I am going to get an AK variant and I am not sure of which route to take.

 

Should I buy a Saiga in 7.62 and convert it?

 

Should I buy a Arsenal SGL21 and make it NJ legal?

 

I want to put wood furniture on it either way. I looked at the conversion tutorials and I wont have a problem but for the price it seems I might as well get the Arsenal SGL21.

 

I know Arsenal imports Saiga's and convert them over so its the same gun just less hassle for me, correct me if im wrong.

Ill be reading the responses, too.

the best made variant of the ak is the mak 90. you can get one for like 350-650. they have the heaviest barrels and the thickest receivers. If you want to change the stock, you need to be 922r compliant, but ironwood makes a great wood kit that would make 3 of the 3 things us made (a us magazine would complete it)

The other variants like the wasr 10 are poorly made imho.

look here for info

http://www.ak-47.us/

 

 

http://www.ak47world.com/rifles.html

I am not a fan of the WASR10 either. I heard Polytech's are really nice but they are expensive and is a waste to convert them to NJ legal.

the best made variant of the ak is the mak 90. you can get one for like 350-650. they have the heaviest barrels and the thickest receivers. If you want to change the stock, you need to be 922r compliant, but ironwood makes a great wood kit that would make 3 of the 3 things us made (a us magazine would complete it)

The other variants like the wasr 10 are poorly made imho.

look here for info

http://www.ak-47.us/

 

 

http://www.ak47world.com/rifles.html

 

I would disagree that they are the heaviest barrels and receivers. The VEPR is built from the heavy RPK machine gun. Its receiver is twice as thick as a normal stamped receiver. It has a heavy barrel as well. Both contribute to the its excellent accuracy. Below is a link to the fact sheet on it. I do believe that it would accept standard lower handguard. It would need a $30 Tapco gas tube with integral mounting bracket in order to mount the upper handguard. Maks posted a link somewhere to an adaptor that allows standard stock to be attached.

I just happen to have one in 7.62x39 for sale in the marketplace.

 

http://www.robarm.co...%20answers.html

so the vepr has a 2mm thick receiver? all the chinese are 1.5, they can use the standard akm stuff (stock needs slight sanding where it goes in) VEPR says that they do not use interchangeable parts?

so the vepr has a 2mm thick receiver? all the chinese are 1.5, they can use the standard akm stuff (stock needs slight sanding where it goes in) VEPR says that they do not use interchangeable parts?

 

The VEPR is 1.5mm thick. Most stamped receivers are 1.0mm thick. I think that they mean just the rear trunnion is different and you can't put a stock on it without an adaptor. I explained above about the handguards. The internals are the same, to the best of my knowlege.

there all good even the WASR'S and I also like the wood I'm not a plastic guy.

 

I think 2 things should fuel your search what you can afford and availability maybe go with a couple instead of one high end gun.

The Zastava PAP is a nice lower end AK (< $500). It has the best wood of any AK I've ever seen, and it's a great shooter. I believe that there is one for sale in the marketplace.

I am not talking about price.. I want a good AK variant I can have in NJ. I would track down a Polytech but I dont want to hurt its value to modify it for NJ. Those are $1600.00+ AK's.

mak 90's have the 1.5mm thick receiver and have legal precedent for being legal here in nj...they are essetially the same gun as a poly tech (if you get the milled mak version or the type 84 or 56...

there are poly tech sporters that are legal here and are on gunbroker now...they are also known as the aks-762

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=208127394

if i had the $, this is the exact gun i'd buy

Chris the saga 12 can not be converted because it's a semi auto shotgun. I have 2 7.62x39 wasrs and a 223 saiga. I like all of them All a accurate for an ak style rifle and a blast to shoot.

Sorry I meant the saiga .223. Surprised your the first to catch that

I have two suggestions.....

