For starters, I am new to guns. So, if I ask a few questions that seem strange, please consider the source. I pm'd these questions to one guy, and he thought that these would be excellent questions for the forum. So, I went ahead and posted the questions.
I have been running searches through this forum on saiga guns. I did not realize that saigas existed and am now trying to learn about them. I am trying not to duplicate past questions, but these are the things that I am still unclear about.
1. In your opinion, are the saigas as reliable as the tough-as-nails ak?
2. In your experience, are the saiga guns more accurate than either an ak or an sks?
I am worried about another ban comming soon, so I composed a list of guns that I would like to get before a ban happens. I didnt know anything about saigas and consequently have not put them on the list of stuff to buy before the end of the year (some time before the next president).
In this list, I wanted to buy 2 ar-15 lowers, as well as a third lower reciever with the rest of the parts to complete one ar-15 rifle.
3. In your opinion, would a guy like me be better off eliminating an ar lower and opting for a saiga in either a .223 or .308?
4. How does a saiga compare to an ar-15 in both reliability and accuracy?
I am sorry if my questions are too broad, but I don't know enough about the topic to make them clearer. If my questions need to be clarified further before you are able to respond, please let me know how I can help provide you with the information needed to answer the questions.
Just to give you my small limited opinion. I just bought a Chinese rip off AK .223 and fired it off last weekend. With just iron scopes I was hitting the target at 50 yards the very first time firing it. If you have a decent rifled barrel, and the gun is in decent shape it will hit your target. I had posted some pics of my target at 25 yards on the AR 15 forum.
Definitely put the saiga on your list. It will outlast the ar,has more power, and is cheaper than a part on a ar.
I've had my saiga for about a month now and have put about 150-200rds through it without a single problem and that's shooting wolf ammo which is crap. Even with the crap ammo I have no problems keeping all my shots within a paper plate sized target @ 50yards shooting freehanded, which is about the same as my AR. I'm sure the AR would surpass the saiga on a bench. Accuracy is better than most ak's and you don't have to worry about problems of romanians like trigger slap and canted sights.
7.62x39 is a great round and can be bought for cheap even today. I think i paid 250.00 for a 1,000rds of wolf hollow point. SHTF hunting ammo.
The saiga is a great all around rifle, Just throw it under the backseat and know you have a 250 dollar rifle that will kill just about anything in North America and fire under any conditions with decent accuracy.
That was the good, the bad is the sights arent' that great but definitely do the job. Also the fit and finish of the stock is not that great, but who cares on such a great cheap rifle.
the only thing i would have to say is that there isn't as much aftermarket stuff for it as an AR or Ak if i got one i would want to do some sort of conversion to take off the stock butt stock and put something else on it like Billy's but that requires some work and patience
I love my Saiga-12 very reliable very tough. Would like a .308 but hasnt came to be yet. you do have to look around a little for accesories and mags are a little pricey. but all and all an very good gun.
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im gonna bud in and ask some questions too. does saiga make ak's (noobie question) im in the market for my first ak and i know i want it to be milled. and what do yall think a bout the stg 2000 model. its on the atlantic firearms site. i was gonna go with the plain jane wasr 10 from classic arms but im having butterflys because what ive heard about wasr 10's. any input would be great. i have ar's out the wazoo you ak people have sucessfully made me a true believer.
I am also on the fence on this Saiga Rifle. Its here local to me for 245. It did feel a little cheap,and the factory stock has to go. But the price seems unbeatable.
What options are there for stocks?
Are we talking major modding to get ak mags to go?
EDIT Saiga Rifles
That built one was done for $450. There was a decent used ak near me for 399..
so I dunno
Last edited by gripnCOLDSTEEL; 02-14-2008 at 05:47 AM.
The quality of a Saiga is generally superior to that of a Romanian AK. While the price for the Saiga plus US parts to convert it to pistol grip and legally allow use of hi-cap mags is greater, it's well worth it.
My favorite AK config is a converted Saiga that keeps the factory handguard but has the trigger group replaced with a US made version made for military config AKs. Mine uses a G2 FCG, a Tapco SAW grip, and a K-Var buttstock. Amazingly, all of the plastic matches.
To use military magazines functionally and legally, you need to use US made parts in your conversion (see the sticky thread in this section), modify the mag release to accept the thicker AK mag tab, and install a feed ramp in the trunion in front of the mag.
The Saigas, especially in 223 and 308, are known for their excellent accuracy when the shooter and optics are right. However, the stamped receiver doesn't provide the most rigid mount for a scope. A more rigid scope mount would be a scout type mount.
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