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.308 SAIGA
offeror
Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
I've been reading a new magazine off the newstand called "Autoloaders" and window shopping the .308s. I see that the SA58 comes in carbine length weapons too, but the guns are in the $1500 range. At the other end of the price spectrum is the Saiga .308, which comes apparently in two barrel lengths, 16" and 21" or 22" depending on who you ask.
I was wondering what anyone thinks of these Saiga .308s? They are not too heavy, they are operate almost identically to the proven Kalashnikov action, have chrome-lined barrels, etc. Any thoughts please would be welcome as to sturdiness, reliability, reasonable performance? They are in the neighborhood of $379, which makes them a value if they are anywhere near as sturdy as their relative the AK-47. Can I really get one with a 16" barrel? This rifle also comes in .223, so with my luck the 16" barrel is only available in .223. Pic below:
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Edited by - offeror on 06/02/2002 00:01:59
I was wondering what anyone thinks of these Saiga .308s? They are not too heavy, they are operate almost identically to the proven Kalashnikov action, have chrome-lined barrels, etc. Any thoughts please would be welcome as to sturdiness, reliability, reasonable performance? They are in the neighborhood of $379, which makes them a value if they are anywhere near as sturdy as their relative the AK-47. Can I really get one with a 16" barrel? This rifle also comes in .223, so with my luck the 16" barrel is only available in .223. Pic below:
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Edited by - offeror on 06/02/2002 00:01:59
Comments
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
I have been looking hard at both the CETME and the slightly newer G3 carbine. The Saiga was an afterthought, after seeing the price in the magazine. Obviously, it was not the best idea I ever had(!) I got a good laugh out of the above range story though. Feel sorry for that guy. Thanks, boys. I'll pass on the Saiga. It wasn't pretty enough anyway.
Anyone care to compare the CETMEs out there right now to the G3 Carbines out there right now? I'm talking the $400-575 range guns, not the original collector pieces.
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
to be an expert on firearms: Be very wary of those put
together bi-lingual whatever you want to call them guns.
Sure, sometimes you'll find a winner that shoots fairly
well and is reliable. But--and this is a but to rival
the size of Rosie's--the manufacturing and assembly standards
are often appalling and for every winner there are more
than a few dogs. I got luck with my SAR-1--it's somewhat
accurate and goes bang reliably and hasn't blown up in
my face--but in no way do I confuse it with my much
more expensive AR. As with so many other things, you
get what you pay for. If you want a .308, save your dollars
and get a M1A. If it breaks, the factory will fix it no
questions asked. The build quality will be light years
ahead of those $400 to $500 guns. And think about this:
if you buy one of those $400 to $500 guns you'll probably
need to put $300 or so into it to make it a decent shooter.
When you go to sell it, you'll get none of that $300 back.
If you get a M1A, you'll get a lot of your money back when
you sell it.
I know this argument is easy for me to make as right now
I'm flush with cash. I've been on the other side of the
fence, though, and I've been tempted to save a few bucks.
Don't. Wait and save, work an extra shift, cut back on
eating out, do whatever it takes to save up money for the
better gun. Good luck.
The M1A, or M14, is a nearly 15 pound gun that became a primary military armament in the gap of time it took the armed forces to finally accept Stoner's radical design. While the M1A is a nice gun, it is too heavy for my taste -- I'm not a Garand man either, which it most closely resembles in terms of lineage. The M1A's main advantage seems to me to be the box magazines.
If I go for the quality you recommend, I will still be going for a gun like the AR-10 or the HK or the FN-FAL, something along that line. Perhaps I should go for a non-clone with matching serials.
But I'll pass on the M1A, although I do admire the Scout version a bit more. (If I were ever to own a Garand I'd want a Tanker.) I'm a hopeless carbine freak, for their lighter weight, more balanced carry, and quicker handling characteristics outdoors and indoors. I know I sacrifice 1000 yard accuracy, but to me that's secondary. Of course, you want enough gun to keep the .308 recoil manageable, and enough barrel for the round to function as designed, but 15 pounds is a little more ballast than I need, and 16.5-18 inches of well-made barrel would be enough.
- Life NRA Member
"If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
I have the Saiga in the 7.62x39--great little gun. It has the 20in. barrel; but I believe some are being imported with 16in barrels now. (My only complaint was the front forearm--it would overhead with extended firing; I drilled vent holes in the gas tube and made the forearm look like swiss cheese and that solved the problem.)
The .308 Saiga in your picture was imported a few years ago with the scope and all and was selling for $400something. I think Century had them without the scopes for around $325.
My "impression"--based upon what I see for sale--is that current production Saiga's in the 7.62x39 and the .308 are receiving American made parts and are being given pistol grips. Some of those are being advertised with 16in barrels.
I paid around $200 for my Saiga; if the .308 is as good as the 7.62x39 is should be worth the $380. (The .308 is on my list "to get eventually".)