Saiga 7.62x39

Agregory1994 · August 17, 2013, 09:15 PM

Does anyone know a fair price for a brand new saiga sporter in 7.62? I found one on sale at dunhams for $500 before tax.

Fishbed77 · August 17, 2013, 09:23 PM

Two years ago they could be found for $299 easily, but by the middle of 2012, $450 was the going price. $500 seems about average these days. Unfortunately the secret is out about how good these rifles are and how easily they are converted back into a high-quality Russian AK.

Agregory1994 · August 18, 2013, 10:20 AM

I plan to convert it once I get it out of layaway, glad to know I got a fair price, thanks.

skizzums · August 18, 2013, 10:41 AM

it's a very fair price. 600$ is the norm online these days.

Fishbed77 · August 18, 2013, 07:13 PM

I paid $470 for my 7.62x39mm Saiga IZ-132 in late 2012. Within a few weeks, I had her restored to proper configuration. I wish I had the foresight to grab a Saiga or two a few years earlier when they were much less expensive. Oh well. It's still a better value than just about any AK out there, since you are getting a real newly-manufactured Russian AK with a very high-quality cold hammer-forged chrome barrel. The conversion itself is also tremendous fun and a great way to learn all about the inner workings of your rifle.

Started with this (a stock Saiga IZ-132 photo):

Ended up with this:

I will probably still thread the barrel and install a muzzle attachment at some point, and then call it a done deal for this one (which I want to keep simple).

Agregory1994 · August 18, 2013, 08:54 PM

That's a very nice gun you have there! Is the gas tube changed, or was it just hidden under the ugly ass origianal Saiga front end? How much does it cost to convert?

Fishbed77 · August 18, 2013, 11:22 PM

A basic conversion will run you about $150-$175 for parts and a few tools. You'll end up with a rifle that looks much like this (my rifle prior to the forearm conversion):

FYI - there is nothing wrong the the stock Saiga handguard. It's actually quite nice in that it covers the hot gas block and allows for a more forward grip. Replacing that handguard adds up. You'll need an AK-47 gas tube ($40), a new AK handguard set ($50 for a good US-made KVAR set), and a front handguard retainer ($50 for a bolt-on retainer).

You could save a bit of money with a foreign handguard set, but I wanted enough 922(r) compliance parts to eventually allow a foreign muzzle device. You could also save money with a pressed-on handguard retainer, but that requires removal of the front sight base, gas block, and access to a press.

Another option is a quad rail like the excellent (but heavy) Chaos rail for Saigas. It's an easy bolt-on part that allows you to use the original Saiga gas tube, and does not need a handguard retainer. It runs about $115.

Agregory1994 · August 20, 2013, 12:20 AM

Being a fan of wooden furniture on the AK, looks like I would have to invest in a bolt on device for the wooden front end. Thanks for the estimate!

Fishbed77 · August 20, 2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Being a fan of wooden furniture on the AK, looks like I would have to invest in a bolt on device for the wooden front end. Thanks for the estimate!

Keep in mind that the Saiga/AK-100-series rifles were designed from the onset for polymer furniture. Many AK wood sets will fit, but some fitting will likely be necessary. Not a big deal, mind you - just something to be aware of. You will also need to replace the Saiga gas tube with an AK-47 gas tube, and you may have to get some handguard tensioners as well.

Closing The Gap · August 20, 2013, 10:48 AM

If you haven't already you should go back in and tell them you want the current sale price. They're doing $50 off of rifles from $399.99-$599.99. They'll honor it and re-do the layaway.

Agregory1994 · August 22, 2013, 11:35 PM

Thanks for the great advise every one, I think I will go with the poly furniture on this one. And the gun was $549.99, I got the $50 off sale. Good looking out though.

RickE · June 25, 2014, 08:37 PM

Hello, I bought one (sporterized/homogenized) a few weeks ago in what is normally a pricey shop. $499. I am converting it now, but It may be less expensive to get one already converted if you plan to anyway. I have already added about another $200 for stocks , gas piston, Bullet guide. Extra mags(5) , red dot with side mount, flash suppressor, for a total of about another $250.00. I'm into it for about $850 or a bit more. But it is nice!

Or leave it as is. They are are great rifle, and value!

