Deal or no deal on Saiga AK?

[Timradcliffe345]

Ran across a NIB Saiga (AK103) Ak47 type rifle with the poly stock, bayo, pistolgrip and chromelined barrel. Dealer wanted $950 out the door. I am not up on what these usually run at. Is it a deal or isn't ? Thanks.


On a side note, anyone heard of AK-USA? Whats the quality of their work like? Thanks.
You can find them at:

http://www.ak-103.com/

 

[rbernie]

AK-USA does good work, and that seems to be the going rate for one of their AK-103s.

One thing to note is that, unlike most Saiga conversions, the AK-USA product includes the machine work to retrofit a traditional AK forearm and FSB/bayo lug. That's pretty advanced stuff, and if you want the closest thing you can get to a real AKM - this is one way to get it.

 

[geojap]

If you are in the market for an AKM with Russian guts, restored as authentically as possible to a traditional configuration, then that is the way to go. Chris at AKUSA does top-notch work, as rbernie said. The price is relatively high compared to WASRs and such, but this isn't a WASR.

When you are buying from Chris at AKUSA, you are also in the same league as the Bulgarian Arsenal AKs and Tromix Saigas. You may want to look them over just to make sure that you are looking at all the other options in that price/quality range.

If you can afford it and this is the rifle you want, I don't see any reason not to buy it. You will be happy with it.

Honestly, I am going to buy another EBR before the next election in '08, and I would like it to be another Saiga in .223, since I like my Tromix .223 Saiga so much. I may have to see how nice Chris's .223 Saiga conversions are.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

I can't argue with what's been said thus far

but I will ask you this: what do you want in an AK? $950 is very high for what is basically a standard configuration AKM.

You can buy a very similar AK for $600 from Atlantic or similar. Or, for less you can do the conversion yourself - a base 7.62x39 Saiga is only $250 from Classic Arms and just about anybody can do the pistol grip conversion - dremel tool, hand drill and a pair of plyers - no kidding.

All basic AKM's have chromed lined barrels - that's no big deal in the AK world.

Here is my Saiga .308 that I converted myself - I have $500 in it - no, I didn't do any work of the handguards or muzzle - because it shoots so dang good and I like the way it looks as-is. I am perfectly able to do this work - just not motivated to in this case.

 

[geojap]

Hehe, this is off topic, but I love it when an AK thread appears and usually at least one half of the responders are in Texas. That warms my heart.

 

[chris in va]

I agree, don't see the need to really 'trick' out a Saiga. Pistol grip and extended magazine, that's about all I'd ever want.

 

[rangerruck]

that seems high to me, not necessarily high for the work or parts, but just too much to pay. Interlrdinance arms, I think out of Texas?, builds a nice , in the box one, with all the goodies for about 500, and would be what I would get next, That or the new Armalite ar 180's , they are super nice, but almost double the price.

 

[rbernie]

Just bear in mind that the price difference between a basic Saiga conversion and the AKUSA conversion lies largely in the forearm and FSB. The ability to use a bayo is cool, and the ability to use standard AK forearms is more than cool.

I have a handful of Saiga conversions that use the standard Saiga forearm; I'm not mind having at least one of them machined to accept the traditional AK furniture/retainer.

I'm not trying to sell the AKJUSA - I'm just trying to make sure that the differences between it and a standard Saiga conversion are noted.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Nice AK OSOK. Listen to this man, he's got a lot of good info (especially over on Saiga12.com)


Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want to convert the Saiga handguards to AK style other than to have something as visually accurate as possible. For practicality, not only is it cheaper and easier to leave them be, but the Saiga handguards are superior. They are longer, a better shape, cover up more of the metal surfaces (almost impossible to burn your fingers)...

Stick with the regular hand guards unless for aesthetic/collector purpose you want to have a visually accurate AK.

 

[rbernie]

Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want to convert the Saiga handguards to AK style other than to have something as visually accurate as possible.

You can get some very nice railed forearms for AKMs that are not available for the Saiga.

Personally, I use the Ultimak on my Saigas for my optics, but I can also see the value in having siderails for a forearm light.