Archived Posts » 59,821,464
First time AK-47 buyer
4/17/2012 12:30:50 PM
Fellow members,
I'm in the market for an AK-47 California Compliant, I've conducted an intensive research and read plenty of feedback and testimonies in regards to the AK models out there. YET!! I can not seem to chose between a Saiga and convert it or an already ready AK, the reason being is that I don't have that many options cause i'm living in this "Great State" that makes owning such type of a rifle a nightmare. My budget is $625 but I can push it another $100 if it is worth it. Any suggestions or recomendations please, thanks allot
.
If you know of any gun stores in Northern California that have such rifle please let me know, thanks.
I'm in the market for an AK-47 California Compliant, I've conducted an intensive research and read plenty of feedback and testimonies in regards to the AK models out there. YET!! I can not seem to chose between a Saiga and convert it or an already ready AK, the reason being is that I don't have that many options cause i'm living in this "Great State" that makes owning such type of a rifle a nightmare. My budget is $625 but I can push it another $100 if it is worth it. Any suggestions or recomendations please, thanks allot
.
If you know of any gun stores in Northern California that have such rifle please let me know, thanks.
4/17/2012 2:01:17 PM
For your first AK I'd probably go ahead and get one that's set up like you want it and be done with it. Study it, learn about it and become familiar with it, then build your second one if you still want to build one.
For commiefornia compliant AK's you should check out both Henderson and K-Var Corp.
Henderson has a couple nicely set up compliant AK's to chose from, and K-Var Corp has a few as well. Some of which are already converted Saiga's (Arsenal SGL's).
Both sources should provide you with a couple of options which will be of good value, and compliant to your geographical disadvantage.
Good luck, and welcome to the site.
For commiefornia compliant AK's you should check out both Henderson and K-Var Corp.
Henderson has a couple nicely set up compliant AK's to chose from, and K-Var Corp has a few as well. Some of which are already converted Saiga's (Arsenal SGL's).
Both sources should provide you with a couple of options which will be of good value, and compliant to your geographical disadvantage.
Good luck, and welcome to the site.
4/17/2012 2:05:05 PM
For your first AK I'd probably go ahead and get one that's set up like you want it and be done with it. Study it, learn about it and become familiar with it, then build your second one if you still want to build one.
For commiefornia compliant AK's you should check out both Henderson and K-Var Corp.
Henderson has a couple nicely set up compliant AK's to chose from, and K-Var Corp has a few as well. Some of which are already converted Saiga's (Arsenal SGL's).
Both sources should provide you with a couple of options which will be of good value, and compliant to your geographical disadvantage.
Good luck, and welcome to the site.
For commiefornia compliant AK's you should check out both Henderson and K-Var Corp.
Henderson has a couple nicely set up compliant AK's to chose from, and K-Var Corp has a few as well. Some of which are already converted Saiga's (Arsenal SGL's).
Both sources should provide you with a couple of options which will be of good value, and compliant to your geographical disadvantage.
Good luck, and welcome to the site.
4/17/2012 2:31:14 PM
Thanks allot guys for your reply and welcoming me to this great site, in regards to Henderson, I don't think they are in business even though there phone works but its always a voicemail and there website is not active cause all search engines cant locate there server!!! I would love to get a hold of them cause they have descent prices and a nice selection (that Yugo M70 AB2 is what I prefer) unlike K-Var, they are way over priced specially the asking price on there Arsenal SGL-23-61. I can get it at Utah's Self Defense Solution California compliant for $745.95 + $25 shipping
, in regards to Henderson, I don't think they are in business even though there phone works but its always a voicemail and there website is not active cause all search engines cant locate there server!!! I would love to get a hold of them cause they have descent prices and a nice selection (that Yugo M70 AB2 is what I prefer) unlike K-Var, they are way over priced specially the asking price on there Arsenal SGL-23-61. I can get it at Utah's Self Defense Solution California compliant for $745.95 + $25 shipping4/17/2012 3:32:49 PM
Sorry to hear that. My bad I guess, just trying to pass on what I've been hearing/seeing. (heard/read about Henderson, recently saw them on K-Var).
