Saiga rescue

[Neanderthal]

I got this Saiga a few weeks ago and have been working on trying to "Unbubba" it ever since. Whoever done the original conversion had the right idea and did use great parts, but the workmanship was very underwhelming. They welded the hell out of it and didn't weld what should have been (receiver holes).

The original 16" barrel wasn't threaded, so instead of threading it they put a slip-on muzzle device on and then welded it. Not tack welded..welded the whole damn thing around the barrel. Who does that? Bubba does, that's who. It would have been much easier to cut the barrel at 14.5", threading it and then pinned another flash hider on it. But, instead I was able to cut the hider off and grind off the weld. I took barrel back to original config and tapped it for another muzzle device (The AMD boomer on it is only temporary). The weld job on the Heckler & Koch sights was no better, but I was able to dress that up.

Anyways, here's the efforts so far. I done 3 quick mag dumps on it awhile ago and it runs great! I haven't tested it with much distance, but it seems to be tolerably accurate.

It's an early Saiga and I was surprised to see Kalashnikov USA stamps on it.

 

[YukonGlocker]

It's an early Saiga and I was surprised to see Kalashnikov USA stamps on it.

What is the significance of that stamp? What should I know about a gun that has that stamp?

 

[Neanderthal]

What is the significance of that stamp? What should I know about a gun that has that stamp?

The Kalashnikov USA name was used by RWC for a while (same people who imported a lot of Saiga rifles). They sold both stock saiga and converted ones as well - they wanted to cash in on that Kalash name and stamped some as such. Just a few years ago (when they could no longer import Saigas), they tried to cash in on another market that's in high demand, AK's manufactured in the United States. They produced some fully manufactured US AK's and everyone had high hopes for them. Their parts and offerings were good, but they seemed to just disappear overnight not too long ago. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it could be that the lack of a gun scare now.

The surprise to me is just how early this Saiga is (1999) and it has the Kalash USA stamp on it. I would have thought that they were only using newer models.

 

[YukonGlocker]

Anyone ever chamber an AK in something like a 6.5mm?

 

[Neanderthal]

Anyone ever chamber an AK in something like a 6.5mm?

Good question and I'm not sure. I'll bet someone has tried it. I'm surprised that Molot VEPR hasn't put out that caliber yet.

 

[TonyRumore]

How do you like that charging handle?

Tony

 

[Neanderthal]

How do you like that charging handle?

Tony

I love it, and need more. I had to rob this one off of an AMMS UF.

 

[druryj]

I just know it looks badazz. I like it.