SAIGA .223 and EG Bakelites??

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but can one use EG Bakelite 5.45 mags in a .223 Saiga?? Do they work OK??

I am looking for an AK in .223 and the Saiga is priced right for me. Thanks

[airsmithy]

The ak 74 mags will FIT in a Saiga 223. They will not FEED unless you add a feed ramp, either to the gun or to each mag, and change the follower to a 223 follower.

Cope distributing has some:

http://www.copesdist.com/ak47.htm

You can also use Galil mags, again with adding a feed ramp to either the gun or each mag.

I'm currently working on a conversion from a sporter to an AK style 223... going ok so far.

Good Luck!

DAve

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

I have too add a feed ramp and change the follower on each magazine??

[airsmithy]

If you do not put a feed ramp on the gun, you have to put one on each mag... you do not need to put a feed ramp on the gun AND each mag.

The followers will need to be 223 followers.

I THINK the Cope mags have the follower and feed ramp installed, but do NOT quote me on that. Call them and check.

I've decided to go with a feed ramp installed on my rifle, and use galil mags, because I have a good supply of those available.

If you find out on the Cope mags, you may want to post and let people know.

Good Luck,

Dave

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

I guess i should clarify my question.

Do I have to install a feed ramp on the rifle and then change the follower on each AK-74 mag??

[airsmithy]

To feed properly and reliably, each magazine will need a 223 follower.

If you are using 5 ak 74 magizines, each of those 5 magazines will need a 223 follower.

Hope that answers your question.

Do you have a Saiga yet?

Dave

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

No, but the shop i work at has 2 of them.

I understand that I need a follower for each mag, I still need to install a feed ramp too, correct??

[airsmithy]

A feed ramp will be needed. The feed ramp can be located:

1. Installed in the trunnion of the rifle.

OR

2. Installed in each magazine you will be using in the rifle.

How are the Saigas selling there? Is the 16 inch barrel or 20 inch barrel more popular? I'm working on a 16 inch right now... Putting a pistol grip, feed ramp, and threading the barrel. Not sure if I'm going to keep the hand guard or try to add the mount for standard AK handguards.

Again, good luck,

Dave

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

Saigas are selling well here. The 16 inch barrels are more popular. Thanks for all your help.

[Lollygagger]

I guess i should clarify my question.

Do I have to install a feed ramp on the rifle and then change the follower on each AK-74 mag??

To add to the clarification, again, YES.

The reason being:

The Saiga is made WITHOUT the usual "bullet guide" in the action -this is part of the scheme involved to prevent hi-cap use in the gun. The feed is then directed by a point of contact cast in the front of the factroy lo-cap magazine itself.

This obviously has to be defeated for hi-cap use.

Then, the AK-74 mags were designed for the 5.45x39mm round...not the 5.56 (.223) round. Accordingly, there has to be a follower change for full & reliable feed and/or the follower raised to increased ht. via some Dremel work. This is SOP for this gun.

Lollygagger :beltfeed:

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

So really, I could get away with just filing down the magazine to raise the exsisting follower instead of buying Robarms followers, and of course install the feed ramp in the rifle.

[AKMIKEFMJ]

My .223 Saiga has a homemade bullet guide and uses Galil Orlite 35 round mags. No followers needed.........
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e350/mbmphoto/Saiga2.jpg

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

Where did you get the mags at??

[AKMIKEFMJ]

I got mags from CDNN Investments...$9.99 for new and $4.99 used.... :big:

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

Did you have to file anything or make any adjustments to the mags??

[AKMIKEFMJ]

Just a couple minutes with a Dremel tool....see photo.......
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e350/mbmphoto/maggalil.jpg

[Rifleman7.62NATO]

Dremel Both sides??

[AKMIKEFMJ]

Yes....Dremel both sides..........very easy to do.

[ak264]

All these mods cant help reliability with the 223s

[AKMIKEFMJ]

Mags lock in tight. I have over 200 rounds of ammo through it and no problems other than being extremely accurate. This includes Radway Green 5.56 X 45 SS109, Wolf 55 grain FMJ and HP.