Saiga (Hunting Version) as a Combat Rifle?

[1lostinspace]

I have owned my Saiga for about a month now and have ran it hard and I must admit it is one of the most reliable guns I have ever shot!

I bought it as a plinker but have been considering having it as a SHTF type gun.
What is the difference between the assault version type and the hunting besides the furniture and the trigger group been back?

I bought the .223 and now am having the 7.62x39 converted for AK mags.

Do you guys thing I should depend on that instead of my AR?

[JPglee1]

I think a SAIGA in .223 with Galil to AR mag adaptor would be the ultimate SHTF gun.

You could mod a couple 50rd galil mags to work with it, have the mag adaptor to use AR mags in it so you could use legal preban highcaps, 10/30s, 20rds, betas, etc. Also means in a true SHTF situation you could use easy to find AR mags.

The action is identical to a semi auto AK, the rear set trigger uses the same sear/disconnector with a little linkage/lever attached for the rear trigger. IMHO the SAIGA has a better trigger feel than an AK because the linkage takes up some slop/over travel.

I think in a true SHTF/Survival situation the SAIGA would be a better choice than an AR as long as you had the mag adaptor, OR a good suppply of mags you could depend on and reload a lot. I think the 223 is the best choice due to ammo commonality. The SAIGA will run with no lube for a long time, the AR wont. The SAIGA will run for 3-5000rds or more w/no cleaning and just minimal lube to break up the carbon, etc. The SAIGA can be abused with man mag dumps, hard use, throwing around, etc. It wll keep shooting when many guns would give up the ghost. I have an AR and its 100% reliable to over 1500rds in a single session (most Ive shot in 1 day, when I first got it and ammo was cheaper!)but Id still pick the SAIGA for long term useage in a survival situation. Besides, you could always use the SAIGA to procure an AR< Im sure all the armed thugs around will have some ARs lol....

I'd get a 545 for plinking but not to depend on for SHTF. 762x39 would be an OK choice but its harder to shoot accurately (recoil) than the .223, its heavier to carry ammo and it will get hard to find with time. Our military uses .223 so as long as there is some military presence you are guaranteed the presence of .223....same with all the LEAs that have LEOs using ARs or Mini14s.

I think you made a good choice.

J

[1lostinspace]

I think a SAIGA in .223 with Galil to AR mag adaptor would be the ultimate SHTF gun.

You could mod a couple 50rd galil mags to work with it, have the mag adaptor to use AR mags in it so you could use legal preban highcaps, 10/30s, 20rds, betas, etc. Also means in a true SHTF situation you could use easy to find AR mags.

The action is identical to a semi auto AK, the rear set trigger uses the same sear/disconnector with a little linkage/lever attached for the rear trigger. IMHO the SAIGA has a better trigger feel than an AK because the linkage takes up some slop/over travel.

I think in a true SHTF/Survival situation the SAIGA would be a better choice than an AR as long as you had the mag adaptor, OR a good suppply of mags you could depend on and reload a lot. I think the 223 is the best choice due to ammo commonality. The SAIGA will run with no lube for a long time, the AR wont. The SAIGA will run for 3-5000rds or more w/no cleaning and just minimal lube to break up the carbon, etc. The SAIGA can be abused with man mag dumps, hard use, throwing around, etc. It wll keep shooting when many guns would give up the ghost. I have an AR and its 100% reliable to over 1500rds in a single session (most Ive shot in 1 day, when I first got it and ammo was cheaper!)but Id still pick the SAIGA for long term useage in a survival situation. Besides, you could always use the SAIGA to procure an AR< Im sure all the armed thugs around will have some ARs lol....

I'd get a 545 for plinking but not to depend on for SHTF. 762x39 would be an OK choice but its harder to shoot accurately (recoil) than the .223, its heavier to carry ammo and it will get hard to find with time. Our military uses .223 so as long as there is some military presence you are guaranteed the presence of .223....same with all the LEAs that have LEOs using ARs or Mini14s.

I think you made a good choice.

J

I have AR 15 mags Preban and have always thought about doing it.
Is the conversion reliable? I am a worried that it will not be reliable.
Are you in Southern Cali?Would you help me do mine?

[JPglee1]

I have AR 15 mags Preban and have always thought about doing it.
Is the conversion reliable? I am a worried that it will not be reliable.
Are you in Southern Cali?Would you help me do mine?

My thread on SAIGA to M16 mag conversion CLICK HERE

Yes the conversion is 100% reliable when done correctly using an IMI adaptor. As far as I know there are 5 different adaptors.




I really think it would be fairly easy to make an adaptor. Ive got some cardboard templates, I just need to sit down and take the time to make one and see how it works.

Ive been told you need to add a bullet guide to the .223 SAIGA to use the AR mags. I think it would be easier to add a bullet guide to the adaptor itself (at the front lip/edge, the adaptor rocks in like an AKmag so it would clear on insertion) altho if you had some legal preban Galil 50rd mags you'd need to add a bullet guide to use those as well. It might be a good idea to add the guide. I know it doesnt interfere with original 10rd mags once installed.

Anyway here is a pic of a Galil with an adaptor:



Here is a pic of a SAIGA with a galil adaptor:



As you can see its not real hard to install it, takes a little filing/dremel work and you have to install a bullet guide:


Click HERE for Bullet Guides

Here's a DIY guide for a bullet guide:

http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/step_8.htm

[JPglee1]

SAIGA with DIY bullet guide (in front of chamber w/screw)



SAIGA as shipped w/no bullet guide.

Those pics should help everyone see/understand what the bullet guide is.

On the 10rd SAIGA mags, they have a built in guide so to speak, the feed lips are so long that the round is in the chamber before it fully releases off the feed lips, making an external bullet guide un needed (as an FYI I did the same with my 9mm and it also has no guide and runs fine)

The AR mags have much shorter lips. When stripping from an AR or Weiger or Galil mag, the 223 SAIGA/AK platform will have nose dives and other issues where the cartridge doesn't quite get in the hole lol.

Once you add the bullet guide, the issues stop. It allows the tip of your FMJ round to get into the chamber as its stripping out of the mag and to do it 100% of the time.

Oh to answer you, yes Im sure I could help you with mods but you'd have to be present, Im not an FFL and cannot accept this type of work without you being present for the whole process.

PM me for more info, etc.. I dont want to clutter the thread with that stuff.

Thanks


J