Real deal AK or Saiga and XD9?

You can't get more real deal than a Saiga without converting it. Saigas are the "real" Kalashnikov, made in Russia by the folks that make the Kal. I fully understand your reasons for not wanting to convert it, however. I would would suggest modifying a couple AK 30 round mags to fit the Saiga, (That way you aren't modding the rifle. Barring that save up for an Arsenal.

Now if you just have to have a WASR, by all means get one. But don't judge AKs based on your experience with the WASR.

I would suggest keeping your Saiga at any rate, but if you sell it how much you looking to get?

Is it all about looking cool? The Saiga may not be the prettiest, but it is the real AK. In fact, because you can buy them new you will probably get a rifle made to closer tollerances because it is being made on more modern equipment. I agree on modifying some 30rd AK mags. You can stow those away loaded for "just in case", and just enjoy the bone stock AK. Not a bad gun for $247.25 (www.rrarms.com)

you do know that the Saiga, is about 4 times as accurate as any typical Ak?

Option1: Sell the XD, and use the $ to convert the Saiga

Option2: Sell the XD and use the $ to buy a WASR 10.

Do a search on WASR 10's... the flaws (And fixes) have been outlined several times.

Buy a WASR WITH a G2 trigger already in it.

Having owned a WASR and then lucking SA-7M. I would never plunk money down on a WASR again. I really think once the cool factor wears off the real looking AK you'll find yourself shooting the Saiga much more.

My WASR doesn't fit me well, doesn't fit itself well, needed a new top cover just to function properly, and shoots minute of backstop at 100 yards. The SA-7M does 10 times better (I can at least keep 90% of my shots on a 6 inch target at 100 yards.) The WASR is almost a totally random bullet launcher, and as such, has only been to the range twice. Some are great, some are junk. But you are gambling on quality.

I'd keep both the Saiga and XD until you can shoot a "real" to see if you even like it. You'll regret trading a quality piece. If you have to have the AK, just save up for a good Saiga conversion (on yours of course) or the WASR. (In which case you'll wish you paid for the Saiga conversion.)

ARperson's husband, and just one mans opinion.

just wondering... do saiga's take the AK-47 7.62x39 mags that basically all other AK's chambered in the same caliber will accept?

Or would someone need to dremel the mag well or something to take AK mags?

do saiga's take the AK-47 7.62x39 mags that basically all other AK's chambered in the same caliber will accept

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Yes - the 7.62x39 Saiga will accept standard AK 7.62x39 magazines with the addition of a bullet guide and slight modification to the mag catch.

Personally, I'd recommend just saving up the money to have the Saiga converted. It's a great gun and probably better than any AK you'd end up with anyway. Then you'd get to keep both guns. If you absolutely dislike the XD, perhaps sell it to finance the conversion. Personally, I'd keep it for self defense.

Awww, don't get rid of the XD... I've got one sitting in front of me in .40 S&W, fired it for the first time today. Nothing else comes close.

My friend is from Russia. He has an Arsenal AK that cost him $750...which is a very nice piece...but he said the Saiga's are a lot better than a basement AK.

I should have got one instead of the SKS to be honest. Pretty much the same price at the gun shows.

Will Learn said:

Chris Butler(http://www.ak-103.com/rifles.html) converted my Saiga into a AK 103 "duplicate." You already have a "real deal" Russian made rifle from Izhmash and it can be converted to military form. Saiga rifles are a lot more accurate than most other AK dups, I'm shooting out to 300 no problem with mine. Whatever you decide just make sure you get a gun with a Tapco G2 trigger(Chris installs and tunes these on his builds ) and watch out for sight cant. Good luck and for God's sake don't buy a rifle built with drive screws.

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I know what a Tromix conversion costs - how much did the Chris Butler work run?

Jim

I know you don't want to convert it, but check these guys out, Tony of Tromix fame is busy right now..

New Tromix Orders Suspended until Sept 1.
http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=16914&st=0&#entry143989

But Will at Red-Stick aka Red Jacket may be able to get it done for you...
http://www.redstick-firearms.com/services/services.html

Well I have a converted saiga .223 that I did myself, realy easy to do but I do recommened having a welder for the safety lever, its just a little to much play in the trigger with the safety on for me to feel comfy with (I have a welder and fixed it). The .223 now has a fixed stock and a Saiga-20 has the folding stock, I would use a fixed stock or a tapco t6 AK adjustable stock over the folding stocks any day of the week.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/csspecs/40600160.jpg

I do plan to hunt with my saigas, I like the way a rifle with a pistol grip carrys.

Rugerdude wrote"You're losing a good pistol that is reliable and cheap to shoot, as well as an accurate and reliable rifle.

You will be getting a not-as-accurate rifle that is reliable and takes *gasp* big magazines so you can waste ammo faster.

My experience with the AK (A WASR, so a better variant might be different) is that they're uncomfortably short, have too small of a buttpad, short sight radius, and are hard to shoot off of a rest.

I know some people who want the "evil" guns so they can sell them later for a profit, or it appeals to them because in the future they may be denied. Me, I'll stick with what works the best and what I enjoy shooting.

That said, I know cool factor plays a role in gun buying, and if it's cool to you, then you will probably be able to overlook the flaws (and you can fix my main issue with them by buying another stock)."

http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=40


That link will take ya to a thread to see just how accurate a completally worn out trashed AK can be............


I build custom AKs, send me an e-mail maybe we can work something out to get ya a REAL AK, Don't bother goin the WASR rout once ya get to actually learning what a quality AK is ya will regret gettin the WASR....

[email protected]

Well, I took in the XD and a few other pistols (Phoenix Arms .22 and a CZ52) to see how much I'd get...ended up walking out with a receipt to pickup a used Bushmaster XM15.

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I think you made an even better choice that he ones you presented beforehand. Good for you.