Opinions on the Saiga AK for $470!!!!!

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jimbombo

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So years ago i bought a Saiga .223 for $299 from JG, and ended up getting rid of it. Now i am getting the Ak itch again and have some cash to blow, around $600. The Saiga has gone up a bit and is now around $475 at Classic and JG.
Is my best bet to just buy it and do the conversion? Will That AK be better than any AK on the market right now for that price? Or do i have any other options as far as a Nice AK in a non-sporter format??

I know with everything in Russia going on right now the Saiga's may not be avaliable from Russia(If our Government imposes sanctions!)

I am comfortable with tools and following directions so doing the conversion myself does not really bother me.

Is the Arsenal same as a converted Saiga? because from what i understand those are one of the best AK's... Also if i only have one AK is 7.62x39 the caliber to get??

Thanks all....
 
I acquired a SGL21-76 (FIME Group) and could not be happier. Light and reliable, it's surprisingly accurate as well. Sold off my early Norinco fixed stock and kept the 21-76, so that ought to tell you something.

The converter Saiga rifles are about as close as you can get to a Russki AKM
 
I just bought me the saiga 7.62 yesterday. I have shot my friends saiga (7.62) and loved it. shoots great, but the only thing weird is that stock that's on it. Its up to you on the conversion, I am thinking about converting, also for the price, and if you do convert it, it will be a really nice Ak.
 
To fully convert an AK to the level of an Arsenal will likely cost you far more in tools and parts than just buying an Arsenal to begin with. Moving the trigger forward is not terribly hard if you are satisfied with nuts and bolts rather than rivets as intended. Installing the right furniture, front sight and threading would also need to occur. If authentic configuration is what you really want then buy a real Arsenal. Even if Russian saigas become no longer available the Bulgarian Arsenal rifles are just as good as the Russian and identical except for markings so I wouldn't feel rushed.
 
May I suggest one of the Century Centurion AKs? They've been getting excellent reviews and fall right within your price range.
 
Will That AK be better than any AK on the market right now for that price? Or do i have any other options as far as a Nice AK in a non-sporter format??
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The best value for new AKs these days are the Yugo O-PAP rifles, which can be found for under $600. They are quality rifles, made at the Zastava factory in Serbia. Converted Saigas are great rifles, but not the value they once were. It's tough these days to reach that price point doing even a basic conversion on a Saiga.

I know with everything in Russia going on right now the Saiga's may not be avaliable from Russia(If our Government imposes sanctions!)
Click to expand...

Please don't stoke the flames of panic.
 
So it looks like the O-pap is the way to go for that price range anyway!!
Is the O-pap actually produced at the plant?
Its not a mix match of parts put together here, is it??
 
Is the O-pap actually produced at the plant?
Its not a mix match of parts put together here, is it??
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The O-PAP rifles are newly manufactured at the Zastava factory in Serbia, and most have Serbian surplus furniture installed. However, when they are imported into the US, they have to have US-made parts installed for 922(r) compliance. In the case of the O-PAP, they receive a US-made fire control group (the very good Tapco G2 FCG), piston, slant brake, and grip. The important parts (barrel, receiver, trunnions, etc.) are Serbian.
 
Last question. Who has the O-Pap's in stock??
I am seeing places that have the n-pap but none that have the o-pap???? Way that i understand is the o-pap is the most current model and the most desirable out of the two....thanks...
 
I am seeing places that have the n-pap but none that have the o-pap???? Way that i understand is the o-pap is the most current model and the most desirable out of the two....thanks...
Click to expand...

The current N-PAPs are fine rifles as well. It's all a matter of preference. They have a 1mm receiver, as opposed to the thicker RPK-style receiver of the O-PAP. The benefit to the 1 mm receiver, of course, is lighter weight. The N-PAPs also usually come with new wood.

Personally, I lean towards the O-PAP as they are a little more unique.
 
Update

Well i have the chance to pick up a Arsenal slr-106, brand
New in box chambered in 5.56 for $650 invested. Is this the way to go over the O-pap or any other entry AK???
Opinions please...thanks.
 
Well i have the chance to pick up a Arsenal slr-106, brand
New in box chambered in 5.56 for $650 invested. Is this the way to go over the O-pap or any other entry AK???
Opinions please...thanks.
Click to expand...

If 5.56 suits your needs better then absolutely. If its a O-pap vs a 7.62 Arsenal then the latter, hands down. Know this though, 5.56 AK mags are a good bit more expensive and harder to come by. The Serbian made Yugos are nice quality however I believe they have the thicker, thus heavier receivers, which add nothing to the rifle but extra weight.
 
Well i have the chance to pick up a Arsenal slr-106, brand
New in box chambered in 5.56 for $650 invested. Is this the way to go over the O-pap or any other entry AK???
Opinions please...thanks.
Click to expand...

That's a question only you can answer. Do you want a 5.56mm AK? If so, the SLR-106 is an excellent choice. Keep in mind that quality 5.56mm AK mags are tougher to find and more expensive than good 'ol comblock steel 7.62x39mm AK mags.
 
I had an slr 107sr from the Clinton ban years. It was truly a quality rifle but the welded bs from the ban compliance was not something easily repaired and I couldn't stand it. The gun was flawless otherwise. The only thing other than ban compliance I didn't like was the hand guard which I put a quadrail on from eBay which took a ton of work modifying the hand guard to fit. If I had it to do over again I would have paid more and got an x.xxX39 with wood.
 
I really like my AK. Really, the only reason I switched to an AR is because the magazines are smaller and easier to carry, which makes shooting a 3 gun match a little easier.

The highlights of my Saiga AK:
-The handguard extends the full length of the gas tube, so you can have your hand farther forward if thats how you roll.
- I think its a pretty accurate gun. I just have the factory iron sights, and I have no problem hitting clay pigeons at 100 yards, unsuported.
- Its an AK. I know they make them all over, but if you're only going to have one, might as well get a Russian one.

Please forgive the spelling mistakes... its 1 am
 
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