saiga 5.45, me no likey...

rizbunk77 · December 3, 2009, 11:07 PM

I sold off another rifle and bought a Saiga 5.45 and I am disappointed. I can't recommend to anyone. I'd get a different caliber long before I bought another one of these. First the sight seems to be canted a little. Not much but just enough to cause notice unfortunately. Second the overall feel is just cheaper. Alot more so than my Saiga 308 which I love. They really cut weight similar to the effort the Brits put forth on the #5 Mark I rifles. I believe that cutting the barrel down in diameter that much really hurts accuracy, which by the way is very average, not so good. Also the mags do wobble on this one alot more than you would expect. The two stage trigger sucks compared to a good single stage AR trigger. especially in rapid fire. Thats about it I guess. If I was looking for a 5.45 I'd get a different caliber in one of these especially the 308.

Daemon688 · December 3, 2009, 11:16 PM

I'll take it off your hands, $100 to get rid of that headache of yours.

nalioth · December 3, 2009, 11:34 PM

"Two stage trigger" ?

Huh?

Don't you mean "multiple stage trigger" ? Parts 7, 8, 9 and 10 constitute the "trigger" in a factory Saiga.

"Mag wobble"?

Does it reliably feed? If not, it's a non-issue.

"Canted sights"?

Can you zero it? Have you tried to zero it? If it's so canted, it won't zero, it's a reportable issue. If you can zero it, it's fine.

If you wanted a "pretty" rifle, you went after the wrong brand.

If you wanted a functional and durable rifle, and didn't care how pretty it was, you got the right one.

Welcome to the world of Russian military firearms - ugly and functional.

RedLion · December 3, 2009, 11:35 PM

I'd give you $150

OrangePwrx9 · December 4, 2009, 12:00 AM

I happen to like my Saigas (7.62x39 & .223) as issued. But if they were as disappointing as your 5.45 is, I'd view them as project rifles and do the AK conversion on them. If nothing else, you'll end up with an AK education and a very nice trigger.

What have you got to lose?

Checkout Saiga-12.com for advice and tutorials.
Bob

rangerruck · December 4, 2009, 12:35 AM

how old is it? If 30 days or less, i would take it back to the dealer. that saiga in 545 should be the bee's knees- should be as accurate, or more so , than a 223 saiga. And mags shouldn't be loose, and sight should not be canted; this is a factory made product, in sporter version, right? not converted at all, correct?

I am about 99% sure, that the bbls for the 223, 762.39, and 545 , are all the same diameter, with the 308 being the thicker bbl.

nalioth · December 4, 2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerruck

this is a factory made product

Yes, a RUSSIAN military factory.

As far as they're concerned, if it functions reliably and can be zeroed, they've done their job. The very misunderstood "mag wobble" and canted barrel fixtures are common in all Kalashnikovs.

tju1973 · December 4, 2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nalioth

Yes, a RUSSIAN military factory.

As far as they're concerned, if it functions reliably and can be zeroed, they've done their job. The very misunderstood "mag wobble" and canted barrel fixtures are common in all Kalashnikovs.

Agreed-- My WASR has no mag wobble with SK metals and Bulgy bullet side, but many others wobble a bit-- and they all function as designed...I was lucky to have a CIA monkey build with no canted sights, but unless they are so canted you have to Kentucky windage the heck out of them, I would go with it....AKs aren't target rifles, and a MOM (minute of man) is all they are designed to do...

THE DARK KNIGHT · December 4, 2009, 02:30 AM

Sounds like you bought an AK for all the wrong reasons.

Afy · December 4, 2009, 05:52 AM

Want a well put together commie rifle get the Vz 58 or the Cz 858 they will not disappoint you.

Nuke8401 · December 4, 2009, 06:00 AM

Post #3, NALIOTH,

Those look like parts out of an old bumper jack.

I'm just saying.

Needless to say I don’t know Squat about a saiga.

rizbunk77 · December 4, 2009, 09:03 AM

I am just comparing to the milled arsenals I have owned, which might be unfair. Its a two stage trigger because its an *rsenal conversion, which makes it a little more frustrating. For that kind of money you expect a straight front sight. I think in retrospect if I had picked one up a felt it before I ordered I would have thought twice definitely.

SSN Vet · December 4, 2009, 09:53 AM

so it sounds like you bought an AK, no?

comparing .308 to 5.45 doesn't make much sense... to me at least.

oh, well... sorry to hear you're not pleased with your new rifle

Norinco982lover · December 4, 2009, 10:24 AM

So it is a converted Saiga?

If there is a problem with the sights than send it back to the manufacturer.

