I had the same think happen with one of my AK's. The bolt goes almost to the point of fully closing but it wont. It was basically headspaced wrong. There wasn't enough room for the round to fully seat and bolt to close. I sent it back and they fixed it. Since then and 1000+ rounds later i have had no more problems.
any members own a saiga ak?
- Thread starter StantonCree
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toobukume
Member
Wow, I should get on here more often. It's my Saiga rifle that is in question 
To Clarify: I hand loaded a round into the chamber. It seemed to go all the way in. When dropping the bolt, the extractor does not go over the lip of the bullet and from looking at the design of the gun, the bolt has to go all the way forward in order to allow it to rotate and allow the bolt carrier to go all the way forward. Since the bolt is stuck behind the bullet (not grasping it), it's not going forward enough to rotate.
I tried with three different types of ammo and all hand fed so the magazine is a non issue.
The dealer I bought it from said that the importer (Russian American Armory) will fulfill the warranty and send me a new gun. I left a voicemail with them earlier.
To Clarify: I hand loaded a round into the chamber. It seemed to go all the way in. When dropping the bolt, the extractor does not go over the lip of the bullet and from looking at the design of the gun, the bolt has to go all the way forward in order to allow it to rotate and allow the bolt carrier to go all the way forward. Since the bolt is stuck behind the bullet (not grasping it), it's not going forward enough to rotate.
I tried with three different types of ammo and all hand fed so the magazine is a non issue.
The dealer I bought it from said that the importer (Russian American Armory) will fulfill the warranty and send me a new gun. I left a voicemail with them earlier.
toobukume
Member
P.S. Glad you like the FAL. I was having separation anxiety even before the FAL's replacement turned out to me a lemon, lol. Thanks for the thread, I take in all the info on my guns as I can possibly get.
rob-cubed
In need of moderation
Hmm, so from your description it sounds like the extractor is causing the issue. If you manually insert the rim of a bullet under the extractor, and then close the bolt, does it rotate fully? Try this without the bolt carrier first, and then with. If so, a replacement extractor might be in order and that's an easy fix you could do at home. Or maybe the extractor is just stuck in place, can you move the extractor with your finger?
RAA used to be very good about warranty repair, but Mercury/Hermes is the new importer. It's not clear to me if RAA is still servicing their imports, or if Mercury/Hermes has taken over their contractual obligations.
toobukume
Member
No, can't move the extractor with my finger which is why that's what I thought it was.
Mercury/Hermes is stamped on the side of the rifle but I was told by the dealer (Arms of America) to call RAA at the number they gave me so who knows...
Mercury/Hermes is stamped on the side of the rifle but I was told by the dealer (Arms of America) to call RAA at the number they gave me so who knows...
Darkemp
Ultimate Member
Wow, I should get on here more often. It's my Saiga rifle that is in question
To Clarify: I hand loaded a round into the chamber. It seemed to go all the way in. When dropping the bolt, the extractor does not go over the lip of the bullet and from looking at the design of the gun, the bolt has to go all the way forward in order to allow it to rotate and allow the bolt carrier to go all the way forward. Since the bolt is stuck behind the bullet (not grasping it), it's not going forward enough to rotate.
I tried with three different types of ammo and all hand fed so the magazine is a non issue.
The dealer I bought it from said that the importer (Russian American Armory) will fulfill the warranty and send me a new gun. I left a voicemail with them earlier.
Sounds like a good deal. The armory that built the first and that still employs Mikhail Kalashnikov as a consultant should make good on their most famous product.
Sirex
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I hope you get it resolved. I think Saigas, at least mine, are great, fun rifles.
toobukume
Member
just curious...why would this NOT be good as a SHTF rifle? that's kind of what I bought it for...
Sirex
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I think it would be a fine SHTF rifle. It's reliable like a regular AK, even built on the same line at the factory in VrrRussia. I think it's limitation is the magazine issue. So it can be imported as a "sporting" rifle, it's limited by the 10 round factory magazine, or the higher priced higher capacity Surefires. Without modifivation it won't take the cheaper AK magazines, so you can't build up a whole big supply of ready to use magazines unless you do the conversion to allow the Saiga to use standard AK mags. Mine seems just as rugged as anything I own except my SKS, but the Saiga is lighter and more versatile. If my Saiga was all I had in a SHTF, I'd still have confidence in it. Plus it's not regulated in MD in it's sport configuration (unaltered). Th etrigger could use some work, and be moved up, but my main concern is the ability to use the common/cheap AK mags.
toobukume
Member
yeah, i was planning on converting. looks pretty easy...
http://www.dinzagarms.com/saiga_762x39/x39rtk.html
I've heard the catch needs to be slightly modified to take an ak mag but I'm not 100% sure that's true but if so, i've got a dremel...I hope to do a pistol grip conversion as well.
Where I got the gun transferred to said the rifle was regulated so I had to wait a week to get it.
http://www.dinzagarms.com/saiga_762x39/x39rtk.html
I've heard the catch needs to be slightly modified to take an ak mag but I'm not 100% sure that's true but if so, i've got a dremel...I hope to do a pistol grip conversion as well.
Where I got the gun transferred to said the rifle was regulated so I had to wait a week to get it.
Good luck finding someone who will sell you one unregulated.
As for the magazines, that's easily solved for a few of them:
* 7.62x39, 5.45x39: bullet guide
* .223: AR-15 magazine adapter (renegadebuck or MSA)
Personally, I've always thought a Saiga .223 converted to "assault rifle" configuration and using an AR-15 mag adapter would be a pretty cool way to get a "true AK" without having to buy into a new caliber and set of magazines.
toobukume
Member
fixed!
they fixed it and sent it back. went to the range yesterday and shot great. not the most accurate gun but i have no questions about it's reliability!
they fixed it and sent it back. went to the range yesterday and shot great. not the most accurate gun but i have no questions about it's reliability!
Sirex
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Russ D
Ultimate Member
That would be a fun cheap plinker with loads of cheap ammo. What mags would it use?
platekiller
Ultimate Member
does anyone else besides me (and my dad) like the stock sporter style? we got the 308 first and liked it so much we got a 7.62x39 then a 223. I have an AK so I feel no need to mess with my saigas.
Platekiller
Platekiller
Sirex
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I got the pistol grip Tapco stock, and I'm thinking about switching back to the sporter stock. I have the x39 and I'm also looking to get a .308, and maybe a .223 or 5.45 in the future. I like mine for what it is. I don't need a bayo lug or anything like that. Got other guns with all that.
