AK-103 from Saiga/Izmash

[jrtayloriv]

I am looking on Atlantic Firearms' site at the AK-103 from Saiga/Izmash (http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct444.aspx). Anyone ever shot one of these? Comments/Complaints?

The price is a bit high, compared to some of the cheaper AKs -- is the quality much better, or is it just crap with a higher price tag?

Also, any complaints about Atlantic? I've never ordered through them before ...

Thanks,
jrtayloriv

 

[SSN Vet]

Wow! almost a grand for a converted Saiga.

It was only two years ago that I purchased my Saiga and all the parts for a basic conversion for under $400.

"market forces" aside... converted Saigas have a very good reputation as "top shelf" AKs

 

[RuAk]

I ordered a RAK classic ak47 from Atlantic firearms and they served me right. Great customer service, fast shipping and great prices to me. Blaine is very helpful there.

 

[nalioth]

"market forces" aside... converted Saigas have a very good reputation as "top shelf" AKs

I heartily disagree with this blanket statement.

If you get a goober who is converting, the Saiga might be ruined in the process (but will make a fine looking wall hanger or expensive door stop).

 

[quatin]

It's not hard to convert a saiga. If you can put furniture together you can probably make a successful conversion.

 

[jrtayloriv]

So are you all saying that the price is too high on that, and that I could get it for cheaper if I did the conversion myself? Is there a certain conversion "kit" or certain types of parts you would recommend for me to start with? What base rifle would I start with? What price could I expect to pay if I did it myself instead of buying it through atlantic?

thanks,
jrtayloriv

 

[nalioth]

It's not hard to convert a saiga. If you can put furniture together you can probably make a successful conversion.

It's not the folks that want to do a good job on their personal Saiga conversion I'm referring to.

It's the jobbers who are doing piecework and trying to shove out a conversion as cheaply and quickly as possible.

One company was using glue to hold a highly stressed part in place.

 

[quatin]

So are you all saying that the price is too high on that, and that I could get it for cheaper if I did the conversion myself? Is there a certain conversion "kit" or certain types of parts you would recommend for me to start with? What base rifle would I start with? What price could I expect to pay if I did it myself instead of buying it through atlantic?

thanks,
jrtayloriv

I'm just throwing you ball park numbers, but for a saiga 7.62 soviet you should expect to pay around $600-700 for the rifle and parts when shipping/fees/taxes are all paid for. With rifle prices fluctuating like they are right now that may change within the next few weeks. If you want to convert come to http://forum.saiga-12.com. It's not difficult to convert, but it will take some research, time and effort.

 

[maskedman504]

If you want to convert a Saiga it is best to go through community channels for help unless you are going to go through a most reputable converter. (several come to mind - Tromix / Red Stick Firearms). Usually the name brand converters demand a higher price- obviously this is because they also command quality. On This Saiga Forums you might be able to find someone locally who has done the conversion that can help you at a lesser cost because they are an enthusiast.

 

[quatin]

If you go by a conversion through a gunsmith you're looking at 1k again.

 

[MD_Willington]

nalioth who posted above and several others have posted that they will help out...

I'm in SE WA State... I do nt have the fancy tools some people have, but I can help get you pointed in the right direction...

To be honest, changing a few parts on the rifles is not very involved...

 

[Atlantic Firearms]

Our 103 rifles are converted for us by Red Jacket Firearms they do a A ++ Job and stand behind their work !!

 

[SSN Vet]

I'm not saying Atlantic's price isn't a good one. On the contrary, I've always found them to have very competitive pricing.

I'm just expressing amazement at what Ossama Obama has single handedly done to the firearms market.

But it is a market... so the price is what it is.

Saving money was not the main reason why I converted my own (though I did save money). I bought the 16" x39 Saiga sporter, intending to keep it in the stock config. Back then they could be had from Stanley's for $247. My only complaint with the sporter was the balance.... quite front heavy when attempting to handle with one hand on the stock. Converting sounded like a fun project, and it was. I have good tools so I gave it a whirl.

 

[rangerruck]

not only is it too much money, the bbl is the 22 inch version. much too long, you need the 16 inch version. You can buy a used saiga for proly 400 bucks, get 120. bucks worth of conversion stuff, and do it your self, spending a total of 550 bucks, or less. And you will have learned something along the way.

 

[ijosef]

Wow! almost a grand for a converted Saiga.

It was only two years ago that I purchased my Saiga and all the parts for a basic conversion for under $400.

"market forces" aside... converted Saigas have a very good reputation as "top shelf" AKs

As a person just getting into firearms as well as someone enamored with AKs, this just makes we want to cry. Like I always say, I remember seeing cheap WASRs everywhere for $199. Now I look at the prices...

I wonder if rifles prices will come down if Obama loses the next election and a gun-friendly Administration takes office.

Speaking of Saiga conversions, is there something that has to be done to the mag well? This Saiga http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct708.aspx says it doesn't take standard AK mags.

 

[femoralis]

Saiga rifles have to have a bullet feed ramp added to them (riveted in is ideal- some companies just put a blob of weld in) and another little tweak to enable them to use milsurp magazines.

A good smith will rivet in a real bullet feed ramp.

A stock saiga rifle won't take milsurp hicaps. There are some hicaps made for saiga rifles- some of them are crummy usa made ones, and there were some real russian ones imported a few years ago.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Be careful of using Foreign Made Mag's in a converted Saiga. The mag counts as 3 922 parts, and is often required to be compliant.

I got a few Master Molder mags with my Saiga. They work just fine and I see no reason to convert to accept standard milsurp mags.

 

[MP-44]

Our 103 rifles are converted for us by Red Jacket Firearms they do a A ++ Job and stand behind their work !!

Are the holes filled in? If so how, welded or rivets?

 

[nalioth]

Our 103 rifles are converted for us by Red Jacket Firearms they do a A ++ Job and stand behind their work !!

Are the holes filled in? If so how, welded or rivets?

Will (at Red Jacket) does not half-ass his work.

You will not be able to tell there were any extraneous holes in any Saiga conversion he does.

 

[2ac]

I have one of the Red Jacket converted 103's. The holes are riveted. If you buy it from Atlantic/Red Jacket it's going to also come with a threaded barrel/sight post. They also refinish it in Gunkote and add a 5 year warranty.

They are not cheap but everyone who has shot it comment that it's the nicest shooting AK they have fired. I will never get rid of it.

 

[nalioth]

I have one of the Red Jacket converted 103's. The holes are riveted.

Wow.

Will's standards are dropping, it seems.

 

[MP-44]

I had an Informer ( Gary Gucianno SP?? from the ak47.net forum of the late 90s ). His work was flawless. Even knowing where to look for the holes you couldn't find them. I still kick myself for selling it. The rifle had a short barrel and an AK74 brake welded on to bring it up to 16". It handled like a dream.

Anyone remember Informer or know what happened to him?