I love my converted Saiga 7.62x39... I strongly doubt I would EVER sell it.

~Norinco

dom1104 · December 4, 2009, 10:29 AM

welcome to AKs, where you settle for less and tell yourself its because its "russian" and not meant to be anything other than functional.

And somehow thats cool.

But seriously, thats really how it is, its a crapshoot. Sometimes you get a nice one, sometimes you get a not so nice one, they almost always function and are rarely impressive in any other area.

Norinco982lover · December 4, 2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

welcome to AKs, where you settle for less and tell yourself its because its "russian" and not meant to be anything other than functional.

And somehow thats cool.

But seriously, thats really how it is, its a crapshoot. Sometimes you get a nice one, sometimes you get a not so nice one, they almost always function and are rarely impressive in any other area.

Spoken like somebody who probably hasn't put very many rounds thru a Russian AK.

What's not to love? This gun cost me about $500 for everything you see above. And I converted it myself. It is great.

rangerruck · December 4, 2009, 10:55 AM

sounds like you got it converted, from Arsenal? I would beotch to them to the high Heavens, tell them how you have bought their products before, and none are like this... Again, especially return it to wherever bought, if under 30 days old.

atlanticfire · December 4, 2009, 06:38 PM

Not a Saiga fan. . . . .Although the Russian Vepr is somthing esle.

Hammerhead6814 · December 4, 2009, 07:06 PM

I'll top all of these guys. I'll give you $200 to take that headache from you.

M1key · December 4, 2009, 07:29 PM

$210 here...

I own one in 5.45...unconverted, sights slightly canted, zeroes okay, trigger a little rough, '74 mags lock-up snug. Mounted a 1-3x scope and promptly shot 1 1/4 groups with Silver Bear, Wolf, and Bulgarian Wasp...

Where are you gonna get a rugged shooter like that for under $400?

rizbunk77 · December 4, 2009, 11:01 PM

nerves are getting to me now....can't deal with rifle drama very well. I had this up for sale but don't know what to do.
I really and I mean really like my Saiga 308. I unconverted it and I think if it had a 2 inch longer barrel and were issued to our troops in WWII Patton might have called it the best battle implement ever.

atlanticfire · December 4, 2009, 11:52 PM

Im sorry. . . . . . . .

December 3, 2009, 11:07 PM	#1
rizbunk77 Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Posts: 183	saiga 5.45, me no likey... I sold off another rifle and bought a Saiga 5.45 and I am disappointed. I can't recommend to anyone. I'd get a different caliber long before I bought another one of these. First the sight seems to be canted a little. Not much but just enough to cause notice unfortunately. Second the overall feel is just cheaper. Alot more so than my Saiga 308 which I love. They really cut weight similar to the effort the Brits put forth on the #5 Mark I rifles. I believe that cutting the barrel down in diameter that much really hurts accuracy, which by the way is very average, not so good. Also the mags do wobble on this one alot more than you would expect. The two stage trigger sucks compared to a good single stage AR trigger. especially in rapid fire. Thats about it I guess. If I was looking for a 5.45 I'd get a different caliber in one of these especially the 308.

December 3, 2009, 11:35 PM	#4
RedLion Member Join Date: December 8, 2007 Location: Land of 10,000 lakes Posts: 356	I'd give you $150 __________________ "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." -John F. Kennedy You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his Freedom. -Malcolm X (1925 - 1965)

December 4, 2009, 06:00 AM	#11
Nuke8401 Member Join Date: March 11, 2008 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Posts: 148	Post #3, NALIOTH, Those look like parts out of an old bumper jack. I'm just saying. Needless to say I don’t know Squat about a saiga. __________________ David Beware of the dying jackass' last kick (dying jackass) Talken don't get it done. (The Duke) It’s never too late to learn how to do it the right way. (Hank)

December 4, 2009, 10:24 AM	#14
Norinco982lover Member Join Date: March 14, 2008 Location: South Central Kansas Posts: 643	So it is a converted Saiga? If there is a problem with the sights than send it back to the manufacturer. I love my converted Saiga 7.62x39... I strongly doubt I would EVER sell it. ~Norinco __________________ You can't get into a boxing match with a Norinco 982!

December 4, 2009, 07:06 PM	#19
Hammerhead6814 Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Posts: 543	I'll top all of these guys. I'll give you $200 to take that headache from you. __________________ I love the smell of cosmoline in the morning. Buying an American car is buying a series of problems.

December 3, 2009, 11:16 PM	#2
Daemon688 Member Join Date: March 31, 2004 Location: MN Posts: 805	I'll take it off your hands, $100 to get rid of that headache of yours.

