Saiga Gas Piston question

[hermosabeach]

I was going over the operation of the Saiga with a friend who picked up a Saiga 5.45 gun.

I noticed some wobble in the gas piston... probably not enough to impact anything..

The gun was new in the box in sporter/ import configuration...

It appeared that the piston was staked in place with dimples on opposing sides of the bolt carrier with out being screwed all the way into place.


Without removing the finish I was not sure how the piston was attached...


When people convert the guns, what is the best process for removing the piston?


My initial thoughts
1) drill out the dimples and unscrew
2) Unscrew and chase the threads with a tap

What is the "correct" way????

[buellster]

Wobble in the piston is normal and usually they aren't screwed in all the way. Why replace the piston for a conversion? There's better (easier) ways to meet 922r.

[hermosabeach]

So is the piston held in place with a pin or is it just two dimples?

The 922r challenge in keeping the original featureless configuration.

What is the best way to swap one out?

[SJgunguy24]

So is the piston held in place with a pin or is it just two dimples?

The 922r challenge in keeping the original featureless configuration.

What is the best way to swap one out?

Both just depends on the gun.
If you have dimples, then drill them out, lock the piston in a vise and use a wrench on the carrier to get the piston out,
If it's riveted, find the 2 sides of the rivet and drill in part of the way and remove piston.
Your going to need to rivet the new piston in place. Screw in all nthe way, then back out 1/2 to full turn until you get slight wobble. You want that. Then drill through and rivet in place.
Just convert it and use a MMG. I've had people say they don't like them but they feel very natural on an AK.