Kinda want an AK type before next year... just in case... you know...

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1KPerDay

1KPerDay

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This has been asked a brazillion times, I'm sure, but humor me.

I need your basic, good-quality AK, I suppose 7.62x39 (I could be talked into .223 or 5.45Xwhatever it is).

Should I get a Saiga and convert it/have it converted? I'm okay with tools but don't want to screw something up.

What's generally considered the "best" of the bulgy/romy/whatever semi "ak" variants? And where to buy?

Or should I just spend my money on AR lowers and mags? :D
 
People say the Saiga conversion is easy, but I've never tried. Romanians are generally regarded as the lower quality.
 
I just finished my Saiga conversion. Honestly, after parts expenses, it's pretty much a wash between converting your own and buying one pre-converted (Centerfire has 'em, I believe, for $550; my build came out to about $520). It's not all that labor-intensive, but figure on spending two to six hours in your garage and dealing with some minor frustrations. Your choice: weekend project, or spend a few bucks more for convenience and expediency.

I also bought a Yugo underfolder. The cheek weld isn't any worse than it is on my fixed-stock Saiga, and the thing's built like a freaking tank (but much heavier as a result of that, too). I'd consider either to be a great deal for your dollar, especially with WASRs being around $400 now; you'd be crazy not to spend the extra hundred bucks on a Yugo.

Buy a bunch of Hungarian mags from AIM for $8/ea in quantities of 5 or more, and you're set.
 
I just finished my Saiga conversion. Honestly, after parts expenses, it's pretty much a wash between converting your own and buying one pre-converted
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id have to agree with that from what I found looking at them. I was headed for a converted Saiga but ended up with a century GP1975 build like this one but from a online auction.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411535359

Turned out to be a nice gun. No canted sights or anything flawed that I can find. These builds have new barrels, trigger assembly,stocks etc
 
I have two Vectors, one under folder, one with a full poly-stock. Both are built from Polish parts. Either would be worthy go to hell guns. They both function with every mag and ammo combination that I have run though them.
 
(quote) "Romanians are generally regarded as the lower quality."

:banghead: NO, it's the Romanian WAAAAASSSEEERRRR ak's the are
"generally reagarded as lower quality". BIG difference. And even those, without the common,easily fixable problems, are perfectly adequate bullet hoses, by AK standards.
 
If it is an AK you want buy one. What you decide, either buying or decide to convert in the end you are the one who need to be satisfied. :cool:
 
Indeed, there are plenty of other good Romanian AKs. The WASRs get a bad rap because of the kids at Century who put them together with their Playskool tools. However, some WASRs do come out all right; the key is getting your hands on one before you buy it to check for magazine wobble and a canted FSB.
 
My pre-converted Saiga was disappointing at first. I ended up having to fix the trigger guard and add a bullet guide. only took 30 minutes to fix, but I felt like I spent too much money when I could have saved a hundred bucks. then, the new Saigas came in at base price, and - after figuring out parts cost and gun cost - I realized I wouldnt have saved a damn dime converting it myself. Either way, you'll be paying the same, and still being happy with the gun you get. Mine shot 3-MOA out of the box, so for AKs, the Saiga will give you a bit more accuracy, but it's still an AK. don't expect to be sniping golf balls with it.
 
So, are the canted sights and magazine wobble the only things that make the Romanian WASR lower quality?
 
the potential canting and wobble are what make it potentially a PoS gun

bad finish, general Romy craftmanship, and cheapo wood that resembles something you'd use for building a public picnic table are what make it lower quality.

However, with a little effort, you can just refinish everything and make it look pretty nice
 
you'd be crazy not to spend the extra hundred bucks on a Yugo.
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Well for a SHTF rifle (yes I'm one of those...) you'd be crazy to spend an extra hundred bucks on a non chrome lined barrel. Wasr's have em.
 
RP88 said:
cheapo wood
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It isn't 'cheapo wood', it's unfinished military wood.

If "unfinished" makes it "cheapo", so be it.

Lots of folks like the "cheapo wood" because they don't have to strip it to refinish it to their liking. A "blank slate" if you will, for your custom finish.
 
I thought chrome was better.
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Yes chrome is better, thats why I said you be crazy TO spend, not NOT TO spend. WASR's are $100 cheaper then a Yugo and Yugo's typically do not have chrome lined barrel. Not a huge deal unless you are living in a Mad Max world I guess ;)
 
Mine shot 3-MOA out of the box, so for AKs, the Saiga will give you a bit more accuracy, but it's still an AK. don't expect to be sniping golf balls with it.
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Well I have a Ruger Ranch Rifle that shoots 4 or 5 inch groups at 50 yards, so the AK would probably be a step up. :D

Thanks for the info, guys.
 
Lots of folks like the "cheapo wood" because they don't have to strip it to refinish it to their liking. A "blank slate" if you will, for your custom finish.
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I agree. I just ordered one of those "certified" WASR's from Henderon Defense with the untreated "cheapo" wood option as I plan on replacing it with an OD Green stock set from KVAR as soon as I get it anyhow. Nice I'm not paying for good stocks that I don't plan on using anyway.
 
People say the Saiga conversion is easy, but I've never tried. Romanians are generally regarded as the lower quality.
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Lower fit and finish, yes. Functionally, they are quality guns, as long as you get one that has the parts put on straight. So don't buy one sight unseen is all.

I bought a Romanian SAR-1 back in 2003, and it is a great little rifle, so much so that I eventually sold my mini-14 and kept the SAR.

med_gallery_260_23_20379.jpg


Be sure to budget for magazines and ammunition, whatever rifle you choose.
 
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