[Teecher45]

Iv'e tried asking about this rifle in another thread but received no responses, so I'm gonna try this.
http://centerfiresystems.com/SAI-762HC-CEN.aspx

Does anyone have any experience with these rifles? I am also considering an Arsenal but for the difference I can have some mags and ammo. I'm considering one and the one question I have so far is about the handguard. Can it be replaced later? The good, bad, and ugly please!

Edit to add: I called and asked about the bullet guide and the guy I spoke to told me it "appeared" to be welded. He said he could not see any rivets or screws. I also found out it was converted by Century. Does any of that change anyones opinion?

[TedG]

A Saiga is a Saiga is a Saiga.

The base rifle is excellent. There's only so much they can do to convert it..... all of which you can do at the kitchen table, for a lot less cost.

Personally, I'd pass and convert my own (and have done so).

[zeme05]

As I said at AR15.com "buy it".

[Decguns]

Century Arms is likely to become the sole US importer for Saiga's. Not sure how Arsenal NV will survive without a steady stream of Saiga's to hack up. My rep at Century Arms says they don't convert the Saiga's in house anyway.

Century Arms can build a solid AK. They have a decent QA program in place now. Canted sights on WASRs isn't Century's fault... they come that way from Romania. Even Saiga's have canted sights. Best rifle a drunk peasant can build.

As for the handguard, there are at least a dozen different aftermarket handguards and rail systems out there for the Saiga. It's not very hard to convert the Saiga to accept standard AK handguards either. Several Saiga conversion parts outlets have AK gas tubes and hardware for the conversion.

[Teecher45]

Originally Posted by zeme05

As I said at AR15.com "buy it".

I didn't post on AR15.com, sorry.
I guess it comes down to which is the better option;
1) Buy the centerfire AKM, some mags, and (more) ammo
2) Wait to find an Arsenal (I have 1K of ammo already) and buy some mags as I can
3) Sell the Aimpoint H-1 on my AR (like it okay, not in love with it) and buy something like a Krebs or such
I kind of went through this with my AR, I had a choice of a cheaper AR, some mags, and ammo or sink all of my money into the AR to get the best (IMO) and add as I could. I couldn't be happier now. I have a quality AR and all of the stuff I need for it.
Decisions, decisions...

[TedG]

Have you researched and considered doing your own conversion?

[zeme05]

OK, sorry, this Saiga is the base model but can be changed into an Arsenal like gun without much trouble. I converted a "sporter" to this by adding a FGB,FSB and Bulgy furniture:

[muscogee]

Originally Posted by zeme05

OK, sorry, this Saiga is the base model but can be changed into an Arsenal like gun without much trouble. I converted a "sporter" to this by adding a FGB,FSB and Bulgy furniture:

Did you have to thread the barrel to add the brake? Do you have to have a welder and a drill press?

[leadslinger13]

converting your own saiga is a piece of cake no real mechanical skills required. you can get all visual assistance from you tube and saiga forum. I did all three of mine and a couple of my friends. All the other guys do is smooth some things out for up front slicker operation (which can be achieved by shooting the ***** out of your weapon) and higher grade finishes on them ( i know i am over simplifying I am sure they do more). My point is that you can get a base saiga and do the work your self which will give you more knowledge and confidence with your weapon and a since of pride.

After much tweaking and hanging crap off the weapon i finally realized the beautiful simplicity of the original configuration and went back to wood stocks. believe it or not this keeps the weapon lighter . I only upgrade i kept were the krebs rear peep and xs front sight and a tab on the safety lever to make it more ergonomic. now you can bend the safety to make it move freely without a tab addition.

i would like to go with the tech sights as they really do make an incredible difference on my 10/22 but until they make a sight with the quick yardage adjustment like the OEM or Krebs rear sights i am sticking with the krebs. now will i ever use it out to beyond 300? probably not but i like the quick adjustment it provides when switching from 100 to 200 to 300. JMHO.

i guess what i am saying is if you are so inclined do it your self. Save the xtra pennies for ammo (5000 rounds and always adding more) and all the switching back and forth you will do with the add ons your probably going to play with.

