Saiga 5.45x39 questions

[HALLAUSTIN]

I have heard that the 5.45x39 saiga rifles instock format can accept the 5.45x39 ak74 magazines without any modification. Is this true or just heresay?

 

[wnycollector]

My Saiga 5.45x39 has gone through 6K+ rounds without a bullet guide using russian plum ak74 mags. A shooting buddies Saiga 5.45 has gone ~2K without a bullet guide as well. As with everything, YMMV

 

[Mike38]

I have heard the Saiga 5.45 will work with AK74 mags. But, you can’t legally install an imported high capacity mag without becoming 922r compliant before hand.

 

[amd6547]

Mine has also functioned perfectly through about 600 rounds using surplus poly mags with no alteration.

 

[HALLAUSTIN]

And will the 5.45 need the round or flat bullet guide?

 

[amd6547]

You won't know till you look at your Saiga. Seen some that are round, some that are flat...
Mine has an '09 date on the reciever, was bought new this year. It has the flat trunnion.

 

[HALLAUSTIN]

Thankyou all for your help. It is much appreciated

 

[MrWesson]

From what i've seen they work well at the range without bullet guides but when you start working them from different positions and angles it can cause problems.

If I thought I might need to depend on it someday I would just install a guide.

 

[Willie D]

The way I look at it: if the Russians thought it was 100% reliable without a bullet guide and could save a few Kopecs by leaving it out, they would have done so.


To me, adding a bullet guide was the scariest part of a Saiga conversion because you feel like you could screw up the the trunion somehow, but in practice it was actually the easiest part of the conversion.