SturmMackRuger
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- Jun 21, 2007
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- 43
I recently saw a Saiga .223 rifle for $275 im seriously thinking of purchasing this over a mini 14 but i want to know why is it soooo cheap compared to other semi auto .223 rifles.
Why are Saiga firearms so cheap are the guns terrible or just because they're Russian
- Thread starter SturmMackRuger
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ec-10
Member
The stamped steel receiver made on equipment that was probably paid for decades ago (making an assumption) might have something to do with it. The rouble has been gaining on the dollar all year so they might not be so cheap in a few more months.
TimboKhan
Member
THey are cheap because they aren't that expensive to build, basically. You won't go wrong with a Saiga. They are fun to shoot and reliable. I have one, and as I said in a more recent forum, it isn't my favorite rifle, but it's not one I will be getting rid of either! IF your interested, check out the Saiga forum: http://forum.saiga-12.com/
they are AK's in a sport config. the russians make AK's cheap ( what you didnt think AK's actualy cost 300$+ did you?!) and theres a market here in the US. Supply + demand = MONEY FOR MOTHER RUSSIA! i mean, what would you do if you already flooded most markets with AK47's. start making sport guns for the americans!
also, Saigas are far superior in value to any american gun in the same price range
also, Saigas are far superior in value to any american gun in the same price range
Don't worry about Saiga quality. They're all made in the same factory where real AKs are made and they're pretty difficult to find (around my parts anyways). Snatch one up if you can. I love Saiga's so much I own two of them. One in 7.62x39 and a 12 guage, hopefully I'll have a .308 soon enough.
I concur with the other posts on this thread.
Frankly, a Saiga is probably the most accurate AK you can own. Its quality is on line with Arsenal AKs at a fraction of the stock-configuration cost.
A sporterized AK can be converted back to the original AK configuration with adverage skills and a bit of a understanding of section 922 requirements.
It is easy to mount optics on a Saiga due to the standard side-mounted sight and optics rail.
I particularly like that the Saigas are available in 7.62x39, .223, .308, .410 shotgun, 20 gauge shotgun, and 12 gauge shotgun.
Currently, I own a .308 that has been converted to the standard configuration and has an 8 Power PSOP scope. It consistently shoots 1-1.5 MOA which is great for my uses.
I could easily see a .223 and/or 12 guage in my future.
-- John
Frankly, a Saiga is probably the most accurate AK you can own. Its quality is on line with Arsenal AKs at a fraction of the stock-configuration cost.
A sporterized AK can be converted back to the original AK configuration with adverage skills and a bit of a understanding of section 922 requirements.
It is easy to mount optics on a Saiga due to the standard side-mounted sight and optics rail.
I particularly like that the Saigas are available in 7.62x39, .223, .308, .410 shotgun, 20 gauge shotgun, and 12 gauge shotgun.
Currently, I own a .308 that has been converted to the standard configuration and has an 8 Power PSOP scope. It consistently shoots 1-1.5 MOA which is great for my uses.
I could easily see a .223 and/or 12 guage in my future.
-- John
Samuraigg
Member
Yeah I love my 7.62 rifle that I just got. I don't like the fact that I have to mess around with 922r compliance to get it to use high capacity magazines, but I think its worth it once I get the necessary parts replaced.
cc93crusier
Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2007
- Messages
- 21
Is it true that you can't use extended mags with these saigas? I thought I heard that somewhere...Or maybe it was ak mags....
rangerruck
Member
it is primarily a function of the furniture, I think, simple molded plastic. everything else is stamped. the bbl is top notch though, cold pour, hammer forged, chrome lined. Accuracy is above pretty much all other Ak's on the market, except your top cost custom babes.
