Price On Used Saiga 7.62x39? Market Flat?

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HGM22

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First off, anyone want speculate how much a used Saiga 7.62x39 16''bbl rifle is worth? I bought it used (previous owner said he shot it very little) and have shot it a little, so I'm guessing its got 600-1000 rounds through it at most.

Second, are people still buying these things? I see lots listed on gunbroker but almost none are getting bids. Are people just over-pricing them because of the import ban (I assume that's still on?) or are people buying up the cheaper PAPs and WASRs?

Edit: It's unconverted by the way with original 10rd. mag. Also, do you think the value of these rifles will go up significantly as time goes on because of the import ban and the fact its collectible (being made where the original AKs are made) a la the Colt Python?
 
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They could appreciate some, but probably not much. I bought mine for $300 10 years ago and 'converted' it but frankly there really isn't anything terribly special about it over other offerings.
 
I have a feeling that the relatively crude Saigas were made inn VASTLY higher numbers than the mechanically tedius Python was, making a comparison of their appreciation one of apples to oranges. Even if the ban were to stay in place, there is no reason to believe that they will every approach the Pythin in terms of rarity or desirability
 
They are not getting bids because there are loads of Yugos selling well and plenty of wasrs and very nice Bulgarians. I can see saigas selling better in the 490 dollar range.
 
Like you said, there are quite a few on GunBroker going in the $700-$800 range and they seem to just be sitting. It made sense to buy them for under $500 and convert them but for the price people are asking now, there are better options. I think it's a $500 rifle in it's unconverted state.
 
Bought mine years ago for $247 out the door back when they were a good deal.

If properly converted (PG, stock, hand guard, trigger, bullet guide, mag. latch mod & brake), I think it would fetch higher end AK prices... maybe $600-$700 used in good condition.

Unconverted???? I can't venture a guess.... but Classic was selling them for $400 when they had them in stock

I'm not sure that there's much appeal for them now that you can buy them already converted. The sporters felt very front heavy due to the grip/trigger being 3" aft of where it was supposed to be.
 
I like unrestored Saigas. I see them locally at 6 bills at gun shows. Not sure if they are selling though. Like others here have mentioned I think the sweet spot is at 500 as things are now. I also think unrestored Saigas will become few and far between as time goes by. Regardless, they may never reach Python status.

If I want a traditional AK I'll go for a cheaper WASR every time. If I I want a Saiga then I want it unrestored.
 
Not that I would .....

.....sell it, but often wonder what my sporter would go for with the wood stock. It's a 7.62X39 model. The factory sporter wood stocks aren't commonplace. They usually get a pretty penny on auction sites since a lot of states started banning.

I've shot it quite a bit. The trigger is no worse than any of my friends AKs. Of course the accuracy is no better!:D It's my "poor man's Mini-Thirty".
 
akv3g4n said:
Like you said, there are quite a few on GunBroker going in the $700-$800 range and they seem to just be sitting. It made sense to buy them for under $500 and convert them but for the price people are asking now, there are better options. I think it's a $500 rifle in it's unconverted state.
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The $700 to $800 is laughable when for not much more one can get second-hand Arsenal with stamped receiver. I will never understand why anyone would dish out $1500 or more for used semi-auto Chinese AK-47 when new Arsenal can be had for less.:rolleyes:
 
I don't think the market for buying them to convert has much life left. Kalashnikov Concern is already advertising their AKs "produced in America".
 
If it is a unconverted factory Sporter Carbine then I think it is worth a bit more for a several reasons;

1. There are a glut of AR's and AK's sitting on dealer shelves.

2. Kitchen table conversions no matter how well done are just collection of different manufacturers parts.

3. Unaltered factory Sporters are harder to find. They are and will be desirable in States that pass bans on certain features of "assault weapons."
 
2. Kitchen table conversions no matter how well done are just collection of different manufacturers parts.
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Certainly true, but no matter what parts were used, the conversion will have a much better trigger than the original Sporter. The rest of the conversion is basically just furniture and thus a matter of taste, or lack thereof :)

Unaltered factory Sporters are harder to find. They are and will be desirable in States that pass bans on certain features of "assault weapons."
Click to expand...

Also true, but the states with bans seem to be making them more draconian at every opportunity thereby reducing this market opportunity.

The Sporter configuration works around Federal import bans.


If I had an unconverted spare of the $200 ones that I've converted, I'd leave it alone now, but I'd not buy one at today's prices, unless in a state where it was your only AK-like opportunity.
 
I know the orginal discussion was for a 7.62x39 but that said, I would think that the 7.62x51/.308W would be worth a pretty penny either converted or not. Especially as they originally were bought for $500 way back when...especially if the shorter 16" barrel. JMHO

So what are these versions actually going for NIB now? $800-$900?
 
Objectively, the unconverted Saiga's are probably valued around $550-600. Its quite typical and expected for sellers to price them in the $7-800 range though with this ban.

Fully converted they should be $800-1000 rifles if done properly. I occasionally see some converted ones selling for $1200+ on local online forums/websites.

Although to me, they can still be somewhat valuable to own because they are made in Russia. Are there any other AK's out there from Russia? Most others are from Bulgaria, Romania, Yugo(Czech?), Chinese, and USA.
 
I think you are still seing lots of "panic" sellers hoping to cash in. As one who likes his "commie" guns, it has a few things going against it. No muzzle threads, wrong front sight, no bayo lug, wrong gas block, non-mil rear sight leaf, the horrid trigger, lack of bullet guide, being sporterized. It is Russian made, but for export into the sport market. Doesn't have the same parts as military contract rifles do.

With so many options out there for mil-spec AK's, even parts kits, I, like others, won't bother with it.

Would I like to have a Russian AK for my collection to go with a Russian 91/30, m44, SKS? Absolutely! Would I be willing to spend $500 and another $200 to convert it into a copy? no.
 
Rereading this thread I realized I never directly answered the O.P.'s question. My bad.

I purchased my new Saiga Sporter a few months before the banic for $300.00. I had my choice between .223 and 7.62 x 39.

I agree with sappyg's comment that "I also think unrestored Saigas will become few and far between as time goes by." I consider mine to a sleeper with it's value directly tied to Assault Weapon bans being passed. I have never seen any unconverted Sporters in my area LGS's and Gun Shows. Regional differences will vary. I suppose if I was to try to sell mine (which I will not) I would be a $500.00 price tag on it and expect offers in the mid $400.00 range.
 
So...I'm sorry to horn in on this thread but since the 7.62x51/.308W versions sold for the $500-$600 range pre-ban...what are there real selling values now NIB, unfired & unmolested?

+$200-$300 over original sales value? I.e. $800-$900?

Thx,
 
Three for sale on GunBroker: Like New or NIB for $550, $700, $870 respectively.

The old saying: "It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it."

Good luck

M
 
if anyone is interested... you can buy a converted Saiga and I'll sell you my sporter parts, which will enable you to un-convert it.

I've never seen anyone go the other direction with these, but maybe I'm on to the latest fad?
:neener:
 
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