Anyone considering NOT converting a Saiga ?

[MIL-DOT]

Hey all..... I have a spare x39 Saiga that I've pretty much decided NOT to convert (already have one ) in anticipation of possible future restrictions on mag capacity. It doesn't have that evil AK look that causes knees to rattle and drawers to become wet, yet still has AK lethality and reliability, plus, I have a Dinzag bullet guide and enough other U.S. made parts lying around should I change my mind.
It's been pointed out here that shotguns are particularly great for HD because, among other reasons, they're (more) socially acceptable, and their usage in a HD situation won't result on a later headline reading,"Teen shot wth evil, high-capacity, high-powered,AK-47 assault rifle, the kind favored by drug dealers." I'm thinking that retaining that "carbine" look, and 10-rd. mag capacity may not be a bad idea considering the possibilities on the horizon.

 

[-v-]

Better to convert it now so it gets grandfathered in, rather then get stuck with a sportarized AK down the road.

 

[snorko]

I bought a like-new used Saiga .223 not too long ago and have no plans to convert it. I picked it up because it was a great price, $199, and because it was a handy, useful rifle as is.

 

[Girodin]

I have converted and non converted. Looks aside I prefer the increase in function that a conversion offers. Better balance, ergos, and trigger post conversion.

If I had a real reason to keep on stock I would still consider using dinzag's trigger for unconverted saigas. I suppose it depends on how you want to use it. An uncoverted saiga is still a solid dead reliable rifle and a very good price. The horrid ergos are what make me really prefer a converted one.
That said

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I would at minimum to the magazine conversion.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Some of both. My unconverted ones are going to stay that way. I've got the right balance at this point.

 

[MIL-DOT]

(quote)"I would at minimum do the magazine conversion"

Yeah,but the mag conversion is the very thing that brings USC 992r into the picture, requiring the addition of several US made parts, like pistol grips,stocks,gas pistons,and/or crappy US made magazines.

 

[rocinante]

I think you are deluded if you ever had to shoot someone with a saiga it still wouldn't be called an evil AK.

 

[Flash!]

I have three Saigas and I will not convert any of them...... but I already have two regular AK 47's and a AK 47 pistol...just don't see the need......

 

[MIL-DOT]

(quote) " I think you are deluded if you ever had to shoot someone with a saiga it still wouldn't be called an evil AK."

I'm not sure if what I said deserves to be labeled delusional, so I just gotta say something.
Nowhere on the rifle in question does it say "AK-47", nor does it look ( to the uninitiated) like an AK-47. Nor does it have the capacity to shoot the dreaded 30,40,75,100 round magazines. The media has a long established history of mis-identifying weapons, so it's pretty far-fetched to assume that in an isolated home-defense shooting they would converge en masse,cameras rolling,satellite links estatblished, and all of a sudden make the leap from Saiga carbine to AK assault rifle.

 

[rundm]

it does have the ability to shoot a huge 20 round drum mag. RG

 

[jakemccoy]

I'm keeping my Saiga 308 stock, but for different reasons. I simply don't care to change it. It shoots just fine the way it is.

 

[jakemccoy]

MIL-DOT,

You may see the distinction in your head. However, a gun ignorant jury wouldn't have anything close to your refined pallet. You may not interact with too many gun ignorant people, but I can tell you that they simply don't think about this stuff at all. Your Saiga would look substantially the same as an AK. In fact, a Colt 45 might as well be the same thing. It's a waste of time to imagine an advantage in court. There will be a ton of other more pressing issues if you shoot someone.

Here are the proper things to think about when buying a gun: What's legal and what do you want?

-Jake

 

[Girodin]

I'm keeping my Saiga 308 stock, but for different reasons. I simply don't care to change it. It shoots just fine the way it is.

That is what I thought before I shot my first conversion. I had some of my firearms out tonight getting ready to head to the range tomorrow. As I handled an uncoverted x39 and a converted one it made me really want to convert the other. I was very happy with the saiga pre conversion but after shooting a conversion the stock saigas really do strike me as inferior. Shoot a converted one if you get the chance, or dont if you reallt want to keep it stock.

 

[guntotinguy]

I have a few Saigas already converted,but picked up a .223,308 and an S12...and plan on keeping them in sporter condition.Seemed like the right thing to do at the time...but may change my mind on converting them later if the need arises.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Yeah,but the mag conversion is the very thing that brings USC 992r into the picture, requiring the addition of several US made parts, like pistol grips,stocks,gas pistons,and/or crappy US made magazines.

Yeah, for some reason I wasn't thinking about that when I posted that. Thanks. I guess he'll have to do the full conversion!!

 

[dscottw88]

Again, I believe that every thread should have at least one good pic related to the topic. Go ahead and convert it if you already got the stuff, Better to use it than not.

 

[Eightball]

I didn't convert mine. It depends on a bunch of factors, none the least of which is your personal taste.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Thanks for all that,Jake ( uh, I guess). If you'd closely read my post,other than the parts that were somewhat rhetorical ramblings meant to be vaguely amusing, it should have been clear that the primary purpose of leaving this Saiga un-converted would be to retain that carbine look ( no evil pistol grip) and have a limited mag capacity ( no evil 30 rd. "banana clip") in anticipation of possible,future restrictions.
And if an " gun ignorant jury" was asked to point out the AK-47's in a line up of guns,they would all very likely go right by a stock Saiga, and focus on the ones with pistol grip,folding stocks and "banana clips".
(And I know it's not really a "clip".)

 

[kcmarine]

Hm... the place seems to have calmed since I was last here...


I don't know what I'm going to do with my Saiga. It's in my lap right now. Call me insane, but the more and more I hear about these candidates and what they might do with gun regulations, the less and less I care about following what they may do, as far as what I can control. If they say I can't have a semi-automatic rifle (i.e., a converted Saiga), I'm going to ignore that to a point. Sure, it might be a way to prison, but that's not any worse than being stripped of a freedom.

 

[jakemccoy]

MIL-DOT,

I apologize if there's some confusion here. I was responding to what you actually wrote in your original post, not what you may think you wrote.

One point of your original post was that you were implying there's a distinction between what's evil (AK) and what's not evil (unconverted Saiga). My point was that there's no evilness distinction with gun ignorant people. You're wasting your time if you let that issue affect your decision in a gun you may want.

Regards,
-Jake

 

[Dr. Fresh]

Eightball, I really like your rifle. I didn't realize Saigas could look so good with wooden furniture.

 

[wally]

I was planning to keep my Saiga .223 stock but the price of US full capacity magazines and the difference between the stock trigger and the Tapco G2 changed my mind.

If you have basic metal working tools and skills its not hard to do.

--wally.

 

[Eightball]

Eightball, I really like your rifle. I didn't realize Saigas could look so good with wooden furniture.

I was going for a unique look with the thing; and for the record, that is a Russian PSOP 8x42 Optic on top, to complete the look.

 

[MRIman]

I converted half of my Saigas.
The rifles are converted,the shotguns are not.(F'en NYS)