Very used Saiga .223 prices?

[Ignition Override]

Are such noticeably used .223s, which were Not converted (with original short mags) commanding prices anywhere close to the "nib" prices now seen on GB?

Am well aware of Obummer's recent ban on all Saiga imports, hence this new topic.
I only found two on Gunbroker's "Completed Items".

It's also possible that few people want to sell them, even with clearly visible wear.

 

[BSA1]

What are the prices you are seeing on Gunbroker? I checked and didn't see any Saiga Sporter Carbines .223 in original imported condition.

Prices depend on whether you are the seller or the buyer. I consider my Saiga Sporter to be a "sleeper" in today's political environment and is not for sale.

 

[Scooter22]

They are in limeted supply plus they aren't considered a AW. So you basically have a sporter version of a real Russian AK. I wish I picked up a couple when they first were offered. IIRC they were around 200.00. But you could get SKS,s for 100.00 or so and Romanian AKs for 250.00.

 

[Ignition Override]

BSA1: I don't remember the prices from days ago.

My conclusion is that either not many Saiga .223s (vs. 7.62x39) were imported, or most of the guns were converted and are seldom for sale.

 

[WardenWolf]

Can't say for sure the value of a well-used one. I will say, however, that the Saiga .223 has a couple of features that make it undesirable over the others. One is the barrel. They built the Saiga .223 using a 7.62x39 barrel blank that was underdrilled in order to retain parts commonality with the 7.62x39 version; even the magazine well is the same. This resulted in a very heavy barrel and gun. The other factor is the high price of most AK-type .223 magazines; even if you install a bullet guide, the cheapest you can get are the $14 Tapco Galil magazines.

I own and converted my own Saiga .223 and I know these problems quite intimately. It's just not as good a gun as the other ones.

 

[aka108]

I own two in original configuration. Never could see converting them to pistol grip, etc. Nice as they came from the factory even if ugly. One in 223 and the other 7.62x39 and purchased when 199 bucks each. Once in awhile I see one at at gunshow but asking price is 6 to 700 dollars. I really don't see any need for more that a 10rd mag. Barrel can get pretty hot with 10 rds fired at 30 second or so intervals so a little cooling time is good. I see guys run thru 100 rds as fast as they can pull the trigger on some AK and AR's. Not doing the rifle any favors and not hitting much either. Just making noise and maybe a little orgasm to go along with it.

 

[Ignition Override]

WardenWolf: if people were selling them at a serious discount (vs. "new" rifle prices), some extra weight and cash for about two magazines might not be serious disadvantages as a plinking gun. A Memphis pawn shop has a "new" one for only $780. Germans might call that 'beschissen'. No way.