[St. Gunner]

Anybody try one of these? I am thinking of getting one to try, but wanted a few ideas on accuracy, reliability, and general stuff you like or hate about them. I can't afford an AR like I want at present, well I could but i'd rather save the money for a rainy day. The Mini-14 I have some issues with that date back to "Nobody has a need for a high cap magazine" plus accuracy problems I have seen of late model ones. These seem like a decent deal if they are as reliable as the 7.62x39 variant.

[TIMC]

The AK's are fun to play with but if you are looking for a cheap .223 that will be as accurate as the AR I don't think you will get there with an AK. Save your money and buy the AR if you want a good hole puncher. If you want to get an AK for a play toy stay with the 7.62x39, ammo is cheaper than the .223.

[Tropical Z]

ALL of the SAR's are EXTREMELY rough at best.They may function fine however.Just wear a disguise at the range to avoid embarrassment!:neener:

[SodaPop]

FWIW I played with one last weekend. It was going for $325 with one 30rd mag. I thought long and hard and passed on it. If the mag wasn't so beat up I might have gotten it. It defanitely was one of the better SAR rifles I've seen in years. I hardly know anyone that has an SARIII and don't want to take the chance on such a "hardly known" rifle. Its not a very common gun and it doesn't have much of a reputation PERIOD.

I'd rather have a gun where I can just call up a gun shop and ask them if they have a part for it. Where do you get an extractor of an SAR III?:confused:

[Haycreek]

I recently purchased an AK Saiga in .223 from CDNN on sale for $199.99. This is a new rifle imported by EAA . The rifle is less accurate than a good M 15 but better accuracy than the Ruger mini 14 in 223. It is a fantastic rifle for carrying on the Ranch for preditor elimination. For my use I believe it is a better choice. I can buy lots of ammo for the difference in the cost of a m-15. Mine will shoot a couple inches at 100 with open sights. A detatchable scope mount is available for less than $40.00. Go figure !

[Dave R]

I've got one. Here are answers to your questions. Do a search for my past posts on this subject for more info.

-Accuracy: with PMP (Gazelle) or S&B ammo, I can consistently get 2" groups at 100 yards with a cool barrel. As the barrel warms, groups open up. With a hot barrel, or with Wolf ammo, its 4-5"

-Reliability: I dunno. Its never mis-fed :D
OK, I exaggerate. Century shipped these for a while with unaltered bakelites for 5.45X 39, and they fed pretty well with 20 rounds. But not with 30. So I went on AK-47.net and learned to modify these 5.45 mags to work with .223, and I have not had a misfeed yet. Or just use Weigar mags from www.interordinance.com. Those mags were actually designed for the SAR-3. Never had a misfeed with those.

-General stuff I love or hate: well, the AK stock was designed for use by smaller people with heavy coats on, so the stock is a little short for me. And the rifle is a little muzzle-lite, so you have to concentrate to get a steady hold for precision shooting. OTOH, that muzzle-lite balance and short stock make it very handy. Its pretty light, at under 7 lbs. Like any AK, it cleans up very easily. "Practical accuracy" is fine. With the iron sights, I can hit a 5-gal propane tank at 200 yards every time. With a scope, 300 yards + is no problem. Overall, I think its a great value. The Saiga is also a good choice. And Robinson Arms makes the VEPR in .223, but that one's a little heavy for my tastes.

[yzguy]

look around here:
http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=37

also here:
http://linx310.nothingbutguns.com/

[St. Gunner]

Thanks folks I appreciate the input. I handled a couple in 7.62x39 and they didn't seem to bad, rough yes, but nothing a little time and maybe even some new wood wouldn't fix.

[Hawkeye755]

I purchased one of the 7.62x39 models about six or seven months ago along with about a dozen or so other people from my area. I couldn't be happier with it. I have over a case and a half of ammo through it and not a single mis feed or jam. Accuracy is acceptable too for what it is intended for. I am not going to be taking any 500 yard head shots with it, but can keep all of my shots on target at 100 yards rapid fire.

One of my friends got one of the 223's and had enough problems with it that he traded it for a 7.62.He said that he did some reasearch and found that the 223's have some reliability issues. Whether or not this is true I don't know personally, but I respect his opinion. I am also not aware if this problem may have been address and fixed.

My opinion...it is a fun, inexpensive gun. Ammo is cheap. get one and enjoy.