Anybody know anything about SAIGA rifles???

Well I'm about to make my first rifle purchase. I want it to be an auto-loader, so I can get it converted to fully auto (btw, is that legal?). I want to spend 200-250$ and I have it narrowed down to a Yugo SKS or a SAIGA rifle. I would get a an AK, but everybody already has an AK, I've heard they can be problematic, and they seem gimmicky.

Does anybody know anything about these Saiga rifles??

I'm leaning towards the SKS...don't you think you are getting a more durable and (pardon the pun) bang for your buck w/ the SKS even thought it is older??

Any help is appreciated

Have you tried the search function?

There are many threads on the brand just chock full of information.

You cannot covert a semi-auto to full-auto legally, not going to happen. (Yes, Im aware there are certain full-auto sears that can be purchases at a considerable price but I dont think thats the intention here).

A Saiga *IS* a Russian made, sporterized AK47 - so if you dont want an AK, dont get a Saiga.....based on the same action and function.

Although your off base by thinking that one of the most prolific fighting rifles of the 20th century (the AK47) is unreliable and gimicky......way off base.

SKS is a great rifle too, if price is the main concern you cant go wrong with the SKS....but for a $75 more I think the Saiga is the better buy.

Coincidentally the Yugo SKS is the SKS variant most people consider less reliable and gimmicky due to the odd gas system setup for the grenade launcher - a little bit of corrosion in the wrong place....single shot.

Me thinks you need to do more research.

Well I'm about to make my first rifle purchase. I want it to be an auto-loader, so I can get it converted to fully auto (btw, is that legal?).

Legally, you won't be converting a Saiga or any AK to full auto in the US unless you are in a VERY narrow group of people IN the industry.


I want to spend 200-250$ and I have it narrowed down to a Yugo SKS or a SAIGA rifle. I would get a an AK, but everybody already has an AK, I've heard they can be problematic, and they seem gimmicky.

OK.. this made me laugh. What problems? The AK platform is a very reliable platform, and the Saiga is a well-built specimen of that family.

What you are seeing as "gimmicky" is the sporting configuration that they have coming into this country. With some knowledge, it is easy to convert a Saiga back to its traditional configuration.

I good converstion Saiga will command prices in the upper range of AKs.


I'm leaning towards the SKS...don't you think you are getting a more durable and (pardon the pun) bang for your buck w/ the SKS even thought it is older??

Many like SKS's. I don't prefer them.

Any help is appreciated

Hope this does.



-- John

get a Saiga, be happy, and never look back/ also get plenty of the hi cap Surefire mags for it.

I want to spend 200-250$ and I have it narrowed down to a Yugo SKS or a SAIGA rifle. I would get a an AK, but everybody already has an AK, I've heard they can be problematic, and they seem gimmicky.

Saigas ARE AK's. Plus, who cares if everyone has one? Why would you not purchase a gun based on the fact that a lot of people have them? If anything, that's a great testament to their design.

AKs can be problematic????????? That is so far from the truth, it's not even funny. Whoever told you that needs to be slapped, and told to never have children.

You sound a little wet behind the ears to be looking into getting full-auto rifles (which is not a simple process like getting a hunting license). I would immerse yourself fully in the hobby, collect some semi-autos, shoot a lot, do some research, then decide if you want to spend the time and money for a full-auto. :)

No offense intended, but it may be time to step back for a reality check. Full auto may sound cool, but it's not for the faint of heart or pocketbook. Do some serious research..........Essex

I want it to be an auto-loader, so I can get it converted to fully auto (btw, is that legal?)

No it is not. You can buy a full auto if you pay your $200 taxes. Try searching for info about the Saiga. I bet there are about 124,236 threads on it here.

but everybody already has an AK, I've heard they can be problematic,
It is obvious that you, and those that you "heard" this from know very little about AK's. Do some research. Look at the last 60 years it has been in service. After that, you can be a little more grounded in your postings. The AK is probably the most fundamentally reliable and durable small arms platform on the planet. Thats probably why "everybody" has one. Oh yea, and the Saiga is an AK, so choosing one won't really make you stand out from the crowd.

I have a Yugo SKS and it is a nice gun. I want an AK though.

Well, cheap WASR AK clones can be problematic. Most of them can be corrected and will work. That is not the fault of the AK design.

I have a Tromix converted Saiga in .223 that is very nice.

If you want a full auto rifle, get a full auto rifle. Converting one is not something 99.99% of us can do legally.

Yep, pay your $200 tax and it has to be manufactured before 1986. I don't think you're gonna find a pre-'86 Saiga.

