Question on the MD Arms 20 round drum

Yes. I used a flat face jewelers file to slowly remove material until it attained a solid lock up. Takes about 5 minutes to get it right. Not a big deal.

AdamGea said:

Yes. I used a flat face jewelers file to slowly remove material until it attained a solid lock up. Takes about 5 minutes to get it right. Not a big deal.

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Wow, how about that. Seems everything needs a little work done anymore. I'm getting it but thought it was a simple lock it in and go. Which did you go with (black, smoke, or clear)? Besides the 20, they also make 10 and (11?) 12's too, I believe. Then there's the 30 (another mfg I think). Saw the YouTube of full auto using the 30 rounder. The expression on the guys face afterwards was priceless.

The reason the drum needs fitting is not the build quality of the drum, but because of the variations and loose tolerances of the Saigas themselves. MDArms builds them to be fitted to your gun. My drum needed a little fitting; took 5 minutes with an emery board. My stick mags didn't need fitting

Get used to anything with an AK taking some "fitting". Lol!
I got the smoke it was what my gun shop had. Nice to be able to count shells.
20 rds in about 20 seconds is a Blast, or several...

tialloydragon said:

The reason the drum needs fitting is not the build quality of the drum, but because of the variations and loose tolerances of the Saigas themselves. MDArms builds them to be fitted to your gun. My drum needed a little fitting; took 5 minutes with an emery board. My stick mags didn't need fitting

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Right, I didn't think that it's because the drum. Good to hear that it doesn't take that much work also. But as the guy says in the video, be careful and don't take too much off.

Business side is black. Translucent side is towards you. Will try to take a pic Later on.

Although I don't own a saiga, I have heard some negatives over at saiga forum.

With that said, they are selling Mac 11 uppers that seem to be the cat's meow. When he releases the M10 9mm version, I am seriously considering getting one.

I know this is only about half way thread related, but they have been prompt at answering questions and emails from my limited experience.

AdamGea said:

Business side is black. Translucent side is towards you. Will try to take a pic Later on.

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Ahh! Well that makes sense and I must not have any . . lol. Thanks and it'll still be between the two.

John A. said:

Although I don't own a saiga, I have heard some negatives over at saiga forum.

With that said, they are selling Mac 11 uppers that seem to be the cat's meow. When he releases the M10 9mm version, I am seriously considering getting one.

I know this is only about half way thread related, but they have been prompt at answering questions and emails from my limited experience.

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I've been there some too, but haven't gone to all of the topics. Everywhere else that I've been, the owners like them . . . enough to buy um anyway. I got mine because of the so-called fear factor that they may not ship into the US any longer (evidently seems not to be the case now) and of course it's factor.

Very nice and cool Saiga. Thanks for posting your bad boy! I'm probably getting the smoke like you.

It's Fun Doing The Easy Fitting And Tuning And Stuff

I also had to remove just a tad from my 20 rd drums. Like already said, no big deal, was actually fun and took just a few minutes. I used a small flat metal file and went slowly. Have a positive tight lockup.

Also...in my copious free time, I "tuned" the inside of the drum by gently removing any then polishing all small burrs and casting flaws. Also fun. That plus a little Breakfree lube and the drums run GREAT! HB of CJ (old coot)

Thanks. I ended up getting the clear back. Was gonna get the smoke, gonna get the smoke . . . got the clear (ha). When I called to order the few items from Greg at Carolina Shooters, he said that he liked the clear as much as the smoke and had plenty of each. Soo . . . I said give me the clear. Haven't had the time to fine tune it for the correct fit though. I do need to file the back as indicated by the video's and I may just let the front of it correct itself by taking it in and out a few times so that that will wear off some of the sides.

I've got 2 promag 12 round drums in smoke. They required fitting as well.

Guess most of these, no matter which brand, need fine tuning then. I was thinking of getting the 10 (or 12) rnd mag as well.