So I want a Saiga for X-mas.

But Classic arms is killing me.

For those of you w/ Ak's...

I have a Ar, and 2 pistols. (22lr and 9mm)

My Saiga issue is deciding between .410 Shotty, 7.62X39 or 545.39.

What did you choose and why, if you dont mind elaborating?

I bought a Saiga .410. I wanted a 12 gauge but with all the junk in the news about a ban I couldn't find one so I settled for the .410. Actually since I have shot it I really like it and it's even pretty accurate with slugs at 100 yards
Remember with slugs you have a 41 cal rifle. By the way it works great for shooting clays too. People look at you funny though.

I paid 650 for mine new.

I would go with the 5.45. They are the best bang for the buck in my opinion.

Yep, and ammo is CHEAPer than everything else.

I just converted this one that I got from Classic Arms:

my only issue w/ the 545,

is that i would have to give up the devistating greatness of slugs, buckshot, or a 120gr + round from a 7.62...

its a hard choice.

7.62 is the best choice. Ammo is reasonably priced reliability is - well this is the one that made the gun legend. The 75 round drums are really cool you can leave them loaded without putting any pressure on the spring and wind it up when you need it to work . The 7.62 has plenty of smack down.

5.45

See. i shoot IMI m193 out of my Ar.

55gr, is cool, but...

123gr or a freggin shot slug seems more appealing to me than a 53-65gr 5.45

but then cheaper sounds better,

but then again, i will shoot steel cases in this rifle, where i dont in my AR.

how are the ballistics and penetrating power of the 5.45 hold up to a 5.56 or 7.62?

The 5.45 ballistics are very similar to the 5.56, however, because the 5.45 is a longer bullet, it has more tendency to yaw and tumble on impact.

Nice.

Thank you guys very much.

Now w/ a conversion.

I assume being a saiga, i need the catch pin for it to accept normal AK mags.

Then, how difficult is it to replace the stock and add a pistol grip?

I like both 7.62 and 5.45, the 7.62 penetrates well and the 5.45 has a good reputation against soft targets. If you want a 7.62 version then Classic has a Saiga with the back half already converted for $450. I just ordered the 5.45 Saiga this week from Classic. Have been reading a lot on the Saiga forum lately, supposedly the 5.45 Saiga can use standard 30rd mags as is and does not need to have a bullet guide put on. That and ammo is cheap. Will know how difficult it is to convert in a few weeks.

It's easy. Trust me, if someone like me could do it, anyone can. All you need is a drill, screwdriver, hammer, and some punches and you're pretty much set to convert it.

I watched these videos and it was honestly a walk in the park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER4xCkd4_do

For those who have already done the conversion, did you use rivets? If so, how did you put them in?

I just got a 5.45x39 Sporter. I'll order the conversion parts next week.

One of the reasons I went with 5.45 was CHEAP surplus ammo. Shit, AIM Surplus had a special recently - 2160 rounds for $250. Nothing else is that cheap. I can deal with it being a little corrosive at that low cost.

From what I gather, the 7N6 bullet (the most common surplus we can get in the US now) gets its effectiveness by tumbling upon penetrating a soft target. It tumbles very quickly after penetrating. The 5.56 round generally gets its effectiveness by fragmenting upon impact, however, this affect can be limited by range, as it won't reliably fragment below a certain velocity. The 5.45 round doesn't suffer this problem - it tumbles pretty reliably even at longer ranges.

Overall, I'd say they're effectively pretty similar.

Also, the 7N6 has a steel core, but it is NOT a penetrator, and it is NOT considered an AP round.

the 5.45 is much more appealing than I first realized.

its hard to pull the trigger on it though because i have always wanted a 7.62, and I already have a 5.56.

But again, i could shoot more, and more often.

I would get a 7.62x39 First and then get a 5.45x39.

The Force Is Strong with this Ivan Character

Is it says above 2 words... Poison bullet... Also 10-13cents a round current prices! Last one word.. Bakelite... Love my bakelite mags 5.45 is the only ak ill buy from now on.. I do have a 762 tho

I'd go 7.62x39. With Wolf Military Classic 124 grain HP (Sapsan 8M3 bullet) is unbelievably devastating. It breaks up like a M193 5.56 does at 3200 fps. I agree that 5.45 is very effective from its tumble and yaw characteristics, and it is cheaper. I have my GAU-5P AR15 (16" slick side retro shorty) for light bullets and my Saiga 7.62x39 for heavy bullets:

Just get both. They are cheap enough right now.

