Featureless Saiga redux, final version.

[imarangemaster]

Well, after puttering and experimenting for the last couple months, I have arrived at the final version for my Kalifornistan compliant "Featureless" Saiga 7.62x39. Three things are the major changes.

First change: Went back to the factory stock. K-Var Nato length ergonomics were not even close to factory. Besides, I like the feel. Much like my M1 Carbine.

Second change:Originally, I was using only iron sights, not really being a red dot kind of guy. After trying and sighting in my vintage Tasco "Accu Point" 1X red dot, and seing it shoot 3 MOA with much easier target acquisition, I was sold. It now wears the red dot permanently.

Third change. While I like the cooling of the Tapco saiga forend with the aluminum heat shield I fabricated, I really prefer the feel of the Saiga factory handguard. Since I don't need it for 922R, I went back to the factory handguard. I modified the heat shield from the Tapco and put it in the factory handguard. I have done this on earlier Saigas. While the factory handguard does not cool quite as well as the Tapco, it does not get as hot as quickly as it does without the heat shield. I had to modify the top of the factory handguard to allow me to still use the Chi-Com Type 56 vented gas tube and top handguard It came out sweet, reminding me of the handguard set up on the Lee Enfield No. 5, MK1 jungle carbine! See the second picture below for how it fit.

Major components recap:
-Tapco G2 double hook FCG, modified to work on stock Saiga. Nice 2.5 pound, smooth trigger pull (& 922R)
-Tapco Gas Piston (922R)
-Tapco polymer mag followers (922R)
-Bulgarian RPK sling
-AKM 1000 meter leaf sight, replacing the Saiga 300 meter.
-US made Tactical Tri-Delta comp muzzle brake, threaded 14x1mm L (922R)
-Buffer Technologies AK recoil buffer
-Vented Chi-Com type 56 AK vented gas tube.

The vented tubes I have used before. It compensates somewhat for the AK's chronically over gassed design. When coupled with the buffer and the Tri-Delta brake, it cuts felt recoil down to the level of my M4gery with a brake and H Buffer.

[spb_la]

Nice. Looks very clean and functional. Jealous of your mags.

[Click Boom]

Man, I agree the stock handguard is the most comfortable/practical option. I always seem to shoot min with the stock hg the most when I bring multiple saigas to the range... i do almost all of my ak shooting offhand and it's just light and comfy. But I also like to change em out for rail use, but honestly mostly for looks.


This has gotta be one of the best looking saiga hg mods I've seen. Very nice work for sure. How did you cut it? When I went at that thing with a dremel it just heated up and became almost unworkable and it would have taken me like 20 hours to finish :/ obviously ppl cut them, but I didn't find the ticket haha.

Looks real good. Never say final though, haha.

[imarangemaster]

I just did a 120 round mag dump out in some BLM land. I did it as fast as I could pull the trigger and change mgs. The barrel was smoking (oil) but the handguard only got a little warm. Very nice. I used the mags I rebuilt with Tapco orange smooth side bodies. Very smooth, though I am using the springs and base locking plates from the banged up com-blocks I repaired.I like them. Much lighter than steel.

[imarangemaster]

The vertical cuts I used a large file with one "safe side" for finishing. The horizontal cut I used a dremel with a large reenforced cut off wheel. It got gunky but was OK. Then I finished it with a file and sanding sponge.

[Click Boom]

Must be a way bigger dremel piece than mine?

Love my slab siders.

[imarangemaster]

About 1.5 inch

[mt417]

BEAUTIFUL! I'm interested in doing a featureless Saiga conversion myself!

[imarangemaster]

Nice. Looks very clean and functional. Jealous of your mags.

Thanks. I had an AK and AR15 SP1 in the 1980s, that I registered as Assault weapons in 1990. I also was an FFL for 25 years, and sold wholesale/retail gun parts and mags in Shotgun News, at Gun Shows, and then on the internet until 2000 (and some stuff after - until 2005). Being an old man has its advantages!

I sold the registered AK, AR, and a bunch of other guns in 2000 when I was forced out on disability and needed money, but kept all the mags for them. I always figured I would move to Oregon, but never did. NEVER sell your mags!

[imarangemaster]

The ergonomics aren't as bad as one would think. It is way better than a Solar Tactical paddle on a full restoral. The weapon I shoot most is my USGI 6 digit Inland M1 Carbine, so I like the ergonomics of the Saiga factory stock. The modified Tapco G2 double hook FCG gives a sweet, smooth 2.5 pound pull, despite the stock Saiga trigger linkage. This is so sweet to shoot, I suspect it will pass up the M1 Carbine as my "most fired" weapon. I am going to start loading the LEE tumble lube 160 grain cast with 18 grains of IMR 4198, so it will be really cheap, then.

I have paddles on my retro 20" AR build (602/SP1 clone) and PTR91 (HK91 clone). They work OK. I have a hammerhead grip on my M4gery, because with the tube, I can wrap my hand all they way around the grip. My Kalifornication "Featureless" compliant semi-autos. So I can use tpre-2000 mags.

[Click Boom]

The new izzy mod hg looks way cooler than the tapco hg.

Thumbs up dude!

[SanDiegoMan]

Nice! Any tips/walkthru on how to make a Tapco G2 fit? I've wanted to upgrade the trigger on mine for awhile, but I like not having to use a bullet button.

[imarangemaster]

You can get it already done from Dinzag for $70. I did mine, though. You grind off the trigger, do some rounding of the front edge, and a little trimming on the rear where the linkage engages. I had a double hook, so I really had to modify it. It is so smooth, you don't notice the linkage.