Would a Saiga 308 satify your AK itch?

Nope.




Jeffrey

No. I have one and converted it. My.308 with a 20 round mag weighs a ton. Great range toy but I still had that itch. I've since bough an Arsenal as well. Maybe I made the mistake of buying one with the long barrel. It feels more like a PSL than a traditional AK.

Own several Saiga models, all unconverted. All good shooters. I prefer the sporter configuration.

If you want a dang pistol grip, buy a conventional AK. (EDIT: I have a few)

Both my Saiga 308 and Saiga 12 are converted ... since almost all my rifles have pistol grips, I just shoot better that way. I did some custom work on my 308 like fluting the barrel and it made a big difference it how it balances. After the work it's one of my favorite battle rifles, reliable with great balance and surprisingly accurate. I regularly get sub 2" groups with South African surplus, and with 168gr handloads have shot a couple sub 1" groups. I honestly like my Saiga 308 better than my FAL, but slightly prefer the HK G3 to either.

If you want a dang pistol grip, buy a conventional AK.

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Thank god some one else has finally said it. The answer to the Saiga is always...chop it up ! Chop it up! ehhhhh.

Would a Saiga 308 satify your AK itch?

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Maybe for a while, its a lot more expensive to shoot than a normal AK though.

Does anyone else like the unconverted look better?

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No, not me.

Aside from the looks, not doing the conversion means you have to put up with the awful trigger and cheap feeling butt stock. On the other hand, converting the .308 is pretty simple since you dont have to worry about adding a bullet guide.

I have a 308, the long bbl with wood furniture. Wish I had purchased the shorter bbl version. It didn't satisfty the itch though. Have one in 223 and one lin 7.62x39 with the shorter barrels. I like them in the original configuration, enough so that I see no reason to convert. Have a Arsenal SAM 7S. That got rid of the AK configuration itch.

I would be much more interested in a converted or unconverted saiga than a WASR. The only good thing about my WASR was that it was reliable. The two things that spoiled the whole platform for me was the low sights and inaccuracy. I sold it and moved to black rifles. Doubt I will look back.

No, but an Arsenal AK74 with some wood furniture would.

My first Saiga,a 308,was like "Saiga Crack".
I've added:
7.62x39
5.45x39
.410
12 ga.(2 of them)

Once you get one,your not done!!!

If you want a dang pistol grip, buy a conventional AK.

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Converted Saigas are arguably among the best conventional AK's, which accounts for the popularity of Saiga conversions. They're fine rifles unconverted, but if you want a top-grade standard configuration AK for a reasonable price, starting with a Saiga is a good way to get there. And they're certainly manufacturing enough Saigas to meet the demand in both the converted and unconverted niches.

As to the OP's question, I prefer the standard configuration with a separate handgrip over a straight Mauser-style stock.

Did for me! I have the ver.21 (pre-'converted', thumbhole stock). A fabulous weapon. Doesn't always completely seat old surplus ammo in the bore, but any new ammo cycles like a champ and shoots 1-1.5 MOA. Don't think I'll venture into any other calibers though...

would the saiga satisfy the ak craving?

I will agree with some of the other posters and say "NO". I bought an AK and am very happy with it. I have a good friend who has several of each and he is satisfied with all of them. I have shot his 308 Saiga and even with me behind the trigger it will do 1 1/2 to 2 inches at 100 yards. He wont let me refocus his scopes so I think I could better if I could see better. Anyway get the AK and then the Saiga. I now also want more AKs and am considering a Saiga maybe a 308 too. Have fun. The tank mechanic is very happy.

not if I wanted to shoot it a lot... since .308 cost a small fortune

The answer to the Saiga is always...chop it up !

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Ever handled and or fired a converted Saiga... the Tapco G2 trigger is a HUGE improvement.

But then again, after doing a Saiga conversion to build an AK that I really like, I found that the best cure for the AK itch was to build an AR...

I always find myself grabbing the AR on range trips and the Saiga gets left behind.

Not here either. Though the Saiga is a fine rifle I'd get something else in 308 and for an AK I want an AK.

Do I WANT a converted 16" Saiga in .308? Absolutely. Would it satisfy my AK itch? Hell no. I love AK's, and it's an itch that can never be satisfied.

That being said, the .308 is also rather rude, and it's not a gun you can shoot a lot. You lose a lot of the pleasure of just being able to rattle off rounds with an AK.

So after the 308, what's the most desirable caliber (in terms of accuracy) in a Saiga? DO they mke a .243??

Can't speak to that exactly Col., but I can tell you that with the cheaper steel-cased Russian ammo, Silver Bear or Brown Bear, Soft Points will shoot the BEST...whether .223, 7.62x39, or .308.

Oh, and no .243 (yet)

I can verify that in .308 I was getting nice groups with Silver Bear softpoints; Federal too.

Col.

The only calibers that the Saiga comes is are .223, 5.45x39 (the Russian version of 5.56) 7.62x39 and .308. I just got one in 7.62x39 and the thing is a hoot. I was shooting about 2in groups at 50m, but that's not the gun it's my own inexperiance haha.40 rounds destroyed the center 4.5in of the target that I was shooting.

Picked mine up, with shipping and FFL for ~$380 so it's a hell of a nice deal. I do plan on doing the conversion to it not because I want the look per say but I find the current stock a bit cumbersome. The buttstock is just to long for me (NATO vs WARSAW lenghts I guess).

There are many semi-auto .308 rifles that are much better than the SAIGA.

There are few (if any) semi-auto 7.62x39 rifles that are better than the AK-47.

There are only two reasons I would own a SAIGA .308:
1. I couldn't afford a better .308
2. I just have to have one of every rifle that exists.

Neither is the case in my situation, so no, I won't be adding a SAIGA .308 to my collection.

Well, I went with one on the price point criterion, and from what I've read it is as reliable and perhaps more accurate than many more 'traditional' 308's. I only wish I'd picked up the VEPR 308 when they were the same price.

FYI, the Saiga does come in 30'06. Not sure why...

Hmm I've never seen one for sale in that caliber. I've only seen the ones that I've listed and the shotguns that they make as well. Learn something new everyday.

Seems I've seen 'em on Mississippi Arms.