[eqfan592]

Ok, so I went over to Dunhams to check out the WASR-10 I spotted in the Sunday paper. It's $299 and comes with a 30 rnd mag. The wood was OK, though it looked like it could use some work, the mag was pretty loose and was something of a pain to get back in for some reason, and the sight, while straight up and down, was set about 3mm to the left of center.

The guy behind the counter then pulled down a Yugo for me to look it. It was all black with a folding stock. The mag sat perfectly with no wiggle, and the sight was right where it should be. Price: $499.

Now I could have simply been looking at a particularly bad WASR that they had, I don't know. But that Yugo just felt REAL nice.

I don't have any specifics on the Yugo really, other than what I eyeballed while I held it. OH, it had a grenade launcher sight as well.

So what are everybody’s thoughts? They have a pretty nice lay away program there that I'll have to take advantage of no matter which way I go, so if you folks think the cost difference is worth it, I might go for the Yugo instead.

 

[Guest]

The Yugo IS a nicer gun than the WASR. If you want a cheap gun that goes bang every time, get the WASR. If you want something a little more refined, and are willing to spend the money, get the Yugo.

 

[bobotech]

The Yugo is hands down a better gun than the WASR.

The yugo has a thicker receiver, a wide trunnion, and overall just a better AK.

If you have a choice, go for the Yugo rather than the WASR.

 

[eqfan592]

Hmmm, I think I might go for the Yugo, because I'm not just getting it for fun and plinking, but as part of my SHTF package and I'm thinking the extra 200 bucks for a better quality weapon might be worth its weight in gold in a SHTF situation.

 

[Guest]

Who constructed the Yugo? If it is not pre ban it is constructed here in the USA

 

[bobotech]

Who constructed the Yugo? If it is not pre ban it is constructed here in the USA

I think thats a given these days.

Its a Century build with a new barrel. Almost all Yugos that you find at gun stores with black polymer furniture are century builds built on Nodak Spud receivers.

One of the best Centurys.

 

[eqfan592]

Yeah, it's a Century Arms Yugo. At least, that's what it said on the tag when I got a glance at it

 

[Guest]

I think thats a given these days.

Its a Century build with a new barrel. Almost all Yugos that you find at gun stores with black polymer furniture are century builds built on Nodak Spud receivers.

One of the best Centurys.

\\If this is the case I would take that over a Century built receiver... The thicker the better

 

[Guest]

+1

 

[eqfan592]

Ok, well I was doing some research (inspired by another thread actually) into the Saiga Sporters. They cost around 250 (give or take), and, from what I've been reading, it costs about 130 or so to turn them back into a regular AK (a far better AK than even a Yugo from what I'm reading). Has anybody done this themselves? I guess I just trust the folks on this board more than any other forum out there

 

[bobotech]

Actually the Yugo with the RPK style trunnion is the strongest AK you can get. The extra width of the Yugo trunnion is quite a bit stronger than a standard flat sided AK. The Yugos also use 1.6 mm recievers compared to the standard 1.5 of most others.

The cool thing about Saigas isn't that they are stronger than a Yugo, but rather its the ONLY way to get a real honest to god Russian AKM style gun legally in the US.

So having a converted Saiga (with the requisite US made parts-922r compliant) is the closest thing you will ever get to a real russian gun.

Even if you get one of the rare PLO russian AK kits and build it on a receiver, its still an American receiver. The Saiga receiver is all russian though.

 

[eqfan592]

Actually the Yugo with the RPK style trunnion is the strongest AK you can get. The extra width of the Yugo trunnion is quite a bit stronger than a standard flat sided AK. The Yugos also use 1.6 mm recievers compared to the standard 1.5 of most others.

The cool thing about Saigas isn't that they are stronger than a Yugo, but rather its the ONLY way to get a real honest to god Russian AKM style gun legally in the US.

So having a converted Saiga (with the requisite US made parts-922r compliant) is the closest thing you will ever get to a real russian gun.

Even if you get one of the rare PLO russian AK kits and build it on a receiver, its still an American receiver. The Saiga receiver is all russian though.

This is not to say that the Saiga receivers are weak though, correct? They are all mil-spec as far as what I've read. And I see what you're saying about the Yugos. It looks like part of the reason they are tougher is that they were made to use rifle grenades.

Either way though, it seems that I could do it this way and save a few bucks, and still end up with a mil-spec rifle, not to mention have some fun in the process I also hear that the folding stocks on the Yugos can have some problems, but I have no first had experience on this.

What it really comes down to though is my better half seems to be able to swallow the up-front cost of the Saiga a bit more than the Yugo right now

 

[Guest]

Actually the Yugo with the RPK style trunnion is the strongest AK you can get. The extra width of the Yugo trunnion is quite a bit stronger than a standard flat sided AK. The Yugos also use 1.6 mm recievers compared to the standard 1.5 of most others.

The cool thing about Saigas isn't that they are stronger than a Yugo, but rather its the ONLY way to get a real honest to god Russian AKM style gun legally in the US.

So having a converted Saiga (with the requisite US made parts-922r compliant) is the closest thing you will ever get to a real russian gun.

Even if you get one of the rare PLO russian AK kits and build it on a receiver, its still an American receiver. The Saiga receiver is all russian though.

This is not to say that the Saiga receivers are weak though, correct? They are all mil-spec as far as what I've read. And I see what you're saying about the Yugos. It looks like part of the reason they are tougher is that they were made to use rifle grenades.

