AK-47 vs. Saiga-12

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TJHell

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Ive heard that these two firearms are almost identical in how they are inturnaly. (operating wise and parts) I just got a saiga 12 and was just realizing how I feel that the mechanisms are just poor compared to one of my AR's. Is this how the famous AK is too. Does it (im going to take some heat for this) suck that bad? I mean, with my little firearms knowledge, i feel as though the mechanism in the Saiga 12 is poor. I like my saiga for what it is - a cool shotgun to screw around with. I've never seen the inturnal parts of an AK so...

Sorry if this post offends anyone -- I have little firearms knowledge and poor spelling
 
First off, you got a quad tap in making threads, what intrenet speed you running?!

Sagias are really AKs, made in russias factorys. yes, they will feel a little cheap compared to a milled AR, but trust me, they are reliable and a great design.
 
Saigas are a russian AK type rifle and pretty much the highest quality "AK" besides maybe the VEPRs that you can buy. The stamped receivers may feel lighter than the milled receivers but they are solid. The only problem they have is that the triggers are moved back to be "sporting" to get around import bans. The trigger has linkages to connect up to the hammer which is in the normal spot so there is a lot of creep. You can convert a Saiga back to it's original "AK" format and the trigger is fixed and you get the pistol grip.
 
Pretty much everywhere. First the people injection forge it, but that only does the major stuff on the outside IIRC, then they have to mill out the inside.
 
I think this pretty well illustrates why we should have a semi-auto-other forum split. Even the threads are machinegunned.
 
So....

What do you find wrong with the AK platform? You really havn't said anything other than the AR being mechanically better than an AK.

Which leads me to suspect trolling.
 
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the AK platfrom, IMHO. What you see and or feel is perfectly normal. AKs have very loose tolerances (compared to the AR), but it was designed that way. It's all part of its reliability.

While your AK - as well as most other AKs - feels a bit cheap, I assure you it's a solid (I know, I know..it doesn't feel like it) design with great reliability.

Shoot it and enjoy it.
 
What do you mean a quad tap?


I just think that the AK is overated if the parts are anything like the Saiga 12.
If you ask me the AK is junk if like i said its like a Saiga 12.
I would never put an AK in my hands if it was my life.
I've also heard nothing but how simple it is to use.
The AR platform seems like it is so much easier and simpler functioning.

This is all if it is like a saiga.
 
the ak feels like that because if you take the dust cover off and look, you could fit about a quarter gallon of sand in it and it would still work...sure, it may be a little less perfectly machined than the AR, but that just means that it will work in far worse conditions than the AR. the AR is more of a precision machine, but needs cleaning (from what I've heard, I don't own one) out the wazoo compared to an AK.

AK reliability is better, but you have to accept loose tolerances and less accuracy in general.
 
Another thing -- the saftey is in a weird position
It feels very unpractical in the line of fire, but I suppose that most of the people using AK's dont ever even have the saftey.
 
the safety is just in a different position from many guns, doesn't make it wrong. when you have the rifle up simply move your trigger hand up and snap it down, then return to the stock
 
TJHell said:
I just think that the AK is overated if the parts are anything like the Saiga 12.
If you ask me the AK is junk if like i said its like a Saiga 12.
I would never put an AK in my hands if it was my life.
I've also heard nothing but how simple it is to use.
The AR platform seems like it is so much easier and simpler functioning.
Click to expand...

Here is a simple solution to your problem. Sell it. I'm sure there are plenty of people that would love to take your "Junk" off your hands...
 
Yes Saigas feel cheap, they are tough as nails though. The Saiga 12 has a chrome lined barrel and really does not require much maintenance at all. If you don't like it sell it and buy an AR shotgun.
 
I think a standard AK feels a bit more solid than a Saiga 12. They really had to hog things out inside to make it fit and feed 12 ga. rounds.

It's not much of a difference though. There's just a bit more metal in more places.

The AK is an absolute masterpiece when you consider what it was designed for, ie. cheapness, reliability, simplicity and firepower. 60 years later there's still nothing out there that can beat it if those are the criteria.
 
I think this comparison is like apples and oranges - they're both fruit.....Or single-malt vs. blended - they're both scotch.

The AK-type weapon is cheaper to produce than an AR-type weapon. The degree of labor skill is much less. Therefore, the product is shoddy in comparison. BUT, like bottom shelf liquor will still get you drunk, the AK will still put rounds downrange.

In the past, I'd say you get what you pay for...but with the current crazy market; supply shortages and political paranoia, the price of all guns are grossly inflated from where they were two years ago.

For me, it comes down to the desmonomics: I'd buy a Saiga for $205 (what they used to cost) but i will not buy a Saiga for $700 (which i see tonight on gunbroker). For 700, why not the Bennelli? It's components and assembly are much more precise. And, if you're looking for a project for modifications, at 200 if you drill the wrong place, meh. At 700, you're going to be eating ramen for the rest of the week, and kicking your own a$$.

If you're buying as some sort of investment, in hopes that the value will go up even more if they become banned...i can only recommend you rethink your financial prowess, because the prices are already higher than at cat's butt for the time, effort and materials that go into the fabrication of the product.
 
I have seen the "burning ak" vids several times; that guy must be damned drunk! His movements are so fluid until he almost falls down picking up the 3rd drum and then he has a helluva time loading it into the gun. Albeit he is holding a torched ak-47.
 
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