Saiga 7.62 Rifle vs SAR1

[joey93turbo]

I've been looking at gettin an SAR1 AK for a loooooooong time now, I just never have. Nothing really stopping me, I have the money in my pocket.

Lately I've been looking at these Saiga's and hearing great things about them, and I'm thinking maybe I should buy one of them instead and do an AK conversion later on.

I'm looking for a gun that is fairly accurate to 100-200yrds, cheap to shoot, looks good, cheap, ect.

It'll be used mostly for plinking.

I'm wondering how these two guns compare, especially in terms of accuracy and fit/finish.

The local gun shop has a Saiga 7.62 for $199 and an SAR1 for $369.

So, what would you get and why?

 

[Richardson]

Does the saiga take normal (high) capacity magazines?

 

[joey93turbo]

I believe it only takes 10rnd mags without modification. Once I do the conversion it will accept hi-cap mags.

 

[Richardson]

Have you done the modifications you're speaking of regarding the changeover from low cap to regular capacity magazines for the Saiga?

Here's how I see it, assuming you've not done the mod. before:
- $199 Saiga that needs modifications, results to be determined - at best it will be like a modified WASR.
- $369 SAR-1 that is correct off the shelf,

OR, one of the following from:
www.atlanticfirearms.com/rifles/ak47/ak47.html
- $249 WASR with Draganov stock
- $329 Romanian AK-47 [SALE, buy two for $309 each]
- $639 SAM-7 (american made, machined receiver)
- $469 SAR-1

If used STRICTLY for plinking, NEVER intending it for a SHTF rifle, I'd get the Saiga. If I was thinking of using it for defensive or SHTF purposes, I'd get the SAR-1, or Romanian AK, or WASR....

Richardson

 

[rde]

I like my Saiga 7.62 just the way it is. Was thinking about doing the conversion when I bought it. Shot it the first time. Was a happy camper. Still a happy camper.

 

[mrapathy2000]

Here's how I see it, assuming you've not done the mod. before:
- $199 Saiga that needs modifications, results to be determined - at best it will be like a modified WASR.

minus the indents on the receiver the saiga will take hicaps with little effort. feedramp on the other is a little more work. it takes double stack by design not single stack like wasr do or were milled to accept double stack.

I have 2 saiga's 1 in 223 and 1 in 7.62x39 plan on picking up a couple others.

word of caution some people on thehighroad have reported the 7.62x39 saiga's now have a funky chamber dont support the neck all the way not good for reloading or brass ammo. not sure if saiga's are going that way or not havent heard of it over on forum.saiga-12.com which is all about saiga's rifle and shotgun. saiga is made by Izmash same company that makes russia's AK's for many years.

 

[joey93turbo]

I do plan on using it as my SHTF rifle as well.

So there's no difference in accuracy with these two rifles?

 

[Richardson]

Joey93turbo,

I seriously doubt that there is appreciable difference in accuracy between the two rifles. The difference will lie in reliability and parts availability. IF all your mods are perfect, it has been pointed out that the feedramp is still an issue. A rifle that is jammed or fails to feed a round quickly becomes an expensive very short range weapon (i.e. a club).

How much do spare magazines for the saiga cost? If you're only buying one, where do you get spare parts? In SHTF, where do you find spare magazines?

Richardson

 

[hartzpad]

Saigas take all the same AK parts as a Sar-1, except that they use an AK-74 bolt carrier and gas piston I believe. Saigas are flat out better than SAR-1's, if converted properly, because they are cheaper, and have much higher quality. We have all seen SAR-1's with canted sights and other problems. Saigas after proper conversion with a feedramp, are much better IMO.

 

[Warner]

I believe the SAR 1 series of AK type rifles will prove to be one of the very best purchases possible from this period in history. It's supremely effective, universal in so many ways, fun, inexpensive, ultra reliable and lightweight.......and it comes that way right out of the box.

 

[armoredman]

I have been thinking of getting a Saiga 7.62x39 out here, because a local dealer has them for $177, and that's right at the upper limit of what I can afford. I can get spare mags not too expensive, and be fine. OTOH, I might just get an SKS instead....

 

[joey93turbo]

Wow, it's really close. I'm not sure what I should get, haha.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I broke down and finally got a SAR2 instead of getting a Saiga, which would of been kind of like what I wanted, but not quite. I have an SKS already anyways, which would have been pretty much the same as the Saiga. I am really glad I got the SAR2, lots of fun! 30 rounds!

 

[Kurt]

I'll go with the SAR 1 each and every time. It's wildly popular and here to stay, reputation wise.

It has established itself, and most problems (if present) are easily corrected. I cannot buy into the small dollar amount savings as any legit factor when buying a weapon of this type.

It's still a "best buy" from today's available offerings.