Either way though, it seems that I could do it this way and save a few bucks, and still end up with a mil-spec rifle, not to mention have some fun in the process I also hear that the folding stocks on the Yugos can have some problems, but I have no first had experience on this.

What it really comes down to though is my better half seems to be able to swallow the up-front cost of the Saiga a bit more than the Yugo right now

I have a few opinions on this, as I am in the same prediciment right now. I was, actually, still am, a huge fan of the Saiga, for the fact the reciever is still the same made at the Izhmash factory on all AK series rifles. It has a "sporter" stock, and ten round mag (barrel length optional) Yes, like you, I still fancy taking it, converting it to look like a modern AK-103, side folding stock and all.

Price a WASR ( I will bepolite and not name the popular acronym for what that stands for) vs a stock Saiga...its about less than fifty bucks. Sure, the WASRs claim to take high cap mags...reliably? Fit finish....barrel and front sight cant...? Crapshoot if you ask me.

Now, ANOTHER dilemma: I want one with the factory bayonet lug, cleaning rod, etc. Looks like a real underfolder AK, with all the bits. I can still add that to my Saiga mod..but up goes the price. So much, I might just have to sate myself with a "bought" underfolder with all the "Look" and gear I desire....

But a Saiga, is STILL an AK, as far as I am concerned.....vicious cycle, innit?

 

[eqfan592]

Yeah, tell me about it man. I don't know what the local price is on Saiga's yet in my area (gonna be calling around today actually) so not sure how the price will compare with the WASR's over at Dunhams yet, but we'll see.

The cleaning rod isn't as important to me, though I can totally understand why it would be awesome to have it there (even if only for looks). For me, the only things I would be looking to change at first would be the stock, magazine, FCG, a pistol grip and a front rail so I can also mount a forward folding grip. Now all told, with the rifle, that's gonna cost me. But the cost can be spread out over an extended period, and in the end I'll have a better rifle than the Yugo for $500, if only because it's something I built myself and is fully customized for my personal needs.

UPDATE: Called the local gun shop to ask them about prices. He said they had Saiga's, in all 3 rifle calibers as well as several shotguns. He said he thought the prices were around $500. I'm gonna go check it out myself today if I can. If the rifles are $500, that's a bit high and I could do much better on gunbroker (even with transfer fees and shipping) but if he was off, then I may get one in the not too distant future.

 

[panoz77]

FYI, You can get that Yugo underfolder at classicarms.us for about $70 cheaper $429.00. The hard chromed ones are only $519.00.

 

[eqfan592]

Thanks for the heads up Panoz

I went to the gun store and they had the .223 there for 600, though they said they could come down "A little bit" on that price. It's got the 20 inch barrel, so I'm thinking that explains a bit of the extra cost, but even that is high compared to gun broker. So I'm gonna call a few other places and see if they have them and what their cost is, otherwise I'm just gonna grab one off of gunbroker.

I WILL say it was a VERY solid feeling rifle.

 

[uncle jerky]

Thanks for the heads up Panoz

I went to the gun store and they had the .223 there for 600, though they said they could come down "A little bit" on that price. It's got the 20 inch barrel, so I'm thinking that explains a bit of the extra cost, but even that is high compared to gun broker. So I'm gonna call a few other places and see if they have them and what their cost is, otherwise I'm just gonna grab one off of gunbroker.

I WILL say it was a VERY solid feeling rifle.

I've owned 5,NIB Saigas: 223 short barrel, 7.62x39 long barell, 308 short barrell, 7.62x39 short barrel and 308 wood stock long barrel. All were/are great,dependable rifles,easy to add optics,accept readily availablle ammo, and if left in their original configuration, are above reproach by the BATF, while compliance with 922 law is another matter. The prices you quote are rather high,but I'm not sure what retail market you're in, so the prices can fluctuate. Good luck.

 

[panoz77]

eqfan, classic also has all of the saiga's (except the 12 G) for excellent prices, they are a great company to deal with.

SAIGA... 7.62X39.....16.3" BBL... SYN.......$249.95
SAIGA... .223 CAL...16.3" BBL... SYN......$259.95
SAIGA... .308 CAL......16.3"BBL... SYN....$329.95
SAIGA..... .410GA .......21.5"BBL.....SYN...$249.95
SAIGA......20 GA........ 19"BBL.......SYN.....$299.95

 

[eqfan592]

eqfan, classic also has all of the saiga's (except the 12 G) for excellent prices, they are a great company to deal with.

SAIGA... 7.62X39.....16.3" BBL... SYN.......$249.95
SAIGA... .223 CAL...16.3" BBL... SYN......$259.95
SAIGA... .308 CAL......16.3"BBL... SYN....$329.95
SAIGA..... .410GA .......21.5"BBL.....SYN...$249.95
SAIGA......20 GA........ 19"BBL.......SYN.....$299.95

Those ARE good prices! But I can't find them on their website :? Should I give them a call? And what are their shipping rates like (though even if shipping was $50 it would be cheaper than most of the Gunbroker ones )

UPDATE: Never mind, I found it on their front page. Still could use shipping info though, if you got it Thanks again!

 

[waltham41]

A good site with info about Saigas is www.saiga-12.com They deal a lot with the saiga 12 gauge shot gun, but also have sub forums for the rifle calibers and a tech sub forum for help with all of them.