Neglected Saiga AKM info

[AshWilliams]

An acquaintance received what appears to be a Saiga Russian AKM from someone he knew who bids on abandoned storage units.

The stock looks funky to me and there's no muzzle device. Here are some pictures and I'm hoping some of the sages here can provide some additional info.

Thanks for looking.

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[AshWilliams]

I forgot to mention that the action appears to be seized up so he's looking for ideas for restoration.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

KROIL will be your friend here...along with bronze wool
Andy

 

[AshWilliams]

I did a little research after looking at it and it's a Saiga built by Izhmash factory in 2007 (according to the serial number) chambered in .223 Remington. Looks stock.

 

[Stomper]

It's a version of AK to appease the anti-2A pearl clutchers.

The barrel's muzzle is shrouded with a "one piece" front sight to prevent it from being threaded, and there's no evil pistol grip.... as well as no mounts for the shoulder thing that pops up.


It could be converted to proper a AK configuration, but it'll take work, money, and a few Kroil baths.

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

That poor rifle!
Even unconverted those Saigas were great guns!

 

[Koda]

Those Saigas have a following and sell for good money. That would be worth restoring.

 

[shooter777]

It's a slab side Saiga in the sporter configuration. The triggers suck because the linkage needed for the monte carlo stock. it needs a bullet guide to accept ak mags and the muzzle needs threading to accommodate a good muzzle device. they really shine when converted. Wanna sell it?

 

[kingJeremiah]

An acquaintance received what appears to be a Saiga Russian AKM from someone he knew who bids on abandoned storage units.

The stock looks funky to me and there's no muzzle device. Here are some pictures and I'm hoping some of the sages here can provide some additional info.

Thanks for looking.

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ash,
Russian American Armory Company in Scottsburg, IN began importing the Izmash made Saiga Sporter (CANTA is old Russian for Saiga) riffle in 2004 (they hit our gun stores in 2005, the left side of the receiver is the importer information. the right side of the receiver shows the Izmash logo, the bullet caliber, year of manufacture and the cool Russian symbols are quality control symbols and the date the weapon passed. the goofy stock is called the Monti Carlo style stock ind the 90 degree gas block/front sight/muzzle device is all one piece that was pinned and welded to the barrel to make them compliant for import at that time (no threaded barrel or bayonet lug). that is one of the first "Saiga" imported into the US not as an AK but the sport riffle 100 series "hunting riffle for medium game" it is definitely worth rebuilding if you are not interested in doing the restoration I can arrange that for you??
K.J.

 

[AshWilliams]

So the owner isn't interested in selling at this point, just restoration. He asked me about the rifle and I immediately thought to run it by community here and, as usual, you all did not disappoint.

Thank you all for the info. This truly is a great community.

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

IMO, I wouldn't do the full FCG conversion.
The trigger linkage on the 7.62x39x 5.45 and .223 were not that bad. The bad ones were the .308 Saigas. Much like the Norinco hunters.

If restored, IMO it's a little more rare to have the sporter configuration. The conversion process IS easy but the way I see it, we have regular AKs in our modern market.. there is something about a factory Russian AK that is unconverted that stands out.
The conversions were fine and all when these were $300-$400 and super common. But now that they are no longer imported. I'd opt to keep it in its modern form. It's akin to a Russian mini 14 in the factory form.

If restored I'd only add a bullet guide, Galil mags can run in the .223 Saigas models.. as well as a few other .223 AK mags.

If you are going to convert it, Carolina Shooter Supply has all the conversion parts for these Saigas

 

[Koda]

So the owner isn't interested in selling at this point, just restoration.

I dont blame him. he stumbled onto a valuable item, those things sell for a lot of money. It might take some elbow grease to restore it but it would be worth it. He could also make it a 922 compliant AK47. That said, I agree with the comments above to restore it not convert it.
These are rare unicorns now.

 

[kmk1012]

Back when these first came out a group of us couldn't afford AR15's so we combined our work bonuses and bought a large number of them to flip a few and have some free rifles afterwards. I unloaded the last two for far more than the $185 each we paid at that time! Lots of rabbits and sage rats met their demise with those Saiga's. They are great rifles!!!

 

[Joe13]

An acquaintance received what appears to be a Saiga Russian AKM from someone he knew who bids on abandoned storage units.

The stock looks funky to me and there's no muzzle device. Here are some pictures and I'm hoping some of the sages here can provide some additional info.

Thanks for looking.

View attachment 2085984 View attachment 2085985 View attachment 2085986 View attachment 2085987 View attachment 2085988

Depending on how nice he wants it to turn out.

If he is asking I'm guessing he isn't an expert and so he should check around the gunsmiths in his area to see what it will cost and I would be specific with asking for a list of things they will do for the price they are asking.

Just my 2 ¢

 

[Joe13]

Might wanna look here:

Gun Smith Saiga Modifying

Does anyone know a gunsmith in Portland area that specialize in converting a Saiga to regular AK-47 style? Thanks in advance.

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[vRaptor112]

If Brandon Herrera saw this he would cry. Poor thing needs to be restored and converted to its full potential.