I don't usually pay too much attention to the "ban compliant" stuff, as I'm fortunate enough to live in the free'est state in the Union (Alaska)!
I don't usually pay too much attention to the "ban compliant" stuff, as I'm fortunate enough to live in the free'est state in the Union (Alaska)!
4/17/2012 4:37:55 PM
If it were me, I would buy a stock Saiga rifle and leave it in hunting configuration. That way you don't have to mess with the bullet button (that's how I read CA law, so correct me if I'm wrong).
I could never own a gun I needed a tool to remove the magazine, because they're useless for self defense after firing your initial magazine. That's just me though...
I could never own a gun I needed a tool to remove the magazine, because they're useless for self defense after firing your initial magazine. That's just me though...
4/17/2012 4:42:54 PM
No worries my friend, I appreciate your help and your sujjestions. i actually called Henderson and I spoke to one of the guys there for a good 15 miutes, His name was Sydny and he was cool not like the rest I've talk to the past week. He said that they are waiting for a shippment from CAI but they dont know when will it arrive cause CAI dont notify them when will they get there shipment till a day before, Who does business like that?!!!! to be honest I never knew that gun shop owners are rude as hell, it feels like they are the ones doing you a favor not the other way around 
. i actually called Henderson and I spoke to one of the guys there for a good 15 miutes, His name was Sydny and he was cool not like the rest I've talk to the past week. He said that they are waiting for a shippment from CAI but they dont know when will it arrive cause CAI dont notify them when will they get there shipment till a day before, Who does business like that?!!!! to be honest I never knew that gun shop owners are rude as hell, it feels like they are the ones doing you a favor not the other way around 4/17/2012 4:46:32 PM
I agree with you 100% in regards to this horrible B.B. requirement and I believe you still need it even if you keep the Saiga in its original config because its not a "fixed Magazine", Go figure!!!!!
4/17/2012 5:32:27 PM
The saiga can be used w/o a bb if left alone due to no pistol grip and no flashhider. If some one had some preban ak mags sitting around the it could be converted to use ak mags and even the high caps would be fine. The flow chart here can be very helpful for ca residents.
4/17/2012 5:49:41 PM
Originally Posted By bigking1134:
The saiga can be used w/o a bb if left alone due to no pistol grip and no flashhider. If some one had some preban ak mags sitting around the it could be converted to use ak mags and even the high caps would be fine. The flow chart here can be very helpful for ca residents.
The saiga can be used w/o a bb if left alone due to no pistol grip and no flashhider. If some one had some preban ak mags sitting around the it could be converted to use ak mags and even the high caps would be fine. The flow chart here can be very helpful for ca residents.
If he can use actual AK mags without installing the bullet button, that's definitely the way to go IMO.
4/17/2012 6:48:14 PM
Hey, I'm in NorCal, too.
Saiga is a good way to go because, as these guys have mentioned, you don't need a tooled mag release. You can use stock AK mags if you add a feed ramp, which is a fairly remedial project. I've heard 50/50 success running stock AK mags without a feed ramp. You could also leave it all alone and run Saiga mags, but they're more pricey (however you'll pay a premium for 10 round CA mags anyway)
The only mags I have found for CA compliant 10 round is Tapco. They're not great mags, but they work. Stock they only seem to fit 9 rounds, but you can "adjust" the follower a bit to get the 10 round capacity. Buy them cheap and stack em because they wear out (all plastic construction). All of mine feed great, though.
If you want a traditional AK the CAI WASR is a fine piece. Mine is really pretty accurate if you fit a scope or red dot. IMO the sights on a AK are it's limiting factor. Out past 100 yards and I'm pretty hit or miss (compared with AR peep style sights).
Tracy Rifle and Pistol generally have WASR's and Saiga's in stock. It's been a while since I've been out there, so there may have been a run on them recently. Give them a call to confirm before you head that way. My WASR came from them and came with a bayonet/sheath and a converted 30 round magazine. It's not the prettiest, but the sights are straight and it's run over a thousand rounds with only a very few FTF's. Never any feed issues. Probably ammo related since I stick with cheap Tula. I plan on running thousands more through it. It's a great, cheap rifle.
