I’m kind of wanting to get one and found one local but after searching on gun broker prices seem to be all over the place. What should I be looking at as far as a fair price or is there a better AK for the money? Local guy is asking $1300
Unconverted saiga 7.62x39 prices
- Thread starter Jmccracken1214
- Start date
If you are set on an AK100 series type build there really aren't any other options that I am aware of. If you just want an AKM, look at the Polish guns like FB Radom or WBP. Or find a parts kit and have one built on a new receiver. Most of the Russian parts kits are going for $1300+. The last time I looked at an unconverted Saiga they were around $1500-1600. That was about a year ago or so.
No lies detected. But by the time he finds all the parts he needs, pays a smith and endured the wait for a conversion, he will wish he has just bought a 21 in my opinion.
To save money he could just buy a WASR but the SGL is the buy once cry once AK.
OP,
Are you specifically looking for a 100 series base to build on? Also are you specifically looking for Russian?
If no to either of those questions, you can get equal or better quality for cheaper through other means.
Are you specifically looking for a 100 series base to build on? Also are you specifically looking for Russian?
If no to either of those questions, you can get equal or better quality for cheaper through other means.
The gold standard is a factory Russian gun. There is no equal or better. They have the best core parts, the best CHF CL barrels and all the data packs. Everything else is a copy.
It’s taken me forever to collect the parts for a couple of AK-105’s. So long that it’s more an exercise in becoming self-aware of completionist ocd than some kind of personal achievement.
Unless you’re really into, and I mean REALLY into the idea of a parts clone, then pony up for the SGL or a Vepr if you don’t mind the heft. At the end of the day, the parts clone guns can be cool but it’s still not a Russian gun.
At this point I’m not sure I’ll ever build these or get them built. I’ll be the guy with unassembled parts when other people are buying post-sanctions complete Russian guns again.
Unless you’re really into, and I mean REALLY into the idea of a parts clone, then pony up for the SGL or a Vepr if you don’t mind the heft. At the end of the day, the parts clone guns can be cool but it’s still not a Russian gun.
At this point I’m not sure I’ll ever build these or get them built. I’ll be the guy with unassembled parts when other people are buying post-sanctions complete Russian guns again.
OP, there are lessons to be learned from this man…It’s taken me forever to collect the parts for a couple of AK-105’s. So long that it’s more an exercise in becoming self-aware of completionist ocd than some kind of personal achievement.
Unless you’re really into, and I mean REALLY into the idea of a parts clone, then pony up for the SGL or a Vepr if you don’t mind the heft. At the end of the day, the parts clone guns can be cool but it’s still not a Russian gun.
At this point I’m not sure I’ll ever build these or get them built. I’ll be the guy with unassembled parts when other people are buying post-sanctions complete Russian guns again.
It’s taken me forever to collect the parts for a couple of AK-105’s. So long that it’s more an exercise in becoming self-aware of completionist ocd than some kind of personal achievement.
Unless you’re really into, and I mean REALLY into the idea of a parts clone, then pony up for the SGL or a Vepr if you don’t mind the heft. At the end of the day, the parts clone guns can be cool but it’s still not a Russian gun.
At this point I’m not sure I’ll ever build these or get them built. I’ll be the guy with unassembled parts when other people are buying post-sanctions complete Russian guns again.
Built this one last year. It’s a clone but pretty happy.
That looks very nice. Don’t get me wrong. I love AK’s. Less now than I used to, but still. Have built dozens, stamped and milled. To me the value was a lot of learning about machining, riveting, dimensions and all that. Sold or gave away all my larger build tools before the Great Escape from CA.
Just not sure I want to go through buying all the stuff again and cluttering an already overfilled garage with tools to make guns that I admire more than shoot.
Sending my stuff out to be built by Mario at Pohf or someone else at that level would be expensive. I’m sure the finished product would be sweet, but at this stage of life I can help but think that money would be better spent banging on the mortgage.
I think my approach may not even be in the realm of what the OP wants anyway. Perhaps picking up one of the Polish WBP rifles, or if an sbr is desired one of the milled Bulgarian factory sbr’s from Kvar would be a better route. I guess the point is that AK’s are no longer affordable if you have an affinity for authentic-as-possible Russian stuff. That ship has sailed, at least for now.
Yea I have a bunch of stuff in the garage. I need to do something with it and start clearing out the clutter. I have a couple veprs and saigas in the arsenal that are untouched since they were imported. Might do something stuff with them. I’ve been surfing the webs for cool parts kits for years hoping to build some fun stuff. Rpk and PKMs. Looking for a decent ppsh kit right now but the Russian kits are two to 3 times more than everything else right now.