ETA: I have Saiga's in 5.45,x39,308,.410,12 ga
The 5.45 and 12 ga. see the most action.

For lowest overall cost, I'd get the 5.45, all but the ammo costing about the same. The 7.62x39 rifles and mags will cost the same, ammo is a bit more expensive, but there are more ammo choices.

I picked the 7.62 now I want the 5.45 get em both I have picked up 500 rd of golden tiger for $99

its funny to see you guys all in the same boat.

those who have 7.62 want another in 5.45....

And visa versa.

The WANT in me says 7.62

The economical rational in me says 5.45.

I think I will be getting a small bonus at the end of Dec.

Some ammo and a sporter will be the way to go.

i just still need to decide on a caliber.

I've got one in 12ga, one in .223, and now one in 7.62x39.

The 12ga choice was an easy one, I had a Saiga 12 about 8 years ago that I sold and I missed it so I got another.
Recently when the rifles went on sale, I decided to get a .223. All my other AKs are 7.62x39, but I've got plenty of .223 ammo including a bunch of the older lacquer coated Wolf that I don't really shoot through my ARs (it used to be $89/1000rds back in the day). I figured a .223 AK would be the perfect gun to run the Wolf through.
I got the .223 rifle a month ago, did the conversion a few weeks ago, took the rifle out to test it, and I LOVE it. Enough that I just bought another also, but in 7.62x39 (a guy can't have too many versions of 7.62 AKs). I'll be converting the 7.62x39 to standard grip configuration in the next week or so when I get some free time, I've already got my parts ready.
I've had a couple AK74s in the past but I don't have any now. I don't have any problem with the 5.45x39 round, it's great. For my uses it doesn't do much that .223 doesn't do, and it was one more caliber to keep track of so I sold my 5.45x39 AKs.
Basically if I hadn't already had a bunch of Wolf .223 ammo, I most likely would have gotten a 5.45x39 Saiga instead of the .223, but I'm very glad I got the .223.

Anyway, if you already have an AR in .223, and you don't have anything in 7.62X39, I'd suggest the 7.62x39 Saiga (or any AK really) over the 5.45. Mainly because of the 5.45's similarities with .223, and you've already got .223 covered.

ALSO, 7.62x39 is available pretty much anywhere ammo is sold. If you're going out shooting and you're short on ammo, you can stop at WalMart and stock up. 5.45 is cheaper but it's less available on a regular local retailer scale. 7.62x39 is definitely more common and with more options.

Now I'm thinking about getting a 5.45 Saiga, you jerks.

Did you pick one yet? If you WANT a 7.62 AK then get one. My 1st AK was a 7.62, it has been great, but my 2nd and 3rd were 5.45. The 5.45 is fun to shoot, but I grew up shooting 30 cal, if I could only keep one it would be the 7.62 MAK90.

With these "sporters" what the spec on the barrels?

Are they Chrome lined? Twist rates?

I cant find any specs on CA

7.62 X 39. I have a saiga in .308 and it gets expensive fast. 12G would be cool but once you get into slugs and 00 and 000 its like a buck a round. 7.62x39 is a good round and you can get it cheap.

Whats up w/ the barrels though?

I am looking @ another Ak @ classic arms w a 1:9 twist and a chrome barrel.

how do the sporters add up?

they have excellent mi spec barrels. Chrome lined and all.

Great to hear.

And w/ a Saiga,

Could i easily install a midwest Industries 4 rail handgaurd, as easily as i could on a normal AK?

I may just add the handgaurd and a red dot, and keep the sporter's buttstock

Midwest Industries offers a railed handguard specifically for the Saiga, since the Saiga doesn't have a regular front handguard cap like a standard AK.

Very nice!!!

Ah man, so what do you gurus think,

Saiga sporter, Siaga AK, AKMS under folderAK, or a Draco side folder from a local guy?

I want this rifle to be my 0-100 yard SHTF weapon.

My Ar would be for precision, the AK for mag dumping on threats. (going 7.62)

Get the 7.62 then the 5.45 thats what allot of people will tell you its good advice for a reason They are easy to convert and can be done in I'd say 3 hours with hand tools and some files, a dremel really speeds things up. If ammo cost is a concern then definitly stay away from the .410 those are much more to shoot than 12ga or even 20ga. Also if you like the looks of the rails from MI or Chaos just order a standard AK gas tube it will improve the look of the rifle and allow you to use either rail system since they both have there own built in lower retainer.

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.