XD Talk

Polymerhead · 02-20-2008, 06:21 PM

OK,

I want/need another AK before the fall. I have one in .223 but I think I want a heavier-hitter. I'm thinking 7.62x39 because ammo's cheap, or .308 because it's just a great round.

So, in a hypothetical scenario where I settle on a 7.62x39, would you rather:

1. Buy a Saiga and convert it?
2. Buy a kit and a finished receiver and assemble?
3. Buy a cheap WASR or similar?

This would be a trunk/bury and forget gun and I want it to be cheap but reliable. I have average mechanical ability but no more machinery than a dremel. I could get access to a good vise and bench, and I can source a small tabletop drill press for cheap if I wanted to. Building from a flat is out of the question - I don't want to deal with that.

So, what would you do? I'm leaning toward a Saiga, though I'm going to have to beg friends to borrow the tap for the bullet feed guide. I like the fact that they're apparently pretty accurate, too.

**einheit 13** · 02-20-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polymerhead

OK,

I want/need another AK before the fall. I have one in .223 but I think I want a heavier-hitter. I'm thinking 7.62x39 because ammo's cheap, or .308 because it's just a great round.

So, in a hypothetical scenario where I settle on a 7.62x39, would you rather:

1. Buy a Saiga and convert it?
2. Buy a kit and a finished receiver and assemble?
3. Buy a cheap WASR or similar?

This would be a trunk/bury and forget gun and I want it to be cheap but reliable. I have average mechanical ability but no more machinery than a dremel. I could get access to a good vise and bench, and I can source a small tabletop drill press for cheap if I wanted to. Building from a flat is out of the question - I don't want to deal with that.

So, what would you do? I'm leaning toward a Saiga, though I'm going to have to beg friends to borrow the tap for the bullet feed guide. I like the fact that they're apparently pretty accurate, too.

They're just as accurate as any other. Some Saigas have the bullet guide, and you don't need a tap, you can use a rivet, KVAR sells the guide and rivet... you can convert it to take a pistol grip, but to use standard AK furniture is a little harder. I gave my brother a .223 Saiga and he just bought the folding stock/pistol grip combo, said he didn't want to convert it yet.

Polymerhead · 02-20-2008, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize some of them already had the bullet guide - I was at a gun show over the weekend and saw several, I should have looked in the action.

I'm confident I could handle all of the trigger and buttstock conversion, but I'm hesitant to tackle the bullet guide. I've never used a tap for anything before. Maybe I can get the guy who milled my 1911 slide to do a quick drill and tap job for me.

Jack the Toad · 02-22-2008, 10:09 AM

Forgive me. I own a Saiga and like it. I thought I knew most everything about the gun. But what exactly is the "bullet guide"?

Polymerhead · 02-22-2008, 05:59 PM

It's the piece of halfpipe that sits just behind the chamber and guides the bullet from the mag to the chamber.

billbrasky · 02-22-2008, 06:52 PM

einheit, since your THE com block expert do you know if they changed the saiga

look at this picture (from http://www.centerfiresystems.com/)

compared to the photos in the saiga conversion write up
http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/

PRE CONVERSION

POST CONVERSION

do you know if i can get a piston grip with the trigger assembly moved forward like that ?

also this isnt a total hi jack hopefully polymer head likes that .... and can avoid the mod. I am sure i could mod one, but all things considered the value of my time, and a hacked up weapon i went from hacking up a .308 saiga to convinced i would just buy a FN FAL. If i can get a factory fresh new saiga .308 with the pistol grip. Ill order it tommarrow!

**einheit 13** · 02-22-2008, 07:08 PM

you should be able to take the stock off and add a piatol grip and 'standard' butt. You may have issues with the receiver shape. Not sure if its square cut like a normal AK, angled like a VePR, or radiused like a FPK/PSL. Worst case, you make your own butt from hardwood or from plywood....and make your own design-to fit your shooting style...I'd love to have one in .308, but I'm broke for a while....

billbrasky · 02-22-2008, 07:20 PM

DARN, i thought you would know. Well i will call centerfire tommarrow and see what the rear looks like with the stock removed. If i can bolt on a folder i am ordering one for sure. That would solve my .308 delima. Quite a good bargain if it is what i want it to be. I would be so happy i wanted and didnt jump on a fancier $$$ .308

Polymerhead · 02-22-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbrasky

If i can bolt on a folder i am ordering one for sure. That would solve my .308 delima. Quite a good bargain if it is what i want it to be. I would be so happy i wanted and didnt jump on a fancier $$$ .308

Yes, let us know. That's a long barrel for a pistol-grip AK though, might not look right.

And those converted Saigas are interesting. $550 for a 7.62. Basically you're paying them $300 for the conversion and a tapco buttstock and grip. Doesn't sound worth it to me, especially with no flash hider. It would be a quality gun though.

**einheit 13** · 02-22-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polymerhead

Yes, let us know. That's a long barrel for a pistol-grip AK though, might not look right.

And those converted Saigas are interesting. $550 for a 7.62. Basically you're paying them $300 for the conversion and a tapco buttstock and grip. Doesn't sound worth it to me, especially with no flash hider. It would be a quality gun though.

and new trigger group, feed ramp, and mag well 'touch up'.