Saiga or AK

[Yung.gunr]

So I was wanting to get an AR/AK style rifle and then when I saw the cost of an AR that went out the window. There is no way my wife would go for that, she has been buggin me to get a new SUV or something.
So then in looking at all the options for the AK I see that the Saiga sporting rifle is pretty much the same thing. Just the different furniture, trigger & mags. Plus they are cheaper for the true Russian real deal then the WASR that everyone says is hit and miss.
So my questions are:

I have no gunsmithing background, but pretty handy with tools. If I were to decide to convert the Saiga how difficult is it really?

Is the quality going to be substantially higher on the Saiga then the WASR?

Is the accuracy going to be higher on the Saiga then the WASR?

Does anyone own both that they could compare their feelings?

Thank you guys so much for your thoughts, and if you think of anything else I am omitting please let me know.

 

[icedog88]

Changing the Saiga to an AK style isn't that difficult. But from what I hear you have to cut the tang off behind the receiver and move the trigger to put the pistol grip on. I just went with a Dragunov stock that incorporates a pistol grip within the stock. Comes with a rotating cheekrest as well if you want to mount a scope. If you haven't yet, check out Mississippi auto Arms. Great stuff.

 

[5whiskey]

I got a Saiga, planning on doing the conversion. I understand the conversion isn't rocket science... but if you hold off on doing it and shoot the rifle as is you will hate it. I have a saiga and can't stand the trigger in it. Doing the conversion just hasn't been in the budget/schedule. I've shot the rifle as is and there is no helping the trigger... there just isn't. It's horrible. It's about the cheapest way to own a .223 on the AK platform, though. Then you have to worry about magazines. Not worth the hassle if you're going with 7.62, IMHO.

 

[Mike38]

Saiga trigger groups are far from benchrest quality, but I wouldn’t call them horrible. I put a liberal amount of Outter’s Gunslick grease on the sear / hammer contact point and worked the trigger (without actual dry fire) just work it a few hundred times. Then fire it a few hundred more. The trigger smoothed up considerably. Still has that long take-up, but it now has a much better breaking point. Once you get used to the take-up, it works fairly well, IMO. I consider the Saiga to be an excellent CQB rifle. For 50 to 100 yard shots, a less then perfect trigger will work. For something like 300 to 400 yards, I wouldn’t consider an AK platform at all. There I would go with the AR.

As for magazines, good quality ones such as Sure Fire work flawlessly. Just be sure to add one USA part before using hi-cap mags. I changed the forearm to a USA made, and remained compliant.

I like the stock on my Saiga. But then again, I don't much care for pistol grips on a rifle. That's why they call them pistol grips, they belong on a pistol. LOL

 

[zombieslayer]

Saiga. Or go to a Gunshow and buy a Maadi or Norinco. I got a nice unfired non-thumbhole stock Maadi for $500. Its a beauty and shoots great. Also- at local gunshows a guy usually has Bulgarian Arsenals for $600 and he even throws in extra mags in the deal. Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[bejay]

Havent really heard of many complaints on the wasr usually canted sights or mag fit is about it, both can be avoided if you pick one out in person.
You can do a search on youtube and get an idea of whats involved on a saiga conversion to see if its something you think you could do.
if your budget allows you to buy the saiga plus do a full conversion with hand guards also then you might reconsider an AR you can get a basic parts kit and stripped lower and have an AR for about the same cost.

 

[wildturkey76209]

I've seen AR platforms in the $650 to $700 range. Why not just get the AR? By the time you buy a Saiga and the stuff to do the conversion you probably could have bought a very nicely equipped AR...

 

[chris in va]

I converted mine a few years ago. It's not terribly difficult, but you will need a Dremel to cut off the rivets, and a tap handle to install the Dinzag bullet guide. A sturdy vise comes in handy for reshaping the trigger guard which must be made of Brinell 500 or something as it took a 5# sledge just to get it squared back up again.

Don't be skeerd, just takes some time. Oh and only turn the bullet guide tap 1/8 of a turn at a time, then back off. Trust me on this unless you like digging out a broken tap.