Just got an SAI suppressor for my Saiga

[SlimPickens67]

For once living in France puts me at an advantage! Just got an SAI (Danish company) suppressor for my Saiga in .223 and I think it looks pretty sharp aside from a couple blemishes in the surface coat, so I thought I'd share.

Close up of the suppressor. You can see the mark in the coat in the middle.

The business end

And the whole shebang

After the PK-AS sight, the suppressor's the last thing I wanted to put on it. I was aiming for a practical rifle that didn't go overboard on the "tacticool" and I'm pretty happy with the result.

As for the suppressor's performance I'll be heading to the range next Sunday and keep you posted.

 

[Shear_stress]

An awesome set-up!

I'm more curious about the Saiga itself, though. In what configuration do they come from the factory out there?

 

[SlimPickens67]

Well, once you have a category 1 permit there aren't really any restrictions except that burst and full are prohibited. So pistol grips are fine, 30 round mags are fine, even the dreaded bayonet lug is fine. The rifle itself is bone stock. A few years ago Saigas had a different mag than AK's, but today they're identical, so my Saiga is basically an export-market AK in .223 with no fun switch. Seeing as I can only buy 1000 rounds a year without asking the police for permission to buy more (which isn't too much of problem but still a real pain) it's probably just as well!

 

[Shear_stress]

The rifle itself is bone stock. A few years ago Saigas had a different mag than AK's, but today they're identical, so my Saiga is basically an export-market AK in .223 with no fun switch.

That is really cool. Due to byzantine regulations here in the States, Saigas must be imported in a "sporter" configuration--no flash hider, no bayonet lug, relocated trigger on most models, "traditional" stock. "Saiga conversions" and the parts required to do those conversions are therefore a thriving industry in the U.S.

 

[M1key]

Serious envy...

 

[SlimPickens67]

The mind boggles.

There's a rule over here that's just as asinine: it bans smoothbore pump action shotguns... wait for it ... but not pump guns with a rifled bore. So everybody either buys a semi-auto smoothbore or a Maverick 88 with a rifled bore.:banghead:

 

[SlimPickens67]

Well I was out at the range on Sunday and the SAI performed flawlessly. I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive on the first shot after reading horror stories about baffle strikes (even though I had run a rod down the suppressor and the barrel to check alignment before). It shot a good 5cm higher at 100m with the suppressor than it does with the standard muzzle brake, but a couple clicks on the sight took care of that. If anything it groups a bit better with the suppressor.
I'm not sure how many decibels reduction it gives, but the report is certainly a lot quieter although I don't think it'd qualify as "ear safe".
The downside is that you get a hell of a lot of fumes back in your face, and it's not very nice. I'm not sure if it's the particular ammo I was using (Sellier & Bellot) but the stench of ammonia was no fun at all. Reminded me of using anhydrous ammonia fertilizer back on the farm. All in all I think it's €255 well spent although I don't think I'll use it for extended sessions in an enclosed area.

 

[wally]

That is really cool. Due to byzantine regulations here in the States, Saigas must be imported in a "sporter" configuration--no flash hider, no bayonet lug, relocated trigger on most models, "traditional" stock. "Saiga conversions" and the parts required to do those conversions are therefore a thriving industry in the U.S.

I'd much rather live with this than having to ask "mother may I" at the police station for more than 1000 rounds a year! Two or three times a month would be a real PITA!

 

[SlimPickens67]

Well, if I got my act together I'd just reload. Yup, no limits on reloading. Or if you only shoot a few thousand rounds a year a lot of guys buy a few junk guns for peanuts to up their allotment (1000 rounds per class one weapon per calendar year). How do these rules reduce crime you ask? Good question!