dubya 198 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Besides obvious differences like the stock, trigger group, rear sight markings, what are some other differences between a Saiga and actual full auto Ishmazh made AK? Im not talking about the FCG at all just things like do AK's use a heavier barrel (ive noticed mine heats up pretty fast with 1 second shooting), is the gas tube tuned differently? Again, im not trying to alter my Saiga in any way I am just curious as to how "authentic" it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spetnaz Soldier 47 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Its the same. 14x1 threads is a standard ak barrel thread so Im assuming they are the same thickness. Never had a problem with it being thin before and ive got mine super hot. like 4 30 round mag dumps non stop bump fire on my first one. ( I dont do that anymore.) Reciever is mil spec. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeAK 337 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 The AK is full auto. Other than that, it's mostly cosmetics, different handguard, different (folding since the saigas are based off of the 100 series) stock, different FSB. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socom688 217 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Like the other guys said, same thing. Only real difference of worth is the FCG. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Ahh kinda cool. I figured something with the gas tube would be a bit different and/or the barrel. Guess they'd just have to be careful notvto touch the barrel! Maybe mine just smelled hot since it was the first time its ever been fired. All i know is i like my Saiga more than any of the 5 different AR's I've ever fired and it cost me 1/4 the price my Bushmaster did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
semper299 284 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Yeah, I gotta admit I like the AK platform.....alot. I have several AR's, and I like tinkering with them, but there is just nothing like an AK. Still like my AR's, but my attention from now on will be on AK's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) There are a whole lot of AK models and variations that someone would think is a "real" AK. You can get real nitpicky about it if you wanted to. Specifically, the Saiga 7.62x39 is a specialized version of the AK-103 for civilian sale and export to the US. The AK-103 is a rifle in military service in Russia and other countries. That is the rifle that the Saiga 7.62x39 is based on. nice AK-103 clone, which started life as a Saiga: Edited February 5, 2013 by mancat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheJoe90 27 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 My polish AK does not have a BHO like I believe that the S7.62 does.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 10 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) There is one internal difference: The stepped chamber. At one point the Izmash facility started adding a small step inside the chamber. From what I've heard here it was so Russian investigators could determine if a civilian or military rifle was used in a shooting by examining spent brass. Not all Saigas in the U.S. have this feature. I'm not sure if they still produce them this way or not. My 2006 model has it. If you shoot a round and it has a bulged ring around the top of the shoulder it has a stepped chamber. Apparently, it doesn't have any noticeable effect on accuracy or ballistics. Here's a link. http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/7303-case-neck-swelling-pics/ Enjoy your Saiga. Edited February 5, 2013 by bikermutt07 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spetnaz Soldier 47 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 The first time I shot my saiga ak and got it real hot the finish started to smoke and smell a lot. it did this twice in the same shoot and i think it just cooked off whatever oil or grease was on the barrel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 There are a whole lot of AK models and variations that someone would think is a "real" AK. You can get real nitpicky about it if you wanted to. Specifically, the Saiga 7.62x39 is a specialized version of the AK-103 for civilian sale and export to the US. The AK-103 is a rifle in military service in Russia and other countries. That is the rifle that the Saiga 7.62x39 is based on. nice AK-103 clone, which started life as a Saiga: [img=http://i.imgur.com/gWPomhU.jpg] Is that yours? I've been thinking of buying another 762 and making it as close to the real thing as possible but might get a S12 instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) Nope. It belonged to a well-known collector who had quite a few Saigas painstakingly converted to be as close as possible to their military counterparts, as well as many custom parts kit builds. Unfortunately he passed away but his site is still available for you to check out some of the extensive convesions/modifications that have been done: http://tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/proindex.html Edited February 5, 2013 by mancat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Cool, thanks for the link ill check it out. I have a lead on a NIB S12 for a bit over $600 or another stock S762 for $750 (i jist paid $300 for my NIB S762 a month ago) and can't decide which to buy. Im leaning towards the shotgun but man does that AK 107 look nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 There's no way I would drop $750 on a stock Saiga. Wait until all of this political crap blows over. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Lol my buddy spent $950 on one 2 weeks ago after seeing mine (that i paid $300 for w/400 rounds)! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Remek 771 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Yeah, I gotta admit I like the AK platform.....alot. I have several AR's, and I like tinkering with them, but there is just nothing like an AK. Still like my AR's, but my attention from now on will be on AK's. +1 I dont know how to explain it, but when I fire both my SKS and AK, it just "feels" like everything is operating smoothly and correctly, sort of like it was just natural. My AR-15 while wicked in its own right, just doesnt have that "feel". I fully trust it, but it just doesnt communicate to me like the SKS or AR. Maybe its the round? I don't know. But, I'd also say these three rifles and the M1 also all communicate better than any other semi rifle I've owned. Ok, enough said. AK-conversions rock! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spetnaz Soldier 47 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 "Saiga" is Russia's way of exporting their beautiful Kalashnikov. America will not except import "assault weapons" so Russia got smart and said this isnt an assault rifle this is a hunting rifle. Add your new saiga huntin rifle to some shop skills and a minor concept of mechanics and you have a standard but top of the line Avtomot Kalashnikova 1947 pattern rifle. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 I've definitely got the bug now! I only wish it happened a year or two before this madness we're seeing currently but i was busy buying bolt guns and pistols. There are so many different variations i can "make" in my garage with a Saiga and a few tools it's becoming my favorite rifle platform. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spetnaz Soldier 47 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 ya it sucks man. im so fuckin bumbed that everything is gone. its fuckin bullshit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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