David the Gnome 0 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Ok, I believe I'm in a position that many first time buyers are currently in. Bud's has Saiga 7.62x39's for $309 ( http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product...ts_id=411535277 ); they also have the infamous CIA WASR for $471 ( http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product...oducts_id/40093 ). My question is this, would it be cheaper to buy the Saiga and convert it to an AK-style weapon (with wood furniture, a pistol grip, and accepting ak magazines) and would you end up with a better rifle, or would it be better to just buy the Romanian AK47 that Bud's is selling? Thanks for your assistance and please don't shoot me if it's been asked before (I'm sure it has but an updated thread with current market prices couldn't hurt anything). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nalioth 405 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 You'd probably end up paying the same, if you did the work yourself. The BIGGIE is: You'd have a brand new Russian AK made with quality parts when you were done, as opposed to a rifle made from parts-rejected-for-military-service that was put together by underpaid and overworked Romanians. Get the Saiga. It'll be worth it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nailer007 0 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 The best way to look at this would be yeah the saiga would be new although you'd have to do the remod yourself and it's no to hard if your handy and have all the tols to do a good job. Or you can buy that Romanian AK and just put the Shepperd crock in her and she last a life time. Botton line here the Ak it a rough tough rifle and you can go wrong either way you look at it, she's easy to use and very easy to work on thats what make it the best. I bought one of the first Saiga out and I liked it just enough to make me go out and buy a Romanian kit the Saiga was my learning tool till it got so hot the barrel bent so I sold it for parts, now my Romanian AK is a lot tougher I believe so far I've put alot more ammo threw it then my Saiga and no problems with my barrel. The flaws with the Romanian are small conpared to having to redo the Saiga. Go out and get a AK47 you'll be glad you did you can do a lot to it and it's a geft that will always be there for you how many rifles do you know of that you never need to clean hell you can run over it drunk with your truck and she'll still work prefect my old boss did that one day what a (Barny) But it looked fine and sure worked fine go do that to a AR15 she'll be toast!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drusagas 2 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Get the Saiga. Shoots better and more accurately. It's a lot of fun, and a little frustration, to build and convert yourself. And they're just going to go up in price. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Get the Saiga, and convert it. You'll probably spend more than you'd pay for the WASR, when you add in the conversion and furnuiture (depending on what exactly you get), but you'll have a much better rifle in the end. Plus, it will be one of those "Look what I did " kinda things. Russian > Romanian. The best way to look at this would be yeah the saiga would be new although you'd have to do the remod yourself and it's no to hard if your handy and have all the tols to do a good job. Or you can buy that Romanian AK and just put the Shepperd crock in her and she last a life time. Botton line here the Ak it a rough tough rifle and you can go wrong either way you look at it, she's easy to use and very easy to work on thats what make it the best. I bought one of the first Saiga out and I liked it just enough to make me go out and buy a Romanian kit the Saiga was my learning tool till it got so hot the barrel bent so I sold it for parts, now my Romanian AK is a lot tougher I believe so far I've put alot more ammo threw it then my Saiga and no problems with my barrel. The flaws with the Romanian are small conpared to having to redo the Saiga. Go out and get a AK47 you'll be glad you did you can do a lot to it and it's a geft that will always be there for you how many rifles do you know of that you never need to clean hell you can run over it drunk with your truck and she'll still work prefect my old boss did that one day what a (Barny) But it looked fine and sure worked fine go do that to a AR15 she'll be toast!!! The conversion doesn't require you to really even be "handy". Also, what does "all the tools to do a good job" mean? I did my conversion with a puke-green 1970's hand-drill, and a file for the mag catch. By the way, Saiga > WASR! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campiscampy@yahoo.com 0 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Its the same price, But more work, Your going to have a better gun Believe me. Also it can be a point of pride in and of itself to build something build it well and depend on it, you should take that into account. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uzitiger 193 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 It's a tough call. I built a Yugo AK before I had the guts to convert my Saiga but I learned how to build and convert the rifles. Given a choice of a Romy AK or a Russian built Saiga which you can convert to an AK I would take the Saiga in 7.62x39 since .223 and .308 ammo cost a lot higher. Presently I would take a Romy WASR .22 which is cheaper to shoot. I tried one a few years ago when ammo was cheap so I didn't think much of it but now the prices are much higher so it's worth getting one for the AK feel without the recoil and report. You can get a Romy AK in 5.45x39 since the ammo is a lot cheaper than 7.62x39 for the time being. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kresk 10,063 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 A Saiga will give you as real a Rusian AK as you can get in this country. Conversion doesn't have to be complicated nor expensive. Think you'll like it much better than the alternatives when you're done. P.S. Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shellshock1918 1 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 The BIGGIE is: You'd have a brand new Russian AK made with quality parts when you were done, as opposed to a rifle made from parts-rejected-for-military-service that was put together by underpaid and overworked Romanians. Get the Saiga. It'll be worth it. +1000 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
topmaul 42 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 (edited) I had a Wasr 3 the .223 version and compared to the .223 Saiga they are not even close the Saiga has a better finish, receiver is thicker, barrel is crome lined, all you have to do is stick slap in a Tapco trigger group, stock, pg and your in business. Forgot you will need a bullet ramp. I have no love for Wasr rifles especially if Century had anything to do with them. One Saiga is worth a half dozen Wasr any day. Edited August 3, 2008 by topmaul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superhawk138 202 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 (edited) What A Shitty Rifle Go with the Saiga do the conversion yourself, You will be much happier knowing you have a Russian made Ak Edited August 3, 2008 by Superhawk138 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rangerdavid 6 Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 my understanding is, and let me preface this by saying I dont have a WASR, but they are AKs, and they will go bang! They are just not the quality you'd get with a Saiga, made in the same factory where the invertor of the weapon worked (or works). Russian AK, brand new, not a "parts" gun. Convert it to its intended configuration, and its one of the most reliable combat weapons ever invented. Hell, they're so good, even the bad ones (the WASRs, and other clones) aren't all that bad. But with the prices today of AKs, all being equal, just get the Saiga. Gun Broker has 'em for under $300 right now, with another $150 or $200 in conversion parts, you have a Great AK worth two to three times what you just paid for it. Literally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cellsworth 21 Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 I have a WASR-10 and a Saiga in 7.62X39. Both function great. The Saiga is better quality and more accurate. If I had to choose between the two, I would get a Saiga. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Azrial 1,091 Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 A Century WASR and a "Romy AK" are not necessarily the same things. Guns built from 80's Romy G kits on a quality frame are the equal of any Siaga made, at least. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pat.kozacik@gmail.com 0 Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I have wanted an ak for as long as I can remember but since I live in the PRNJ (People's Republic of NJ) I can't buy an AK but I can buy a saiga and mod it to my liking. but if I were given the choice knowing what I know now I'd still buy the saiga. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jamesavery22 54 Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 Don't buy a saiga. You'll add to the masses that are cluing RAA into raising the prices Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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