WASR and/or Saiga owners needed.

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Hammerhead6814

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I told myself I would never buy an AK for more than $400 again. It just didn't feel like enough rifle to justify it.

Now Classic Arms is throwing me a bone.

Saiga's for $339. WASR's for $389, or if buying five for $359 each! I can find four other guys who'd want to go for the group deal to.

This creates a serious question for me. You see, the Saiga is the "higher quality" stamped AK on the market. But you have to sink some money into it to get it to a traditional AK layout. Guides are free online, this isn't the problem. The problem is: Is it worth the extra money for the Saiga (converted)?

So this is a WASR vs. Saiga (converted) thread. I need to know if the $80 or so dollars I'll be sinking into the Saiga is justified or if I'm really not getting that much more bang for the buck, and should go the Romanian route. I know there are guys here who own both, I remember seeing them in the multiple picture threads that have been on here.
 
I own/owned both and IMHO the WASR that is already "converted" is a better deal --- both my Saiga and WASR10 were equal in both accuracy and reliableity. And a even better deal if you can get the "group buy" discount.
 
I know others have said it, but there's nothing wrong with a Romy WASR. If the front sight isn't canted. Yes, they're not a pretty as other AK patterns, but they will shoot as well as the others.
 
in my opinion the saiga is well worth it. It should be more accurate, just as reliable, new manufacture not built from a parts kit, and made in russia. that being said the WASR are kinda rough around the edges so to speak, but they get the job done.
 
From the various examplars I have handled I am of the opinion that the saiga's are on average a higher quality gun. The WARS is cheaper and might well do everything you want it to though.
 
If you want a safe queen and internet rep, get the Saiga. If you want to shoot your gun get the WASR.
 
The difference between them is that the WASR is made of QC rejects (originally) and cut up military guns (currently). With this system, you really have no idea the quality of rifle you'll get.

The Saiga is entirely brand new production, with many of the parts right off the military production line.
 
if you like a fixed stock, then above dude is right. However, the saiga, with a collapsible stock, raised cheekpiece, and a new foregrip with a 3 side rail allready on it, is double tough! I also believe thoroughly, that Saiga accuracy is also double tough to beat! Plus the newer saigas, allready have a guide in them, do they not? Also if I rr, they seem to have a little thickerness up front now, with mag dimples, and a little more metal, to the front stamp sheet metal, and the trunion area.
Lets put it this way, for an extra 100 to 150 bucks, setting it up the way you like, and the satisfaction of you building it the way you like, it is very hard to get better than a Saiga.
 
Saiga all the way. It's the only all-brand-new, 100% Russian AK you can buy in the USA. They are made in the same plant, on the same line, with the same tooling and quality control as the AK-100 series military rifles. On the AK forums I frequent Saigas seem to hold the "standard" of accuracy that very few other AKs can match. Also, by converting it yourself in a few hours you will intimately understand it's inner workings and be able to use whatever stock, pistol grip, and fire control group you want.

With any of the parts kit guns what you end up with is a crap shoot unless you build it yourself on a good receiver like a NoDak Spud. Even then you're usually starting with a used and/or out of spec parts kit.

If you want a high-quality, new gun that will last forever get the Saiga. If you want a particular model AK variant for its' "cool factor" that may or may not be of high quality but will still last forever, get a WASR or whatever version you like.

:cool:
 
I've got a SAR-1 and a Saiga thats being shipped. If I hadn't already pulled the trigger on the Saiga, the Arsenal would be getting shipped. I had to kinda change my perception for the first AK. The Romys ain't pretty, but they go bang just like the rest of them.
 
bought a saiga used... 300 bucks.. converted it as much as I need it converted... another 90 bucks... total... 390 bucks... and a smile.
 
$400 safe queen?:scrutiny:

A rugged AK design is a safe queen?

That has to be one of the most absurd, odd things I have ever read on this forum. Particularly given the price difference between the two. If that price difference is significant enough to make one not want to use the saiga hard then that person probably don't have a safe anyways.
 
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1 more thing just so you dudes know, I just heard from a dealer friend of mine, that Ishevsk plant is going out of business, that means no more saigas, at least for a while, unless someone else picks up the brand name, specs, and runs with them. So get them while they are hot...
 
rangerruck said:
1 more thing just so you dudes know, I just heard from a dealer friend of mine, that Ishevsk plant is going out of business, that means no more saigas, at least for a while, unless someone else picks up the brand name, specs, and runs with them. So get them while they are hot...
Click to expand...
As I explained in your other post, this is a myth brought on by mistranslation.

Izhvesk is just fine.
 
If I wanted a traditional look I would likely go with the Kvar rifle referenced above. To me the slight premium paid for a newly manufactured gun would be worth it.
 
To Nalioth; thanks for that- I told my dealer bud that I highly doubted that, but I would ask around here, and see if anyone had any other news.
I'll let him know not to freak out.
 
I prefer a chrome lined russian saiga to a WASR10. Dont have to worry about canted sights with the saiga, but you also dont have to worry about converting with the WASR10. Not that converting is hard, this is something I've said before, but the point needs to be made. It's easy. I have zero handyman skills and I converted mine in my brothers garage at the age of 19.
 
So about how much does it cost to convert a saiga? I know the price can vary based on how you want it set up and what grip, ect... But I'm just wondering a ruff estimate for a moving the trigger to the right place, putting on a pistole grip, a basic fixed stock, and getting it to take standard AK mags?

Also, are the prices going down? It seems like untill about a week ago the going price was $359, now the are $339 everywhere :) If I'm thinking about buying one should I wait and see if the price goes down again?
 
wcoats said:
So about how much does it cost to convert a saiga? I know the price can vary based on how you want it set up and what grip, ect... But I'm just wondering a ruff estimate for a moving the trigger to the right place, putting on a pistole grip, a basic fixed stock, and getting it to take standard AK mags?
Click to expand...

Go 'round the interwebs, and price out the following items:
US made AK butt stock
US made AK pistol grip
US made AK fire control group (trigger, hammer and disconnecter)

Those are the minimum parts you'll need to convert a Saiga. You'll be changing out all of those parts (or adding it - in the case of the PG) during the conversion, and those 5 parts will put you over the 922r requirements when using any magazine.

Optional - feed ramp for using milsurp mags (Most US mags don't need a feed ramp, but otoh, US mags suck)
 
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