handgunfan101
New member
just looking around on the web and came across the Saiga .223. seems like a reworked AK-47 but never heard of them before.
Anyone ever handle one of these?
Anyone ever handle one of these?
whats your take on Saiga .223
- Thread starter handgunfan101
- Start date
Basically, it's an AK action rifle in a sporter configuration so as to allow importation into the US. The Saiga .223 is a pretty well-made and very reliable rifle; for the money you will not find a better .223 semi-auto. Saigas tend to quite a bit nicer than many if not most AK-clones available in terms of fit and finish. Plus they can be converted into what looks and feels a lot more like a typical AK (this is what I've done with mine), but I guess that would depend on what you want the rifle for.
The Saiga is a great rifle! I bought one last year for about $400. Had to replace the plastic monte carlo style stock. It felt like a hollow Easter Bunny! Put a Dragunov style stock, scope, and bipod on it. 75 yds is the furthest I've shot it so far and cut the head off a bowling pin with 5 shots every time. Not bad for a "cheap" rifle.
zombieslayer
New member
They sure have come up in price in the last couple years. Like everything else.
I own 2 Saiga's a 308 & 762x39 I have shot hundreds of rounds through both without a single FTF of any kind. I use them to hunt deer & hogs in the swamp. Both shoot inside 2'' @ 100 yds.witch i think is good enough to hunt with.IMO Saiga's are hard to beat for the money,hard to find a 308 semi auto for 500 bucks that you can count on to do the job & it also makes a great little truck carbine & the after market parts are getting easer to find.
the saiga does tend to like the lighter loads better for accuracy but they will eat anything you put in the clip thats for sure. I'D say give them a try.
the saiga does tend to like the lighter loads better for accuracy but they will eat anything you put in the clip thats for sure. I'D say give them a try.
Saiga .223 is a Kalashnikov made in the same factory that has made them for 60+ years. The biggest issues with the Saiga chambered in .223 are:
* They have to have mods made to take different magazines -or- you can use the expensive Saiga ones (eek).
* They ding the $#!+ out of your brass cases (like any AK) and if you reload you'll want some kind of ejection buffer.
* They have to have mods made to take different magazines -or- you can use the expensive Saiga ones (eek).
* They ding the $#!+ out of your brass cases (like any AK) and if you reload you'll want some kind of ejection buffer.
.
I think what he means by mods is a bullet guide. The Saiga has a bullet guide as a part of the magazine. Standard AK mags will not work in a Saiga. If you want to use inexpensive AK magazines you have to add a bullet guide to the receiver. Or use Saiga specific magazines which are 4 times the price of AK mags.
To the OP. I really like my Saiga in .223 / 5.56. Very reliable, reasonably accurate. It takes some work on your part to find a type of ammo it will like. But once you find it’s preference, you’re good to go. So far, mine works best with Silver Bear 62 grain FMJ.
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If you are talking about the 7.62x39 or the 5.45x39 any surplus AK mag should work but the .223 requires some alteration and/or a bullet guide to get them to feed reliably. In some guns you have to add or take away material to get mags like the Weigar's or Galil's to work. Othertimes they pop right in to other guns. Guess it's the luck of the draw. Orlites can work too.
There are AR magazine adapters out there (MSA has one) which require some gunsmithing but you can install them in the AK's magazine well to allow the use of any regular AR mag also.
I found out today I should've gone with my gut and got another Saiga in .223 but instead my order to BCM got lost and now I'm out $$$. Yea me!
F^ck'n dip$#!+ post office. No wonder they have no money, they can't even deliver the mail correctly. Is it really that hard? Seriously...
There are AR magazine adapters out there (MSA has one) which require some gunsmithing but you can install them in the AK's magazine well to allow the use of any regular AR mag also.
I found out today I should've gone with my gut and got another Saiga in .223 but instead my order to BCM got lost and now I'm out $$$. Yea me!
F^ck'n dip$#!+ post office. No wonder they have no money, they can't even deliver the mail correctly. Is it really that hard? Seriously...