saiga over ak?

[shevrock]

I know there is the one this stickyed about this, but i read though it and my question wasn't answered. I have a few simple question about ak/saigas.

Is their any point of getting a saiga over an ak. As far as i can tell the saigas are cheaper, but don't take ak mags and various parts. They do seem to be more versatile ammunition wise, but i think that is a moot point considering how much the magazines are compared to ak magazines.

 

[RP88]

the point of getting a Saiga over an AK is because you can convert the Saiga into a REALLY nice AK for less than the price of a REALLY nice AK

 

[jackdanson]

Saigas generally have substantially better build quality.

 

[shevrock]

Can saigas use ak mags?

 

[lions]

I have heard people say that they get better accuracy out of the saigas. Key words here are: heard people say.

 

[kcmarine]

With modification, yes.

 

[Daemon688]

A Saiga is nothing more than a neutered AK. People pick the Saiga because it's easily converted to the more "evil" look. Once it's converted you've got an AK, made in Russia that takes normal AK mags. There's something to be said about a gun that rolled off the same factory as my Mosin 91/30 in 1938.

 

[guntotinguy]

the point of getting a Saiga over an AK is because you can convert the Saiga into a REALLY nice AK for less than the price of a REALLY nice AK

Not being an expert on AK's or anything,but can comment on my own collection of AK's and a few converted Saiga's...the Saigas seem to have won out over the other AK's I have,and was much less expensive to convert (yes they are 922r compliant)but its up to the person...not all will share my own views on this.

 

[tinygnat219]

I say get whichever one you want. The Saiga has more of a cartridge selection, while the AK's are well, AK's...

 

[xd45gaper]

Saigas generally have substantially better build quality.

depends on who is building it

it would probably make a better hunting rifle in its stock configuration. that would be my opinion only though!

i always invisioned the russians laughing as they make/import civilian legal AK's some even have the Y stamp for the third pin hole.

 

[nalioth]

Is their any point of getting a saiga over an ak. As far as i can tell the saigas are cheaper, but don't take ak mags and various parts.

$100 and 45 minutes in any red blooded Americans garage and you'll have a Kalashnikov that is newly made in Russia that'll take any Kalashnikov mag for its caliber.

 

[shevrock]

What kind of tools would i need to switch it to an ak mag accepting rifle? Or is their a part i can just buy to make my life easier[ i pretty sure their isn't].

 

[MIL-DOT]

The Saigas are nice,tight and shoot straight. Many of what you're thinking of as "real" AKs are cobbled together, mis-aligned,hamfistedly riveted,machine-shop projects. Unless you wanna drop the bucks on a really nice one, you will NOT beat the saiga. "You can here me now, or listen to me later !!"

 

[shevrock]

Is heir any guide on how to modify the mag well to accept ak mags. Also will saigas take basic ak parts, like the occasional stock or handguard.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Lots of sources for that info. Saiga12.com is the big one, and i think ar-15.com has one,as well.
p.s. the mag-well already will accept standard mags, but the latch that locks the mag in place has to be filed down a tiny bit, and a small feed-ramp has to be installed .There's also some legal stuff to comply with before starting any of this, it's all at the websites recommended.

 

[shevrock]

I checked those over. Nothing really their except how to put on a pistol grip.

EDIT: will basic ak parts work for the saiga [ie handguards].

 

[Z-Michigan]

Keep looking, it's there.

Here's one thread:
http://www.ar15.com/lite/topic.html?b=4&f=80&t=53631

There's another website with a better overview of the conversion, but I can't find the link at the moment.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Found it!

http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

 

[shevrock]

Sweet. Where can i get most of the parts mentioned. I prefer to make one larger order instead of 5 smaller ones.


EDIT: can i just make it accept ak mags only, and not have to screw around with all the other parts. I think it may be cheaper in the long run for ME to buy an ak. can you make the ak more accurate with a longer barrel and some other attachments?

 

[Txhillbilly]

What a Waste of Time & Money

I just don't get it! If you want an AK then buy an AK. I really enjoy my Saiga 223 just the way it came out of the box. I guess some people have to modify every gun they get but it makes no sense to me. I can't see dumping more money into a weapon so I can use cheap costing AK mags.I just went and bought the 30 rd Saiga mags and saved a bunch of time and money in the long run. Just my opinion!

 

[shevrock]

yeah i just thought about that to. Can you get a more accurate barrel for an ak though?

 

[nalioth]

Using a magazine of 11 round capacity or over in an unmodified factory Saiga is a violation of the 922r law.

 

[shevrock]

really? hen why do American companies sell them. 0.o

 

[Txhillbilly]

If you use an AK magazine in your Saiga it is Illegal without putting on 5 American parts,is my understanding of the law,because you have to modify them in order to make them work,where as the Saiga 30rd mags are made for this weapon not modified.

 

[nalioth]

If you use an AK magazine in your Saiga it is Illegal without putting on 5 American parts

Not so.

To legally use a magazine of over 11 rounds in a Saiga rifle, you'll need a minimum of 4 US made parts to bring the foreign parts down to 10 or less.

If you desire to modify your Saiga rifle to use standard military magazines, and only use 10 round steel mags, you don't need any US parts, because you're not using a "non sporting magazine".