The Saiga AK

[AugustusMcCrae]

I just now found out that You can get a quality AK clone for under $400 . The Saiga. My only problem is that all the Saiga's I see have no pistol grips & don't take standard AK mags.

They look like these. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=71772195

I was wondering if it was possible to get a Saiga then put a pistol grip on it & if it was also possible to make them accept standard AK mags. I have no experience with gunsmithing & limited tools. I'd prefer to either get the Saiga like I described or pay a professional to do it. How much would that run?

Is what I described legal or is it on par with a unlicensed shotgun with 12" barrell?

 

[JWarren]

Hiya Augustus,

You definately want to follow the Saiga link in my signature to get your answers. It isn't that hard to convert a Saiga over, and the guys at the Saiga forum are great for help.


-- John

 

[aka108]

They are plenty good right out of the box.

 

[strat81]

http://www.tromix.com/Welcome.htm

If you can't swing a Tromix and can live without a Saiga based rifles, look at some of the Yugo AKs.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I just now found out that You can get a quality AK clone for under $400.

Accually Saigas are made in russia so I guess they are the real thing just without the pistol grip.

 

[AugustusMcCrae]

Those Tromix's are WAY out of my price range . I might could put up with the no pistol grip stock but only being able to use Saiga's 10 round magazines is a deal breaker.

I already have plenty of magazines & ammunition so I'd prefer to get another rifle that uses 7.62x39 & takes standard AK magazines.

 

[bratch]

For another $100-125 you can convert the Saiga to pistol grip and AK mags.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Check us out over at www.fbmginc.com There would be FFL stuff involved, but I think you'll find the prices not too bad.

FBMG happens to be ran be a couple of our moderators as well.

BTW: Welcome to THR!!

You could do it like I did for both mine and SWMBOs rifles: Buy the gun in sporter configuration, then save up for a couple months and get the conversion you want done. By then you'll be very familiar with the gun, and if(not likely) it has a problem, you'll know BEFORE you lay out a chunk of change on the conversion.

 

[AugustusMcCrae]

I was planning to get the Saiga in 7.62x39 but is the .223 version better?

 

[yhtomit]

AugustusMcCrae wrote:

"I was planning to get the Saiga in 7.62x39 but is the .223 version better?"

It is if you want to shoot .223

I am also thinking about one of these, and in .223, for that very reason. Also in the same boat re: standard mags and pistol grip; I like the "buy it cheaper, convert later" advice from bratch.

(And for bratch -- any place you recommend?)

timothy

 

[forrestd]

I was planning to get the Saiga in 7.62x39 but is the .223 version better?

I would go with x39 since you can mod it to take AK mags pretty easily. The .223 can use Galil mags, but those are not as plentiful nor as easy to find.

Also, Classicarms.us has some pretty good prices on Saigas right now.

 

[bratch]

I did mine myself over a few days. It was pretty easy. The hardest part is cutting the pistol grip hole. However alot of the 223s are supposed to have it already cut. If this is the case the conversion would be a breaze.

Search my name and saiga and you'll find links to all the parts I used. I think I spent $115.

 

[AK103K]

My only problem is that all the Saiga's I see have no pistol grips & don't take standard AK mags.

Mine does.

 

[gyrfalcon16]

AK clone for under $400 . The Saiga

I wouldn't call the Saiga an AK clone. Izhmash owns Molot now...so it's about as true to the AK line as you can get.

I was planning to get the Saiga in 7.62x39 but is the .223 version better?

Here is a better question... Have you priced .223 ammo lately?

 

[NCLivingBrit]

For $449 you can get a nice Yugo underfolder at Centrefire (and elsewhere), which would take care of the conversion question.

That said, I saw Saiga's at the $350ish mark at the gun show (Raleigh) last week so you should be able to find something you like for a decent price.

 

[rangerruck]

go here, all you need to know. most Saigas are 275, the 308's are usually 375, with tax.
http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?http://forum.saiga-12.com/

 

[MD_Willington]

Tromix has a big backlog right now, try Will at Red-Jacket.. $589...

 

[AugustusMcCrae]

That said, I saw Saiga's at the $350ish mark at the gun show (Raleigh) last week so you should be able to find something you like for a decent price.

That's about what I paid for a SAR1 with the ability to take AK magazines & with pistol grip already.

I'll just get the 7.62x39mm version. The next gunshow around my area is July 21st but I've heard nothing but bad things about C&E shows here.