Saiga 308 problems

[69Mach1]

There is actually an issue with the .308 Saiga's. I'm surprised there isn't a recall on these things. I've now run accross two examples with this same problem. The second one was santa9monica's. Both were 2008 models. For some reason....don't know if the disconnector or the disc. spring is the problem, but the tip of the disconnector is hitting the tip of the hammer as you pull the trigger. It has so much force that it will lock the hammer from falling. I think a good trim of the top of the disconnector where it hits the hammer is needed, or get a dinzag FCG. My 2007 doesn't have this problem.

[Rekrab]

Hey Santa9Monica, just sell the thing and build an AR-308

You know you wanna...

[santamonica9]

Hey Santa9Monica, just sell the thing and build an AR-308

You know you wanna...

Rekrab - I want to ADD to my collection of toys never take anything away but thank you for the advice

I did take it back to Ammo Bros in Cerritos and their gunsmith took a look. 69mach1 was correct it was hanging up on the disconector. I think he smoothed it out or something b/c it now works when I dry fire. Going to go check it at the range asap

[santamonica9]

took the Saiga to Angeles yesterday - smooth and sexy no more problems, I reccomend Ammo Bros. to everyone - great store, huge selection of goods & the best customer service I've had from a gun store. Thank you too all who helped me with this

[4thSBCT]

I had a diff experience with ammo bros....they would not thread the barrel on one of my saigas that had a mag lock becuase they were too scared...This was from the mouth of they're gunsmith. he said "I won't do it its illegal". I said "my saiga has a mag lock and you even sell fixed mag weapons with threaded barrels in your store"..." I wont do it, its illegal" LOL

[geeknow]

I had a diff experience with ammo bros....they would not thread the barrel on one of my saigas that had a mag lock becuase they were too scared...This was from the mouth of they're gunsmith. he said "I won't do it its illegal". I said "my saiga has a mag lock and you even sell fixed mag weapons with threaded barrels in your store"..." I wont do it, its illegal" LOL

you are correct. that is not work that we do.

your situation is different from the OP's. he had purchased the Saiga from us. technically, his was a 'warranty issue'. however, sometimes we will, at the customer's request, repair on site rather than send it back to the factory as a convenience to our customer.

this is remarkably different from the scenario that you reported.

best,

g

[santamonica9]

I had a diff experience with ammo bros....they would not thread the barrel on one of my saigas that had a mag lock becuase they were too scared...This was from the mouth of they're gunsmith. he said "I won't do it its illegal". I said "my saiga has a mag lock and you even sell fixed mag weapons with threaded barrels in your store"..." I wont do it, its illegal" LOL

im sorry to hear that you didnt have a good experience with their G. smith BUT I know of three other smiths who also will not touch any Saiga's due to the fact that you can easily remove your mag lock so the smiths stay away from any grey area that can get them back into trouble

imagine you do get it threaded and put on something other than a muzzle break (silencer or flash hider if your lucky to find one) then you remove the mag lock and take it to the range. LEO @ the range notices your fine firearm and looks into the set up and watches you dump mags in & out without mag lock -> easily gets you in trouble for breaking CA law -> you wine how the smith said it was ok and the smith did the work. The Law Man traces it back to the smith and gets him in major trouble as well as yourself.

sorry but we live in COMMIE CALI and too many idiots that pass idiotic laws against law abiding citizens who enjoy the second amend. If you want one so bad, buy one of those guns that come threaded that you saw in the store. Saigas are way to easy to turn into an A.W. - if its the 308, you can get the SGM tactical muzzle break that replaces the front sight or again buy a gun that comes with it.

sorry but its just too scary of an issue for smiths, would you jeapordize your livelihood???

[vintagedude88]

imagine you do get it threaded and put on something other than a muzzle break (silencer or flash hider if your lucky to find one) then you remove the mag lock and take it to the range. LEO @ the range notices your fine firearm and looks into the set up and watches you dump mags in & out without mag lock -> easily gets you in trouble for breaking CA law -> you wine how the smith said it was ok and the smith did the work. The Law Man traces it back to the smith and gets him in major trouble as well as yourself.

I've met an LEO who says he's seen all kinds of stuff at the range (ie high caps, etc.) and he just looks the other way.

I've also seen plenty at the range where people had detachable mags on pistol gripped guns and when I pointed it out to them, they would either respond with "Oh, I didn't know, thanks for pointing it out" or "I don't care, those laws suck".

The laws are there just like the speed limit sign on the freeway. You can choose to obey it or try to get away with it. Either way, no one wants to get caught.

Regarding the muzzle brake, I've had another smith tell me that they can only thread the barrel if he can put it in a lathe. However, this would mean he would have to press the barrel out of the trunion to do it then re-press the barrel once it is threaded. Of course this is just too costly.

If your Saiga is factory with the sporter stock, there is nothing wrong with it having detachable mags so long as the mags are 10rnd in capacity. The muzzle brake is not considered to be a "feature" so it basically comes under the classification of a "featureless" gun which allows for detachable mags.

However, what you use for a brake comes upon interpretation as to whether it is a brake or a flash hider. Some will consider certain brakes to be a flash hider. In fact some flash hiders are sold under the classification of "muzzle brake". The rule of thumb is that if the cuts on the muzzle device are perpendicular to the barrel axis, it is considered a muzzle brake. If the cuts are along the barrel axis it is considered as a flash hider.

I used an AK74 style muzzle brake from Dinzag and DIY the barrel threading with Dinzags threading kit. If you're handy with tools and have the patience to work on your gun, that is the way to go. My gun shoots great and I can see plenty of flash so definitely it is okay as a legal muzzle device for my "featureless" gun.

BTW, WASR are even easier than Saigas to make into AWs. They're sold without a PG or mag lock. All you need to do is add the PG and you got an AW.