Saiga 5.45

[amd6547]

I have been intrigued by the 5.45 cartridge, and the low prices for spam cans full of it.
Having just sold a couple handguns, I decided to get a Saiga 5.45. Found one at a gun show...the dealer had two...he had just sold one before I walked up. They were the only two of this model in the whole show. A guy was looking it over pretty closely when I found it. As soon as he set it down and walked away, I bought it.
After cleaning and lubing, I took it to the range today. Recoil, as expected, was pretty much non-existant. Accuracy at 100yds was good, but I was hampered by not having my AK sight adjustment tool...out of the box, it shot a tight group about 5 inches high, and 5 inches right, with a center bull hold and the rear sight set on "1".
The group shown was shot using kyntucky windage, and could have been much better.
Plus, the Saiga has a scope rail...I do believe I will utilize that in the future.
The 5.45mm round seems like it would be an excellent SD/HD cartridge for my purposes.
I can't wait till my case of ammo gets here.
While converting the Saiga to standard AK configuration is pretty easy, I may just keep this rifle as is.

 

[aubie515]

I'd convert it to get a good LOP on the rifle...not to mention a better trigger and the option of being able to use 30rd mags.

I just bought an AK74 last week as well. I like that it's much lighter than the AK47 and it has some zip behind that 5.45 round.

 

[amd6547]

Well, many people say their 5.45 Saigas can use 30rd ak74 mags with no problem. There is a bullet guide which is easy to mount to assure the use of 30rd mags, and I probably will put one in if I have any problem.
LOP is pretty good with the stock that came on it...certainly longer than many AK stocks I have used.
The trigger is a little heavy...but that may change with use, and it is certainly usable as is.
I have built an AK from a parts kit, so the conversion is within my capabilities. I do find a sporter stock handles a little quicker for me, though.

 

[wally]

Trust me, you really want to do the minimal conversion to move the trigger where it belongs and use the normal pistol grip and stock. The stock hand guard is fine.

The chrome bore of the Saiga is a big plus when shooting corrosive surplus -- which is about all mine ever does. Its nice that the paper wraps in the spam can hold 30 rounds, just right for one AK74 magazine.

 

[amd6547]

Well, Wally...I have fired 1000's of rounds through pistol grip AK's, AR's, and cetme...yet my favorite HD long arm is my M1 carbine. Trust me if I say I find sporter stocks faster pointing than pistol grips.

 

[spartand003]

But amd, you can't spray fire from the hip with a sporter stock

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Well, Wally...I have fired 1000's of rounds through pistol grip AK's, AR's, and cetme...yet my favorite HD long arm is my M1 carbine. Trust me if I say I find sporter stocks faster pointing than pistol grips.

I can understand that, to be honest. People have their own preferences, and I also believe that I find a sporter configuration faster. The pistol grip/stock is good, but some people just adapt do different things better.

When I get a Saiga 12, I'm definitely keeping it fully stock.

 

[spartand003]

The more I look at the Saigas the more I think I could deal with the stock. How much would converting cost?

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

The more I look at the Saigas the more I think I could deal with the stock. How much would converting cost?

It doesn't cost much at all. Besides the tools and skill (not much needed) to convert it, you'll need a new trigger (tapco G2), and of course a butstock and pistol grip.

 

[spartand003]

So not much. Hmmm.... I've seen them locally for under 300 bucks, and I've been dieing for an AK or an AR. So stock set (I'd keep the handgun because I really like the look) would be around 70-80 bucks. Tapco trigger set for 30 bucks. Tools I've got, and skill I can recruit .

So I'm looking at an Arsenal quality (if I do it right ) for about 450 bucks.

I could do this.

 

[wally]

The more I look at the Saigas the more I think I could deal with the stock

There is actually nothing wrong with the factory Saiga stock. But moving the trigger forward gets rid of the wishbone linkage and is a major improvement to the trigger. But once you've put in the "normal" AK trigger you pretty much have to use a pistol grip or "Dragunov" style thumbhole stock.

 

[spartand003]

I'd be ok with a Dragunov stlye stock. Any recommendations?

 

[amd6547]

There is a dragonov style stock for the Saiga...

 

[wnycollector]

Well, many people say their 5.45 Saigas can use 30rd ak74 mags with no problem.

I'm one of the those people. I just cracked open my 5th spam can of 7n6 ammo for my Saiga without a bullet guide. Zero malfunctions in ~4500 rounds. I'm using bulgy ak-74 mags.

There is a dragonov style stock for the Saiga

Yep and it is excellent quality!

 

[JustinJ]

I've put just about every type of 5.45 through my arsenal saiga and it shoots the tightest groups with 7N6, about 1.75" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. Mine only groups about 3" with the Hornaday 5.45. I picked up a POSP 4X scope but had to get a new mount from Kalinka to make it compatible with my Arsenal.

 

[whetrock]

That looks like a great rifle for the money even if you decided to keep it stock I've wanted to try out the .308 saiga forever but the expensive mags are a downside for me.