AK vs AK

[Mr.Barty]

Which do you think, straight out of the box, is better?
The interarms IAC AK-47 rifle- parkerized, wood furniture, chrome lined barrel, limited lifetime warranty, $580.00

Already converted saiga rifle- fully converted, accepts AK mags, side rail scope mount, chrome lined barrel, black polymer furniture, ventilated forfend, $520.00

Both are in 7.62X39.

Which would you pick?

 

[M1key]

Neither is "better" IMO...

I would probably pick the Saiga depending on who did the conversion.

M

 

[TurtlePhish]

I'd say Interarms just because I prefer the old-school wood AK look.

 

[Girodin]

Already converted saiga rifle- fully converted, accepts AK mags, side rail scope mount, chrome lined barrel, black polymer furniture, ventilated forfend, $520.00

I'd rather have the saiga but I would point out that unconverted guns are selling for $300 right now. The additions described above can be had for $150 and a couple hours. I would get a unconverted gun and do the work myself.

Classic has basic conversion for $480 http://www.classicfirearms.co/semi-auto rifles.htm

In sum, I'd get a saiga but not pay that for it unless it comes with something else to sweeten the deal that I'm not seeing.

 

[Adam123]

Saiga. Are you sure it's a COMPLETE conversion?

 

[mortablunt]

Interarms; I prefer the furniture and a purpose built Kalashnikov versus a weapon designed to get around importation laws.

P.S.: If anyone starts an AR vs AK debate on this thread, then I will consider that trolling.

 

[Rob G]

Saiga. Are you sure it's a COMPLETE conversion?

At that price point it's probably not. Still I'd take a converted Saiga over an IAC any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[Derp]

If it's a Century conversion, stay away from the Saiga. If it's an Arsenal, it's good. Stay away from all Century AKs.

 

[TurtlePhish]

If it's a Century conversion, stay away from the Saiga. If it's an Arsenal, it's good. Stay away from all Century AKs.

It ain't gonna be an Arsenal at that price.

 

[Rob G]

If it's a Century conversion, stay away from the Saiga. If it's an Arsenal, it's good. Stay away from all Century AKs.

It ain't gonna be an Arsenal at that price.

It won't be a century either. Century doesn't convert saigas.

 

[bri]

What does "fully converted" mean? Is the forend converted? Muzzle device?

I'd be inclined to go the Saiga route either way, but I'm biased.

 

[AK103K]

What does "fully converted" mean?

This is fully converted...

Stay away from all Century AKs.

My Century SAR and WASR shoot every bit as good as the above gun, and cost about half as much.

 

[bri]

This is fully converted...

Yup. Sorry, I didn't word my question correctly, I was asking the OP what he meant by "fully converted".

 

[Girodin]

Stay away from all Century AKs.

I have a Draco I intend to turn into an SBR once I have a stamp in hand. It is a century AK and is just fine.

Does century do Saiga conversions?

This might be a cost effect option if one wants traditional hand guards (it also has a threaded muzzle under that muzzle nut). http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct1018.aspx For my money there are other hand guard options I prefer.

 

[henschman]

Does the Saiga have a threaded muzzle and AK handguards?

 

[AethelstanAegen]

For what it's worth, I have been very happy with my Interarms built AK-74 variant. I do not regret not having purchased an Arsenal. My Interarms built AK had all original parts less the receiver and 922r required parts...so it's mostly built of so to speak milspec parts (as the original parts once belonged to a military issued firearm), so it has a bit more history than a new production Saiga and certainly was built tough. Mine has been plenty accurate and I find the parkerized finish much more rugged (certainly more scratch resistant) than the black finish on most new production Saigas/Arsenals. I'm planning to add on the Interarms rifles with the wood furniture to my collection in the near future.

 

[Rob G]

Does the Saiga have a threaded muzzle and AK handguards?

The IZ 332 100 series Saigas have the front end already converted. That means is has traditional AK handguards and a threaded barrel. They run around $450 or so. The IZ 132 series Saigas do not have the tranditional AK handguards and no threaded barrel. They're running around $375 right now.

 

[henschman]

I was wondering whether the specific rifle the OP is considering had those features. If so, it is probably the better deal, as those are some of the more costly/involved parts of a conversion.

If not, I would say the IAC is probably better (as long as you don't want to use an optic that needs a side mount rail, because they don't have them).