SSN Vet
Member
I bought the x39 Saiga as an inexpensive fun gun and a potential SHTF contingency rifle (wanted to get this need taken care up before the DNC runs the entire show and the mad rush to get evil black rifles before the coming AWB drives prices through the roof).
After my first two range visits I decided two things.....that I liked the rifle and that it was crying out for me to do the PG/High Cap. conversion.....
why?
one word.....Balance! I felt the rifle was front heavy in the sporter config.
By doing the PG/G2 conversion, you move the position of your strong hand (right for me) forward.....much closer to the COG (center of gravity) which is at the forward edge of the mag well. This makes your right hand (on the PG) and your left hand (at the rear end of the fore grip) close to equi-distance from the COG, which make the rifle feel much more "handi" ..... just as Mr. K origonally designed it.
So I did the conversion.....and came in with a total cost of $400! (stock Saiga fore grip, Tapco G2, Nato length poly stock, metal mil. surp. mags).
That price is bargain basement for a Saiga conversion (I've been known to spend 20 hours of research to save $10
) and I don't have a muzzle break.
I like my converted Saiga a LOT!!
but in retro-spect, here's some thoughts....
1. Don't buy a Saiga and plan on converting it because you want to save $. By the time you get done, you'll be over $500 (because I know you can't possibly be a cheap as me) and that puts you into the price range of the mid. tier AKMs (Lancaster, etc...)
2. The Saiga is a very well made AK, and a Saiga conversion is not a bad investment.
3. I enjoyed converting my Saiga and definately know and understand the Kolashnikov action better than any of my other rifles as a result.
4. The Saiga left in it's sporter config., though front heavy, is still quite a handy rifle (definately get the 16" barrel). You can enjoy the rifle w/ the stock 10 round mags, and keep a couple Sure Fires loaded up in your sock drawer for "special circumstances", in which case, 922R minutia is going to be the last of your concerns.
which leads me to a side topic about the whole 922R....
After probing knowledge level of LEO aquaintances and relations, I doubt any LEO other than a bonified ATF guy is going to have any clue about 922R requirements. If High Caps are legal in your state, your run of the mill LEOs are going to assume any rifle that you can slap a high cap in is legal.
(I'm serious, one state police detective didn't even know that there were special FFL requirements/tax stamp fees to posses a full auto.)
I solicited an opinion from the FBMG guys before I purchased my Saiga (I doubt there's many out there who know as much or more about the Saiga scene as they do) and was surprised to learn that their were no 922R prosecutions on record.....not that I want to be the first one.
There, I have now fullfilled my late night need to babble....
After my first two range visits I decided two things.....that I liked the rifle and that it was crying out for me to do the PG/High Cap. conversion.....
why?
one word.....Balance! I felt the rifle was front heavy in the sporter config.
By doing the PG/G2 conversion, you move the position of your strong hand (right for me) forward.....much closer to the COG (center of gravity) which is at the forward edge of the mag well. This makes your right hand (on the PG) and your left hand (at the rear end of the fore grip) close to equi-distance from the COG, which make the rifle feel much more "handi" ..... just as Mr. K origonally designed it.
So I did the conversion.....and came in with a total cost of $400! (stock Saiga fore grip, Tapco G2, Nato length poly stock, metal mil. surp. mags).
That price is bargain basement for a Saiga conversion (I've been known to spend 20 hours of research to save $10
) and I don't have a muzzle break.I like my converted Saiga a LOT!!
but in retro-spect, here's some thoughts....
1. Don't buy a Saiga and plan on converting it because you want to save $. By the time you get done, you'll be over $500 (because I know you can't possibly be a cheap as me
) and that puts you into the price range of the mid. tier AKMs (Lancaster, etc...)2. The Saiga is a very well made AK, and a Saiga conversion is not a bad investment.
3. I enjoyed converting my Saiga and definately know and understand the Kolashnikov action better than any of my other rifles as a result.
4. The Saiga left in it's sporter config., though front heavy, is still quite a handy rifle (definately get the 16" barrel). You can enjoy the rifle w/ the stock 10 round mags, and keep a couple Sure Fires loaded up in your sock drawer for "special circumstances", in which case, 922R minutia is going to be the last of your concerns.
which leads me to a side topic about the whole 922R....
After probing knowledge level of LEO aquaintances and relations, I doubt any LEO other than a bonified ATF guy is going to have any clue about 922R requirements. If High Caps are legal in your state, your run of the mill LEOs are going to assume any rifle that you can slap a high cap in is legal.
(I'm serious, one state police detective didn't even know that there were special FFL requirements/tax stamp fees to posses a full auto.)
I solicited an opinion from the FBMG guys before I purchased my Saiga (I doubt there's many out there who know as much or more about the Saiga scene as they do) and was surprised to learn that their were no 922R prosecutions on record.....not that I want to be the first one.
There, I have now fullfilled my late night need to babble....
