I have surrendered to the dark side

[hairba111]

Yesterday I went to Hafer's gunsmithing and made a fairly large purchase, an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit. Basically I needed to upgrade the old equipment I have used for years.
While there, I did what I usually do and checked out Tim's abundant stock. In a slot, nearly hidden behind a few nice C&Rs was an American Russian Saiga 308. I checked it out and was impressed, nice lines, clean composite stock and best of all in .308 caliber.
I took my rebuild kit home and got busy setting it up...all the while thinking about that Americanized commie rifle. This afternoon I went online and looked for comments about it online and found NO complaints. Finally I gave up and went back to Tim's shop and laid down a few dollars promising to pay the full price within 60 days. At least a third of the price of an M14 clone.

Funny I don't feel like a communist, I think I bought a decent carbine sized semi automatic rifle. What do you think?

 

[a81lp]

i have a couple saigas. one in 7.62x39 and one in 5.45x39. love em both. congrats

 

[Sling1]

I think you need a conversion kit. ----muhahaha
.....and a 7.62 Saiga
.....and a 5.45 Saiga
.....and a 12 gauge Saiga
.....and a Kushnapup

 

[BlueHeeler]

Love them or hate them the Commies made great guns. You are among Comrades even if your rifle is slightly Americanized. The first step is the biggest, someday soon you will own a real Ruskie AK.

 

[Inigoes]

Congrats

Hope you get to enjoy it soon.

 

[Name Taken]

Looks good.

Is there an easy way to mount an optic to that?

 

[hairba111]

Looks good.

Is there an easy way to mount an optic to that?

It has a scope mount on the left side. Since I already own a long range sniper type rifle, I intend to keep the iron sights.

 

[mbz300sdl]

It has a scope mount on the left side. Since I already own a long range sniper type rifle, I intend to keep the iron sights.

Tim has had that rifle for a while. Glad you got it!

 

[boss66tcode]

Nice - one is already on my want list.

 

[buzzzyy]

Awesome rifle! Congratz. You won't be sorry.

 

[Scott7891]

You should be proud considering the rifle was made at Izhmash, home of the AK, since the Russians invented the thing their AK's are top of the line. You cannot get any better than them.

 

[Darkemp]

Saiga's are fantastic AK's. It's a true nod to history to have anything made at that arsenal.

 

[Name Taken]

It has a scope mount on the left side. Since I already own a long range sniper type rifle, I intend to keep the iron sights.

Is it like the S-12 where it mounts on the side of the receiver and goes over the top in a very non traditional way?

 

[rob-cubed]

Mind if I ask what you paid for it? A .308 Saiga is next on my list.

Saigas are great AKs, can't beat 'em for value. While they will never be quite accurate enough to take advantage of the .308's potential range, they are minute of deer and dead reliable.

You can get a Russian-style POSP scope for it (mounts to the side) which will add some accuracy.

As someone else said, start googling Saiga conversion and you'll see all the fun things you can do with it. One major benefit of moving the FCG forward is the trigger pull (and accuracy) improve.

 

[hairba111]

Mind if I ask what you paid for it? A .308 Saiga is next on my list.

Saigas are great AKs, can't beat 'em for value. While they will never be quite accurate enough to take advantage of the .308's potential range, they are minute of deer and dead reliable.

You can get a Russian-style POSP scope for it (mounts to the side) which will add some accuracy.

As someone else said, start googling Saiga conversion and you'll see all the fun things you can do with it. One major benefit of moving the FCG forward is the trigger pull (and accuracy) improve.

PM sent.

 

[hairba111]

Is it like the S-12 where it mounts on the side of the receiver and goes over the top in a very non traditional way?

Yes, the exact same mount.

 

[ericoak]

from what I understand the .308 conversion is easier than most of other calibers, sounds fun.