Hmmm, AK decisions

[Shadowangel]

I've put a couple thousand rounds through my Saiga 7.62, and never had a jam. I've put similar through my WASR, with none either. Quality wise though.. the Saiga completely destroys the WASR in fit,finish,accuracy,and pure quality. You can tell by looking at the two that the WASR is thrown together, and the Saiga is made with care.

 

[omega53513]

I would also agree with people who said that Saigas are NOT lower quality AKs than real Izhmash AKM.
Low price of Saigas is because no one wasn't them for Saigas, everyone who buys it wants to convert it to AKM. So not many people are interested in them while there are many of them around - supply and demand. As well as the cost involved in the conversion.

Also if you lived in Russia or studied REAL Russian relations with other countries (Like my self, I was born, raised and studied in Russia) you would know that in most Soviet countries everything that goes for export would be of higher quality than what ever stayed for people.

I have owned a couple of different AKs and AKMs my self, including the Yugo. While I do agree that Yugo are very high quality AKs/AKMs I do not agree that they are higher quality than Saigas.

I also own Vepr K, and while Yugo is a high quality AK, its no where near quality and finish of Vepr. Also keep in mind that Yugo has lower barrel life than Vepr, and Saiga (due to not being chrome lined).

Little bit off topic, but the reason why most Romanian guns are of low quality is not because they build them for export but because Romania was never able to make good guns.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

The other thing that people seem to forget when they mention how simple it is to convert a sagia with a dremel and some spare parts, is the fact that the front end is not the same, and takes a good bit more work to put AK style forends on, and then your left with holes where pins used to be, a mag catch/trigger guard assy. that is either not correct, somewhat bubba'd, or was a good bit of work and extra parts to do.

My point is that a saiga with the trigger moved, a feed ramp installed, stock, trigger group, pistol grip and trigger guard added, holes and rough metal where pins and old sheet metal used to be, and still a saiga front end that cannot accept AK (ultimak, ect..) type handguards, after all that, is still not even to the point of a WASR in terms of being an Military style AK pattern weapon.

I will say that they are a good price for what they actually are though, a low cap semi auto sporting rifle with an AK legacy style gas system, but if you want a military style AK, unless you are just hung up on the rec. coming from russia and having the little arsenal stamp (right beside all of the english saftey markings and SAIGA designations) then its a an OK starting point for a military style AK.

 

[nalioth]

My point is that a saiga with the trigger moved, a feed ramp installed, stock, trigger group, pistol grip and trigger guard added, holes and rough metal where pins and old sheet metal used to be, and still a saiga front end that cannot accept AK (ultimak, ect..) type handguards, after all that, is still not even to the point of a WASR in terms of being an Military style AK pattern weapon.

Ultimak rails work fine on the Saiga, and Samson just released a rail that works ootb on the Saiga.

For those of you who desire a "true" AK clone from your Saiga, there is this to help you:
Clicks

Dinzag does great work and his parts are top notch (he makes them himself).


Personally, when I converted my Saiga, I did not use a drill or grinder or any other destructive method on the parts of the rifle I was keeping, so I have no worries about rust or welding up holes, etc. I left my holes open (but I did use a pistol grip reinforcement plate) because I'm after function over looks. A rifle ain't for lookin' at, ya know.

 

[jpwilly]

I've handled and shot quite a few AKM variants. I choose the Lancaster Arms Tactical built with new Romey G parts but an Arsenal would have been good to. I have the UTG 4 rail and the CAR 6 position stock makes it fully adjustable to length of pull for anyone who wants to shoot it. Me, I'm 6'1" and need more than a standard AKM stock. Photo of the Lancaster sold at Atlantic Firearms:

 

[okiewita40]

Shadowangel and Omega thank you for the support.

dstorm, We all have our opinion and mine has been stated on the Saiga. Now I know I will never be able to own an actual AK-47 on my own. I did shoot one while I was in the military once. It was only for familirization purpose. But it was and actual russian AK-47 with semi and full auto modes of fire.

I think that for an ak based rifle the saiga modified or not is a good deal.

 

[03Shadowbob]

I mean h#ll I ride a Harley, others ride a Honda and are perfectly happy with it, I don't go screaming Honda's are pieces of crap or put down those who buy one but they are what they are

That right there discredits everything you have to say, IMO. Honda and Yamaha, hell even Suzuki is lightyears ahead of Harley in engineering and reliability. Your ego will not tell you this and it certainly won't allow you to believe it but it is true my friend. BTW I own both a Harley and a Honda.