Quick Question on Saiga Rifles

Forest · Dec 11, 2013

Ok I've been asked if the Saiga .223 rifles can still be purchased here in Maryland.

They posses non of the disqualifying features in the new 'copycat' requirements.

They are limited to 10 rounds (they use single stack magazines) and from what I can determine they even use a different fire control group than a standard AK.

So are they considered an AK (and thus on the on the original AW List - which are now banned)?

Or perhaps they can still be purchased?

Thanks!

ST19AG_WGreymon · Dec 11, 2013

The rule of thumb here is that they're banned under the "Kalahnikov in any format" line. But then there's always that MSP bulletin that exempted sporting AK variants (Saigas, Norincos) from being regulated/banned. No one really knows.

rob-cubed · Dec 11, 2013

Saigas (with the exception of shotguns) were largely considered regulated before the ban since they shared all the same parts with factory AKs. That didn't stop a few people from selling them as cash and carry but I doubt you could find an FFL that would take that risk post-SB281.

Forest · Dec 11, 2013

Thanks guys, I will pass on the info.

rob-cubed · Dec 11, 2013

Well, if you DO find an FFL that will sell them in MD PM me their info... :innocent0

Before the ban, while arguably regulated, no one seemed to get their hand slapped for selling as a long gun. The MSP was either lawfully unable or otherwise ill-staffed to prosecute, but happy to recommend selling as regulated. Until the status of Saiga rifles is challenged in court, any FFL can decide for themselves.

Nemesis · Dec 11, 2013

my saiga 223 was transferred as a long gun a few years ago...hopefully MD will clear it up to allow them again (yea right)

atom33 · Dec 13, 2013

How about 12 gauge Saiga shotguns (IZ-107 for example)?

armed ferret · Dec 13, 2013

if they were bought as cash & carry, and you still have the letter defining them as such, and there was no 77r on them, i would think a non-regulated long gun could be sold face to face. i got my law degree in an MRE though. bastards replaced the skittles with 'em.

HT4 · Dec 13, 2013

armed ferret said:
if they were bought as cash & carry, and you still have the letter defining them as such, and there was no 77r on them, i would think a non-regulated long gun could be sold face to face. i got my law degree in an MRE though. bastards replaced the skittles with 'em.

LOL. You definitely drew the short straw. I'd take the skittles.

NateIU10 · Dec 13, 2013

The problem is that the MSP letter references federal AWB sections in their justification, which is no longer there. Also, avtomat kalashnikov in all forms seems pretty dang broad to me. I don't see super veprs or sporter saigas being for sale in md anytime soon.

armed ferret · Dec 13, 2013

HT4 said:
LOL. You definitely drew the short straw. I'd take the skittles.

The candy's been disappearing for a while now, sadly. Something about making them "more healthy" or some horseshit like that.

Still three billion milligrams of sodium, but by golly they're getting rid of the one piece of morale inside. :\

armed ferret · Dec 14, 2013

You edited your post. It originally said unregulated.

Next time please don't try to change your story just so you can try and say someone else is wrong to feed your ego. Kthx.

Gbh · Dec 14, 2013

atom33 said:
How about 12 gauge Saiga shotguns (IZ-107 for example)?

Not a rifle.

Scott7891 · Dec 17, 2013

I can't believe everyone keeps missing the big elephant in the room to determine if it is banned or not and that is if it is importable in its factory condition.

The MSP bulletin states this caveat that everyone overlooks. If the rifle is importable from overseas like the Saiga and it stays in its factory condition then it is just a normal rifle.

Remember we have had an import AWB since '89 that was further restricted in '98.

amoebicmagician · Dec 17, 2013

Saigas are GREAT guns. It's basically a factory Izhmash AK style sporting rifle

If you know enough about gunsmithing to secure a bullet guide it's not hard to do a conversion- not that I would suggest doing such a thing post SB-281

Just saying, I've seen Saiga conversions done by salt of the earth MDers that turned out better than --------------------
And if you're willing to live with the sporting stock and the trigger being so far back all you have to do is change it to accept standard mags.

amoebicmagician · Dec 17, 2013

A saiga in it's original state is not a bad gun by any means.

Had a .308 I wished I'd kept, that thing was a tack driver. Changed everything I thought I knew about AKs. Until that point I thought that when people said they were 'accurate enough' that it meant minute of man at 100 yards.

More like minute of fist.

A SMALL fist if I was having a good day

NateIU10 · Dec 18, 2013

amoebicmagician said:
And if you're willing to live with the sporting stock and the trigger being so far back all you have to do is change it to accept standard mags.

Except for 922(r)...

amoebicmagician · Dec 18, 2013

a stock set, a US made magazine, and some other paraphernalia and it's done, with no real modification to the gun it's self...

other than the mag well/bullet guide

amoebicmagician · Dec 18, 2013

A tapco mag by it's self counts as 3 or four parts depending on if you count the mag body as a US made part or not

NateIU10 · Dec 18, 2013

amoebicmagician said:
a stock set, a US made magazine, and some other paraphernalia and it's done, with no real modification to the gun it's self...

other than the mag well/bullet guide

I know there are ways to make a sporter 922r compliant. I apologize, I thought you were saying that it would be ok to just use standard cap mags ("...all you have to do is change it to accept standard mags.")

That raises another interesting point though. Even IF you could get a dealer to sell sporter Saigas, you obviously could not do a full conversion. However, you would likely be making a banned Assault Long Gun if all you did was leave it in a sporter config and make is accept standard mags. It wouldn't be importable in that configuration.

Quick Question on Saiga Rifles

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

The AR guy

Ultimate Member

In need of moderation

The AR guy

In need of moderation

Russian Grizzly Adams

Worker Drone - 7G

Banned

Dum spiro spero.

Ultimate Member

Banned

Banned

Ultimate Member

Love those Combloc guns

Samopal Goblin

Samopal Goblin

Ultimate Member

Samopal Goblin

Samopal Goblin

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics