AK 47 223 Caliber
I have a customer who is looking for an AK in 223 caliber. I looked on the auction side and found a Saga, are these any good? He wants a traditional looking wood stocked gun if I can find one.
I'm not much of an AK expert, I learned all I wanted to know about them 43 years ago.
Thanks for the help.
W.D.
I'm not much of an AK expert, I learned all I wanted to know about them 43 years ago.
Thanks for the help.
W.D.
0
-
In the pre-ban era prior to 1989 some were imported from China, in the conventional AK-47 configuration.
Nowadays there are many custom and semi-custom builders in the U.S. making them. Long as he has the money they will make him anything his heart desires.
The .223 Saga is imported as a commercial hunting rifle from Russia. Many folks use it as a basic platform to construct AK 47 type clones. As long as a sufficient U.S. parts are used in the conversion it's perfectly legal and the rifles appear to be authentic AK 47's.0 -
Its "Saiga" after the endangered Russian Antelope of the same name.
Saiga antelope
Saiga rifle:
They're perfectly fine guns. Specifically, they're actually Russian made guns, based on a Kalashnikov platform, that have been "sporterized" for legal US importation, by leaving out the pistol grip, having a 10 round magazine, no bayonet lug, etc. So they're perfectly fine guns. . .with the caveats that apply to all AK pattern guns. . .not that accurate, sights not that great.
There is a whole cottage industry that exists for turning these neutered AKs "back" into guns that resemble the more famous AK rifles.
There are a few other AK-type guns in .223 out there, including Chinese made ones, the Romanian SAR-3, the Finnish Valmet (which will cost you an arm and a leg if you're able to find one), and the Israeli Galil. The Israeli rifles might be considered "best of breed", for their solid aluminum folding stock, ambidextrous controls, and peep/aperture sights. You probably "could" put a traditional wood stock on one of these, but you "shouldn't"!
Century arms put out a sort of rebuild of the Galil a few years ago called it called the "Golani" and if you can find a GOOD one (you have to deal with usual Century quality control issues) you'll have something decent for around $600-700 maybe.
You can also look at AK-74 pattern rifles in 5.45x39. Those would be ballistically similar to .223, but run the Soviet ammo which is available in cheap surplus form.0 -
You'll end up with 1K or more into a Saiga making it into a real 5.56x45mm AK.
On the lower end but with real pistol grips are the postban SAR3s, and newer WASR3s. The Draco "Champion" .223 AK pistol, a bit further up the food chain the Chikom pre and post89 ban .223 guns. (no spare parts and expensive mags), and up the food chain a bit further are any number of custom Bulgarian 5.56mm AKs built from parts kits like Krink types from Bulgaria, or long barreled Krink types imported from Bulgaria, to currently reworked SGL series guns from Arsenal USA.0 -
If you can gt he SAR 3 ,,they worked well for me. I had two and shot good for an AK,,meaning they fired when asked. 0 -
Saiga's are just as good as SAR3 or even better than the WASR3 and you can convert most any rifle saigas for way less than 1k. Your looking at 550-650 including the gun if you do the work yourself, maybe cheaper if you buy a complete kit and not piece it together. 0 -
I think this will provide you with what you're looking for.
http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/home.php?cat=25
Around $800. I bought one in 7.63x39 and it will shoot 3 inch groups at 100 yards all day with Wolf ammo, smaller with my handloads. It's a Saiga converted to traditional AK. You'd just have to change the stocks to wood, although the light composites have worked great for me.
Good luck.0 -
Thank you guys, I think I'be got a handle on it.
There are some Saigas on the auction side in his price range.
Thanks again,
W.D.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
7 comments