Saiga .308

The Saiga rifle is imported into this country from Russia as a hunting rifle. They are built by the same arms factory that made the original AK-47, Izhevsk.

Here is how Izhevsk (Izmash) describes the Saiga rifle -

This firearm was the first carbine developed from the AKM Kalashnikov assault rifle in 1974.

The "Saiga" self-loading hunting carbines are designed for hunting under various climatic conditions.

The "Saiga" carbine underwent some design upgradings in 1992 as part of a conversion program of the defence industry, thereby acquiring modern configuration: hunting butt with pad cheek and pistol grip.

This "conversion" is what allowed the rifle to be imported into this country. Upon aquiring the Saiga rifle I promptly converted it back to the AK-47 style. So what I have is as close to a Russian Ak 47 as I will be able to "easily" obtain.

Before conversion

Before conversion

After first conversion

After 2nd conversion

After final conversion