Saiga or M1A?

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Case82

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I want an all around .308 for fun, defense, SHTF etc. I'm debating a Saiga .308 or a Springfield M1A. I know the ridiculous difference in price, but the reality is I could get the Saiga now, or the Springfield by Fall.
I've handled both but fired neither. The Springfield felt a little more 'solid', but it could've just heavier :)
I'm wondering if they both fire factory(commercial) .308Win and also about any reliability, durability problems.
Thanks
 
These days, you might get the Saiga and spend the difference on ammo. A case of .308 will cost you so much that an M1A, plus several mags, plus a case of ammo would be be pretty expensive.

That said, the M1A is a great rifle IMO. The recoil is smooth compared to others I have fired and the iron sights are excellent. If you intend to get a scope, get one early to make sure it fits correctly. Seems I have seen a few comments that the SA M1A's sometimes don't have the receiver mounts done right.

As an alternative, a friend bought a DPMS AR-10. It is very nice, accurate, not too expensive, and come as a flat top ready for scope mounting. The only knock I can see is it seemed to choke on some surplus ammo that my M1A had no problem with. Don't know why exactly.
 
What can I say? Both will serve you well. The Saiga is a well-made rifle that is inexpensive to purchase and from what I've read - reliable. The one I fired was a great shooter and fed 100%. Accuracy was not stellar with open sights - about minute of soup bowl at 100-yards. Still, effective for it's intended purpose and light enough to be carried all day. The downsides were the feel, heat, recoil management, target reaquisition, flash, low capacity mags and this particular rifle had a mag lock-up problem. All in all - I think you'd be well served by a Saiga....however....

Comparing a Saiga to an M1A is a little like comparing a Chevy S-10 to a Chevy Silverado - Both will get the job done, but the Silverado gets it done better....The M1A/M14 is like shooting a precision piece of machinery. The sights are better, recoil management is better, build is better, accuracy is better, feel is better, magazines are better, trigger is extremely better - even standard. Match tune the TG and you're in sublime-land... Plus the M1A can be left in standard configuration or sunk into a Troy, Sage, Vltor or Halfmoa Rigid Rail Modification....The weapon has evolved into a true platform.

If given the choice for an all around .308, my pick would be the M1A - despite the higher cost.
 
I can tell you that I own an M1A and you won't be disappointed. All other previous posts covered most the points. I would also go with the M1A despite the cost.
 
I own several M1A rifles, a Saiga 20" wood stock sporter rifle, a PTR-91 and an M1 Garand rifle barrelled in .308

If I could have but one .308 rifle it would have to be my 18" barrel M1A Bush rifle.

If I could have but two I would keep the Bush rifle and the PTR-91.

I rarely use .308 caliber rifles for Match shooting anymore and for fun and hunting the midlength M1A and my PTR-91 suit me fine.

If I was on a budget, I could get along OK with a Saiga but I don't have any experience with any magazines beside the factory 8 rounders.
I like having 20 shots in the box when I can, and ALL my other rifles will beat the Saiga in accuracy past 200 meters.
 
I've got to imagine that the Saiga is a little light for .308. I own two Saigas, a 20 gauge and a .223, and have to think that .308 would be a bit rough on that platform.
 
I have 2 Saiga 308's and with the Limbsaver on the back there is no recoil problem. I love mine. They do well with the irons. I have had so-so luck on scoping them.
 
What barrel lengths do you have?. Just picked up a 16" that I haven't shot yet but contemplate a second in the longer length. Rumor has it that accuracy, for some reason is equivalent or better on the 16". How say you? How about the x39's or .223's in regard to accuracy and barrel length? (I picked up one of each at the same time all in 16".)
 
I like HKs but because they hate me (and I can't afford them) I got a PTR-91 and an IGF/Vector V-93. If you dream of owning a M1A then save for it. Sagias are great rifles for the money especially now that you can get hi-cap mags but I know after you shoot it a few times you'll wish you'd saved to get what you really wanted. I plan on getting a Saiga to play with someday but I'm glad I got what I really wanted first.
 
I've owned both and I agree with the person that mentioned buying the Saiga and putting the rest towards ammo. Both are good rifles, but I'd go with the Saiga because of the rise in ammo prices.
 
I've read that people are getting good accuracy out of scoped Saiga .308s, on the order of 1.5 MOA with good ammo. That seems to be on par with a stock M1A.
 
Eh, I'd get the M1A if I were you... sure, you can get a Saiga for what... $450 set up the way you'd want it, but the M1A is a rifle for life.


Really, you can't go wrong, either way. I only say get the M1A first because that's the way I'm doing it... my dad already has an M1A, and I might be paying for a Saiga 7.62 Soviet here in a bit.

It's all up to you, to be honest.
 
comparing a Chevy S-10 to a Chevy Silverado
Click to expand...

I'd say it's more like comparing a 4 cyl. Ford ranger to a Dodge Ram with a Cumming's power stroke diesel....

that said, I own a Saiga and drive a Ranger...

I dream about an M1A and a Dodge Ram
 
I have a beautiful Krebs converted Saiga and a bunch of the FBMG 20rd mags. I think it is a great rifle but I would still recommend the M1A if you are just getting one 308 rifle especially if it is a SHTF gun. M1A mags are slightly cheaper and much easier to get. The sights are also vastly superior as is the parts availability. On the other hand, the Saiga is much easier to clean and maintain by virute of its chrome lined barrel and AK action.
 
I don't have alot of rounds through it, I'm still as good as I'd like & it was a bit spendy but my M1A has been a true joy to own & shoot! :D
 
"I have 2 Saiga 308's and with the Limbsaver on the back there is no recoil problem."

The Limbsaver sounds like a good idea. I may have to add a .308. Saigas are great guns.
 
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