Best Ak for under $600????

[Eleutheros]

Your search for an AK-type rifle can be fulfilled by restoring a Saiga to its AK configuration. It has these advantages in your $600 price range:
* low price for a new rifle from the same Russian factory that makes military AKs
* chrome-lined barrel (not on the I.O. Inc CASAR)

The restoration process is easy and provides a valuable learning experience with your rifle:
* remove trigger guard plate with drill and dremel
* remove factory trigger pins with drill
* drill and tap hole to install bullet guide, enabling feed from AK mags
* file magazine catch slightly to lock AK mags
* install four 922r-compliant US-made parts: a US-made fire control group (3 parts) plus US-made stock or pistol grip or gas tube or handguard

Currently a Saiga 7.62x39 can be found online for as low as $320 plus shipping. Arms of America matches listed prices and has free shipping. At Carolina Shooters Supply, conversion kits start at $120 and a bullet guide with drill and tap set is $20, plus shipping (about $10). Your cost before DROS, transfer fees and tax: $470.

[sd_shooter]

^^^^^^ This!

WASR if you can hand pick or Yugo if you find one cheap. I would also pass on a converted Saiga. He wanted an AK pattern...Read his question.

Removing handguards and stock stock is cheap...Do not have those limit your decision.

Have you ever touched a Saiga? Once you see the plate covering the pistol grip hole it will be obvious: it is an AK.

If the guy has $600 to spend, he could convert a Saiga and have money left over for ammo.

[Z ME FLY]

^^^^^^ This!



Have you ever touched a Saiga? Once you see the plate covering the pistol grip hole it will be obvious: it is an AK.

If the guy has $600 to spend, he could convert a Saiga and have money left over for ammo.

or he can build one for a lot cheaper...

or even order a WASR and convert it... Either way you will be getting something cheaper than most..

Saiga is probably $400OTD after trasfer fees, I think the conversion parts are about $100? So there you go.

[ZX-10R]

Saiga $399 readily available anywhere + fees and tax = $460 + conversion parts $150 minimum = $610...I did not factor in time and additional stuff he may have to do the conversion. So if you can get me a brand new Saiga and then have it converted for $500 with "cash left over to buy ammo" (how much ammo are we talking?) PM me and I will give you my cell number and we can go get this deal done because I will want one.

I am not going to build it mind you...My time is not cheap and to mar something by mistake is a painful experience. I saw Enterprise charge $50 bucks to convert a Saiga but you need to provide parts. Which is a route I am looking at when it is time to to the Saiga purchase.

I like it do not get me wrong and actually want one but definitely want one but not if I have to labor hard...Instant gratification is the key for some.

http://www.minutemanreview.com/2008/08/saiga-ak-556.html

In the end, the OP has to determine what is more desirable depending on DIY or Instant Gratification.

[FeuerFrei]

Henderson Defense Nevada.
Cali neutered WASR 10/63 with scope mount and 10/30 mags.
Under $500 each last I looked.

[killemall419]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I guess I should have added, as some have you have suggested, I would like to get an AK type rifle that is ready to go out of the box (minus the pistol grip as necessary). I would prefer one I don't have to convert, since I don't have the time or tools to do such a project. Also, this will be my first gun and would like it to be ready as an ak when I pick it up. I know just about any rifle will have the pistol grip removed, but restoring that is something I can do, moving the whole trigger control group and punching rivets, etc... isn't something I would like to partake in yet. Thank you for your time and suggestions. They are very very useful.

[Capt. Speirs]

Isn't there an issue with Saiga and AK mags or mags in general?

[Z ME FLY]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I guess I should have added, as some have you have suggested, I would like to get an AK type rifle that is ready to go out of the box (minus the pistol grip as necessary). I would prefer one I don't have to convert, since I don't have the time or tools to do such a project. Also, this will be my first gun and would like it to be ready as an ak when I pick it up. I know just about any rifle will have the pistol grip removed, but restoring that is something I can do, moving the whole trigger control group and punching rivets, etc... isn't something I would like to partake in yet. Thank you for your time and suggestions. They are very very useful.

Get a henderson defense certified ak...

yeah it may cost a little bit more but they are inspected by HD to work good and shoot straight, no cants. If there are any problems you send it to them instead of Century whoever made it. HD is top notch, if I had to buy one I would get one from them. Actually when I was about to buy one, I was going to go with them.

[C_1]

My vote would be for a Saiga, and then convert it. The Saiga pistol grip conversion is not hard at all, is fairly quick to do, and only basic tools are required. But it looks like you dont want to do any wrenching, so I guess I would recommend the WASR. Big 5 got them IO Inc AKs..

[Hoop]

A converted saiga 5.45 will be my next project.

A yugo at that price is probably the "best".

[basshead]

Get a yugo from hendersons.

[Mac]

Saiga

[killemall419]

So a few people have suggested the "YUGO", what exactly is the Yugo? It seems like it usually is reffered to with an underfolder stock, can that be converted to be cali legal? Also, if it is and underfolder stock, can it be replaced with a normal stock, synthetic or wood? Thanks for all the help, I think I'm leaning towards the henderson certified or a yugo if I could get some more info on it, since the chrome barrel makes for an easier, low maintenance option, and the wood can be changed for synthetic so that doesn't really come into play. Now what about the brand new barrel on the CASAR opposed to the barrels on the henderson rifles? Also, what about the dimples in the reciever? I noticed the WASR from henderson doesn't have them, I believe the CASAR does, is it that important? Thanks for you time and input.

[Anchors]

Well if a Saiga is 400, why not just get a Henderson Defense WASR10?
They're on sale for 400 right now too.
Tax would be about 40 bucks in state or you could transfer the WASR for like 50 bucks and no tax.
So about 10 dollars more but you save money on conversion, you do need a maglock though unless you opt for the featureless option (they will remove PG and ship.)
I'm getting the WASR.

[tombinghamthegreat]

Saiga. Then again i got mine when they were 300 dollars.