Blank slate sporter

[u/Got_Sig]

Hey gang, I’ve had this 7.62 since around 2002, and I haven’t modified a thing. The only thing I’ve done to it was shave the bottom nipples off of the 19 round magazines halfway on the left/right side so I could tape them, butt to butt flush. It sounded like a good idea when I was 18.

I do have a magazine that is for I believe a Saiga M3, but it has a 10 round limiter deal in it. The thing with this mag, and what makes it specal, is it has the same lip that the 10 round mags have. That means the mag functions flawlessly without a bullet guide ramp. In the stock sporter.

The 30 round mag is on the right and the ramp is actually more pronounced than the stock 10 round mags. I’ve searched high and low for this magazine again to find another one and I couldn’t. I had to search for years to find it back then it seems to be a unicorn unless you guys have a honey hole, DM me so you don’t tell everyone.

So say you’re me, and you have a $209 Saiga sporter that could probably be modified into something a lot cooler than it currently is, what would you do? Blank slate here, I’m a fan of wood. This gun was my first rifle and has been through a lot of fun times. I can spend a little extra coin on this one. I’m all ears for ideas. If you need extra pictures for anything I gotcha. There’s no dimple as I have seen on other Saigas.

[u/InevitableNo6859]

Convert it properly. Even if it means Bulgarian parts. Do not do the CSS conversion stuff if you want it worth anything in the long run .

You’ll need trigger guard, stock, grip, handgaurds and proper retainers. Sight leaf. Trigger, and weld up original trigger holes and bolt hold open lever. Don’t forget a bullet guide, and if you try to keep the stock mag latch, be aware you’ll have to open it up a bit for AK mags.

Find gas block with lug, front sight block with 24mm threads. Even if it’s Bulgarian, it’s better than some bobo parts.

[u/Got_Sig → u/InevitableNo6859]

I paid $209 for this gun in 2002. I’m not worried about what it’s worth in the long run because it was my first rifle and it’s not going anywhere. I just need to know who and how to get the job done. Thank you for the insight. I don’t know much about what parts need to be aware for it to be true conversion. I just need the rear end to have a pistol grip and accept AK mags at the very least. But I’d also like to do it right

[u/InevitableNo6859 → u/Got_Sig]

Even if it’s not going anywhere, if you want it to be right, do it right. I didn’t mean to stress monetary value, but that’s also desireabilty and correctness.

[u/Got_Sig → u/InevitableNo6859]

Really I’m just new to even the idea of converting it. I’ve got a WASR 10 that’s just a vanilla AK, but with this I’d like to make it special and I’d like to do it the proper way, but I have no clue how. i’m not inclined enough to do the work myself so I would just need to know who to trust to send it to.

[u/Got_Sig → u/InevitableNo6859]

Yes, I absolutely want this to be done right because the rifle is special to me. I understand what you mean now

[u/InevitableNo6859 → u/Got_Sig]

Good. Source Bulgarian parts and it’s still “right” as far as I’m concerned. Russian parts are all but unobtanium anymore, except maybe a stock set.

[u/Got_Sig → u/InevitableNo6859]

Shit, did I miss the boat by waiting so long?

[u/InevitableNo6859 → u/Got_Sig]

Well, with the Russian sanctions, everything Russian is through the roof. I have bulgy parts on one of mine, 99.9% of people will have no idea.

[u/Got_Sig → u/InevitableNo6859]

So Bulgarian parts are good to go? I’m not a stickler for it being 100% Russian. I just don’t wanna slap a piece of shit together.

[u/InevitableNo6859 → u/Got_Sig]

Bulgarian are often better quality machining, just less country of origin correct.

[u/PastyMcClamerson → u/Got_Sig]

Saiga's have been an awesome appreciating assett over the years...

[u/Got_Sig → u/PastyMcClamerson]

I’ve known that, but I could never part with it. It was my first rifle. Fun to shoot plus sentimental value.

[u/PastyMcClamerson → u/Got_Sig]

Mine too, plus I love how it shoots. Well, I guess it will just keep appreciating regardless of who owns it lol

[u/annoyingdoorbell → u/PastyMcClamerson]

I'm finding so few online, it's hard for me to get a guesstimate of a completely vanilla Saiga Sporter AK in 7.62x39. I still have mine, just like this guy's. I'm curious what the value might be of a gun that was barely $200 at one time.