Converting a saiga dumb question

[Cadre]

I looked at some vids and tutorials for a saiga conversion some drill the riVets from inside the receiver the others grind and drill from the trigger guard area. Any difference is one method better than the other?

[FlashPhil]

I have converted 3 ( .223, .308 . 12ga. ) and the first one I used a grinder the from the outside and the next two I drilled form the inside . It seems drilling from the inside worked better for me. IMHO

[Banana_hands]

Drilled mine from the inside. I figured and collateral blemishes would be inside the receiver rather than the outside. Besides it just seemed easier than trying to grind the outside. Seriously don't over think it. I'm only moderately mechanically inclined but now that I've done a conversion, I feel confident in saying that I could do another in about 2 hrs taking my time and not rushing. That's not including the paint drying time. You're going to have to paint the bottom of the receiver where the trigger plate was.

Good luck, it's a fun project.

[Glockrocks]

Center punch and drill the rivet from the outside using a visegrip inside to keep it from rotating.

[Wess West]

Another dumb question. Will factory and or aftermarket saiga mags work after conversion?

[justjeff]

Yes mags will work although some may require fitting

[64physhy]

Some non-Saiga mags will require a bullet ramp, but that's whether you do the conversion or not. I do not have the ramp, and have used aftermarket mags, but the last round usually will not chamber. I think the mag could be modified instead of adding the ramp, but I haven't tried yet.