Saiga .308 "Designated Marksman" Project.

Saiga rifles have been around for a few years now. Based off the AK-47 design, and chambered in various calibers, there is alot of potential for theses weapons.

For this project, I selected the .308 Winchester model. This could just as easily be done with the .223, or the 7.62x39 version, but we're trying to build a medium to long range shooter, so the .308 round is best.

First step is to remove the old stock. This is a little different than the standard AK-47 because you simply have to remove the one bolt on the bottom of the receiver, just behind the foregrip. Once this is done, just push/pull the foregrip towards the front sight. It's on there kinda tight, so you may have to wiggle it a little, but it will come off. Unlike the AK, you DO NOT have to remove the gas tube to remove the stock.
Next is the buttstock. It removes almost exactly like the AK buttstock. Remove the receiver cover by pressing in the small button on the backside of the receiver and pulling back and up on the receiver cover.
This will expose the inside of the receiver. Next, remove the main spring. Now, you should be able to see two screws, one outside the main receiver housing, one that was under the main spring area. Unscrew both of these, and the buttstock should slide out.

Next, We need to select our parts. I choose Tapco parts bought from Cheaperthandirt.com. A full list of the parts, with the part numbers will be at the end of this article. I decided to go with OD Green on the furniture.

For this part, We'll work on the forestock. This Tapco stock is kind of a pain in the ass, but it is universal to almost all the Saiga models, so it's worth dealing with.
First, you have to prep the stock itself. Decide how many rails you want on the stock. I went with just one rail on the bottom, but the item comes with the option of 3, bottom, and both sides.
Once that is done, you have to install the adapter for your specific rifle. The right adapter will be labeled. It attaches in the underside of the barrel, near the end of the gas tube.
Now we need to put in the stock extender. This is needed because the factory stock has a plate that runs inside the receiver housing, and the Tapco brand dose not. The extender is included with the stock kit. NOTE: The kit includes a nut that sits in the piece of the extender that sits inside the receiver housing. This HAS to be there, and it must go in before you slide the adapter into the receiver. Now you can screw in the 2 bolts needed to hold the stock in place.

Now we can get to work on the buttstock. For this part we selected the T6 buttstock with the "SAW" style grip. This part is very simple. First, slide the stock into the receiver and screw it in. NOTE: The Tapco stock comes with screws for this, but they are small, and not durable, in my opinion. I would suggest using the screws that were in the factory stock. At this point you can line up your grip with the trigger guard and screw it in to the pre-drilled hole in the stock. Tapco provides a bolt for this that is adequate.

And we're to the fun part: the extras! The Saiga came standard with a lever locking scope ring setup that slides on and off easily. for the scope, I have attached a Bushnell 3-9x40 scope. Along with that I have added a combo laser/flashlight produced by UTG that will attach to any 1" scope tube.

Another nice little addition is a foregrip-bipod. This is not the Tango Down version, because, let's face it: It is a nice item, but no one wants to pay $150 for something like this. Manufactured by AEG, these are just as durable as the Tango Down version, and only cost $19.99, and they come in three colors(black, OD green, and dark earth.).

We now have a completely remade rifle. Something that started as a hunting rifle to a tactical weapon that is good for CQB, and medium range marksmanship.
Sure, you can bring up the M-14 or the SOCOM 16, but those are HEAVY, and PRICEY!!
This setup, rifle and parts, will run you less than a thousand, depending on how well you shop around.

Parts list and source:
   Cheaper than Dirt:
     Forestock: Saiga Intrafuse Handguard: $41.97(AKS-620) Available in Black, OD Green, and Dark Earth.
     Buttstock: Intrafuse Saiga T6 Stock Set: $57.97 (AKS-509) Available in Black, OD Green, Dark Earth
   Wal-Mart(don't laugh): Bushnell 3-9x40 Scope: $54.99
   Academy Sports: Laser/Flashlight Combo: $19.99(UTG part, Widely available)
   Evike.com: Bi-pod/verticle grip (part listed as: Grip_BIPODGRIP_B) Available in black,OD Green, Dark Earth.

Well, We've come to the end of the first project weapon. It was frustrating at points, but more fun than anything. At the end you will probably find yourself satisfied with this build.
Thanks For Reading.

Questions/Comments/Problems: Blueboy197924@Gmail.com