Saiga vs. Ruger
- Thread starter stevek
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If you're planning on keeping it in "sporter" configuration, the saiga might well lose out to the Ruger if you ignore price. The Saiga with the sporter stock is no great shakes...nothing wrong with it, but the sights are "standard AK ehh", the rifle seems stretched and long, the balance is mediocre. However, if you are going to convert it (and you should), you're essentially asking "high quality AK or Mini-30". It's really not a hard decision.
Mike
Mike
well, you've picked a reasonable comparison. these are both reliable, but relatively inaccurate weapons, in my experience
after owing 2 Mini's in .223 and a Saiga 7.62x39, I ditched all three as I didn't like the accuracy I got out of any of them.
1. I believe any .223 rifle is more accurate than a 7.62x39 of the same brand
2. an AK-platform will be more accurate than a Mini after the first ten rounds, due to relative barrel thickness. it will also be the same price or cheaper to purchase, the same price for RELIABLE high-cap mags, just as easy to accessorize, not much more difficult to scope (just buy an extra dustcover)
I would suggest spending a couple more bucks on an AK-platform that will take standard magazines. this was another of my gripes about the Saiga.
why the 7.62x39 round? if it is for price, I'd suggest the 5.45x39 instead. I believe it to be inherently more accurate, and unless you need to shoot through barriers on a regular basis, not much less effective.
after owing 2 Mini's in .223 and a Saiga 7.62x39, I ditched all three as I didn't like the accuracy I got out of any of them.
1. I believe any .223 rifle is more accurate than a 7.62x39 of the same brand
2. an AK-platform will be more accurate than a Mini after the first ten rounds, due to relative barrel thickness. it will also be the same price or cheaper to purchase, the same price for RELIABLE high-cap mags, just as easy to accessorize, not much more difficult to scope (just buy an extra dustcover)
I would suggest spending a couple more bucks on an AK-platform that will take standard magazines. this was another of my gripes about the Saiga.
why the 7.62x39 round? if it is for price, I'd suggest the 5.45x39 instead. I believe it to be inherently more accurate, and unless you need to shoot through barriers on a regular basis, not much less effective.
14427H
Member
Converting
Depends on what you want. If you want to use standard AK magazines you need to swap 4 US parts for Saiga parts for 922r compliance. You can rework the trigger forward, not that hard but involved. Most people do it for looks and because there are US standard stocks, fire control and pistol grips available.
If it is only a "bigger magazine" issue and you want AK magazines to work there are 3 "easy" to replace parts. There is a Tapco Galil style US handguard, US Gas Piston (AK74 not AK47) and the hammer from a G2 US kit is a straight swap after a bit of trimming on one side to keep the bold hold open or "as is" if you ditch the bolt. You need to add a bullet guide to get the bullets to feed into the chamber from the AK magazine, Saiga magazine feed higher. That can be made from a piece of gas pipe for most of the 7.62x39s or you can buy one with the drill and tap for about $25. You have to drill and tap to bolt it in, 10 minutes tops with drill press. The latch on the Saiga is higher than an AK so you use a Dremel to remove about 1/16", just trim and try and trim and try with an AK mag till it locks.A US made magazine counts as 3 parts so you replace 1 part and make up the rest on the magazine. I just did one with the Galil handguard, gas piston and hammer, took about an hour so I was only one part short. I have some US magazine parts so I used a US floorplate and I was good to go.
Another option is to skip the magazine latch trim and bullet guide and use a US 30 round Saiga magazine. Swap one other part like the handguard and again, you are good to go.
I know this all sounds complicated but the bottom line is this. You can use the Saiga just like it is and you get an "AK" from the Russian factory with a great scope mount and chrome bore. You can spend more but you will not get a better action. Just use it as is, do you really need more than 10 rounds?
Depends on what you want. If you want to use standard AK magazines you need to swap 4 US parts for Saiga parts for 922r compliance. You can rework the trigger forward, not that hard but involved. Most people do it for looks and because there are US standard stocks, fire control and pistol grips available.
If it is only a "bigger magazine" issue and you want AK magazines to work there are 3 "easy" to replace parts. There is a Tapco Galil style US handguard, US Gas Piston (AK74 not AK47) and the hammer from a G2 US kit is a straight swap after a bit of trimming on one side to keep the bold hold open or "as is" if you ditch the bolt. You need to add a bullet guide to get the bullets to feed into the chamber from the AK magazine, Saiga magazine feed higher. That can be made from a piece of gas pipe for most of the 7.62x39s or you can buy one with the drill and tap for about $25. You have to drill and tap to bolt it in, 10 minutes tops with drill press. The latch on the Saiga is higher than an AK so you use a Dremel to remove about 1/16", just trim and try and trim and try with an AK mag till it locks.A US made magazine counts as 3 parts so you replace 1 part and make up the rest on the magazine. I just did one with the Galil handguard, gas piston and hammer, took about an hour so I was only one part short. I have some US magazine parts so I used a US floorplate and I was good to go.
Another option is to skip the magazine latch trim and bullet guide and use a US 30 round Saiga magazine. Swap one other part like the handguard and again, you are good to go.
I know this all sounds complicated but the bottom line is this. You can use the Saiga just like it is and you get an "AK" from the Russian factory with a great scope mount and chrome bore. You can spend more but you will not get a better action. Just use it as is, do you really need more than 10 rounds?
sarduy
Member
Saiga all the way!
Ignition Override
Member
JWarren:
As for the SHTF scenario (somebody should create a permanent forum), if a person in a city or suburb sees a clear threat nearby and needs to pull a gun on somebody (earthquake, bad natural disaster, riot, electrical system sabotage..), wouldn't a Ruger mini 14 (.223), 30, or any similar weapon be pretty reliable and have enough accuracy for self-defense out to about 50-100 feet, unless people are shooting from inside/behind a solid obstacle, moving car (infantry tank tactics), or wearing body armor?
You guys must be assuming a distance up to hundreds of feet.
With No open land etc to defend from distant intruders holding/firing weapons (carrying knives/baseball bats etc), I have trouble understanding the need for the better accuracy, with no police/combat military background.
Bought my first Mini 14 a few days ago. So far very reliable, and is a used gun, but that barrel gets pretty hot really fast.
I would find it very interesting/educational to read about more street situations after Katrina.
Off topic (maybe), but just ordered two Mosin Nagant bolt-action rifles (91 and 44) today! My first real combat rifles.
M-1 carbine will be weeks in the factory, I suppose.
As for the SHTF scenario (somebody should create a permanent forum), if a person in a city or suburb sees a clear threat nearby and needs to pull a gun on somebody (earthquake, bad natural disaster, riot, electrical system sabotage..), wouldn't a Ruger mini 14 (.223), 30, or any similar weapon be pretty reliable and have enough accuracy for self-defense out to about 50-100 feet, unless people are shooting from inside/behind a solid obstacle, moving car (infantry tank tactics), or wearing body armor?
You guys must be assuming a distance up to hundreds of feet.
With No open land etc to defend from distant intruders holding/firing weapons (carrying knives/baseball bats etc), I have trouble understanding the need for the better accuracy, with no police/combat military background.
Bought my first Mini 14 a few days ago. So far very reliable, and is a used gun, but that barrel gets pretty hot really fast.
I would find it very interesting/educational to read about more street situations after Katrina.
Off topic (maybe), but just ordered two Mosin Nagant bolt-action rifles (91 and 44) today! My first real combat rifles. M-1 carbine will be weeks in the factory, I suppose.Wes Janson
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