16" Saiga -vs- Vepr K -vs- SKS Paratrooper

[nero45acp]

I've been doing some research on which rifle to get for a plinking and SHTF rifle. I've owned several M1 carbines, and while I like them alot I want to get something with a more powerful cartridge. Recently, I've been looking at the VEPR K, the 16" Saiga, and the Norinco SKS Paratrooper, all chambered in 7.62x39mm.

How would you'll compare them in terms of reliability, accuracy, durability, and ease of use and maintaining/cleaning?

I understand that the Saiga is no longer being imported by EAA, but may have a new importer later this year, has anyone heard the same, or have any other info about Saiga's new importer?

I've also read that the finish on the VEPR does not stand up well to solvents such as Hoppes #9, is this true? If it is, what do you VEPR owners use to clean your VEPR?

Finally, how difficult/expensive would it be to fit any of these rifles with ghost ring sights?


Thanks.



nero

 

[The Drew]

I am biased towards the SKS because you can actually get a whole, unscrewed with original weapon...

I am partial to my Yugo...

the SAIGA is not quite an AK, I have never cared for them, they are probably fine rifles... but they just seem unnecessarily bastardized...

IIRC all the other US importable AK's(not those that are fully made here in the US) are made from parts kits... Not that there is anything wrong with them. I'm just partial to having an unmodified rifle...

 

[Correia]

Okay, I'm obviously biased towards Veprs, but all 3 are good guns. Reliability should be a wash. Durability should be a wash. Maintaining is easy on all of them. Saiga and Vepr are easier to field strip, but not by much.

Vepr: I have not had a problem with my finish using any solvent. I've used Hoppes, and a lot of other things. I usually just use Tetra or CLP. Honestly it hardly ever gets cleaned. This will be by far the most accurate of the three, but will be the heaviest. Personally I love Veprs.

Saiga: Two seperate things here, converted and non-converted. The non-converted one has a regular stock, and can't take good magazines. Conversions turn them into a real AK. Get somebody who knows how to do it correctly to show you. This will not shoot as soft or as accurately as a Vepr, but will be lighter.

The new importer is Russian American Armory. The first new guns will be here supposedly in August.

SKS: Different class of gun. No decent detachable mags. Cheap, and accurate. Doesn't really compare to the Vepr or a properly converted Saiga.

Any of them can be fitted with a ghost ring. You have two types, dust cover mounts that are close to the eye, or ones that are farther forward and replace the original sight. A proper dust cover mount (Krebs) is the best, but is pricey.

 

[rock jock]

Two years ago I sold my VEPR II to buy a Saiga-conversion from AK-USA. One of the best decisions I ever made w/ respect to firearms.

 

[thereisnospoon]

Consider the .308

If your considering the Saiga and VEPR line(s), please consider the .308 version. Both are very reliable.

The extra punch afforded by the .308 over the 7.2X39 is well worth any price difference (although I think the .308 rifles are actaully cheaper). Ky Importers has a 16" .308 Saiga for $239.00, hello!!!!

 

[JShirley]

I had a Para SKS, and loved it. The only mod I made was switching to a 20-rd mag.

I've heard at least one person claim to have troubles with feeding from 20-rd mags, but I've never encountered it, myself.

Add a mojo site for $40, and you're pretty much good to go. The para is a great size, works fine with 10 rd mag, and if you switch to 20, it's a great compromise of capacity and portability.

John

 

[nero45acp]

Thanks for the helpful/informative replies.

At one point I was considering a .308 with the SA SOCOM 16, but the .308 is really more rifle than I want.

At this point I'm leaning towards the VEPR, though I wish it came standard with ghost ring type sights.


nero

 

[RooK]

Saiga 16" .308 before and after conversion:

I have about $425 invested in it. Conversion is simple so long as you can cut rivets and spot welds. The only thing on Saigas that differs from a true AK is a bastardized FCG. Remove it and a regular one slips into place. .308s require a few further modifications than the 7.62/.223 versions and differ slightly in conversion as well.

Krebs was making an AR15-style sight for the AK dustcover, but they are apparently redesigning it and taking their sweet time, If it was finished you could have just drilled out the aperture for a psuedo ghost sight. Vulcan makes one as well, but I won't vouch for quality.

 

[KaceCoyote]

I've got a Mojo aperture sight ordered for my Saiga. if you dont mind waiting I'll be glad to give a report when it arrives?

 

[LoadedDrum]

I suppose I am a good person to comment in this thread as I have two out of three of the guns you have asked about (VEPR K and SKS). The Hoppes #9 destroyed the finish on the muzzle brake of my first VEPR K (the gun is otherwise so good I bought a second one). As for the SKS paratrooper, mine has not been as reliable as I would have hoped. I get feeding problems with HP and certain FMJ. The most reliable ammo has been the SP due to its length.

The other part is that the sights on all the guns you have asked about are lacking even compared to my 870P shotgun. What ever you get, spend the money to get a red dot and mount.

 

[rbernie]

The SKS has a last shot bolt hold-open that the other two do not. The SKS is considerably cheaper. The SKS is 2"-3" @ 100 yards accurate, which betters most AKs save perhaps the Vepr. For $45, you can get a decent rear sight for the SKS that places it on par with anything. The SKS has a fixed 10-round magazine that works well, and you can get detachable magazines for the SKS that will NOT be 100% reliable. One of my SKSs (a Norinco) has not been cleaned in over 4000 rounds, and still functions perfectly.

The Vepr is the classiest of the three, and the most expensive. The Saiga is the cheapest of the three that'll take detachable magazines.