Romanian AK-74 vs Red Jacket Converted Saiga

[thelittlestchipmunk]

Hey THR. I was thinking about purchasing a AK-74 and since I live in CT my options are greatly limited on what guns I can purchase. This will be my first AK-74. I have narrowed the choice down to two options; a Romanian AK-74 http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct899.aspx and a Red Jacket converted Saiga http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct964.aspx. I would like to put wood furniture on the gun and I am curious how easy it is to put wood furniture on the Red Jacket Saiga. The Red Jacket is $639 and the Romanian is $439, is it worth the $200 difference? Can I easily put wood furniture on the Red Jacket Saiga?

 

[JustinJ]

I've never shot a red jacket but if barrel, receiver, bolt and carrier are all still saiga it would be hard for them to screw it up. I have an Arsenal saiga ak74 that i couldnt be happier with. It shoots the surplus cheap corrosive ammo better than any other 5.45 out there, including Hornaday.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

With the red Jacket, you will need a bolt on retainer or a regular handguard retainer, new gas block, new gas tube, and new front sight block plus a decent amount of work to make it take AK handguards. So add at least another $100 to the Red Jacket's price. Plus think of labor costs if you are not able to do the work yourself.

 

[Hizzie]

The Red Jacket is only a partial conversion, basically a budget rifle built ot a price point. They are nicer than the WASR. The front handguard would need conversion and that costs $$ as stated aboveto be able to put wood there. Atlantic Firearms is good people. I have purchased from them before and would not hesitate to purchase again. I'm sure they can hand select a WASR2 for you if you ask. They may charge as it takes time to inspect several rifles for the "perfect" one and time is $$$. The WASR2 is a low end bang for your buck AK. They are rough around the edges, literally. If they are hand selected to be free of front sight block cant, gas block cant and rear sight block cant and checked for proper magazine fit they are GTG and should go bang everytime you pull the trigger.

 

[thelittlestchipmunk]

OK I am leaning towards the Red Jacket, it seems like a much nicer firearm. I found these online http://www.saigastock.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=198. It is a wooden stock and hand guard for a Saiga. Would this fit the Red Jacket? Can I replace the pistol grip with any other ak-74 pistol grip?

 

[Hizzie]

OK I am leaning towards the Red Jacket, it seems like a much nicer firearm. I found these online http://www.saigastock.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=31&products_id=198. It is a wooden stock and hand guard for a Saiga. Would this fit the Red Jacket? Can I replace the pistol grip with any other ak-74 pistol grip?

That fore-end would work but not buttstock. Yes that rifle would accept any standard AK grip. You must remember 922r parts count to remain in compliance.