Saiga Rifle or AK clone

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whm1974

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Ok I've been wanting an AK clone for years but never got around to getting one do to lack of money or a place to shoot a rifle.

I notice that Saigas are ~$200 and can be "Fixed" to take standerd AK mags. From what I hear they are suppose to be better qualty then most of the AK clones out there.

I can afford a SAR-1/WASR-10 but I've had heard so many storyes on problems they had with cant and fit and finish.

How hard and expensive is it to "convert" a Saiga into an "AK-47" looking rifle, pistol grip and all? I can live without a pistol grip or do it later if I need to.

-Bill
 
Why not just buy an AK clone. Try to get a chinese MAK90, they are something like $250 used. It's cheaper than buying a Saiga and having it converted to take AK mags.

When you convert a rifle from one configuration to another, you run the risk of it not being as reliable as what you want it to be.

I have a couple of MAK90s and they are great guns. Won't win any accuracy matches, but they don't jam.
 
Or you can spend a little bit more and get the best AK type rifle there is. See my sig line.
 
Well guys I may just get a "real" AK clone. I'm just checking out my options.

-Bill
 
I have a MAK-90 (bought for $300) and it has a great trigger and seems to be a quality product. I am very happy with it. I had a Saiga 7.62 by 39 which had a mediocre trigger. Factory mags are hard to come by but AK mags can be modified to fit the 7.62 by 39. I question the logic of buying a well-made Saiga and transforming it into a homemade AK instead of buying a standard AK in the first place. My .308 Saiga has a good trigger but only 8 round mags are available now. I would go for a "real" AK unless you want a .308.

Drakejake
 
I'd personally go with a SAR-1 (I own one, actually), or maybe a SAR-2 (5.45x39) if you want more accuracy. I really like the traditional AK look, and don't care for the more hunting-rifleish look of the Saigas. If you're thinking about buying a Saiga to convert to a pistol grip stock/double column mag setup, and want to go with a more finely crafted gun than the Romanian AK lookalikes, you might be better off to just go with one of the nicer imported AK's.

BTW, SAR's were designed for regular double-column mags from the get-go, whereas WASR's are manufactured in a single-column configuration and converted to double-stack after importation. Hence a SAR has the magwell dimples like a real AKM, whereas a WASR does not.

As long as you can inspect the SAR or WASR before you buy it, canted sights and gas blocks aren't an issue (just select a rifle with both pieces on straight).
 
Find a nice AK-74 in 5.45x39, you will not regret it.

I have a CUR II that I love, everyone that I know who has a SAR 2 loves theirs, and actually, just buy every Kalashnikov you see.
 
At the price the Saiga is it's nuts not to get a 12 gauge, .223 and .308 for a little more than the price of a VEPR. The 16 inchers, 1.5-2.5MOA, and a tinkerer's dream...

P.S. AKM, how hard was it to get the scout mount on that Saiga? I've heard they are a real pain. And Ultimak wouldn't answer me was to which one to get.
 
Sounds like you want an AK, so that is what you should buy. Saigas are nice, and they can be converted, but when all is said and done you arent saving a dime by doing it.
 
Risasi,

I have the AKM (stamped receiver) model Ultimak (Not the Saiga model) as my Saiga has been fully converted.

It's a piece of cake to install if you have Bulgarian type handguards (Just bolts right up after gas tube and lower handguard removal!).

I hear that some wooden handguards need to be relieved (Ground/milled out) a little?


benEzra,

It's a true Bulgarian stamped receiver polymer set (KVAR) with a US manufactured soviet reproduction grip.
 
I cannot speak highly enough of the Arsenal, Inc. Bulgarian AKs. They are very well made and finished, and the milled receiver models feel really solid.
 
Saigas are nice rifles and great buys - sounds as if you want the AK look so I would recommend you buy an AK model. Go visit your local shop of look at one of several vendors in SG news.
 
Risasi,

I don't know where you are finding a 12, .223, and .308 Saiga all for under $500. :)

The 12s have dried up. Believe me, I've looked. And I kick myself for not getting more when they were cheap.
 
What is FBMG ? Is it Fuzzy Bunny Manufacturing? The logo looks sorta like a bunny. :neener:
 
Fuzzy Bunny Movie Guns. Because after all... who could hate fuzzy bunnys? :)
 
The Saiga quality is much better than the Romainian SAR's.

While the price may end up being a wash, the learning experiences is not to be underestimate....you will "know" your rifle when you build it up yourself.

I do not regret it. It worked out perfectly. Search carefully for the US parts, you can get them on the cheap.
 
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