How do you check out a used rifle? (Saiga .223)

[MikePGS]

I might be buying a rifle in the near future, and if i end up doing so i want to check it out to make sure theres nothing wrong with it obviously. What in particular should i look for?

 

[kBob]

My big questions on the Used Saigas are.....

How do I tell if someone has bubba'd a stock Siaga into using large capacity mags without bothering to make the gun 922r compiant?

What if they added a pistol grip and straight stock with out adding enough other US made parts to keep folks in government happy and how do I tell?

How can I tell if the parts they say are US made, are?

From all the praises I here here abouts I would not expect to ever find a used Saiga on the market!

-Bob Hollingsworth

 

[Art Eatman]

Two key points for any rifle of whatever sort: No burning of the leade (or throat, right in front of the chamber) and no pitting of the bore. Any dings on the crown are merely talking points about $$$, since re-crowning is simple.

Art

 

[nalioth]

Why would you want to buy a used one when you can get a new .223 Saiga for around $250?

 

[rangerruck]

if it has a little ramped bullet guide in it, then it can use both type mags, but it is hardly a bubba job. also you can get them to take regular ak mags, without doing anything at all to the mag latch or well, So that really shouldn't be a question to bother you.if it has a pistol grip on it, then if it has say , aftermarket piston, flash surp, front handguards, buttstock, etc., then it will have enough 922 parts.

 

[nalioth]

f it has a little ramped bullet guide in it, then it can use both type mags, but it is hardly a bubba job. also you can get them to take regular ak mags, without doing anything at all to the mag latch or well

Actually, you have to grind the mag catch to use AK mags. These rifles were designed to make it as difficult as possible NOT to be able to use standard AK kit with them.

At the time you insert a high capacity mag (which is considered non-sporting), your rifle should be 922r compliant.

 

[railroader]

Actually on the 223 saiga orlite mags work with a bullet guide and a little dremeling on the mag. Nothing else has to be done to the rifle for these mags to work. Promag 223 mags are also suppose to work with a bullet guide. Mark

 

[nalioth]

Actually on the 223 saiga orlite mags work with a bullet guide and a little dremeling on the mag. Nothing else has to be done to the rifle for these mags to work. Promag 223 mags are also suppose to work with a bullet guide. Mark

Neither of which are "AK" mags. The orlite you mention is an Isreali Galil mag, and the Pro-Mag is a cheap all-plastic US made commercial offering that is supposed to be an AK mag.