The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Sixshot6 wrote:
I knew it was the bolt carrier and bolt though, what about the 223 Arsenal and 223 saigas? Are they similar?

By .223 Arsenal do you mean the Bulgarian rifles?, if you do to be trueful I'm not sure if they use the AK-74 or AKM style bolt/bolt carrier.

Yep, .223/5.56 Saigas all based on the AK-74 bolt/carrier size which carried over to the AK-100 series, I believe a .223/5.56 Saiga bolt has a very slightly longer "tail" but the firing pin is the same length.

The Saiga is actually more closely based on the AK-100 series thinking about it, as they use a "third rivet" (actually more a hardened pin than a rivet) on the L/H side of the receiver that starts turning the bolt into battery whereas the AK-74 (and AKM, RPK ) has this camming surface built into the feed ramp.

69chris wrote:

snayperskaya wrote:

69chris wrote:are spares still easy (ish) to get hold of if needed ?

Depends on what spares you mean as stocks and handguards etc are easy enough over here, parts like firing pins and FCG springs etc not so easy.

, was thinking more along the lines of replacement parts through wear - firing pins/ springs etc

doing more and more range shooting these days so something like this could be perfect :)

I haven't shot enough through mine for it to be a worry. Having said that it's made in the same factory that gave the world the AK47. It's the Land Rover of the firearm world - they just keep going on, and on, and on. I am assuming the firing pin is the same as the fully automatic version of the AK100 series. I've no in depth knowledge of the variations between models but I can't see things like firing pins being scratch built for the civilian market - it'll be a parts bin job. The firing pin is probably the same as those designed for a cyclic rate of 600 rpm. I think you'd have to fire many many many many thousands of rounds to wear it out. It'd take years as it's a straight pull.

In terms of wear and tear I can only compare it to the two Mosin 44s I have. One I've had for twenty years now and have put thousands of rounds down range - it'll still be a shooter long after I'm gone I reckon.

Thanks to all for the info and suggestions. Still haven't made up my mind on where I'm going with shooting yet - I'm waiting for some replies from some other clubs so I can be better informed.

Nice rifle . IMO, everybody should own a 7,62x39 rifle, AK or Vz. Would be a shame to sell it ...

froggy wrote:Nice rifle . IMO, everybody should own a 7,62x39 rifle, AK or Vz. Would be a shame to sell it ...

Or even a Ruger Mini 30 clapclap

Ruger ??!!
OMG you are nearly as heretic as me shooting 7,62x39 from my Australian rifle
But you are correct, a true proletarian caliber voicing democratic concerns since 1947 !

froggy wrote:Ruger ??!!
OMG you are nearly as heretic as me shooting 7,62x39 from my Australian rifle
But you are correct, a true proletarian caliber voicing democratic concerns since 1947 !

Since 1944 Tovarisch, originally conceived in '43 hence the M43 designation, and first used in the belt-fed RPD LMG.

Dark Skies....the firing pin is indeed the same as the miltary AK-100 series and to be honest will probably never put enough rounds through it to wear one out.Saying that it pays to have a few contacts in Russia or the Ukraine just in case.........

Dark Skies...there is also "dark way" to follow...get one of this muzzle breaks as on the picture but with 1 chamber extra-4.5"long,chop the barrel to 8",cut &screw it on+weld it,and even using milsurplus ammo your bullets will drop to gallery rifle velocities/energy....

Since 1944 Tovarisch, originally conceived in '43 hence the M43 designation, and first used in the belt-fed RPD LMG.
You are indeed correct Tovarich

Hi all does anyone know were I can get a 30 round mag for my saiga without a conversion

vikkz wrote:Hi all does anyone know were I can get a 30 round mag for my saiga without a conversion

http://www.rusmilitary.com/html/ak_magazines_2.htm

Trust me, do the feed ramp mod and the AK mag world is your oyster as steel 30r military mags can be picked up for £12-15 if you shop around.

Feed ramps from here.....fitted a couple and they are perfect

http://www.dinzagarms.com/saiga_762x39/x39guides.html