How to Shorten a Saiga Barrel

Saiga is produced by the Russian American Armory Company. This firearms manufacturer produces a variety of shotguns and rifles, particularly AK style designs. As with all weapons, maintenance or modification might be necessary from time to time. Many Saiga rifle owners choose to shorten the barrel for close-quarters combat, ease of transport or better concealment. Shortening a Saiga barrel requires a few gunsmithing tools and a recrowning of the muzzle after cutting.

Things You'll Need

  • Padded gun vise
  • Barrel cutting fixture
  • Hacksaw
  • Flat metal file
  • Chalk
  • Gun oil
  • Reamer
  • Sandpaper
  • Lapping compound
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unload the weapon completely. Visually inspect the chamber to ensure that no live ammunition is present.

    • 2

      Secure the rifle in a padded gun vise. Ensure that the barrel is accessible to work.

    • 3

      Mark a point on the barrel at the desired shortening length; use a white-wax marker. Secure the cutting fixture on the barrel next to your mark.

    • 4

      Cut the barrel with a hacksaw using the fixture as a guide. Apply chalk to a flat metal file. Lightly file down the barrel crown -- using the fixture as a guide -- until any burring or metal shavings are smoothed away.

    • 5

      Apply a few drops of gun oil to the muzzle crown. Insert a fitting reamer in the barrel. Turn the reamer counterclockwise four to five revolutions. This action helps form the muzzle crown, and removes any burring inside the barrel.

    • 6

      Apply lapping compound to the muzzle crown. Set a piece of sandpaper on top of the crown. Rotate the paper back and forth with your thumb using firm pressure. Wipe away any lapping residue with a soft cloth.