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AR15.COM
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3/21/2009 7:46:41 PM EDT
I just found this site the other day and I'm looking at purchasing a rifle soon.  Does anyone know anything about Saiga .223 AK's?  The local pawn shop has several in for $440, but they kind of feel like they are a little cheaply made to me.  What is the general opinion.  Also, should I just spend the extra money and get an AR?  Of course I could buy the Saiga and the .45 auto pistol i want for the price of one AR.  Ok. thanks for your help.
3/21/2009 8:28:22 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I just found this site the other day and I'm looking at purchasing a rifle soon.  Does anyone know anything about Saiga .223 AK's?  The local pawn shop has several in for $440, but they kind of feel like they are a little cheaply made to me.  What is the general opinion.  Also, should I just spend the extra money and get an AR?  Of course I could buy the Saiga and the .45 auto pistol i want for the price of one AR.  Ok. thanks for your help.


Welcome to the fray.

Saigas, like all AK-family rifles, are not so much 'cheap' as pragmatic and effective means-to-an-end.

Expect your Saiga to be a reliable, faithful and durable firearm with accuracy acceptable for real-world situations. If you want to improve the gun, then perform a 'conversion' such that it will accept the furniture (and hence the ergonomics) of a standard-pattern AK.

There is absolutely nothing inherently 'wrong' with a Saiga - they are, in fact, as close as you can come to a real Russian AK there days (for reasonable investment).. The base materials are just as good if not better than any typical AK.

-L
3/22/2009 3:47:56 PM EDT
[#2]
What do you mean by "conversion?"  

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the AK vs the AR?
3/22/2009 5:57:21 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
What do you mean by "conversion?"  

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the AK vs the AR?


Pistol grip, AK buttstock, forgrips.. Basically make it look like an AK.

The AK is more reliable and requires less maintainence than an AR, but loses accuracy over an AR.

Ammo is about the same price these days.

And personal prefference of course.

In true Arfcom form, buy both. We all do it and you cant be happier.
3/22/2009 6:49:47 PM EDT
[#4]

In true Arfcom form, buy both. We all do it and you cant be happier.


If I could afford it I would.  I'm just afraid that if I don't buy the best one now that they'll bring back the ban and I won't get it.
3/23/2009 4:22:14 PM EDT
[#5]
I would much rather have a Saiga .223 and its factory 10 round mag than  an AR-15 and a 30 round mag for self defense......
3/23/2009 4:45:25 PM EDT
[#6]
The Saiga ain't a cheaply made AK. That's real Russian handiwork, not a cobbled together monstrosity sent out from the bowels of Century Arms. Get a Saiga and don't look back.
3/23/2009 5:59:25 PM EDT
[#7]
Welcome to the board.

AR or Saiga +1 Handgun?

I don't own a Saiga but I have looked them over and they are nice and a made of Russian, parts. If you look around on here and the akforum you can find all the info on the conversion to a more traditional style pistol grip and buttstock. The conversion can be done later and some of it can be done by you if you somewhat mechanically inclined. I would opt to have two guns and especially a sidearm rather than one rifle

The bad news is you are getting into firearms late in the game, ammo has gotten scarce and ridiculously expensive. Pay attention to the ammo section on here some people pass on deals when the come along. Good luck.   -AK
3/23/2009 6:19:30 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I would much rather have a Saiga .223 and its factory 10 round mag than  an AR-15 and a 30 round mag for self defense......


They are actually selling the Saiga .223 with a 30 round mag.
3/23/2009 6:25:41 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Welcome to the board.

AR or Saiga +1 Handgun?

I don't own a Saiga but I have looked them over and they are nice and a made of Russian, parts. If you look around on here and the akforum you can find all the info on the conversion to a more traditional style pistol grip and buttstock. The conversion can be done later and some of it can be done by you if you somewhat mechanically inclined. I would opt to have two guns and especially a sidearm rather than one rifle

The bad news is you are getting into firearms late in the game, ammo has gotten scarce and ridiculously expensive. Pay attention to the ammo section on here some people pass on deals when the come along. Good luck.   -AK



I've got a Smith & Wesson 9mm that I shoot, but I was looking at moving up to a .45 Auto.  Yes Ammo has become scarce and expensive.  I would have gotten involved sooner but I graduated from graduate school in May 2007 and I've had to take care of some other priorities first.  

How tough is the conversion to do?  I saw a link on the internet that involved dissassembling the trigger and all of that.  
3/23/2009 6:59:56 PM EDT
[#10]
It sounds to me like this conversion may be more expensive than just buying an AK with the pistol grip and stock already on.
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