Duzell · June 25, 2014, 08:40 PM

i want one so bad ..... bloody CA , i cant find one anywhere here..... TT_TT

RickE · June 27, 2014, 08:31 PM

Arsenal, and the folks at Red Jacket use Saigas, great quality, nuff said

August 17, 2013, 09:15 PM	#1
Agregory1994 Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 42	Saiga 7.62x39 Does anyone know a fair price for a brand new saiga sporter in 7.62? I found one on sale at dunhams for $500 before tax.

August 18, 2013, 10:41 AM	#4
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	it's a very fair price. 600$ is the norm online these days. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

August 18, 2013, 07:13 PM	#5
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	I paid $470 for my 7.62x39mm Saiga IZ-132 in late 2012. Within a few weeks, I had her restored to proper configuration. I wish I had the foresight to grab a Saiga or two a few years earlier when they were much less expensive. Oh well. It's still a better value than just about any AK out there, since you are getting a real newly-manufactured Russian AK with a very high-quality cold hammer-forged chrome barrel. The conversion itself is also tremendous fun and a great way to learn all about the inner workings of your rifle. Started with this (a stock Saiga IZ-132 photo): Ended up with this: I will probably still thread the barrel and install a muzzle attachment at some point, and then call it a done deal for this one (which I want to keep simple). Last edited by Fishbed77; August 19, 2013 at 07:28 PM.

August 20, 2013, 10:48 AM	#10
Closing The Gap Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 258	If you haven't already you should go back in and tell them you want the current sale price. They're doing $50 off of rifles from $399.99-$599.99. They'll honor it and re-do the layaway. __________________ Half the country hates my business, the other half my hobby.

June 25, 2014, 08:40 PM	#13
Duzell Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2011 Location: Monterey Posts: 803	i want one so bad ..... bloody CA , i cant find one anywhere here..... TT_TT __________________ Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. -GW

August 17, 2013, 09:23 PM	#2
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	Two years ago they could be found for $299 easily, but by the middle of 2012, $450 was the going price. $500 seems about average these days. Unfortunately the secret is out about how good these rifles are and how easily they are converted back into a high-quality Russian AK.

August 18, 2013, 10:20 AM	#3
Agregory1994 Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 42	I plan to convert it once I get it out of layaway, glad to know I got a fair price, thanks.

August 18, 2013, 08:54 PM	#6
Agregory1994 Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 42	That's a very nice gun you have there! Is the gas tube changed, or was it just hidden under the ugly ass origianal Saiga front end? How much does it cost to convert?

August 18, 2013, 11:22 PM	#7
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	A basic conversion will run you about $150-$175 for parts and a few tools. You'll end up with a rifle that looks much like this (my rifle prior to the forearm conversion): FYI - there is nothing wrong the the stock Saiga handguard. It's actually quite nice in that it covers the hot gas block and allows for a more forward grip. Replacing that handguard adds up. You'll need an AK-47 gas tube ($40), a new AK handguard set ($50 for a good US-made KVAR set), and a front handguard retainer ($50 for a bolt-on retainer). You could save a bit of money with a foreign handguard set, but I wanted enough 922(r) compliance parts to eventually allow a foreign muzzle device. You could also save money with a pressed-on handguard retainer, but that requires removal of the front sight base, gas block, and access to a press. Another option is a quad rail like the excellent (but heavy) Chaos rail for Saigas. It's an easy bolt-on part that allows you to use the original Saiga gas tube, and does not need a handguard retainer. It runs about $115.

August 20, 2013, 12:20 AM	#8
Agregory1994 Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 42	Being a fan of wooden furniture on the AK, looks like I would have to invest in a bolt on device for the wooden front end. Thanks for the estimate!

August 22, 2013, 11:35 PM	#11
Agregory1994 Member Join Date: July 22, 2013 Posts: 42	Thanks for the great advise every one, I think I will go with the poly furniture on this one. And the gun was $549.99, I got the $50 off sale. Good looking out though.

June 25, 2014, 08:37 PM	#12
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 516	Hello, I bought one (sporterized/homogenized) a few weeks ago in what is normally a pricey shop. $499. I am converting it now, but It may be less expensive to get one already converted if you plan to anyway. I have already added about another $200 for stocks , gas piston, Bullet guide. Extra mags(5) , red dot with side mount, flash suppressor, for a total of about another $250.00. I'm into it for about $850 or a bit more. But it is nice! Or leave it as is. They are are great rifle, and value!

June 27, 2014, 08:31 PM	#14
RickE Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Location: Kirkland Wa. Posts: 516	Arsenal, and the folks at Red Jacket use Saigas, great quality, nuff said