Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hi - I am thinking about getting a Saiga AK conversion but am curious if anyone has one and has some input on what to look for, what sort of quality they are, what to add etc

Thanks

What are you looking to do with it? Do you already have the Saiga and are looking to have it converted or are you planning on buying a Saiga that has been converted already? What's your budget looking like?

don't have it yet. I'm looking at buying one and having the gunsmiths at least do the conversion to have enough US made parts, but it looks like there is a lot more to it that can be done. I guess my first question is it a good gun or is one better off getting an Arsenal AK or something like that? And what sort of things would anyone reccomend having done to it? For example is their an advanatage to replacing the Saiga's base gas tube with a more true AK style system or is that purely cosmetic and does nothing for performance?
Etc etc


Thanks
(oh budget wise assume around $750, defintely not more than $1000)

Buy a saiga and make the modifications yourself. You can buy parts piecemeal so your cost outlay is spread over time. The modifications aren't tough, just go really slow, use lots of cutting oil. A Black and Decker Workmate, drill, misc tools, and a few parts are all it takes. It might be intimidating, but you can do it!

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You can go the do it yourself route, which is fine if you really want to do it yourself or want something specific that no one offers. But I advocate spending the money on having it professionally done.

To answer your gas tube question,I fully support FULLY CONVERTING the front end of the Saiga to an AK (including a threaded barrel or threaded front sight base, as well as the gas tube and handguards.) By doing so you open up your ability to customize your handguards, rail systems, and muzzle device.

Now, you won't be saving much (if any) money on buying a Saiga and having it converted professionally. It's really just a way to have a rifle done 100% the way you want it. If you don't, maybe a factory built gun is for you.

Let me tell you, I have an Arsenal SGL21-94 (folding stock) and it is beautiful. The only way to top an Arsenal, in my opinion is to get something professionally done like from Chris Butler (AK-USA), Krebs Custom, or Jim Fuller (Rifle Dynamics).

Now the arsenal Bulgarian (SLR series) are also fantastic AKs, even moreso than the SGL series, in my opinion.

Thanks RocKor

I used a friends arsenal 26-61, it is a beast, do want

I bought a Saiga 12 and converted it myself, Very easy to do and up to doing it, I had never taken an AK apart, All told from start to finish it took me 3 hours and that was not knowing what I was doing, So if you have a basic knowledge of mechanics and can use simple tools, I'd say do it yourself, It was very easy to do, I can't stress that enough.

TJB