Showin' off some Saiga-conversion handiwork

[raftman]

I've been wanting a .223/5.56 semi-auto for some time, but haven't been able to find one that suited my preferences for a price I'd be willing/able to pay. So I got a Saiga at an LGS for $340, and with $109 worth of parts (including shipping), came up with what I think is a pretty decent rifle for the money.

I've fired around 200 rounds through it so far, including Wolf steel-cased, PMC brass-cased and handloads as well, using both a milsurp (Galil) mag and lousy aftermarket mag. There wasn't a single FTF, FTE, or any other kind of malfunction. Word is mixing brass and steel-cased ammo, particularly steel first can cause reliability issues in a .223/5.56. Stuck cases to be specific. I didn't encounter any such issue. Haven't attempted any real feats of accuracy (figured it was best to establish functionality first), but definitely good is enough to chase around 20oz plastic bottles at 100 yards.

Here's a pic:

 

[essohbe]

Good job. Great rifles and easily reconfigured too. I almost got a 5.56 but nabbed the Saiga 5.45 instead. I'd want a 20" barrel for a 5.56, maybe next time.

That is OD green furniture? The color is off on my monitor. I kinda like the plum too.

 

[ndking1126]

Looks great! I think you'll be happy with it!

I got a Saiga at an LGS for $340

That's crazy.. I've never seen a Saiga below about $550, normally more like $600 at a local gun store.. and that's having lived in two different states in about the last 4 years. I just assumed the glory days of Saiga were long gone, kinda like the $80 SKSs people tell me used to exist If I could find one at that price, I would definitely own one by now.

Apparently I'm just the unlucky one then.

 

[rottieman33]

My Saiga 12

 

[bigghoss]

very nice. I have a saiga .308 I'll be converting in the not-too-distant future. I might get one in 5.45x39 one day too.

 

[raftman]

I almost got a 5.56 but nabbed the Saiga 5.45 instead.

Yeah, the reason I went for the 5.56 is because I've already got a 5.45 AK and a 7.62x39 AK as well.

That is OD green furniture?

Yes. The handguard on it wasn't my first choice but I ran into a ton of trouble trying to hand fit a vented AK gas tube (and thus allow me to use standard AK furniture), decided to just go with something that could utilize the factory gas tube.

That's crazy.. I've never seen a Saiga below about $550, normally more like $600 at a local gun store.. and that's having lived in two different states in about the last 4 years. I just assumed the glory days of Saiga were long gone

Now THAT'S crazy. I can find a Saiga 7.62x39 or 5.56 here in Oregon for under $360 any day of the week... except Sundays I guess, as most gun shops are closed. J&G is selling Saigas right now (7.62x39, 5.45, and 5.56) for $349/each right now.

I have a saiga .308 I'll be converting in the not-too-distant future.

Had a Saiga .308 conversion in the past (but that one I bought already converted rather than having done the work myself). It was a thing of beauty but was more expensive to shoot than I liked. Still miss it from time to time.