Help me decide on my next purchase. What do you think?

[ChCx2744]

With the new year approaching, I am looking to make my next major firearm or firearm related purchase. After much deliberation, I have narrowed my choices down to 3 possible purchase choices.

-12ga Remington 870 Police Magnum (Accepts 2.75-3" shells) with extended mag tube that can accept 6-7 rounds. I want the shotgun because I believe it would serve the best all-around purpose for home defense, range practice and hunting. I am aware that the Police Magnum versions of the 870 are a bit pricier than it's Express counterparts, but I think the Police Magnum models are built solid and reliably.

-Saiga rifle that will be converted by me. I am told that this is the best way to go when getting an AK. Although I think it would be the best cost and quality option, I am very new to AKs and know nothing about working on them. I hear you have to replace all kinds of things from a pistol grip and stock set, bullet guide, trimming down the inside of the mag well to accept regular AK mags, trigger alterations, etc....This all sounds very foreign and like a pain in the butt. Even so, the idea is floating around. As you can see, I really want an AK.

-The final purchase choice is to not buy any more guns, instead, buy more aftermarket upgrades, spare parts and ammo for my existing ones. I've been needing some new sights for my new pistol, some spare parts for my other rifles and pistols and you can never have too much ammo. With the money spent on a new gun, I could buy spare parts, better grips/sights/upgrades and a lot more ammo. Also, with a new gun, comes the need for ammo and accessories and upgrades for the new gun too, which will come out to even more money.

Of all the possible choices, I am leaning a bit more towards the shotgun. The ammo/parts/accessories is a close second and the AK is trailing behind in last...Even so, I believe each choice has their pros and cons, which is why I would like the input of my fellow high roaders in helping me make my decision. What do you guys think I should do with my well-earned money? To throw a price out there, I guess my budget is at and around $500.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Not knowing what guns you already have, it's hard to offer an opinion.

not knowing anything about an AK and converting a Saiga might not be as difficult as it sounds. Youtube has about a billion saiga conversion how-to vids, and if you have even a remote mechanical aptitude, you probably won't muck it up too badly.
the beauty of the Saiga is that you can use it prior to conversion.

Anyhow, the 870 is a good choice, too. In my case, I'd go with the saiga only because I've got shotguns already.

What do you already have? What would be the ultimate purpose for the gun?

 

[Mauser lover]

I put the shotgun, because that is what I would get if I didn't have one already.

 

[TennJed]

take the 3rd choice further and buy some reloading equipment and components

 

[dannyr3_8]

if you don't have a shotgun get one if you do then may i suggest a wasr-10 instead of converting the siaga why do you think the siaga is the way to go

 

[USAF_Vet]

suggest a wasr-10 instead of converting the siaga why do you think the siaga is the way to go

I'd get a Saiga over a WASR or any other kit gun. The Saiga is built to Kalashnikov specs at the Izmash arsenal in Russia, the WASR's and others like them are build out of who knows what, who knows where and who knows when. A brand new Saiga is less costly than some random parts AK that is probably used. A converted Saiga, IMO, is a more quality firearm than a WASR, even if it will cost more in the long run.

I've got a couple friends with AK's, one with an Arsenal converted Saiga which he spent around $700 on, and another friend with a Romy AK (don't know what he paid for it). The fit, finish and accuracy of the Saiga is leagues better than the Romanian AK built from a kit.

 

[ChCx2744]

The Saiga conversion seems easy enough, but personally, I would have trouble with it. I have no problem doing any of it, it's just the tools aren't available to me. All I really have is a drill with some bits and screw drivers. I don't have a clamp to stabilize the receiver, parkerizing paint, a torch, lock-tight or a mallet. I would have to go out and buy all this stuff or find someone that has them...More stuff means more money. As you can probably tell, that's one thing I don't have that much of...

Anyways, I appreciate the votes so far. Keep them coming, folks!

 

[472x1A/B]

All three choices are reasonable ones, but. For a budget of $500 and not knowing what you already have most, will advise to start reloading if not already. With most semi-autos you can go through alot of ammo in an afternoon of fun, even by yourself. Just loading one box of shells every other nite adds up real quick. One box, 50 rds, everynite is over 18,000 rds a year. Think about doing some hard research on this, good luck.

 

[gunnutery]

-The final purchase choice is to not buy any more guns, instead, buy more aftermarket upgrades, spare parts and ammo for my existing ones. I've been needing some new sights for my new pistol, some spare parts for my other rifles and pistols and you can never have too much ammo. With the money spent on a new gun, I could buy spare parts, better grips/sights/upgrades and a lot more ammo. Also, with a new gun, comes the need for ammo and accessories and upgrades for the new gun too, which will come out to even more money.

This is exactly where I'm at right now with my play money. I have 14 guns and of those there are ten different calibers. I've also just come to the realization that my old Glock mags need new springs and I've a host of other upgrades that I'd like to get done, not to mention stock up on more ammo of the calibers I use most.

I don't know what guns you have, but overlapping some calibers isn't a bad thing. It basically boils down to what you think you want/need over the other options. We can advise you a lot, but utlimately you know your situation better than we ever can, so either route you go, enjoy.

 

[arcticap]

Buy a used 870 police magnum or consider a less expensive 870 home defense version, especially if a used one is available.
Then apply any cash saved toward some upgrades, parts and/or ammo..
Some police depts. don't even purchase the 870 police magnum but use alternative models instead, either of which when bought used can cost a fraction of their new prices.
And some 870 home defense models can perform just as well as the 870 police magnums and not skip a beat, especially since the 870 police models can have heavier "police triggers".