How to Convert the Magazine for a Saiga

The Saiga rifle is a tactical weapon that takes magazines with .223 caliber rounds. Because the rifle is made for field military use, it handles other "milsurp" magazines. Milsurp stands for "military surplus." These other magazines need to be converted for use with the Saiga. As with any handling of firearms, treat the Saiga as you work on it as if it were loaded.

Things You'll Need

  • Weiger/milsup magazine
  • Pencil
  • Dremel tool
  • Fine mill bastard file
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Instructions

    • 1

      Push the Saiga magazine (the magazine standard with the weapon) into the magazine chamber and note how it fits to the rifle. Mark the contact points with pencil to gain an idea of where it fits and how it fits.

    • 2

      Remove the Saiga magazine and insert the Weiger/milsurp magazine into the rifle. Check the top of the catch, feed-lips and rear reinforcement. The way the milsurp fits at these points requires alterations. Use a Dremel to deepen the feed-lips by 3/32 inch. Lower the catch by pushing it down and push down on the rear reinforcement.

    • 3

      Dremel off the metal found on the front of the Weiger/milsurp magazine. Hand filing is not recommended, as the metal on the magazine is very hard.

    • 4

      Use the fine mill bastard file to file down the catch tab on the front by 1/32 inch.

    • 5

      File the main body with the bastard file so it is level with the magazine catch tab.

    • 6

      Load the converted magazine, insert it into the Saiga and take practice shots to get a feel for the new magazine and how it moves when firing the weapon.