AK103 Info... BUY one

[trotsky]

Today, I BOUGHT an AK-103 from Williams & Son Arms in FL. Their number is (407) 682-3579. My TOTAL cost, with 3 day FEDEX shipping & insurance: $515. Rifle is 7.62x39, normal AK barrel length.

This is the AK103 mfg by DGS - the people that are actually MAKING this rifle from Siaga's. It comes by itself - no Cobra, no hi cap mags. Takes High Caps, and has a welded US 74 style brake. Most of us already HAVE mags & Kobras... so the message is: there is NO "padding" on the product

These folks are GREAT to deal with... they will take VISA right over the phone. I suggest you get moving if you want one: I got the last one at $495 - you will pay about $20 more. He has THREE left in his latest shipment.

A note on Kalashnikov USA... they don't have product. These people DO, as they seem to have a long standing relationship with DGS.

If you have the money, MOVE NOW.... this is your chance for an AK that is as close to Mother Russia as you are gonna get

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[trotsky]

You could do that... I intend to, but this will be my SECOND 103...

On the "other" board, I tagged the D&G 103 the "SAR" of 2000 - that it is, in the sense that it is fairly low cost compared to it's competitors, and will require some work by the buyer to bring it up to snuff...

Her's what I did to mine:

1) Replace Mag Latch - it had been hacked at by D&G. I think this may be the source of some of the "missfeed" info we've seen - mine feed great now http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif

2) Remove Cheap Aluminum rivits & replace with real ones.

3) Replace site with RPK adjustable.

4) Shim rear of trigger guard to prevent interferance with trigger rotation by grip.

5) Strip all paint - down to the metal.

6) Paint with KalGard.

The good news? Mine is accurate as hell, great brake job, good trigger parts, great stocks.

So - it depends on what you are looking for... the photos I've seen of the Krebs lead me to think they may STILL have not welded in those extra four holes in the rear of the receiver - which amazes me. I could be wrong, but I think I see rivits http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif

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[recon]

According to info from Tantal this company is going with Krebs! They build the AK-103 and even though its more money they are well built!

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[backblast]

Yup. Take the money and put it towards the Krebs!

cya

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[Tantal]

Trotsky, thanks for the great info on the rifle. Sounds like it is a great buy and with a tiny bit of elbow grease, can be an excellent rifle. I would assume that the company that built these will realize this and do what is necessary to improve the product before it leaves the shop. If they get very many back, they will do this for sure. It truly is a high end version of the SAR, so to speak. Not to be overlooked. Using the basic Saiga barreled receiver, which is a Russian Kalashnikov in every definition of the word, you can't go wrong with it.

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[SouthernShark]

Yeah, what Trotsky said. heheh. That's pretty much my feeling too. The D.G.S. 103 isn't bad for the price. Unless they improve the paint job the price should probably be dropped to 450, but otherwise its a good deal. I had no problem with the feed on mine. They must have fixed that by the time mine got shipped (or I got lucky). Its not a bad deal, but I would like to get mine worked on. Adding an RPK sight and getting it painted is pretty high on my priority list. And I must find some way to stop the gas block from rattling so much, but again that can be fixed.


-SouthernShark



[This message has been edited by SouthernShark (edited 09-24-2000).]

[Tantal]

Well this brings to mind, a couple of question and a suggestion. Does this rifle use AKM or AK-74 gas tubes? The 74 style, which any AK-100 should have, has a rear mounted leaf spring on the rear of the tube, which keeps it tight even if there is play in it. You need to get one from KVar for 16 bucks and replace the AKM type you most likely have. Why dont they use the right parts, they are not any higher and are available from the same suppliers. How about the lower retainer, they had to add this part also in the conversion, did they use the AK-74 style, so the handguard would fit right and not rise up at the front to expose the metal tabs on the lower handguard? The AK-74 retainer has lips over the top which make the lower rock tight and keep it level with the upper. These are also available separately and cheap, too. If I was going to build these as AK-100 I would use the right parts. Especially since they are available and no more expensive, from the same supplier I am getting my parts from anyway.

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[trotsky]

Tantal...

That lower retainer does indeed have "ears" (at least on mine). The Gas tube rattled JUST a tad... so I used some Silver Solder on the lower rear to build it up about 1/2 mm - solid as a rock now...

It's the cleaning rod retainer I really think is cheesy... a 1/4" chunk of steel tube brazed to the gas port lower. I've done better with steel bar stock, a drill, file and more silver solder http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif I DO leave off any bayo ligs http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif

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[recon]

Seems like Krebs is the one now!

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[rondo]

Congrats! You got a very nice gun!

Rondo

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[jscor]

Yes - the 308's are out and finished with a more durable coating - powder finish, TM
All DGS rifles are finished this way now - and from I've been told - a lot more attention to detail -- I love my "first" generation AK-103 Saiga II -- wouldn't mind getting my hands on another -- I can also say the trigger group is nice and "crisp" - the rifle cycles beautifully -- some say it's attributed to the improved gas system -- or something along those lines --. Gotta love 'em
<IMG SRC="http://smilecwm.tripod.com/ut2/camper.gif" border=0>
By the way I have to plug Williams and Son Arms --- great outfit to deal with! I can't say enough about them -- talk to Brad he'll get you set up-- tell Brad - Shawn sent you in ref. to the SAIGA II - he'll set you up. www.williamsandsonarms.com (http://www.williamsandsonarms.com)
phone # 407-682-3579



[This message has been edited by jscor (edited 10-18-2000).]

[Jimbob]

Sigh........I want 5.45. Isnt there any alternative to the SAR2 (not a bad gun). Still would like one in AK103 style, I could have it built but that is somewhat more troublesome. Oh well

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[SouthernShark]

Jimbob-

Robarms told me that they would be importing some 5.45x39.5mm Veprs in a few months. They will also be selling those converted to take high cap mags.

I don't know if anybody is bringing in Saiga's in 5.45 or not. I wish that they were. I like the Saiga gas system better than the SAR (smoother). Everybody that converts Saiga's is scrambling over themselves trying to make a Saiga .308. As if I'd buy a damn AK in .308.....

Anyhow, I hope a good, yet reasonably priced 5.45 comes along soon. I'd like an alternative to the SAR2 myself. I am bit afraid that those SAR guns might blow up on me. http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif


-SS


[This message has been edited by SouthernShark (edited 10-21-2000).]

[Jimbob]

I wouldnt worry about them blowing up on you however it seems there is a great variability between guns. Of course you cant expect great QC for $250 each! however I would rather pay a little more when I am ready and get a gun that is a littl sharper with better finish and fit than have to go about rebuilding the whole thing myself. What can I say I want a box AK100 series 5.45 clone!!

Those new veprs are sharp but I thought they were only doing 7.62*39, .223, and .308.

Good luck!

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[SouthernShark]

I wrote Rob Arms and asked them the prices on their high caps and if 5.45 would be available soon.

Here is what they wrote back:

QUOTE: "Retail should be about $550 to $599.99. $550 for the 7.62x39mm and $599.99 for the .223. Yes, we'll also import some 5.45x39mm guns later this year. -AJR" END QUOTE

Why not write them yourself? The more requests for 5.45 they get, the sooner they are going to bring some in.
http://www.robarm.com/

BTW- They said they were thinking about doing "carbines" next year.

I don't know if I want a Vepr. I'd really like something that weighed less and had wood furniture. But with better quality than a SAR2. I guess I really want a real Soviet AK-74 for 300 bucks. . . .

Let me know if you hear of any. http://www.ak47forums.com/smile.gif


-SS



[This message has been edited by SouthernShark (edited 10-21-2000).]