Russian Saiga AK for $250 Did I do good?

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Lakedaemonian

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So a few months ago I bought an AK on a whim with little pre-hand knowledge about them, besides the fact that they are the rockstar, grandaddy, bee's knee's, jerry springer on crystal meth version of any assault rifle on the planet. I just wanted one. I wanted it to look original like it was just a standard issue. I happened upon just that. I picked up a Russian Saiga in 7.62x39 already converted. It only came with 1 five round mag though, but it has blonde wood furniture and in pretty much new condidtion. It is imported from (Russian American Arms Company [Izmash])

Anyways, I've always been a black gun type of fella, but I've always respected the AK. Can you tell me a bit about the rifle I got? Did I do pretty well? Where does the Saiga family rank in AK's? Are they chrome lined? ect... Thanks in advance!
 
I think you already know the answer to that question. Classic arms is currently selling the same gun for $499. Even unconverted the lowest price I have seen lately is close to 350.

These are built in the same plant that builds AKs for the military, so about as close as you can get for a civilian.

If it's a proper conversion, any surplus AK mag will work, and they are available around ten bucks each.
 
That's a good deal. Make sure is properly converted.
3 US made trigger parts
US made stock
US made hand guard
US made stock
US made piston

Assuming you have a the saiga original barrel, receiver, trunnion is all Russian pedigree, cold forged, chrome lined mil-spec group. The US trigger is a nice improvement and the rest is accessorizing anyway.

Here you can find lots of information about conversions and everything related to them...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567005
 
Congrats on the find. I think you'll enjoy it. The greatest thing about an AK is it's a rifle you can actually afford to shoot on a regular basis without handloading.
 
Its got a Tapco trigger unit. The rest, I am not sure on. Only way I know the trigger is Tapco is becase it says "Tapco" at the base of the Tigger on the port side just before the Trigger meets the reciever. I was pretty sure I had a good deal, I just was curious how SAIGA (Izmash) rifles stacked up against the competetors. It shoots well, I only shoot Wolf through it (and I am a Nazi about cleaning it afterwards) It never malfunctions. Well, almost never. The only problem i've ever had is the occasional light strike from bump firing it. haha. Which is not suprising as the weapon is not a full auto configuration and the timing doesnt quite match up when doing the bumpfire. Cool thing is I figured out how to bumpfire from the shoulder with decent control and groupings. =)
 
Saiga are normally barrels and trunions and receivers all russian steel put together at the mother plant so it is as good as it gets.
I Assume you have a bullet guide also called feed ramp.?
If not you will have issues with the standard magazines.
Make sure it has other US made parts. Many folks do not realize this and makes the firearm ILLEGAL according to the current nonsense laws, but those are the laws nonetheless.
Send pictures if you want so we can see the other parts and might be able to help you out.
 
Yeah, the big question is going to be whether your wood furniture is US-made. Those are the most often replaced parts besides the trigger for compliance purposes. If it's not US-made, you'll probably need to look at replacing some other parts if you want to stay legal. Not that you're likely to ever be called out on it, but I think it's better to be on the safe side. No sense giving the lawyers any extra ammunition if you end up using you rifle defensively.
 
I think you got ripped off. Stamped metal. No more quality than a 1950's Lone Ranger cap gun. Since I feel sorry for your mistake and since I have a few bucks to burn I'm offering you 175 dollars for that piece to help minumize your tragic loss.
 
I paid $275 for my .223 Saiga a couple of years ago (before the Obamascare) and another $100 or so for the conversion parts, so yeah, you did good. Enjoy!

Since I feel sorry for your mistake and since I have a few bucks to burn I'm offering you 175 dollars for that piece to help minumize your tragic loss.

Don't do it! It's a trick!! :D
 
Come on now we need pictures, on another note I just bought my first AK last Saturday also, mine is a Romanian WASR 10/63 I paid $600 with all the extras (new version not modded WASR 10 appears to be built on a matching numbers Guarda originaly semi-auto "S / F" gun from 1985 with Cugir triangle mark) The previous owner rigged it out with all the tacti-cool toys.
 

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