In the market for an AK 47, I have some questions!

criminalpoet

Right now im in the market for an AK 47 and I have been eyeballing the 7.62X39 AK sport rifle made by Saiga. My question is, is the Saiga a well built accurate riffle that will shoot all day long without any problems? And how is it compared to the other more common types of AK's on the market in terms of the quality of parts that it consists of? Please, I would like to hear opinions from those that actually own one or have owned one in the past! Thanks!

PS

Is the Saiga 12 gauge a good one to buy?

D@D

I have a Saiga 223 with a 20in. barrel and I have no complaints at all, it will hang with both my AK's. Compared to other AK type rifles it is as good or better than some of your lower end AK's. Now if your looking for a hi-cap rifle then just look for a SAR-1 and be done, I know the Saiga can be converted but time you buy the gun + all the 922r compliance parts it would be just as cheap or a little less just to buy the SAR-1, inless you just want to do it, the work is not hard to do if your kinda handy around tools. As for the Saiga 12 it is a fun gun well worth buying in my opinon. I would suggest you also look at www.saiga-12.com they have alot of info.


Edited for wrong website.

criminalpoet

Thanks for the response! Im fairly new into these types of guns and want to make sure that my money is spent well.

TWalker

The Saiga 12 GA shotguns are in short supply right now and the demand is strong so if you find one under $400, I'd consider it a bargain. They are tough, reliable, and lots of fun to own and shoot. I recommend them highly. Their AK's in 7.62x39 and .223 calibers are good as well and presently sell for $250-$300 in my area of the US. My favorite is the AK in .308 caliber (7.62x51) They cost a bit more, about $400, but are great shooters and a lot more powerful than the smaller AK calibers. Good luck in your buying and shooting. I don't think you will go wrong with any of the Saigas.

gotstolefrom

I've owned several makes of AK's. I don't own a Saiga just now, but a shooting buddy of mine does, so I have it anytime I want. It shoots well and fit and finish is above average.

There is nothing wrong with many lower priced AK's. I personally believe that where things go wrong is
1) when users get and install 'add-ons' that do little or nothing...except possibly cause problems.
2) Expect things from an AK that it was never designed to do. (usually leads to (1), with no help)
3) Any and all combinations of 1 and 2, even to the extreme.

IMHO a GOOD 'AK' is one that is not picky about ammo, never fails to fire, and can hit a skillet at 100 yards. (A small skillet is a very good AK ).

My current favorite is a MAK-90 ( Chinese / Norinco ), feeds all, fires all, 3" at 100yd and is blued well. A couple of different SAR's that are fine, have some funky fits in some places and 'drippy black finish', but other than that are fine guns.

The BEST advice I can give you ....Buy two ... a bit different if you can. I don't see prices going down.

and most of all .....ENJOY !

ENJOY !

drobs

Saiga's are nice. Made in Russia and have a chrome lined barrel.
However, they are in a low capacity form. To use standard AK mags the rifle needs to be modified.

The conversion is not that hard to do:
http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

If you are looking for a more tradional AK, check out Vector Arms.
http://vectorarms.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=addaaff79b00e798c8e5b63286a4c907
Vectors are also available through www.atlanticfirearms.com

MFI

Completely agreed with everyone's advice and we have sold hundred's of them. Saiga is probably the best selling "AK" style gun in our shop !

criminalpoet

Thanks for the advice everyone! It sure helps me to know more about what im looking at lol. There are so many AK's on the market that it was beginning to overwhelm me and I just want to be sure that I make the correct purchase.

tsr1965

Either a Vepr for a stamped reciever, or an Arsenal for a milled reciever, would be the way to go.

criminalpoet

Are the AK's made by Lancaster comparable to that of Vector? Or should I just stick to Vector?

drobs

quote:Originally posted by criminalpoet
Are the AK's made by Lancaster comparable to that of Vector? Or should I just stick to Vector?


I would stick with the Vector. A bunch of guys on AR15.com have bought Lancasters and had issues with them.

Another option might be to build your own AK. I have built 4 so far and have to say it's not that hard. You won't save that much money compared to a romanian wasr10 but you learn alot.

Here's a good website on the build process:
http://howtobuildanaktyperifle.com/index.htm

www.AR15.com has home town forums by state. There are usually ak builds going on every so often. A build party is a great way to save on buying tools.