You may not find a pre 68 Saiga here in the USA... but the Saiga rifles have been around for a long time...

I have seen them in a book published in about the 70's... In a little book shop in Moscow Idaho...

I'm leaning towards the SKS...don't you think you are getting a more durable and (pardon the pun) bang for your buck w/ the SKS even thought it is older??
The SKS is a very reliable and durable rifle, but the AK design is even more reliable and even more durable.

Of the two, I'd lean heavily toward the Saiga. Note also that SKS's are available only in 7.62x39mm, but Saiga's are available in that caliber plus .223 and .308.

If it were me, for a first rifle, I'd get a Saiga in .223 Remington (same as 5.56x45mm NATO). There is a wider variety of ammunition available, and it is a somewhat easier caliber to learn to shoot well. It is also easier to put a scope or red-dot on a Saiga in the future, if you choose to do so.

BTW, others have mentioned that if you jump through a lot of hoops and fill out a lot of Federal paperwork, you can buy an automatic weapon. Do be aware that those will set you back $5000 for a pistol-caliber submachinegun and $15,000-$20,000 for an AK. Unless you are a licensed manufacturer making guns for police/military, you can't convert any non-automatic gun to automatic (doing so, or even collecting all the parts to do so, is a 10-year Federal felony).

i read the first sentence of this post, i dont know what to think.

um..... ATF?

yeah the AK is real ****in' "gimmeckey"....


And if this is a serious post, whatever you buy, plese make sure its either a Chinese SKS or AK (Norinco) or an HK 41.

but load it with soft points ok? because i really dont want FMJ's to become banned yet...

You sound a little wet behind the ears

You're being too kind!

These questions seem, although elementary grade for all us gun-owners, sincere as well. Don't fry this guy for not knowing what he is talking about. Just give him the answers he needs and be curtious.

First of all, PLEASE PLEASE make sure you are not breaking any laws when purchasing a firearm. Make sure you are purchasing the firearm for the correct reasons. Firearms can be a sport and hobby among other things. I only mention this since it sounds like your new to things Jordan85.

Secondly, talk to your local gun-store clerk, he can clear up ALOT before you go on thinking that your newly acquired rifle is going to fully-automatic overnight without breaking at least a dozen Federal laws putting you in jail for 10 years or so.

Thirdly, you might want a rifle, and might even have convinced yourself you need a rifle which sincerely sounds perfectly fine. But judging by the questions asked in your post, I am going to say that you ARE NOT ready to own a rifle and need to look further into your local laws before you consider purchasing a rifle granted your able to do so.

As a side note, AK's are one of the best, if not arguably the MOST reliable firearm platform ever designed. To say they are "gimmicky" couldn't be farther from the truth. And since the Saiga (in 7.62x39) has many MANY (not all) parts that you can change out with many other semi-auto AKs, it goes to show just how similar the design is. A Saiga is essentially, an AK with a different stock.

I don't own an SKS, but I know that they are cheap to buy, and cheap to shoot (considering they use the same round as the AK 7.62x39). Making a great plinker for anyone new to firearms.

My honest opinion, The Saiga is by far the better of the two rifles. But that is my preference. In your case, I believe the SKS might be better for you personaly.

Good luck on the search for your first rifle. You'll buy enough ammo in semi auto mode so don't worry about the happy switch. Just be sure to ask here before making changes to any of these rifles as some parts swaps can be illegal (922r) unless done properly. AK problems are usually due to poor assembley of a parts kit (century?) on a US made receiver not because of a bad design.

Just give him the answers he needs and be curtious.

curt /kɜrt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kurt]
–adjective, -er, -est.
1. rudely brief in speech or abrupt in manner.

cour·te·ous /ˈkɜrtiəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kur-tee-uhs]
–adjective
1. having or showing good manners; polite.

So... which one did you mean, dscottw88? :D

Haha knight, I meant courteous. Haha, at least I believe thats what I meant. Oh and saiga's are great did i mention that? I own one and think its rediculously fun in .223. Can't wait to install that bullet guide from dinzag!

Does anyone know how to pronounce SAIGA? :p

si-gah, I'm guessing

sai·ga /ˈsaɪgə/ [sahy-guh]
–noun
a goatlike antelope, Saiga tatarica, of western Asia and eastern Russia, having a greatly enlarged muzzle.
[Origin: 1795–1805; (< NL) < Russ saĭgá(k) < Turkic; cf. Chagatai sayğak]

http://www.sfondideldesktop.com/Images-Animals/Antelope/Saiga-Antelope-/Saiga-Antelope-.Jpg