That 105 is a Bulgarian kit with all matching serials. The Zenitco stuff I got before the ban and the receiver is polish and had it serialized to match the Bulgarian stuff with all Russian markings. Built it with Jim fuller. Learned a ton.
I really like the 74 and 100 platforms. I have an SGL-21, Bulgarian kit build 74 and an 88 Izhmash 74 kit build. The 88 kit build get's used a lot. I would love to build a 105 at some point, but I live in a non friendly state for that and I don't want some dumb extended booster on the end.
I got into the 5.45 game late and did not score a ton of the cheap surplus 7N6 when it was available. I tried to get an SGL-31 first but was not able to find one anywhere so I ended up with the 21. Thankfully I was able to get a bunch of Wolf and other stuff while it was available and not expensive and a friend sent me a ton of Hornady 5.45 brass. I just haven't gotten around to loading any yet.
I got into the 5.45 game late and did not score a ton of the cheap surplus 7N6 when it was available. I tried to get an SGL-31 first but was not able to find one anywhere so I ended up with the 21. Thankfully I was able to get a bunch of Wolf and other stuff while it was available and not expensive and a friend sent me a ton of Hornady 5.45 brass. I just haven't gotten around to loading any yet.
Yup. For better or worse. LolIt warms my heart that there are some die hard AK guys in here
Would be hilarious to see who has the craziest parts stash.
I din’t buy parts kits, I just stack the rifles like a hoarder. Was trying to get at least one front every country. Things got out of hand fast. Oh and bakes. Lots of bakes. Gonna thin the herd soon (so I tell myself)…
I really wish I would have explored the platform sooner. I had some friends with ban era Chinese Mak 90 type rifles growing up so I had some limited experience running them. Then I picked up a Russian SKS or two. Stupidly decided the SKS was better except for fixed mags and listened to the Fudd lore about the AK rifles. I missed out on a lot of low priced stuff.
I am happy with the collection I have. It just cost me a little more money and had more limited options. Thankfully I did not get raped on mags and other parts getting them before Covid and sanctions. It was fun chasing parts and finding what I needed to complete the builds. Going to my local post office to pick up packages from Russia was fun. It was interesting to get parts shipped from Russia to my location faster than parts coming from Florida or east coast places.
I am happy with the collection I have. It just cost me a little more money and had more limited options. Thankfully I did not get raped on mags and other parts getting them before Covid and sanctions. It was fun chasing parts and finding what I needed to complete the builds. Going to my local post office to pick up packages from Russia was fun. It was interesting to get parts shipped from Russia to my location faster than parts coming from Florida or east coast places.
Russian AK's are the OG, no doubt.
Everything else built in other countries are is clones, re-engineered, or built using the TDP the Russians gave them.
That said, what makes you say that the Russians have the best core parts? You don't think that out of all of the countries that have produced AK variants that Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Egyptian, etc... core parts might not be as good or better?
I'm not disagreeing with you. I've just spent the better part of a decade on the AK Files, and even longer playing AK variants, and am yet to see the Russian stuff as definitively better [except for preference].
Cheers
Good point and I will say that from your first post I was afraid you were going to recommend some PSA or Pioneer BS to this guy, so now that I know you know what's up it's a different conversation, ha.
I can't prove in any way the Russians have the best core parts. And honestly any of the reputed com block factories who had the manufacturing down had to be producing quality core parts. So any good import is a safe buy IMO.
I would just have to think that nobody has invested the time, effort and expertise into perfecting the manufacturing of that platform the way the Russians have. And If I could only have one, I know which one I'm picking.
I own sample(s) of all that you listed: Russian, Polish, Hungarian, Egyptian, Romanian, Bulgarian, plus an EG parts kit build. From my unprofessional observation, I would say the Hungarian pre-ban FEG I have and the EG parts in the parts kit come the closest to the Russians as far as the appearance of quality (for what that's worth).
The dude wanted a Russian, I just didn't want him to try to source the parts and do the conversion; brutal to try that right now. And god forbid he buys the USA crap. But yes I agree with you that he can save some money and buy a good import. But, will he wish it was a Saiga?!? Possibly.
Lol, agreed.
No worries brother.
And I also love me some AMD's. They might be my favorite, just don't tell my other imports.
I feel you there. I have a TGI Import and I don't think I could ever sell it. Could just be the coolest variant out there.
