Saiga vs Regular AK vs SKS

[DMK]

The SKS has the option of best iron sights if you add a Tech-Sights rear aperture (longest sight radius too).

The AKs have the advantage of optional magnified optics, and more firepower with the 30 round mags.

If it were me, I'd go with a 20" barreled Saiga as first choice, SKS as second.

 

[mtngunr]

If hi-cap speed reloads are important to the buyer, there might be better choices than the SKS, for a LOT more money....quality-wise, the SKS is as good or better than most....me, I decided the 10-rd stock mag that works every time was plenty of ammo, and it can be reloaded with stripper clips faster than many might believe....since I doubt intense firefights are in the cards since I left the military, the stock Type 53 works fine....because it works....it IS a suprisingly accurate carbine with ammo it likes, and accurate enough even with any old ammo.....but the important thing is to just get what YOU want, and if what you want is a plastic stocked gun with folded sheetmetal receiver, then go and get her.....they all have advantages and disadvantages....

 

[LKB3rd]

I said Saiga but it would have been more accurate to say "Converted Saiga".
I think I'd take a Yugo over an unconverted Saiga.

 

[fredfellini]

I was just at the gun show last weekend, and a survey of prices was revealing. Lots of junk for $300-500. Saiga was priced at $800. Attractive AK clone with cast receiver at $1100.

I think that the prices have gotten ridiculous. For that kind of scratch, there are alot of other fine choices available in very well made rifles, accurate.

These rifles were great deals when you could get a well made copy under $300. But it appears that everyone is in a rush to buy one before the dems take over (hopefully not), and are driving up the prices higher than I'm willing to pay.

My .02.

 

[MD_Willington]

One of each..

problem solved!

 

[nwilliams]

I would say Saiga, they are fine rifles converted or unconverted. Personally I would rather have an unconverted Saiga than any WASR AK. As for a Yugo, well its kind of a toss-up, I love my M70B1 and for $429 its a heck of a nice AK. The Yugo AK's are certainly a step above the WASR models and for under $500 they are hard to beat. The SKS is a fine rifle and will go bang every time, I think every gun owner should have at least one in there collection.

I picked up my converted Saiga last year for $340 and it was in like new condition. So far I have about 500 rounds through it and it works like a dream.

 

[Girodin]

Saiga was priced at $800.

Was that a converted Saiga? If it was one of the top of the line conversions then I can understand it. That is a joke of a price for an uncoverted Saiga 7.62x39. I bought one a few months back for $250 and know of at least one shop that still has them at that price. I thought it was crazy when I saw them a week later at a gun show for $340.

The S12s on the otherhand are fetching that price until the next shipment arrives.

 

[RP88]

anything more than 280 for an unconverted Saiga in 7.62x39 is ripping yourself off. I saw them for 240 two months ago.