I sold off another rifle and bought a Saiga 5.45 and I am disappointed. I can't recommend to anyone. I'd get a different caliber long before I bought another one of these. First the sight seems to be canted a little. Not much but just enough to cause notice unfortunately. Second the overall feel is just cheaper. Alot more so than my Saiga 308 which I love. They really cut weight similar to the effort the Brits put forth on the #5 Mark I rifles. I believe that cutting the barrel down in diameter that much really hurts accuracy, which by the way is very average, not so good. Also the mags do wobble on this one alot more than you would expect. The two stage trigger sucks compared to a good single stage AR trigger. especially in rapid fire. Thats about it I guess. If I was looking for a 5.45 I'd get a different caliber in one of these especially the 308.
saiga 5.45, me no likey...
- Thread starter rizbunk77
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nalioth
Member
"Two stage trigger" ?
Huh?
Don't you mean "multiple stage trigger" ? Parts 7, 8, 9 and 10 constitute the "trigger" in a factory Saiga.
"Mag wobble"?
Does it reliably feed? If not, it's a non-issue.
"Canted sights"?
Can you zero it? Have you tried to zero it? If it's so canted, it won't zero, it's a reportable issue. If you can zero it, it's fine.
If you wanted a "pretty" rifle, you went after the wrong brand.
If you wanted a functional and durable rifle, and didn't care how pretty it was, you got the right one.
Welcome to the world of Russian military firearms - ugly and functional.
Huh?
Don't you mean "multiple stage trigger" ? Parts 7, 8, 9 and 10 constitute the "trigger" in a factory Saiga.
"Mag wobble"?
Does it reliably feed? If not, it's a non-issue.
"Canted sights"?
Can you zero it? Have you tried to zero it? If it's so canted, it won't zero, it's a reportable issue. If you can zero it, it's fine.
If you wanted a "pretty" rifle, you went after the wrong brand.
If you wanted a functional and durable rifle, and didn't care how pretty it was, you got the right one.
Welcome to the world of Russian military firearms - ugly and functional.
RedLion
Member
I'd give you $150
OrangePwrx9
Member
I happen to like my Saigas (7.62x39 & .223) as issued. But if they were as disappointing as your 5.45 is, I'd view them as project rifles and do the AK conversion on them. If nothing else, you'll end up with an AK education and a very nice trigger.
What have you got to lose?
Checkout Saiga-12.com for advice and tutorials.
Bob
What have you got to lose?
Checkout Saiga-12.com for advice and tutorials.
Bob
rangerruck
Member
how old is it? If 30 days or less, i would take it back to the dealer. that saiga in 545 should be the bee's knees- should be as accurate, or more so , than a 223 saiga. And mags shouldn't be loose, and sight should not be canted; this is a factory made product, in sporter version, right? not converted at all, correct?
I am about 99% sure, that the bbls for the 223, 762.39, and 545 , are all the same diameter, with the 308 being the thicker bbl.
I am about 99% sure, that the bbls for the 223, 762.39, and 545 , are all the same diameter, with the 308 being the thicker bbl.
nalioth
Member
Yes, a RUSSIAN military factory.rangerruck said:
As far as they're concerned, if it functions reliably and can be zeroed, they've done their job. The very misunderstood "mag wobble" and canted barrel fixtures are common in all Kalashnikovs.
Agreed-- My WASR has no mag wobble with SK metals and Bulgy bullet side, but many others wobble a bit-- and they all function as designed...I was lucky to have a CIA monkey build with no canted sights, but unless they are so canted you have to Kentucky windage the heck out of them, I would go with it....AKs aren't target rifles, and a MOM (minute of man) is all they are designed to do...
THE DARK KNIGHT
Member
Sounds like you bought an AK for all the wrong reasons.
Nuke8401
Member
Post #3, NALIOTH,
Those look like parts out of an old bumper jack.
I'm just saying.
Needless to say I don’t know Squat about a saiga.
Those look like parts out of an old bumper jack.
I'm just saying.
Needless to say I don’t know Squat about a saiga.
I am just comparing to the milled arsenals I have owned, which might be unfair. Its a two stage trigger because its an *rsenal conversion, which makes it a little more frustrating. For that kind of money you expect a straight front sight. I think in retrospect if I had picked one up a felt it before I ordered I would have thought twice definitely.
SSN Vet
Member
so it sounds like you bought an AK, no?
comparing .308 to 5.45 doesn't make much sense... to me at least.
oh, well... sorry to hear you're not pleased with your new rifle
comparing .308 to 5.45 doesn't make much sense... to me at least.
oh, well... sorry to hear you're not pleased with your new rifle
Norinco982lover
Member
So it is a converted Saiga?
If there is a problem with the sights than send it back to the manufacturer.
I love my converted Saiga 7.62x39... I strongly doubt I would EVER sell it.
~Norinco
If there is a problem with the sights than send it back to the manufacturer.
I love my converted Saiga 7.62x39... I strongly doubt I would EVER sell it.
~Norinco
welcome to AKs, where you settle for less and tell yourself its because its "russian" and not meant to be anything other than functional.
And somehow thats cool.
But seriously, thats really how it is, its a crapshoot. Sometimes you get a nice one, sometimes you get a not so nice one, they almost always function and are rarely impressive in any other area.
And somehow thats cool.
But seriously, thats really how it is, its a crapshoot. Sometimes you get a nice one, sometimes you get a not so nice one, they almost always function and are rarely impressive in any other area.
Norinco982lover
Member
Spoken like somebody who probably hasn't put very many rounds thru a Russian AK.
What's not to love? This gun cost me about $500 for everything you see above. And I converted it myself. It is great.
rangerruck
Member
sounds like you got it converted, from Arsenal? I would beotch to them to the high Heavens, tell them how you have bought their products before, and none are like this... Again, especially return it to wherever bought, if under 30 days old.
atlanticfire
Member
Not a Saiga fan. . . . .Although the Russian Vepr is somthing esle.
Hammerhead6814
Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2009
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I'll top all of these guys. I'll give you $200 to take that headache from you.
$210 here...
I own one in 5.45...unconverted, sights slightly canted, zeroes okay, trigger a little rough, '74 mags lock-up snug. Mounted a 1-3x scope and promptly shot 1 1/4 groups with Silver Bear, Wolf, and Bulgarian Wasp...
Where are you gonna get a rugged shooter like that for under $400?
I own one in 5.45...unconverted, sights slightly canted, zeroes okay, trigger a little rough, '74 mags lock-up snug. Mounted a 1-3x scope and promptly shot 1 1/4 groups with Silver Bear, Wolf, and Bulgarian Wasp...
Where are you gonna get a rugged shooter like that for under $400?
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nerves are getting to me now....can't deal with rifle drama very well. I had this up for sale but don't know what to do.
I really and I mean really like my Saiga 308. I unconverted it and I think if it had a 2 inch longer barrel and were issued to our troops in WWII Patton might have called it the best battle implement ever.
I really and I mean really like my Saiga 308. I unconverted it and I think if it had a 2 inch longer barrel and were issued to our troops in WWII Patton might have called it the best battle implement ever.
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atlanticfire
Member
Im sorry. . . . . . . .
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