Thinking about getting an AK; suggestions?

[mac1911]

http://www.ak-47.us/AK47_Manufacturers.php look into some of these guys here, really its tough to shell out the $$$ on a AK if your a "nice" gun type of guy. I love my mak90 it works awesome @ one point it went 5k with nothing more than a wipe off and bore swipe. no its gets done @ 1K good scrub down. Im not sure if I could ever pay the prices of todays AK type

Although I said the same about SKS's I purchased a romanian sks recently paid 280.00 BUT I have been wanting a Romanian SKS "WANT" can get you in trouble. But I got a decent gun and a good shooter to boot....better than most SKS's out there on the market

 

[55_grain]

I've seen the Saigas at most of the shows (and liked the quality compared to the WASR-10), but I've never come across one in a MA dealer's shop. I see none listed in the inventory of Zero Hour Arms either. Who is the Saiga specialist for Eastern MA (or MA in general)?

K&R Target Sports in Hudson can order you one. Or you can get one off Gunbroker and have it delivered to your friendly local FFL01. (Remember that you're going to have shipping and your FFL's transfer fee on top of the price).

I hear you loud and clear about the relative simplicity of the mods (I have watched all the YouTube video instructions 6 times)... but would still prefer to have a knowledgeable "Saiga-experienced" gunsmith do the work. Who would you say is the best around for that job?

I think I've seen the same videos. I've personally only installed a bullet guide. It was pretty easy, but I did use a drill press.

This is the most confusing part of all. Why do I never see used Saiga conversions offered up for sale... here or elsewhere? Is it because the owners don't wish to part with them? Or is there a legal or liability (or paperwork?) issue related to the converted gun? And how does one determine the value of a converted Saiga?

So long as it's 922-compliant, I don't see any legal issues (note: not a lawyer) in buying someone else's conversion, if you can find one for sale. Note that not all conversions will be Mass-compliant! I imagine most Saiga convert owners have put too many hours into their gun to want to sell it off..but there are a couple on GB.

 

[TFLeader]

So long as it's 922-compliant, I don't see any legal issues (note: not a lawyer) in buying someone else's conversion, if you can find one for sale. Note that not all conversions will be Mass-compliant! I imagine most Saiga convert owners have put too many hours into their gun to want to sell it off..but there are a couple on GB.[/QUOTE]

My understanding is Mass compliance is modification of the bayonet holder and a small tack weld. Can a person buy a non-compliant AK and perform the conversion themself?

 

[CLMN]

The middle ground is getting a MAK-90 or an NHM-91, etc.

Slightly below that is the SAR-1, which is what the WASR-10 really should be. It's not going to be as nice as other AKs, but it is way less ghetto than a typical WASR. The sights will probably be straight and it already has mag dimples.

Otherwise you are in WASR-ville or you are in "$800+ AK land".

Nobody sells converted Saigas (that they've done themselves) because most of the people who spend that much time converting one are going to keep the end product. You can get a professionally converted one (eg, krebs, etc.) but you will pay big money for it.

-Mike

Thanks Mike... good explanation. Only one question: Are the SAR-1's still imported and available "new in box"... or are we talking used only at this point in time? I'm guessing that's where I could end up since $800+ is going to be tough to justify. Money is awful damn tight right now... so the less I have to spend to climb out of WASR-10 territory, the better off I'll be.

CLMN

 

[drgrant]

Thanks Mike... good explanation. Only one question: Are the SAR-1's still imported and available "new in box"... or are we talking used only at this point in time? I'm guessing that's where I could end up since $800+ is going to be tough to justify. Money is awful damn tight right now... so the less I have to spend to climb out of WASR-10 territory, the better off I'll be.

CLMN

I'm not sure if they are importing them new, my guess is probably no, because you often don't see many of them around. I see them mildly used though for only a little more than a WASR... but you have look around quite a bit to find them... but that is
true of a lot of AKs these days.

-Mike

 

[CLMN]

K-Var for converted Saigas,or AK's built on a Russian stamped receiver.

http://www.ak-47.us/AK47_Manufacturers.php look into some of these guys here, really its tough to shell out the $$$ on a AK if your a "nice" gun type of guy. I love my mak90 it works awesome @ one point it went 5k with nothing more than a wipe off and bore swipe. no its gets done @ 1K good scrub down. Im not sure if I could ever pay the prices of todays AK type

Wow! That is quite a list of possibilities... albeit most of them probably well above my target price range. I suppose you get what you pay for, but for me this is more a case of trying to find the "best bang for the buck" (both figuratively and literally!) rather than the very best AK overall.

CLMN

 

[55_grain]

My understanding is Mass compliance is modification of the bayonet holder and a small tack weld. Can a person buy a non-compliant AK and perform the conversion themself?

Your gunshop would probably do it for a fee. If I was an FFL01, I wouldn't let a customer take possession of a non-compliant weapon with the understanding that the customer will bring it into compliance...eventually...maybe...

