Welcome everyone to the 37th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many excellent series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or does it only have Fudd appeal? Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article!

In this decade’s first edition of HGFC, we look at a self-proclaimed Tactical Assault Saiga 308. As is tradition, this heavily modified Saiga is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $1,499, with No Reserve.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“Sniper setup and CQB muzzle device. Another non-binary platform” – Giorgio O.

“Hot gat, but who’s that scope set up for? Andre the Giant?” – Rusty S.

“I think I like it, but that scope and mount has to go.” – Eric B.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

Selling this NATO-chambered gat is GunBroker seller blazen999, located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Let’s see what they had to say about this custom Saiga:  

FROM THE TOSSAN CUSTOM SHOP, OFFERING A UNIQUE CUSTOM TACTICAL ASSAULT 308 RIFLE WITH LOADS OF FEATURES AND VERY LIGHTLY USED (150 RDS)

STARTED FROM THE VENERABLE (NOW BANNED) RUSSIAN IZHMASH FACTORY, THIS SAIGA 308 IN SPORTSTER CONFIGURATION WAS CONVERTED BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL ASSAULT STYLE AK PATTERN WITH THE FIRE CONTROL GROUP MOVED FORWARD, GRIP INSTALLED, TRIGGER GUARD ADDED, ETC TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 922r FOREIGN/USA PARTS COUNT LIMITATIONS.

OTHER BUILD DETAILS

FRONT SIGHT MOVED BACK AND BARREL THREADED IN 5/8X24 THREAD AND LINEAR BRAKE INSTALLED

INSTALLED THE Magpul Zhukov-S Stock RIGHT HAND folding collapsible stock with QD sling mounts, modular Cheek Risers, and a shock-absorbing rubber butt-pad for superior traction. 5-Position length of pull with a solid lockup.

HOGUE RUBBERIZED PISTOL GRIP IN FDE

UTG SIDE MOUNT WITH TOP PICA RAIL

SAIGA INTRAFUSE TRI-RAIL HANDGUARD

UTG BIPOD

TRUGLO 1-6X24 TACTICAL SCOPE WITH 308 TUNED TURRET ELEVATION CAP

ONE ORIGINAL 10 RD MAG

PROFESSIONALLY CERAKOTED IN CUSTOM CAMO AS PICTURED

RANGE TESTED AND BROKEN IN WITH APPROX 150 RDS (TOO MUCH FUN TO STOP!)

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

While the host weapon is for sure a hot gat, the modifications to this Saiga are questionable. The stand-out most confusing being the offset pic-rail mount at the rear of the receiver.  I have no idea what purpose this serves.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

The Magpul stock is an arguably good choice for this optic ready AK. Still, I think you’ll be needing larger cheek riser or lower scope mount to shoot this comfortably.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

The real shortcoming for this rifle seems to be its accessories.  It looks like a lot of time and money was spent on Cerakote, with accessories purchased with whatever money remained.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

Regardless of those minor shortcomings, I do appreciate the full NATO conversion to this rifle. Not only does it shoot .308, but it can also utilize any standard thread-pitch .308 muzzle device. While it’s sure to upset the AK purists, this rifle could be a lot of fun at the range.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? NATO Friendly AK or Over-Painted Throwaway?

But what do you think?  Is this Sniper Assault Saiga a Hot Gat or just heavily Sporterized Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this Saiga 308 is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: