Saiga AK-47 style rifles

[Panhead Bill]

Has anyone had any experience with the Saiga AK-style rifles?  If so, I would love to hear your opinions and thougts on it. I guess part II of my question would be: 7.62, 308, or 223?

Thanks for the input.

Bill

[The Guinea]

Don't forget 12 gauge. 

The Guinea

[Cade]

Look up ETAC...

I'm currently debating ordering from them or through redstick firearms out of Baton Rouge.

Cade

[BUFF_dragon]

go with Redstick....  ETAC takes FOREVER to get back with the customers... I've heard MANY complaints about it....  Redstick rocks from what I hear.

I have a 'few' Saiga12's, one of which is converted and it freakin ROCKS - I also have a 223 and its a great little rifle and surprisingly accurate for how I have shot it...

I highly recommend the Saiga's, other than a few little flaws that get taken care of by a warranty, and occur on very few rifles...  for LOTS more information than you'll ever be able to digest I suggest checking out the forum on saiga-12.com

[Panhead Bill]

Ok, I've decided to go with the AK (with plans to build an AR in the future). I'll be putting some $ down on it when I get paid this week. My local shop (who as always treated me very well and I plan to remain loyal to) has a 380 and a 223 in stock.

So which one do I get?  This will be, in addition to shooting for fun, my "end of the world-zombies have taken over" rifle, and home defense rifle. I understand (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that a 223 is good for home defense because over-penetration isn't a big problem. On the other hand, it is a feeble cartridge if I need to penetrate light cover materials or shoot food, compared to the 308. I also have a shotgun now and have a mossberg 500 on my next to get list, so those may actually be better for home defense anyways.

I'm leaning towards the 308 but wanted to get some input from the pro's. Any suggestions on which caliber may be better?

Thanks - Bill

[JPartin]

Get the 308, you'll never find yourself wishing that you had a less powerfull round. If you're going to use this for a home defense gun check out the Hornad TAPS round. low flash and not as likely to overpenetrate as a hunting or surplus round.

[Cade]

hmmm....but it looks to me that ETAC does better prep work on the guns that the prepare.

The polishing and tweaked gas system.  not to mention actually tig welding the sides and then recoating the gun.  I don't doubt the Redstick ones function... but the form certainly seems to be lacking for the price.

[BUFF_dragon]

I've just read alot of posts about Esteban (ETAC) taking FOREVER on getting the gun done, and constantly moving the date further back without really letting the customer know.

I would just do the conversion myself, as I have done....  you really get to know the gun better that way, when it has an issue..... you know how to fix it becasue you know how the thing went together

and, Cadiz Gun Works has an Oh-NO-Bama special going right now, basic conversion for $666

[MattCFII]

I think converted Saigas are great options!  Russian quality from the start!  I almost bought one instead of my WASR10 but went with it instead because while I wanted a project gun, the Saiga conversion was a little more than I wanted to spend time on and I wasn't going to pay to have it done.  Now I think my next AK would probably be a Saiga 12 gauge or .223.  Actually I'm having the opposite problem JPartin described, I wish I had a less penetrating caliber than 7.62x39 for home defense. Also I'd throw out that .308 mags will be more difficult to get and less reliable/durable than regular AK mags.

Here's some more info on AKs along with links on Saiga conversions, other discussions here on AKs, accessories, and other options if you decide not to get a Saiga but go for another AK: http://gunrightsradio.com/forums2/index.php/topic,2275.0.html