The base Saiga doesn't have a flash hider, bayo lug, or folding stock. If the conversion is just moving the trigger forward and adding a pistol grip, you should be good to go.

55_grain

 

[CLMN]

K&R Target Sports in Hudson can order you one.

I suppose any FFL can order me a Saiga. But I was hoping that someone remembered who that was at the recent shows with all the Saigas on display... or at least be able to point me toward a local (Eastern MA/Southern NH/Northern RI) Saiga stocking dealer.

Or you can get one off Gunbroker and have it delivered to your friendly local FFL01. (Remember that you're going to have shipping and your FFL's transfer fee on top of the price).

Speaking of which... Is it my imagination or are FFL transfer fees really starting to creep up again???

I think I've seen the same videos. I've personally only installed a bullet guide. It was pretty easy, but I did use a drill press.

So long as it's 922-compliant, I don't see any legal issues (note: not a lawyer) in buying someone else's conversion, if you can find one for sale. Note that not all conversions will be Mass-compliant! I imagine most Saiga convert owners have put too many hours into their gun to want to sell it off..but there are a couple on GB.

It's that part (highlighted in bold above) that really bothers me! If these Saiga conversions can really be done in 20 minutes blindfolded with only a hand drill, a punch and a moto-tool... where do all those many hours start to add up?

I am being a little facetious here... ... but it does help explain why I'd prefer to have a pro do my Saiga conversion if I decide to go that route.

CLMN

 

[CLMN]

I'm not sure if they are importing them new, my guess is probably no, because you often don't see many of them around. I see them mildly used though for only a little more than a WASR... but you have look around quite a bit to find them... but that is true of a lot of AKs these days.

-Mike

Understood. Thanks for clarifying that.

CLMN

 

[mac1911]

SKS said it best

middle of the road mak90

I only have a few ak and sks because 20 odd years ago they where the cheapest on the rack

 

[Dench]

MAK90's are very nice AKs. I enjoy mine a lot.

 

[SKS Ray]

Dude... just go here http://zerohourarms.com/ and bring your wallet, then update us.

 

[flintoid]

Dude... just go here http://zerohourarms.com/ and bring your wallet, then update us.

doesn't zero hour do MA neutering to free state rifles? I do know that they have a ton of kalashnikovs in there

 

[glostamon]

Saiga x39 rifles appear daily on GB, aswell as the classifieds here from time to time in the $200-$300 range.

You can outsource a Saiga rifle for pistol grip,high-cap conversion to a pro for $350 and be in a real Russian made AK(variant) for less than,or even money as the Wasr-10.

 

[CooperS7777]

For my part, I'm trying to find that middle ground... middle ground that maybe doesn't exist (at least not here in the PRM). Everything I've ever read or heard about the WASR-10 says that it is not the gun for me. I am too much of a traditionalist when it comes to firearms. If the fine quality and workmanship ain't there, I ain't interested.

I love my WASR-10 for just this reason. Its not like any of my other rifles (specifically my AR's):
Its ugly
Its crude
Its clunky
Its unrefined
I dont worry about cleaning it every time
I dont worry about it getting scratched
It never functions less than 100%

And best of all

The only consideration I have when feeding it ammo - how cheap it is!

 

[CLMN]

Dude... just go here http://zerohourarms.com/ and bring your wallet, then update us.

Should get down there later today or tomorrow. My wallet is empty so I hope they take credit cards!

CLMN (a.k.a., the "Dude")

 

[CLMN]

doesn't zero hour do MA neutering to free state rifles?

Don't know... but I intend to find out!

CLMN

 

[CLMN]

Saiga x39 rifles appear daily on GB, as well as the classifieds here from time to time in the $200-$300 range.

Best that I can see without a high reserve or other impediment is more like $400... but your point is taken. Anyone done business with this dealer down in RI?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=186815823

You can outsource a Saiga rifle for pistol grip,high-cap conversion to a pro for $350 and be in a real Russian made AK(variant) for less than,or even money as the Wasr-10.

Understood. I sure would like to know the breakdown on that $350 for parts vs. labor so I could know for sure how much I'd be saving by doing the job myself.

CLMN

 

[CLMN]

I love my WASR-10 for just this reason. Its not like any of my other rifles (specifically my AR's):
Its ugly
Its crude
Its clunky
Its unrefined
I dont worry about cleaning it every time
I dont worry about it getting scratched
It never functions less than 100%

And best of all

The only consideration I have when feeding it ammo - how cheap it is!

Lord knows that I ain't out to disrespect any happy WASR-10 owners. The hangup over traditional firearms fit and finish is all mine. I wish I could get over it... at least in regard to AK's and the assorted variants... but I am old and that mindset was instilled in me long, long ago.

CLMN

 

[mac1911]

You must become like the peasant and accept the AK for what it is............ A POS that actually works !

 

[CLMN]

You must become like the peasant and accept the AK for what it is............ A POS that actually works !

I am already a peasant (thank you lefty moonbat liberal wacko socialists)... so I just need to get that second part right!

CLMN