I can't put my finger on it, but there's something strangely appealing about these rifles.

I have a couple of beautiful, original non-rearmored Russian SKS's, and a Bubba'ed SKS with a Tapco kit.

I DO NOT NEED a Saiga, but I keep running the scenarios through my mind of how to acquire one.

Man, what IS it about these things that is so attractive??

go ahead...! you'll like it...
it's not like crack or anything....

you can always stop buying them if you want to...

For me it is the fact that you are getting a Russian built AK, made in the same factory as the military ones, which can be reconfigured back into as close a military as is allowed by US law. Super reliable, simple.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks, I'm trying to do my homework and keep my mouth shut.

Is there a link to a DIY page on disassembly and cleaning?

The SKS was pretty easy to navigate, but I'm clueless about the Saiga/AK mechanics.

And the way things are going, I'll probably be buying one within a couple of months if not sooner.

The sirens are calling, and I'm obviously leaning over the rail.

Oh, and I know about that "crack" thing!
When I decided to do SKS's, I bought six or seven within a month of buying the first one.

The pusher is a MONSTER!

+1 Tritium, Same reason for me getting into this addiction. I had a SKS (gateway drug to AK) but allways wanted a Kalashnikov, and after looking to buy seeing Romanians, Yugos, Bulgarians, and some Chinese and thought wait I want a true Russian AK built in Russia. I found a store selling a Saiga 7.62x39 and looked at the conversion site on relocating the trigger foward. For the price I paid at the time for my saiga $235.00 and bought the parts for conversion I still came out better than a Century Wasr 10 build. After that I started Acquiring the other calibers and the .410 and .12 guage shotguns. The saiga field strips like any other AK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qXCb0TFtHc

Here is a fun little game. Been posted back in day but here it is again http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/game/

Thanks, Hawk, that was simple enough.

Now I have one less excuse to own one.

What's this deal about relocating the trigger forward if you would indulge another noob question?

The "only" way we are able to have these imported to us is to class them as sporting weapons. So they relocate the triggers to the rear of the reciever and rivet on a plate to cover the existing opening. They use a series of pivots to link the relocated trigger to the fire control sear which feels like mud. Some folks keep it factory and add a Stock pistol grip combo that doesn't mess with replacing the trigger group. Myself and many others choose to put the trigger back where Mikhail kalashnikov designed it be in the first place. Results are better trigger pull and a more balanced weapon. As well as looking the part of how an AK is supposed to look.

Thanks again. I understand clearly now.

I went the opposite way you did, got a couple Saiga's and now I started getting into SKSs. Glad I did it in that order cause of the prices these days! the Saiga is extremely similiar to the SKS. Basically if you know SKS, Saiga becomes easier than common sense.

A Saiga is not my kind of rifle. I have never wanted an AK.

While in a gun shop looking at a H&K I happened to see the Saiga and as I looked and handled it I kept thinking. What a cool little rifle.

I've had it at the range six since I picked it up and it's a blast! Softball sized group at 100 yards and just pure fun. The guns I usually take to the range are M1A's, Garands, HK 91&93. Guns that are nothing like the Saiga and yet the Saiga is just so much fun it's getting more time than the others.

Do yourself a favor and get a Saiga. One trip to the range and you'll kick yourself for not getting it sooner.

What's not to love about a slutty Russian, who doesn't mind being roughed up and put away dirty?