Century Arms Saiga Build Quality?

[ThatGuyHank]

I've been looking around at some AK's and Saiga rifles. I know companies like Arsenal and Red Jacket convert Saigas but they cost a whole bunch of money and come with things i don't want/need. I noticed Century has been selling converted Saigas. I'm curious, if anyone has experience with this particular product (I already know the horror stories of wobbly WASRs and keyholing Tantals). I mean how hard would you have to try to mess up a Saiga conversion? It takes all of a couple of hours using handtools, faster with machines. Would it be worthwhile to buy one of their pre-converted rifles or should I just get a stock, basic Saiga and convert it myself?

 

[WardenWolf]

I haven't seen them, but chances are they're just buying barreled receivers and finishing them rather than converting them. In that case, they should be fine.

 

[rule303]

I have sold a bunch of them. They are your typical Saiga, Century is just doing the basic conversion with Tapco G2 trigger group, pistol grip, and buttstock. The rear holes will have plastic rivets in them if that matters to you, and the forearm is a modified one piece Saiga unit. Otherwise it is a pretty good deal for a Russian Built AK with the original chrome lined barrel, if you don't want to mess around with converting one yourself.

 

[12gaugeTim]

You might could save some cash if you convert it yourself.
You said in your post that its pretty easy, so if you think you're up to it, try it.

 

[Girodin]

It is just a basic conversion and depending on price one that you could very likely do your self and save money. The century conversions appear to be the equivalent of very basic do it yourself pistol grip conversions (nylon hole plugs and the like) and a little bit of cosmetic cutting of the stock hand guard.

 

[Swampman]

Century is currently asking $599.87 for the "converted" Saigas.
Their current asking price for a "stock" Saiga is $399.87
You said yourself that "It takes all of a couple of hours using handtools"
I don't know how much you make an hour, but for 200 bucks, I'd do the work myself, especially since I'd take the time and care to do it right.
Honestly though, if I was in the market for an AK, I'd steer clear of Century AND Saiga. Classic Arms has VEPR Type 01 and 02 rifles, with high cap mag conversions for $649.99, about 50 bucks more than the converted Saiga.
I have been very impressed with the VEPRs that I've handled and fired. The general fit and finish is miles ahead of Saiga, not to mention a Saiga that's been "improved" by the caliper challenged, alcoholic monkeys employed by CAI!



Whatever route you decide to take, make sure that you end up with a rifle that can legally use imported magazines. Since a mag counts as three parts for 922r compliance, a lot of conversions are only legal with domestically produced magazines unless you change out another three parts after you buy the weapon.

 

[OARNGESI]

CHANCES ARE IT WILL BE FINE BUT THE CENTURY ARMS MODEL REALLY IS ONLY A HALF DONE CONVERSION, YOU SHOULD LOOK IN TO THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO THREAD THE BARREL ADD A FLASH HIDER AND CONVERT THE FRONT HAND GUARDS. HERES A ARSENAL http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/764/products_id/411545000cPath ITS 220 MORE THAN THE CAI MODEL BUT IF YOU WANT A FULLY CONVERTED GUN IT IS THE BETTER BUY. BUT IF YOU ONLY WANT TO SPEND 600 PERSONALLY I WOULD JUST START OFF WITH A STOCK SAIGA OR GO FOR ONE OF TE CAI YUGO MODELS OUT RIGHT NOW

 

[Girodin]

I actually prefer the stock saiga hand guard to the short AK hand guards. I prefer to shoot with my hand further out, which allows for more control of the weapon. However, one cannot do that with short AK hand guards. I prefer other hand guard options to both though. Unless one just wants to have the look of traditional hand guards I would not bother putting them on. In terms of function there are, IMHO, better options.

YOU SHOULD LOOK IN TO THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO THREAD THE BARREL ADD A FLASH HIDER AND CONVERT THE FRONT HAND GUARDS.

As to threading the barrel, if your saiga doesn't come with threads under the shroud, it takes about fifty dollars worth of tools to thread it. One place that sales what you need is CNC warrior. It is a pretty easy task. You can find various videos of it on youtube. One could resale the tools and recoup much of that.

Veprs are nice but I would still be looking to swap out that furniture so the price is going to go up. You have the price of an adapter for the slant cut receiver, what ever stock set up you are going with, and a new hand guard. A type two with those additions would be cool AK though. Personally I'd prefer it to some of the other AK options in the same price range.

When you start getting to the $900ish price range I think the new and purportedly improved Sig 556R starts to be worth looking at again. Personally I'm waiting for a few more reports that the bugs really are worked out.

People will give you a lot of suggestions about AKs and be quick to say one is better or a better buy than another. However, it really depends on what you are looking to have in the end, what attributes are most important to you, and how you plan to use the gun. Speding hundred of extra dollars to have an accurate looking clone doesn't make sense for a person who just wants a fun plinker, nor does it make sense for someone who wants a purpose built gun and is going to change it anyways. Clearly identifying what it is you need and want makes it much easier to decide what options make the most sense.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Convert it yourself, save money, and when you're done take pride in the DIY side of the pond.

 

[aka108]

Purchase a Saiga and leave it in its birthday suit. Nothing wrong with the stock rifle. All Russian parts. Just a wolf in sheeps clothing.

 

[Girodin]

Nothing wrong with the stock rifle.

Provided you ignore the following:

The horrible trigger

The fact that ergonomics are made even worse by having the grip grip and trigger moved inches away from where they are supposed to be

The rifle is terribly out of balance do to the relocation of the grip. Take any gun you own and then hold it a few inches behind where you are supposed to and see how balanced it feels. AKs are already a front heavy gun. The "sporter" configuration greatly exacerbates that.

You cannot legally use magazines that hold more than ten rounds.

 

[Girodin]

YOU SHOULD LOOK IN TO THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO THREAD THE BARREL ADD A FLASH HIDER AND CONVERT THE FRONT HAND GUARDS.

Also if you do want the traditional AK style front hand guards. They sell this:

View attachment 635751


You then have the traditional front end. I do not know the cheapest prices for them but I have seen them for only about $50 more than other saigas. Its just another option I thought was probably worth mentioning. It may be the most economical route to a traditional front end.

 

[12gaugeTim]

+1 on the IZ340 above this post. It comes with the handguard retainer already installed as well as a FSB that has a cleaning rod slot. Unless you find yourself planning on installing a GP25 grenade launcher or bayonet, that's a complete front end conversion. All that's left is the FCG conversion (easy as anything) and one more part to make it 922r compliant and you have a converted Saiga.

 

[Girodin]

It also has a threaded barrel under the spot welded muzzle nut.

 

[aka108]

You might want to save a few more bucks and purchase a Arsenal built on a Saiga chassis. The Arsenal firm does a beautiful job putting these together. Arsenals have always been a bit pricey but they are also keepers.

 

[dcarch]

I own the rifle referenced by the OP. I have not had any issues with the build quality, other than the fact that the buttstock is awkward. I actually like the handguard quite a bit.