[Louisville Glocker]

I've converted my Saiga 12 shotgun, and bought an Arsenal Saiga rifle. I noticed that centerfire deal a few days ago. Tempting. I'd say buy buy buy. Hard to go wrong with that price.

EDIT: noticed it is converted by Century. I've had no experiences with their guns, but they definitely have a bad reputation. May be old stuff, I cannot say. But that would lead me to be wary. Arsenal, I can say for sure, is quality stuff.

[my762buzz]

Originally Posted by Teecher45

I also found out it was converted by Century. Does any of that change anyones opinion?

Yes, Century is world famous for being a hackjob-house.
Anything that can go wrong they promise to include.
Overgassed frame battering, oversized bore keyholing,
misfitted hackjob MAK90-Maddi hybrids, the famous century proprietary trigger group with the rear leg that started the trigger slap sensation, oversized/misaligned magwells, etc...
To be perfectly fair to Romania's Cugir factory, they build them to Century's spec which is just good enough to pass inspection. Avoid Century at all cost.
Don't believe the Century dealers that stuff their pockets by selling their subpar rifles to unsuspecting newbies. They have a biased self interest that motivates them to sell what they can make more markup on. They would convince you to trust your life to highpoint firearms if it made them more commision. Beware of Century's shyster dealers.

[Teecher45]

Thanks 762buzz, that's the kind of information I was looking for. So, that's out.
Now I have found an SLR107-21 and SLR107-23 for $976 and $1001. What's the difference between the 21 and 23 (guessing stock length, if so, which is shorter?)
What's the difference between a SGL and a SLR as far as quality?
The SLR worth the diff?

[zeme05]

You don't thread the barrel, the front sight is threaded 22mm I think and you just drill out the indents ,drive off the fsb drive the Bulgy ne on drill for the pins and repin. Install muzzel brake done.

[esh325]

Buying Century arms rifles is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.

[RYT 2BER]

Originally Posted by Decguns

Century Arms is likely to become the sole US importer for Saiga's. Not sure how Arsenal NV will survive without a steady stream of Saiga's to hack up.
n.

What makes you think so?

[Markasaurus]

Originally Posted by my762buzz

Yes, Century is world famous for being a hackjob-house.
Anything that can go wrong they promise to include.
Overgassed frame battering, oversized bore keyholing,
misfitted hackjob MAK90-Maddi hybrids, the famous century proprietary trigger group with the rear leg that started the trigger slap sensation, oversized/misaligned magwells, etc...
To be perfectly fair to Romania's Cugir factory, they build them to Century's spec which is just good enough to pass inspection. Avoid Century at all cost.
Don't believe the Century dealers that stuff their pockets by selling their subpar rifles to unsuspecting newbies. They have a biased self interest that motivates them to sell what they can make more markup on. They would convince you to trust your life to highpoint firearms if it made them more commision. Beware of Century's shyster dealers.

Wow, that's lot of info. I'm not saying he shouldn't grab that Saiga (i would, and it's easier then converting it and probably cheaper in the end). But I own two WASR's (got a single stack for $400, decided i really REALLY wanted a double stack and just bought one rather then hack the mag well on the SS right now.) I refinished the furniture with Formby's tung oil and refinished both of them with Alumahyde II.


I did a bolt carrier/hammer polishing job on the DS that took an hour and $5 ( i did have to file a burr off the hammer, actually!) and called it good. The double stack has over 1,000 rounds through it with zero malfunctions. The tapco single-hook trigger, that they put in all the WASR's now, is fine and no trigger slap.

I was concerned about reports of keyholing due to sub-par barrels, today I did the bullet test on the muzzle and it passed (they do come with brand new chrome lined barrels). Now it couldn't hold a candle to my Stag AR when it comes to accuracy beyond 200 meters but it is perfectly functional, and probably really just as good as an AK that costs twice as much.

