Talk me in or out of a Saiga

[MagnumDweeb]

I've made the plunge into the Semi-rifle not too long ago starting with a CETME .308 that shoots wonderfully (150 yards, six ring, target shooting). I've got AK parts kits along with my Uncle and we are simply waiting on the flats to arrive to finish them.

But I still have the itch to get one or two more to finish my collection for the long haul. When Saigas were only 319.99 on centerfiresystems I kept thinking they'll always be there so I could pick through AKs and get one eventually...well that's all changed and I'm thinking since Saigas are recent productions with lots of spare parts for sale they'd make a good buy if I can get one for not much more than $400 factory stock. From there I could get the grip conversion and I could either do the magazine modification or order the high capacity magazines for it. The high Magazines are really expensive but unless I can order a spare magwell to modify I'll probably keep it unmodified.

I'm looking at the 20" 7.62x39 and 16" .223. I thought about the .308 but for the price I might as well get a gently used FAL from around here, Florida (I know folks offering their FNs up for seven hundred after they paid a grand and didn't shoot them). Has anyone got any experience with them, I'm thinking of them, getting the old model AKs to fix up and to have to worry about spare parts is not my thing.

I got three kits of the Yugo M70AB2 so I wouldn't have to worry about spare parts for one gun for a long time.

 

[stolivar]

Used to be a good deal

But the 308 Saiga's are going for high bucks right now. no where worth the $400 for a standard one.



steve

 

[gotime242]

Its a great gun, I had a saiga .308 for a while, but couldnt afford to feed it. I loved it though, if you can get a good deal on one definetly go for it.

 

[arizona98tj]

Magnum,
I picked up a Saiga .223 16" several months ago and recently finished the conversion....all except for the AR-15 magazine adpater that should be in near the end of this month. I decided it was easier to feed it AR-15 mags and this allow it to use a Saiga mag with about 5 seconds worth of effort.

Here is a 10 page read on my Saiga .223 AK conversion.

It goes back to the range with me tomorrow for another (final) round of shooting my reloads (working up a load for it). It's not a tack driver and I never expected it to be.....I've got a nice Remington for that. But the Saiga will eat just about anything that resembles a .223 or 5.56 cartridge (not as finicky as AR-15 platforms) and come back for more.

 

[maskedman504]

Can the Saiga .308 be similiarly modified with the pistol grip?

 

[lipadj46]

Yes all the AK based Saigas including the shotguns can be converted into an AK. It's not exactly a easy as pie thing though you have drill out some pins and file off some rivets then install the pistol grip and new FCG. It's not hard though.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Arizona98TJ, Your site on converting the Siaga is the best one I've seen yet. You did and excellent job with the explanation and the pics. If I find a deal on a Saiga I will definitely do the next one myself. Thanks a lot.

 

[rangerruck]

unless you wanna pay big bucks for a tantal, galil, valmet, vepr, or some such, the saiga is better than all other ak variants. If you can get a plain jane for 400 , or a 308 for 500 or less, you should be all over it...

 

[CZ223]

I say buy one

If you can get a decent deal on one and, lets face it, that is gonna be subjective right now. Prices on all "evil" semi autos are going up. They may come down and they may not. I held off buying one for a long time and, fortunately, I ran across a smokin deal on one in 7.62 about a month and a half ago. I paid 250 with a millet red dot and case plus 60 rounds of reloadable ammo. I saw one the other day with a cheap scope on it at cabellas and, believe it or not, it sold for $729. I was back there yesterday and my buddy said, "so you wanna sell it now"?

I got one of the 30 round mags from surefire and I love it. I have not benched it yet and may not because this is not what I would consider a target rifle. With that said however, at 25 -35 yards offhand I was able to tear a hole the size of a silver dollar in the middle of the target. Recoil is light and this thing is a blast. Even with the cheap sight all fogged up it shot great.

 

[lanternlad1]

I love mine. I paid 275 for it NIB about a year ago. Chrome lined barrel, Izmash factory construction (vs Century hit or miss), accurate and well made. I keep the Monte Carlo stock on it, most people who see it with the 10 round stock on it don't even know its an AK variant. But the 30 rounder gives it away.

 

[chris in va]

I can't say enough good things about mine. Paid $300 OTD for my x39 16" at a huge gun show, almost didn't get one as it was the last they had.




I did the conversion with Dinzag's G2 trigger group and bullet guide. Got a SAW grip and Warsaw (NATO is too long!) K-Var stock. Also filed down the mag catch to accept regular AK mags but it still accepts the factory Saiga mags, just a hair loose.

Go for it. The gun is brand new from the original factory that Kalashnikov still oversees. I really think you can find one cheaper than $400.

BTW, no real reason to get the 20" Saiga. All it does is add 100fps to the velocity, that's about it. Just looks goofy.

 

[Frank4711]

Get One....mine have been %100...always fires never jams

 

[saigafreake]

Id go for it but i think the 308 is getting a lil over priced.

 

[regal]

If you buy a Saiga remember it is a long way from being an AK. Sure you can move to the pistol grip and even add a bullet guide to allow AK mags. The deal breaker is trying to get a decent FSB/muzzel brake on the darn thing. Generally requires an AK gunsmith. And if you're like me there are none within driving distance. Much cheaper to start with the Arsenal Legian Saiga.