threaded barrel

[Shooter88]

I read something on another forum pertaining to whether or not a Saiga has a threaded barrel. They said that Saigas that have been made from '09 on usually have them. Can someone confirm or deny this for me please?

[MUKAK]

i thought all saigas were not treaded

[limitdown]

On some Saiga barrels, the threads are "hidden" by a thread protector that's screwed on. It's very difficult to see that there's a thread protector on there.
The thread protector is "silver soldered"/welded at a temperature in excess of 1100F (per ATF rules) which makes the thread protector a "permanent" part of the barrel. This is just like if you silver-soldered/welded on a comp to make your barrel exactly 16 inches.

This is perfectly legal per federal and Cali laws.

You will need a dremel tool and a lot of time/patience to take off the thread-protector/shroud.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/1818-has-anyone-cut-off-fsb-muzzle-cover/#entry14038

From an ATF newsletter on barrel length and permanent muzzle devices

"The ATF procedure for measuring barrel length is to measure from the closed bolt (or breech-face) to the furthermost end of the barrel or permanently attached muzzle device. Permanent methods of
attachment include full-fusion gas or electric steel-seam welding, , or blind pinning with the pin head welded over. Barrels are measured by inserting a dowel rod into the barrel until the rod stops against the bolt or breech-face. The rod is then marked at the furthermost end of the barrel or permanently attached muzzle device, withdrawn from the barrel, and measured"