Saiga 5.45 forward grip conversion

[D53]

So the other day I picked up my Saiga 5.45 which like most others, i want to turn it into a AK74 clone. After reading this thread:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=3037311

and figured I would pick up a lower handguard retainer clip and and swap out the furniture. I have seen many guys do it, but after searching google, here, AKfiles, and saiga12.com, I have not been able to find out what they guys do at home to make the top notch: see pic**
for the little arm, which would now be a bolt to sit into for a tight fit.

This is what my Saiga 5.45 barrel looks like: see pic ****

I recently purchased a used Romy handguard retainer clip from:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=304726

on a whim since the price was right ( compared to new ones) hoping that it will fit.

Pic ** is from my Wasr10:


Pic **** is from my saiga:

[SVT-40]

Measure for proper spacing with the hand guard in position and use a small round file to cut the groove for the retainer latch.

[bigbob76]

Are you going to remove the gas block to put the lower hand guard retainer on? Some guys are cutting the retainer to put it on without removing the gas block and replacing the cam and lever with a nut and bolt. I don't have a link for you, sorry. Or you could buy one from Dinzag.

[D53]

Measure for proper spacing with the hand guard in position and use a small round file to cut the groove for the retainer latch.

Thats what I was thinking about doing, I just wanted to ask before I possibly f up my barrel.

Are you going to remove the gas block to put the lower hand guard retainer on? Some guys are cutting the retainer to put it on without removing the gas block and replacing the cam and lever with a nut and bolt. I don't have a link for you, sorry. Or you could buy one from Dinzag.

I posted that link above:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=3037311

Removing the gas block and front sight on the newer Saigas means destroying them in the process. Older models were easier to remove since they were held in place by pins, these new models are pressed pin in. See those dimples on the pic, those are pushed into recesses that are made on the barrel itself. To remove them [sight/GB], you would need to slice/cut them off. Cutting/modding the retainer would be the cheaper and less demanding choice.

Thats why I was planning on cutting a extra retainer clip, which just showed up in the mail yesterday. Its off of a Romy kit

[bigbob76]

This is the first one I did.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=239069

[4thSBCT]

Heres my thread on how I converted it using both methods

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=279487

[C.W.M.V.]

Ill post up pics of mine when I get home.

[D53]

This is the first one I did.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=239069

Thanks for the link.

Heres my thread on how I converted it using both methods

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=279487

for some reason your link is not working.

Ill post up pics of mine when I get home.

right on, i am a visual guy so that always helps

[C.W.M.V.]

Ok well first I got a standard AK lower handguard retainer. Then with the assistance of my Dremel 400xpr and some super beefy steel cutting wheels I turned it into this...


I got the pics from someone on saiga12 and just copied their work.

After you have it cut like so pry the open top (place that has the hole in it) apart a little bit, lube it and the barrel and smack it on with your favorite hammer.

Then decide where you want to put it and cut the divot in the barrel and run a barrel bolt through it-good to go.
I went to OSh and found a barrel bolt that was exactly the same diameter of the original pin, so there ya go. Sorry I don't have more pics.

[D53]

awesome, thanks again to everyone for their info, pics, and links. All I have is a grinder, so I will have to wait until I can spend an extra $60-70 on a dremel and I will do the mod.

[Z ME FLY]

awesome, thanks again to everyone for their info, pics, and links. All I have is a grinder, so I will have to wait until I can spend an extra $60-70 on a dremel and I will do the mod.

Look on Craigslist for a dremel. You can find some decent quality ones for $20.

[C.W.M.V.]

Look on Craigslist for a dremel. You can find some decent quality ones for $20.

Make sure to get the plug in not the rechargeable, mine just didn't have enough torque-hence the upgrade.

[Z ME FLY]

Make sure to get the plug in not the rechargeable, mine just didn't have enough torque-hence the upgrade.

Most rechargeable stuff is crap. Yes I forgot to add the plug in types. I actually got my dremels off another calgunner. 2 used dremel brand dremels for $20. I've seen new ones on craigslist for $20-30.

[juicemansam]

I did the exact same cuts as the above pictures, except that I punched out the lever before the cuts (I wanted to keep it looking as original as possible). Then I filed the notch on the barrel. But it sure was a pain to press the retainer over the barrel.