Saiga .223

[RabidWolverine]

OK, I looked and saw a couple topics on this weapon but the most recent was from like 2007 or something. So I thought I'd start a new one and ask you all for your thoughts on it. I may purchase one of these tomorrow for $450 NIB with a 30 round mag. I see that just a year or two ago they were half that, but it seems that they may very well be worth it, especially with the price for most of these types of weapons today. Any first hand experience with this rifle? Pros? Cons? It seems that there are a lot of aftermarket accessories to make it really fun to play with. I will TRY to wait for replies to this before I make the purchase, but I make no promises.

http://www.raacfirearms.com/Saiga.htm

[Jake3501]

I have the short barrel in .223 and I would actually recommend the longer barrel. They are basicly the AK 47 action with the trigger set back a couple of inches and a regular stock instead of having a pistol grip. My local gun shop sells the .223 and 7.62 x 39 for $399 and they come with a 5 round mag.

If you want to get aftermarket accessories and add to it, you might as well get a regular AK to start with as add ons to make it into an AK are expensive, and the mags are also expensive, more so than standard AK mags. Some Saigas are well put together....some aren't. Mine will group about 4" and 5" groups at 100 yards from a bench with the 16" barrel

Here is the most economical place to buy a Saiga online

http://www.armsofamerica.com/saiga/rifles.html

Doing it over again, I would get the .308 with the 22" barrel

[hyvatti]

What are you looking for in the rifle? Hunting, or an assault weapon? Self defence, target shooting or practical shooting competition? Or just something fun? So is that Saiga stripped of its signature pistol grip and fore end because of some law or to make it look like hunting weapon? I would like to find out the accuracy before buying.

[RabidWolverine]

I have the short barrel in .223 and I would actually recommend the longer barrel. They are basicly the AK 47 action with the trigger set back a couple of inches and a regular stock instead of having a pistol grip. My local gun shop sells the .223 and 7.62 x 39 for $399 and they come with a 5 round mag.

If you want to get aftermarket accessories and add to it, you might as well get a regular AK to start with as add ons to make it into an AK are expensive, and the mags are also expensive, more so than standard AK mags. Some Saigas are well put together....some aren't. Mine will group about 4" and 5" groups at 100 yards from a bench with the 16" barrel

Here is the most economical place to buy a Saiga online

http://www.armsofamerica.com/saiga/rifles.html

Doing it over again, I would get the .308 with the 22" barrel

Wow Jake, that sites price is a pretty big difference ($80) from my local shop. Now I don't know what to do! lol Save money and wait a little bit to get it? Or spend a little more and own it tomorrow? Grrrr! lol

[RabidWolverine]

What are you looking for in the rifle? Hunting, or an assault weapon? Self defence, target shooting or practical shooting competition? Or just something fun? So is that Saiga stripped of its signature pistol grip and fore end because of some law or to make it look like hunting weapon? I would like to find out the accuracy before buying.

Looking for a little of everything you just said (minus the competition shooting). I suppose the pistol grip would be the main thing I would like to add to it.

[Jake3501]

Use that information to get your local shop to $399 which is where he should be anyhow. They are fun guns, but like the AK and the Saiga 12 I have, once I got them set up for SHTF guns and put a few mags thru them, I just put them up until SHTF. A Ruger Mini 14 is much more practical for Coyotes. No matter which Saiga it is, it weighs over 9 lbs

[Jake3501]

If you are going to add a pistol grip, and move the trigger forward, just start out with an AK. The Romanian AK is made in a .223

[RabidWolverine]

Thanks Jake, will do. I'm sure his price is a little higher due to the 30 round mag, but even with that it might be a few dollars higher than I can get at that site. Hopefully he'll agree and hook me up.

[RabidWolverine]

If you are going to add a pistol grip, and move the trigger forward, just start out with an AK. The Romanian AK is made in a .223

Honestly I don't know what all I would/will do to it. Just saw it, liked it, liked the price (as opposed to gun broker prices) and know I need to add more caliber varieties to my collection. lol

[Noskov]

If you do convert a Saiga, one thing to keep in mind is parts count.

I myself don't own any of the rifle versions, just the shotgun.