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[BANG BANG]

5.45 AK74 all day. Jailed one on Saturday and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Russian reliability, cheap ammo, how can you go wrong?????

price and where? I'm in the East Bay as well

[captbilly]

Is accuracy similar between both platforms? NOOO!

The accuracy of the AK is notorious. 3 MOA is top of the line, and 6 MOA is not unheard of for a new AK. A decent AR can do 1 MOA and a cheap bull barrel upper with free floating handguard will do 0.5MOA or better.

AK are quite reliable, if you get one that isn't a true POS, but accuracy is not what they were designed for.

[promethean_spark]

With the AR, if you shoot corrosive the gasses get into the bolt and all over in the action, even in the buffer tube. It's not worth the PITA of cleaning all that after you use it to save a few cents/round. The '74 was made to deal with filthy ammo, the AR was not.

AK receivers are under $100 and 80%s are considerably less, you could get a couple for 2014 and build them up at your leisure at a build party.

Why are you even considering the 6.5 grendel if you aren't into reloading? For the cost of a 5.45 upper you could get a progressive press and churn out 223 for ~18c/rd. Then the 6.5 upper that you actually want would be affordable to shoot too.

[omnitravis]

Are all Saigas created equal?

Is Saiga the brand name, or just a category like AR15?

Is a bullet button all that's required to make a non-featureless Saiga CA-legal?

Can answer that first one, probably no though.
Not sure on this one, they are made at Izhmash, in Izhevsk. I am pretty sure it is a brand name, not a style of weapon though.
Yes, it is all that is required.
Correct me if I am wrong, please.

[coma13]

Are all Saigas created equal?

Is Saiga the brand name, or just a category like AR15?

Is a bullet button all that's required to make a non-featureless Saiga CA-legal?

More or less, yes, they are all created equal. It is a brand name, the product of a couple of Russian factories. All Saigas are imported featureless. If you decide to add features, you need to install a magazine lock first.

[chead]

The difference in chamber design between the AR-15 and AK makes me really wary of 5.45 uppers. Just get the AK-74.

[coma13]

The few Saigas that I looked up on gunbroker all had pistol grips and some had folding stocks. Is this what's referred to as a "converted" Saiga?

Correct. They have been restored to the actual AK configuration. Saigas, as imported, are modified with a different fire control group assembly to accomodate the Monte Carlo style stock.

A converted Saiga must also conform to 922(r) regulations as well as CA "assault weapon" regs.

[NRai2001]

What about Bulgarian century ak74s??

[G21Shooter]

5.45x39 ASC 30 round mags in stock at Exile machine!!!!

https://www.exilemachine.net/shop/mag-asc-ar5-45x39-30rd-sts-blk-2029.html

[omnitravis]

Would this Waffen Werks converted one be a better deal? I understand the "B grade" stock and hand guards can be replaced later. http://www.classicfirearms.com/ak74r...source=7-25-13

I got one.
My first AK, I have parts kits but I havent been able to build them yet, work and such, someone else could give a better review.
It is beautiful. It shoots great, I have put a few hundred rounds through it and heated it up very nicely. The FSP is off a bit, but, I can readjust it with a tool.
A bit expensive(mine was 800, plum furniture), but, it is nice. I cant really say though, you can build one for a bit cheaper than that, and also buy some very high end ones, so, I am not sure how it stacks up, it is the only one I have or have used.

One thing I can say, I like it a helluva lot more than my frankenAR, and it is cheap to shoot.

[artoaster]

What would be an approximate cost on that? I'm not very proficient with tools, and I understand an AK requires some serious work to build.

About $700- $800.

[hellayella]

Would this Waffen Werks converted one be a better deal? I understand the "B grade" stock and hand guards can be replaced later. http://www.classicfirearms.com/ak74r...source=7-25-13

those are not Saiga conversi0ons!

[Javi]

I've read quite a few positive reviews of the Waffen Werks. Two other, newer builders that I thought highly of went on the decline but for the year that I've known Waffen, I still read good stuff about them. $600 for one is a great price if they can ship it over here.

[hellayella]

I've read quite a few positive reviews of the Waffen Werks. Two other, newer builders that I thought highly of went on the decline but for the year that I've known Waffen, I still read good stuff about them. $600 for one is a great price if they can ship it over here.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=795284

way better than WW...CHF Com-bloc barrel... just add receiver, riveting, refisnish..IMO

[hellayella]

I understand that it's a different brand. I was asking if it's comparable to the Saiga.

Something that just occurred to me, where do casings eject on AKs? I shoot left handed.

I don't see a shell deflector on the Saiga like the one I have on my AR.

this SAIGA with front end conversion just makes it easier to convert...1/2 job is done!