Samuraigg
Member
You can't use extended mags with the Saiga without making modifications to the rifle for 922r compliance.
target1911
Member
I am not very familiar with the 922r regulations....what one need to do to make it legal with extended mags....I have seen the 410 and want one and I want a 12ga too....I have even thought about the other rifle cal's too. But I want to be legal
922r says you cannot make a "non sporting gun" out of more than 10 foriegn parts from a list. an AK patern has about 17 of those parts. (saigas have...15? due to lack of pistol grip and no muzzle attachments.) so in order to make it hi cap you must replace 5 foreign made parts with US made parts. easy replacements are Stocks, handguards, piston, and triger group ( worth 3). also magazines, and followers are on the list. most people who convert saigas do a full convert to a Pistol grip. my math on number of parts may be off.
nvshooter
member
Better buy them while you can. HR 1022 will outlaw them for future sale...
kingpin008
Member
NV, you've been posting that same sort of doom & gloom on a few threads now...we all know about the bill, and a bunch of us are writing and calling to fight it. Why do you feel the need to crow about it all the suddden, instead of posting what you're doing to keep it from passing? Do you own a shop? Trying to drive up your prices? Or just worried that the sky is falling?
Hoppy590 said:
It's off a little bit.
18 USC 922R lists 20 parts that "count" toward compliance. A standard AK-47 has 16 of those parts. A stock Saiga sporter model only has 14 (no pistol grip or muzzle device).
When you convert the rifle to an AK, you end up with 15 parts (adding the PG), which means you need at least 5 US parts. The fire control group (trigger, hammer, disconnector) count for 3 -- and if you use a US-made PG and buttstock you're done. If you later thread the muzzle and add a muzzle device, you need to make sure you remain compliant.
To use standard AK mags, you also have to add a bullet guide to the receiver. It takes about 6 minutes to do.
Another peculiarity is that Saigas won't take standard handguards without some modifications - either a bolt on adapter or pressing off the FSB and GB to install a standard retainer. You can get the stock handguard modified, or find some of the guys who make some great custom furniture for the Saiga.
All in all, the Saiga is probably the best value going in AK's. I bought my rifle for $266 delivered and did the conversion. You can do the full mod for as little as $120 -- still less than the cost of a low-end AK. Here's mine:
That's the original (sporter) version on top. You can do the conversion in a day if you have all the parts ready.
Jim
salty
Member
If you looked at it you should have noted it was a good quality rifle at a great price. No hand grip or high cap mags - how important are the features too you ? I can live with low cost, a 10 round mag and no hand grip for plink'in - truck gun use. Scope mount $60 and a $150 scope and you have a nice package. If this is your only semi auto small caliber rifle then get an AR first.
LaEscopeta
Member
OK I'm getting a sense of deju vu, but here is the text of 922(r), paragraphs (a) & (c), with parts a stock Saiga rifle has in bold:
(a) No person shall assemble a semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun using more than 10 of the imported parts listed in paragraph (c) of this section if the assembled firearm is prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.
1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or
stampings
(2) Barrels
(3) Barrel extensions
(4) Mounting blocks (trunions)
(5) Muzzle attachments
(6) Bolts
(7) Bolt carriers
(8) Operating rods?
(9) Gas pistons
(10) Trigger housings
(11) Triggers
(12) Hammers
(13) Sears
(14) Disconnectors
(15) Buttstocks
(16) Pistol grips
(17) Forearm handguards
(18) Magazine bodies
(19) Followers
(20) Floorplates
Note that is 14 forgien made parts on a stock Saiga rifle.
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<SLV>
Member
readily adaptable to sporting purposes.
It is a piece of cake to modify 30-rd milsurp AK mags to fit in a Saiga. As far as I'm concerned, the gun is still "readily convertible" because it can still accept the original magazines! No 922r compliance issues there, and 5 minutes worth of work.
It is a piece of cake to modify 30-rd milsurp AK mags to fit in a Saiga. As far as I'm concerned, the gun is still "readily convertible" because it can still accept the original magazines! No 922r compliance issues there, and 5 minutes worth of work.
<SLV>
Member
readily adaptable to sporting purposes.
It is a piece of cake to modify 30-rd milsurp AK mags to fit in a Saiga. As far as I'm concerned, the gun is still "readily adaptable" because it can still accept the original magazines! No 922r compliance issues there, and 5 minutes worth of work.
It is a piece of cake to modify 30-rd milsurp AK mags to fit in a Saiga. As far as I'm concerned, the gun is still "readily adaptable" because it can still accept the original magazines! No 922r compliance issues there, and 5 minutes worth of work.
LaEscopeta
Member
Ooops. Edited my original post to list the 14 repeat 14 forgien made parts in a stock Saiga rifle. Thanks for catching my error.
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