For what i paid for two of them i could have bought an Arsenal or even a milled AK and that's what i wished i'd have done before i became an AKholic. But if you want an AK and you do not have a lot of money burning a hole in your pocket, do not be afraid to buy a WASR! Inspect it pre-purchase before you accept it for canted sights etc (i've looked at lots of WASR's but never seen it) and there's really no reason not to buy one if you want an AK.

I got my double stack last year for $500 plus DROS and tax. I'd scare up the receipt but i am too lazy right now. I was at a gun shop today (5/26/12) here in orange county, PRK and the WASR's were out of stock, but now back in stock - and going for $599. I predict the WASR's will be $650 here in the PRK a year from now if even available at all!

[tchick]

Converting a Saiga isn't the same as rebuilding a WASR. Welding the bullet guide would be the most complicated part so if Century did the Saiga converstion I'd take a chance on it. I purchased a converted Saiga in Feb. and paid $479. I'm glad I got it when I did.

[vettely]

Originally Posted by tchick

Converting a Saiga isn't the same as rebuilding a WASR. Welding the bullet guide would be the most complicated part so if Century did the Saiga converstion I'd take a chance on it. I purchased a converted Saiga in Feb. and paid $479. I'm glad I got it when I did.

Bullet guide drill/tap kits readily available, no welding necessary.

[buddah]

I say buy it. I bought the same rifle about 6 months back from classic arms when they had a huge sale. Paid $450 out the door after ffl costs. The only thing different on mine is the handguards are not vented. I have put about 550 round through it w/ no problems. My rifle was not a century import. It was imported by TGI of Tennessee and sent out for conversion by classic arms to an outfit in the Carolinas. My bullet guide is welded. The only thing I changed, was having the muzzle nut removed and had smith pin and weld a AK74 muuzzle brake. I hated the neutered look. Total $$ I have into this gun w/mod. is $500. Which is cheaper than a crappy WASR. For $500 I got a russian AK. BTW I also own a safe queen Norinco. I bought the Saiga to be a shooter.

[CBennett]

Ok, i can not speak to the exact rifle you are asking about as I dont own it.. But I can talk as to Centerfire and Century builds. i got 2 years back one of their AK 74 $369 and 3 magazines shipped deals...It works just fine..no canted sights, not really a "hack job" not super pretty rifle lol..but it shoots and gets the job done. I have had one of the rear rivets either losen or snap off at the pressed end(the rear most near/just behind the safety) but other than that(realtively easy fix) its been 100%

So if I was looking for a AK NOW(I dont know as if id be able to bring myself to spend over $450 on a AK lol) YES id not hesitate to buy that one it will be a good shooter IMO. and yes you can switch out a Saiga fore end grip(i think thats what you were asking)
http://store.carolinashooterssupply....LES/Categories

Oh and no id never try to convert one myself no matter how many people make to see as if its easy..I know of a couple horror stories of guys trying to convert one and doing something wrong that either messed up the whole rifle OR and it look horrible...Id want someone doing the conversion that knows what they are doing...even if it was just a guy thats done a good job converting them before(aka it would NOT have to be a qualified gunsmith but just a guy thats done a conversion and knows how to do it RIGHT)..but no id never attempt it.

[uzimon]

Originally Posted by Teecher45

. I'm considering one and the one question I have so far is about the handguard. Can it be replaced later? The good, bad, and ugly please!
?

yeah those handguards are fugly indeed

[ftw13]

get it then do the front end conversion

[RYT 2BER]

Originally Posted by uzimon

yeah those handguards are fugly indeed

Funny.. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder... You guys don't like the hand guard and I find saiga handguards to be pretty sharp looking....

[CBennett]

Originally Posted by RYT 2BER

Funny.. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder... You guys don't like the hand guard and I find saiga handguards to be pretty sharp looking....

me too actually id trade my crappy handguards for some Sagia looking ones in a second lol.

[uzimon]

Originally Posted by zeme05

OK, sorry, this Saiga is the base model but can be changed into an Arsenal like gun without much trouble. I converted a "sporter" to this by adding a FGB,FSB and Bulgy furniture:

that's what i'm talking bout