Need help making a decision on a Stag model 1 or a saiga converted in .223. the saiga is about $200 cheaper than the stag which has me thinking the saiga is the better deal. But it is in 223 not 762 which has me thinking the stag is a better choice in 223. It will be for plinking and maybe idpa side matches, just a fun rifle thats accurate and can be used for varments every once in a while. Thanks in advance for any comments dont want to start the dreaded ar vs ak thread yet again. They are both .223 so figured I would get some opinions from both sides I have shot an ar but not a saiga.
stag or Saiga?
- Thread starter tonytor58
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Cal-gun Fan
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Factor in converting the Saiga, too. You'll need a new buttstock and pistol grip at least. Magazines are also harder to find for the saiga .223 than they will be for any form of AR.
If you plan on doing matches with it, I would spend the extra money for the Stag. AKs can be accurate, but it takes more work. Its also more expensive to mount a scope or a similar setup on it.
If you plan on doing matches with it, I would spend the extra money for the Stag. AKs can be accurate, but it takes more work. Its also more expensive to mount a scope or a similar setup on it.
Man, the only thing that scares me about the Saiga is the "owner converter" part.
Still, if you're going 5.56, an AR is hard to beat. If you're going to be running games with it, the AR is going to be faster too.
I won't even get into the accuracy comparison.
Still, if you're going 5.56, an AR is hard to beat. If you're going to be running games with it, the AR is going to be faster too.
I won't even get into the accuracy comparison.
Cal-gun Fan
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You can get near AR accuracy out of a Saiga, its just hard.
Thats actually pretty expensive for a Saiga to be honest.
Cal-gun Fan
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Stags are solid, they're nice rifles.
It doesn't cost much to convert a saiga. You can do it in your garage. The only really expensive parts are the buttstock and pistol grip. That guys charging $230 more than an unconverted one.
It doesn't cost much to convert a saiga. You can do it in your garage. The only really expensive parts are the buttstock and pistol grip. That guys charging $230 more than an unconverted one.
. Thanks for the advice guys.
ugaarguy
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AR magazines are 1/2 to 1/3 the price of .223 AK mags. If the Saiga was in 7.62x39 or 5.45x39 with cheaper & more readily available mags it would be a different story.
This is my comparison of the Stag Model 1 vs. the S&W M&P-15 Sport, posted previously here on THR:
The Pros of the Stag are the chrome lined bbl, double heat shield handguards, dust cover, and forward assist. The cons are that you don't get M4 feed ramps, nor an HPT/MPI bolt (unless you spend an extra $100 for the plus package, which gets you those and a few more features).
The Pros of the M&P Sport are M4 feed ramps, HPT/MPI bolt, 1:8 twist (will stabilize heavier / longer bullets), 5R rifling (reduces friction, known for accuracy), Ferritic Nitrocarburized (Melonited) bbl (3/4 the wear resistance of hard chrome lining, without loss of accuracy), and lower price. The cons are lack of forward assist & dust cover, and unshielded handguards.
For me, the HPT/MPI BCG, M4 feed ramps, and Melonited 1:8 5R bbl were more important than having a dust cover & forward assist. I didn't care about the unshielded handguards either, because I knew they'd be coming off anyway. If you like standard handguards, shielded sets can be had from the big name online AR places for under $25. I've also owned an M&P-15 A before, and knew from that experience that their lower parts are good to go. For some, the feature set on the Stag may be more appealing.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7444070&postcount=17
Hope that helps.
DPMS AR-15s aren't in the same league as Stag, nor S&W. I've noted it before, and it's a shame, because DPMS' LR-308 (SR25 / AR-10 type) show that they can build a better rifle.
This is my comparison of the Stag Model 1 vs. the S&W M&P-15 Sport, posted previously here on THR:
The Pros of the Stag are the chrome lined bbl, double heat shield handguards, dust cover, and forward assist. The cons are that you don't get M4 feed ramps, nor an HPT/MPI bolt (unless you spend an extra $100 for the plus package, which gets you those and a few more features).
The Pros of the M&P Sport are M4 feed ramps, HPT/MPI bolt, 1:8 twist (will stabilize heavier / longer bullets), 5R rifling (reduces friction, known for accuracy), Ferritic Nitrocarburized (Melonited) bbl (3/4 the wear resistance of hard chrome lining, without loss of accuracy), and lower price. The cons are lack of forward assist & dust cover, and unshielded handguards.
For me, the HPT/MPI BCG, M4 feed ramps, and Melonited 1:8 5R bbl were more important than having a dust cover & forward assist. I didn't care about the unshielded handguards either, because I knew they'd be coming off anyway. If you like standard handguards, shielded sets can be had from the big name online AR places for under $25. I've also owned an M&P-15 A before, and knew from that experience that their lower parts are good to go. For some, the feature set on the Stag may be more appealing.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7444070&postcount=17
Hope that helps.
Purchased a Stag Model 3 some weeks back have about 300 round thorough it both reloads and commerical, accuracy average is 1.50-1.75 at 100 yards, have achieved under an inch with reloads, I'm in the process of finding correct powder/bullet combination.
So far I'm happy with the quality overall good fit and function. I wanted the flat top as I will always use an EOtech or scope.
So far I'm happy with the quality overall good fit and function. I wanted the flat top as I will always use an EOtech or scope.
Personally I think the shop owner was correct while steel case will function IMO it is harsh overall on rifle. I simply refuse to shoot some junk ammo while it may cause me to shoot less due to cost I believe I may have less repair cost on rifle.
Just make sure to take "any info" with a grain of salt, as I've never been able to find any proof of steel-cased ammo causing increased wear-and-tear on any type of firearm.
minutemen1776
Member
Folks often recommend CMMG "bargain bin" rifles, but I don't think they've been available for quite some time now.
Absolutely, best to do research and then purchase what you feel comfortable with I simply don't like coated steel cased ammo while it may be OK in loose tolerance rifles such as sks or Ak I just don't feel it's a plus in my guns. Most of what I buy I intend to keep and want them to last as long as possible without repair.
sv51macross
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