 

1. If it isn't a horse, don't call it a horse......don't refer to it as an AK.

2. Don't take an AK variant that is meant to shoot 7.62x39......and get one in .223.

 

That's just my advice, take it for what it is worth. It also depends on what you want. If the original "AK" look is what you want.....then you will be in the market for a different rifle than if you want a "tactical" rifle.

If money is not an issue, then go for an Arsenal. Its all done for you (that's what you are paying for). A bit pricey, but you said money is not an issue. The Arsenal are VERY, VERY nice. You will not be disappointed. I never liked AK rifles until I saw an Arsenal. It converted me into an AK lover

I do not see the value in getting a gun that is "heavier".. one that is built to withstand the continuous firing of FA since the gun you will own will only be semi auto.. I have never seen this as an advantage.. you are ending up with what.. a heavier gun to lug around.. it is not like higher quality AK type rifles break or fall apart..

 

I have shot a hand full of AK variants but I stand by the Saiga all day long... for a few reasons.. 1) YOU will build it.. this means at the end.. you will literally understand the gun inside and out.. and likely be able to repair it should the unlikely event of a failure occur.. 2) because you will build it.. it will literally be the EXACT gun with the EXACT furniture you want when it is done.. 3) they are NJ legal and are easy to keep NJ legal during the conversion.. 4) they are an actual Russian gun... which might mean next to nothing to some, but to me it matters... I like owning an original Russian gun..

I have shot a hand full of AK variants but I stand by the Saiga all day long...

Who would have ever guessed

 

Joking, I actually PMed PK90 earlier about possibly doing a transfer for one.

...2. Don't take an AK variant that is meant to shoot 7.62x39......and get one in .223.

 

I dont understand. They were all meant to shoot 7.62x39 then later 5.45x39. .223 was a lame afterthought that cripples the rifle. You have more expensive harder to find mags, a less effective cartridge, and a less reliable rifle. Part of the AKs reliability is the severe cartridge taper which .223 doesnt have. With a heavy taper the second the bolt cams the round out a hair, its free from the chamber walls no matter what. With an essentially straight wall round like 223, the rifle is pulling the round out through the chamber the entire length of the cartridge. You lose in every regard except maybe ammo compatability with your other rifles. Yes, I know the 223s go bang but when it comes down to calibers the "real" ones win with both reliability and performance.

I dont understand. They were all meant to shoot 7.62x39 then later 5.45x39. .223 was a lame afterthought that cripples the rifle. You have more expensive harder to find mags, a less effective cartridge, and a less reliable rifle. Part of the AKs reliability is the severe cartridge taper which .223 doesnt have. With a heavy taper the second the bolt cams the round out a hair, its free from the chamber walls no matter what. With an essentially straight wall round like 223, the rifle is pulling the round out through the chamber the entire length of the cartridge. You lose in every regard except maybe ammo compatability with your other rifles. Yes, I know the 223s go bang but when it comes down to calibers the "real" ones win with both reliability and performance.

 

 

I prefer 7.62x39 without any question.. but I have owned the 223 one also and never saw a failure to eject.. failure to fire.. or any failure for that matter.. with the availability of the AR magwell kits running inexpensive AR magazines is an option.. not one I would really want.. but the groups and performance of the 223 were far from awful.. I actually considered getting another 223 when 7.62x39 began to get so difficult to come across.. as a backup..

Like I said, I feel the same way. If I wanted something in .223, I would get an AR. I am not trying to bash AR's or the .223 round in any way, I will likely own one someday. But if I wanted an AK style rifle, it would be in 7.62x39. If I wanted something in .223, it would be an AR style rifle. That being said, if anyone has a Saiga in 7.62 that they don't want, let me know

For what its worth. I own a Arsenal SLR-101 SG here: http://www.arsenalinc.com/slr101sg.htm . Its a great shooter. Only thing that I wasn't impressed with is the stock paint/coating. I plan on re-coating it myself eventually.

 

If you can find one around, they already come with a pinned muzzle break and no lug.

 

edit: spelling