Surprise!

[NorCArl]

So imagine my delight when, after about 20 minutes of nail-biting agony and sheer terror, a broken pipe cutter and 2 destroyed dremel wheels, I peel back the shroud on my Saiga 7.62 to find a threaded barrel!!!
I have already ordered a brake, and was just about to procure the tools when I started looking at the muzzle shroud under a BRIGHT light... I could actually see the first one or two threads peeking out from inside. With this in mind I was sh**ting a brick while cutting through the shroud hoping not to damage the threads. Finally got it off (had to be threaded off) and now I have a couple questions...
should I bottom out the muzzle brake directly to the remaining shroud?
or should I put a lock washer first?
what about locktite? Will I have to change ammo for some reason? (picked this up on some random thread)

[BillyGoatMachine]

Don't use locktite, just use a crush washer instead. They can be bought through numerous vendors. No need to change ammo for that reason, ever.

[21SF]

Is this a half converted saiga from atlantic? OR does it have the standard sporter hand guards?

If its the one with the 74 front sight base you have to completely remove the shroud and it should have a detent to lock the muzzle device in.

[NorCArl]

No I got this 08 Saiga completely unconverted, regular sight base and no detent.

[NorCArl]

Here is what Im dealing with...

[starsnuffer]

Crush washer would be my suggestion, unless you're planning on running a suppressor on top of it, then rockset and shim washers.

-W

[NorCArl]

just out of curiosity, what does a crush washer do that a regular lock washer wouldnt?

[FatalKitty]

crushes so you can tighten the brake/device and keep it "timed"

[mrvash]

I'm getting a Saiga 7.62 soon, is there a specific model only that has a threaded barrel?

[NorCArl]

Apparently your best bet is the 7.62 or 5.45 made in 08-09. Thats gonna be serial numbers that start with H08 or H09. Its still a crap shoot though cause apparently they would run out of threaded barrels from time to time and just sub in the regular ones at random. HOWEVER- I was able to tell that this rifle was threaded before I cut the shroud! It actually seemed pretty obvious, you could see the start of the threads between the shroud and the muzzle. If youre looking to by one, take a bright flashlight and check this gap for any indication of threads, once you see one you'll know what youre looking for.