A Tale of Two Semi Automatic Rifles

[Jim567]

This is just my experience.
The AR was ready to go out of the box, bolt a scope on.
Accurate with inexpensive ammo.

The AK had a learning curve for me.
Scope mount choice, went with side mount.
Scope choice, for me a light weight red dot got better groups than the scopes I tried. I believe the mount does better with a light weight optical. Maybe the heavier scopes make the mount move - although probably in my hands at 100 yards the rifle wasn't accurate enough to take advantage of magnification.
I really took to the red dot like a duck to water. It was easier on my 60 year old eyes than a 3 power scope.
Ammo choice, need more expensive ammo to glean the best groups that are not as good as the AR with cheaper ammo.
Fun factor, AK is more fun for some reason,lol your miliage may vary

Anyway I like having both. I know what I would do if I only could have one..
Glad I don't have to make the cut though

[Jim567]

Was back out to the range yesterday.
I shot a 1.5" group with the Hornady ammo iron sites.
My eyes should not be able to do that.
Shot a couple 2 shot groups with the red dot that touched.
I have a sneaky feeling the side mount, 40 bucks , is a problem. Always a flier.
I didn't want to spend the money, but I don't want to drive myself crazy.
Bought a Midwest Industries mount,125.00
Let's see.
Darker Loaf has steered me right this far

[hagar]

If you want an accurate AK, buy it in 5.45 or 5.56..

[Jim567]

To late lol

[Quentin2]

Man I'm glad I got a WASR-10 when they were $300, and glad I didn't have to put any money into it... ready to go right out of the box...

Because - reverse situation here - I sure have put a lot of money in my ARs!

[Jim567]

I paid 460 for the Saiga.
With the tapco stock and stuff and now two mounts - optical not included /
I have about 800 in it
But if this Midwest industries mount works out,
I will have a heck of a shooter,
Let ya know.

[HKFan9]

A much better and likely less-expensive alternative would have been to do a proper pistol grip conversion to bring the Saiga back to proper AK configuration (kits from CSS are only ~$150). This would have fixed the ergonomic issues, improved the trigger vastly, and would also allow you to use inexpensive and higher-quality surplus mags.

He beat me to it. If you think the trigger is good with the extra linkage in it due to the improper placement, the conversion would make it WORLDS better. I was shocked when I converted a few Saiga's how well the triggers were. Not to mention you can get the stock in the proper placement (and if you remove the rear tang and install a new stock block the proper angle for recoil)

I am glad you are happy with your rifles, but for the cost, I would SERIOUSLY consider doing a real conversion, makes the rifle 10x better in my opinion, and honestly, its a fun weekend project, and doesn't require any serious effort.

[Jim567]

Out tomorrow to the range with the Midwest Industries mount in the morning.
It was expensive, 2.5 times the price of others.
The lock up is much better engineered.
It locks up along a square plane instead of a curve. The locking surface must be twice or more than the UTG and even.
Hoping my groups improve. If not - it is what it is and I will be done.
I think

[Jim567]

What a bloody bust!!
Groups were twice the size of the the cheaper mount!!
I believe the mount was contacting the dust cover.
That was after I put a file to it and relieved the underside some.
Bit of custom work - I wil try it again

[Jim567]

Skeletonized the mount today. Left only two struts and about 2 inches of rail.
It's been my experience with this rifle, the lighter the mount and optics the better the rifle groups.
The rail was definitely engaging the dust cover.
With only two inches of rail remaining( more than enough for the red dot)
It will be easy to relieve.
Let's see.
I got to fire a Romanian AK Friday.
It kicked the heck out of me!
My Tapco butt stock has almost twice the area of the Romanians.
The reduced recoil was VERY noticeable .
I was NOT impressed with the Romanians accuracy.
I was having a bad day with the mount but still did better at 100 with the Saiga than the Romanian did at 50.

[kawasakifreak77]

Looks like you're having fun playing around!

I picked me up a WASR for the heck of it & first trip out was getting about 3" prone with some old chinese ammo dad had laying around.

I put me a tritium glow in the dark front sight & hogue grip on it. Keeping it simple & it fits me like a glove!

Somebody left about 70 x39 cases laying at the range so I snagged them up & loaded them wuth Vmax bullets & as much dupont 4198 we could fit in the case. Hoping with good American components I can get down in the 2" range!

[Jim567]

I am just impatient to wring the best out of this AK so I can take it out to 200 yards.

[Jim567]

After spending money experimenting with optics, mounts and premium ammo -
6 trips to the range -
Firing other AKs at the range-
In my opinion, limited to the above-
The AK is a third world weapon compared to the AR.
A reliable functioning third world weapon lol.
I am sick of chasing zeros with it. I am not confident in its acurracy.
It's fun, has a certain appeal, but down range where it counts, I don't trust it.
I am sure folks have done a better job than I have of wringing one out well.
I am just too frustrated with it's wandering zero and group size.
I would feel comfortable to 50-75 yards max with it.
I have shot 1.5" groups with it , the next group will be 6". Its just too inconsistent.

[9x19]

Jim',

Thanks for sharing the details of your journey. I found it quite interesting.

[Jim567]

Thanks,it's just me and one rifle.
My last gasp on this is to take my sons and see if the experience is the same.
It has not been fired.

[Jim567]

At this point I wish I had bought two ARS or a bolt action 7.62X39