December 3, 2009, 11:34 PM	#3
nalioth Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 4,488	"Two stage trigger" ? Huh? Don't you mean "multiple stage trigger" ? Parts 7, 8, 9 and 10 constitute the "trigger" in a factory Saiga. "Mag wobble"? Does it reliably feed? If not, it's a non-issue. "Canted sights"? Can you zero it? Have you tried to zero it? If it's so canted, it won't zero, it's a reportable issue. If you can zero it, it's fine. If you wanted a "pretty" rifle, you went after the wrong brand. If you wanted a functional and durable rifle, and didn't care how pretty it was, you got the right one. Welcome to the world of Russian military firearms - ugly and functional. __________________ Home \| Forum \| @nalioth ✫✫ WTS R&D Cylinder for Pietta 1860 Army ✫✫ ✫✫ WTS Gen3 Kalashnikov Bayonets ✫✫ ✫✫ WTS Spanish Army Hensoldt CETME scope ✫✫

December 4, 2009, 12:00 AM	#5
OrangePwrx9 Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Location: North of the Fingerlakes-NY Posts: 303	I happen to like my Saigas (7.62x39 & .223) as issued. But if they were as disappointing as your 5.45 is, I'd view them as project rifles and do the AK conversion on them. If nothing else, you'll end up with an AK education and a very nice trigger. What have you got to lose? Checkout Saiga-12.com for advice and tutorials. Bob

December 4, 2009, 12:35 AM	#6
rangerruck Member Join Date: January 12, 2006 Location: Texas, baby! Posts: 8,351	how old is it? If 30 days or less, i would take it back to the dealer. that saiga in 545 should be the bee's knees- should be as accurate, or more so , than a 223 saiga. And mags shouldn't be loose, and sight should not be canted; this is a factory made product, in sporter version, right? not converted at all, correct? I am about 99% sure, that the bbls for the 223, 762.39, and 545 , are all the same diameter, with the 308 being the thicker bbl.

December 4, 2009, 02:30 AM	#9
THE DARK KNIGHT Member Join Date: July 3, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,390	Sounds like you bought an AK for all the wrong reasons.

December 4, 2009, 05:52 AM	#10
Afy Member Join Date: December 31, 2006 Posts: 2,295	Want a well put together commie rifle get the Vz 58 or the Cz 858 they will not disappoint you.

December 4, 2009, 09:03 AM	#12
rizbunk77 Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Posts: 183	I am just comparing to the milled arsenals I have owned, which might be unfair. Its a two stage trigger because its an *rsenal conversion, which makes it a little more frustrating. For that kind of money you expect a straight front sight. I think in retrospect if I had picked one up a felt it before I ordered I would have thought twice definitely.

December 4, 2009, 10:29 AM	#15
dom1104 Member Join Date: August 3, 2007 Posts: 1,136	welcome to AKs, where you settle for less and tell yourself its because its "russian" and not meant to be anything other than functional. And somehow thats cool. But seriously, thats really how it is, its a crapshoot. Sometimes you get a nice one, sometimes you get a not so nice one, they almost always function and are rarely impressive in any other area.

December 4, 2009, 10:55 AM	#17
rangerruck Member Join Date: January 12, 2006 Location: Texas, baby! Posts: 8,351	sounds like you got it converted, from Arsenal? I would beotch to them to the high Heavens, tell them how you have bought their products before, and none are like this... Again, especially return it to wherever bought, if under 30 days old.

December 4, 2009, 06:38 PM	#18
atlanticfire Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Location: Eastern Shore Posts: 751	Not a Saiga fan. . . . .Although the Russian Vepr is somthing esle.

December 4, 2009, 07:29 PM	#20
M1key Member Join Date: October 18, 2007 Location: SW Posts: 361	$210 here... I own one in 5.45...unconverted, sights slightly canted, zeroes okay, trigger a little rough, '74 mags lock-up snug. Mounted a 1-3x scope and promptly shot 1 1/4 groups with Silver Bear, Wolf, and Bulgarian Wasp... Where are you gonna get a rugged shooter like that for under $400? Last edited by M1key; December 5, 2009 at 09:18 PM.

December 4, 2009, 11:01 PM	#21
rizbunk77 Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Posts: 183	nerves are getting to me now....can't deal with rifle drama very well. I had this up for sale but don't know what to do. I really and I mean really like my Saiga 308. I unconverted it and I think if it had a 2 inch longer barrel and were issued to our troops in WWII Patton might have called it the best battle implement ever. Last edited by rizbunk77; December 5, 2009 at 12:05 AM.

December 4, 2009, 11:52 PM	#22
atlanticfire Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Location: Eastern Shore Posts: 751	Im sorry. . . . . . . .

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