My father wants a Saiga. Im pretty familiar w/ AK as i have a few and build them. I have never researched or handled one though. He gave me his Mini 30 and told me to trade it or sell it and get him a Saiga in 7.62. He does not like pistol grips thats why he is going the Saiga route. So here are my questions.
1. What is a good-fair price for a used or new one?
2. Are all parts (internal. I know the stock isn't) interchangeable w/ an AK? ex: Bolt carrier, FGG...ect
3. Im guessing they take the same mags?
4. Do they all have a scope rail. If so is it the same as an AK?
5. i see there is a 20" barrel version anyone have this one. Better?
Full Version: Saiga Questions?
your mini 30 is worth much more than a saiga x39. mini ruger rifles have gone through the roof, for older ones......you can buy two saigas with it.
he wants a stock gun....
itzmash is an AKM maker. yes.
no, sorta, but yeh, sorta. depends on what route you go.
yes yes
yes.
I sell them. why not an american round? 308 or 223? dunno bout better.
he wants a stock gun....
itzmash is an AKM maker. yes.
no, sorta, but yeh, sorta. depends on what route you go.
yes yes
yes.
I sell them. why not an american round? 308 or 223? dunno bout better.
1. $250 ish
2. No not really...at least not that simple. The Sporter style of the non-PG Saiga has the real trigger hole covered by a plate on the bottom of the receiver. There's a linkage that goes from the trigger and sear, back to the sporter trigger that sticks through the receiver where the PG is supposed to be.
Bolt carrier might be interchangeable, never tried that.
Gas piston yes. Gas tube yes. Dust cover and side rail for scope is also the same.
The main difference is the sporter FCG and receiver. Some receivers have the PG nut hole already cut and hidden by the bottom plate with the trigger hole.
Some of the newer ones also have dimples.
3. The mag catch is made a hair too long so you can't just lock in a standard AK mag, unless you shave a little off of it.
There also needs to be a feed ramp added in order for the rounds to make it up into the chamber. There are other options but that's the most popular if you want to use real AK mags (imported). There are, however, domestic "hi cap" mags that have a built in bullet guide that will feed the rds without a feed ramp in the trunnion.
4. yep
5. It's marginal. You will get a higher muzzle energy with the longer bbl but not necessarily better or longer accuracy.
A longer bbl has more room to flex when hot.
2. No not really...at least not that simple. The Sporter style of the non-PG Saiga has the real trigger hole covered by a plate on the bottom of the receiver. There's a linkage that goes from the trigger and sear, back to the sporter trigger that sticks through the receiver where the PG is supposed to be.
Bolt carrier might be interchangeable, never tried that.
Gas piston yes. Gas tube yes. Dust cover and side rail for scope is also the same.
The main difference is the sporter FCG and receiver. Some receivers have the PG nut hole already cut and hidden by the bottom plate with the trigger hole.
Some of the newer ones also have dimples.
3. The mag catch is made a hair too long so you can't just lock in a standard AK mag, unless you shave a little off of it.
There also needs to be a feed ramp added in order for the rounds to make it up into the chamber. There are other options but that's the most popular if you want to use real AK mags (imported). There are, however, domestic "hi cap" mags that have a built in bullet guide that will feed the rds without a feed ramp in the trunnion.
4. yep
5. It's marginal. You will get a higher muzzle energy with the longer bbl but not necessarily better or longer accuracy.
A longer bbl has more room to flex when hot.
wow somebody types a lot faster than me...
The main reason he wants to swap is the Mini doesn't like bulk ammo, and he wants the luxry of cheap mags, parts...ect. He loves my Milled Bulgy but he is old school and doesn't like pistol grips.
the older mini 14's are increasing in value.
if its an older ruger, I would be careful about how you price it......just my .02c
if its an older ruger, I would be careful about how you price it......just my .02c
Don't the "mini" series of Ruger rifles have shitty, pencil thin barrels on them though? 
I thought I remember reading somewhere that their inherent accuracy was about as much as a cheap WASR with canted sights on it.
I thought I remember reading somewhere that their inherent accuracy was about as much as a cheap WASR with canted sights on it.
I have seen several ads over the years from companies who promise that, for $350-ish, they with have your mini-14 or mini-30 shooting 1-1/2 to 1-1/4 MOA...
Given the right ammo, a Saiga will do that (or better) stock....
As far as I know, only the XTC (.308 mini-14) and early SS, 7.62x39 mini-30's have any real collector value... BUT - sell for what you can get...!
Just remember - mini-14's are not known as "tack drivers" or "marksman rifles"...
A Saiga will surprise you - as they have many people here...
Given the right ammo, a Saiga will do that (or better) stock....
As far as I know, only the XTC (.308 mini-14) and early SS, 7.62x39 mini-30's have any real collector value... BUT - sell for what you can get...!
Just remember - mini-14's are not known as "tack drivers" or "marksman rifles"...
A Saiga will surprise you - as they have many people here...
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