Help repopulating Saiga Barrel(s)

[DrVino]

I need help repopulating Saiga Barrels. L.A. area.

Specifically, I need to:

- change out the gas blocks (two to the AK74 type, one to an AKM type).
- change out the front sight blocks
- thread muzzles and attach brakes (Two zig zags, one slant).

I would rather find someone who can assist me rather than give me pointers.

[The Paper Pimp]

you can't change a Saiga GB to an AKM type because the gasport is drilled at a 90 degree angle on Saiga's--and if you were to drill the port for a 45 degree GB you'd have an over gassed gun that would batter the rear trunnion and rivets to death.

[hellayella]

Randall Rausch or Buellster

[DrVino]

you can't change a Saiga GB to an AKM type because the gasport is drilled at a 90 degree angle on Saiga's--and if you were to drill the port for a 45 degree GB you'd have an over gassed gun that would batter the rear trunnion and rivets to death.

I presume this issue is not a problem when putting in an AK 74, 90 degree gas block?

Also, what are the chances of finding a 'virgin' undrilled AKM gas block?

Alternately, what about filling (by welding) at least half of the AKM's 45 degree channel and drilling another one at 90 to meet the existing port on the barrel?

[SJgunguy24]

you can't change a Saiga GB to an AKM type because the gasport is drilled at a 90 degree angle on Saiga's--and if you were to drill the port for a 45 degree GB you'd have an over gassed gun that would batter the rear trunnion and rivets to death.

Not true. You can drill the gas port any size you want to dial in the correct amount of gas to operate the system. The major thing is the 45deg gas block will miss the port that is already drilled. And unless the exsisting port is welded shut it will start to blow a hole through the gas block that's covering the hole.

[SJgunguy24]

I presume this issue is not a problem when putting in an AK 74, 90 degree gas block?

Also, what are the chances of finding a 'virgin' undrilled AKM gas block?

Alternately, what about filling (by welding) at least half of the AKM's 45 degree channel and drilling another one at 90 to meet the existing port on the barrel?

No the 100 series parts are based off the 74 stuff, they line up perfectly.
That would mean drilling through the bottom of the AKM block to match the existing port. Depends on where that lands but it could mean drilling through the Bayo lug. You could cut a small groove in the barrel itself to allow the gas to get to the AKM port, but then you open up the possibility of erosion issues later on.

[DrVino]

No the 100 series parts are based off the 74 stuff, they line up perfectly.
That would mean drilling through the bottom of the AKM block to match the existing port. Depends on where that lands but it could mean drilling through the Bayo lug. You could cut a small groove in the barrel itself to allow the gas to get to the AKM port, but then you open up the possibility of erosion issues later on.

OK

I guess the biggest issue seems to be having an "overgassed" system as Paper Pimp mentioned.

I intend to put a lot of rounds through this gun, so I want to be sure that if I fill/weld shut the current port in the barrel, it will hold.

Obviously, that opens me up to corrosion from the inside of the bore.

How would you prevent erosion in the groove you propose?