1 last thing... Yes CA sucks balls, but the tooled release isn't that big of a deal. On a AR it's quicker, but with a bit of practice a 7.62 round quickly dispatches the mag. I keep a free round in my pocket with my spare mags. Personally I'll take that over a Saiga with the hunting configuration. I'm pretty sure that if I ever have a run in where I need my gun, then 10 rounds will get what I need accomplished. If not, then shit has really hit the fan and it may be a good time to consider shitcanning the tooled release (TEOTWAWKI!!!).
Saiga is a good way to go because, as these guys have mentioned, you don't need a tooled mag release. You can use stock AK mags if you add a feed ramp, which is a fairly remedial project. I've heard 50/50 success running stock AK mags without a feed ramp. You could also leave it all alone and run Saiga mags, but they're more pricey (however you'll pay a premium for 10 round CA mags anyway)
The only mags I have found for CA compliant 10 round is Tapco. They're not great mags, but they work. Stock they only seem to fit 9 rounds, but you can "adjust" the follower a bit to get the 10 round capacity. Buy them cheap and stack em because they wear out (all plastic construction). All of mine feed great, though.
If you want a traditional AK the CAI WASR is a fine piece. Mine is really pretty accurate if you fit a scope or red dot. IMO the sights on a AK are it's limiting factor. Out past 100 yards and I'm pretty hit or miss (compared with AR peep style sights).
Tracy Rifle and Pistol generally have WASR's and Saiga's in stock. It's been a while since I've been out there, so there may have been a run on them recently. Give them a call to confirm before you head that way. My WASR came from them and came with a bayonet/sheath and a converted 30 round magazine. It's not the prettiest, but the sights are straight and it's run over a thousand rounds with only a very few FTF's. Never any feed issues. Probably ammo related since I stick with cheap Tula. I plan on running thousands more through it. It's a great, cheap rifle.
1 last thing... Yes CA sucks balls, but the tooled release isn't that big of a deal. On a AR it's quicker, but with a bit of practice a 7.62 round quickly dispatches the mag. I keep a free round in my pocket with my spare mags. Personally I'll take that over a Saiga with the hunting configuration. I'm pretty sure that if I ever have a run in where I need my gun, then 10 rounds will get what I need accomplished. If not, then shit has really hit the fan and it may be a good time to consider shitcanning the tooled release (TEOTWAWKI!!!).
4/17/2012 6:52:20 PM
Oh, and about hi-caps.... If they're pre ban mags on a "featureless" gun (i.e. a Saiga in stock configuration) you'll be just fine (legal). The hang up is that YOU needed to own the mags before the ban. The burden of that proof is on law enforcement. Take that for what you will. The laws are vague and are written to discourage the law abiding citizen. You gotta know that a criminal will gladly run high caps and no tooled release.
Welcome to a state where those that have likely never even handled a gun write the laws.
Welcome to a state where those that have likely never even handled a gun write the laws.
4/17/2012 6:58:56 PM
Originally Posted By CIE:
The only mags I have found for CA compliant 10 round is Tapco.
The only mags I have found for CA compliant 10 round is Tapco.
K-var makes US manufactured 10rd AK mags and they have a steel locking tab.
4/17/2012 8:10:41 PM
thanks allot folks for all the valuable info, suggestions and recommendation, I really appreciate it. I actually took my cousin's WASR10/63 to the range and ran through 150 rounds, that thing performed like an AK should, it's just not pretty but what can I say, an ugly AK still looks better to me than any other rifle cause I am a huge AK fan since I was a kid. Keeping the Saiga stock is a great idea but again because I love the look of the AK, I will end up modify it to look like a classic AK with all the dark red wood furniture. That said, by the time I'm done it will be a $1200+ project then I wouldn't want to use and abuse it. Well, after reading all the not so good reviews from the majority of WASR10/63 owners, and how I have to cherry pick a WASR from a bunch which is I don't have that option in this crappy state. What do you think the next step up is? is it a CAI Polish AKMS, IAC 47W, Yugo M70 (not easy to find by the way), something between $500 to $700 out the door kinda price range. Thanks again guys
