What to get. PSL or saiga 12

I would get the PSL myself.

If you want to tinker on the weapon, doing your own gunsmithing which is well within amateur levels, the Saiga 12 is the way to go. For me, it was fun actually doing even a small amount of work to adjust the weapon to personal tastes. Since having it assembled, I have had more fun with the Saiga 12 than any other weapon in my arsenal. It always gets looks at the range and is the envy of many of my friends. My vote is for the Saiga 12, but only if you are interested in doing the work yourself.

If you want something that is pretty decent and neat looking out of the box, go with the PSL. It's unique looking and fun, but not as accurate as many other, more conventional rifles.

Both have their advantages, I just prefer the Saiga 12.

The PSL will be reasonably accurate, nively powerful, and a good addition. The Saiga could be, but they can't even make standardized parts for that gun. They are all "unique" in terms of fit. You could get a good one, you could get a lemon. In either case, anything you want to do withit takes fitting. After hearing the reports, I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole--go with the PSL, you'll love it.

Hk Dan: I fear you overstate the likelihood of such a lemon. You seem to imply that the chance of such a problem is about 50/50. While at rates higher than many othe weapons, the probability is still tiny, not to mention that they have a full warrantee. Most Saigas are fully and completely functional. The problem tends to arise when people attempt to use the lowest possible power rounds, Walmart Bulk Birdshot for example, in a weapon specifically designed only for Buckshot and Slugs. Further, it is not terribly difficult to get even a stock Saiga 12 to run these much lower power shells. Many of these problems will vanish as the weapon is converted and customized.

I urge you not to fully dismiss the platform because of a few such events. Yes, it is a risk, but it is one that is well within most people's risk tolerance.

Can't speak of the PSL, but my saiga 12 is a very fun gun. Probably the most devastating close quarter weapon. Hitting a BG with 3" 00 buck is like shooting them with a 15 round burst of 9mm submachine gun with 19 rounds left in a 20 round drum.
I though it would never happen but my Saiga 12 has replaced my Remington 870 as my home defense gun. That's how reliable and accurate it has been. SBR and add a slidefire stock to it and you will have people at the range salivating.

I say Saiga. These Russian AKs are higher quality than Romanian variants and you can see and feel the difference immediately if you compare them. Then again I'm biased as I own a couple Saigas myself, though no Saiga 12s. I love the process of converting the rifle and tuning it to my needs and tastes. I've handled a few PSLs and while they look cool, the stock is very uncomfortable and I could never get used to it. Honestly, if you want a PSL, just spend a bit more and purchase a Molot-built Vepr 7.62x54r. They're higher quality more accurate rifles from what I read and don't suffer near as much from the accuracy issues when the barrel heats up.

Just bought a Saiga in 7.62x39 a couple weeks ago. Have to say its a fine firearm. Nicely built, functions fine and more accurate than I am. Fed 100 rounds of steel cased Tulammo through it the first time out with zero problems. Bought all the stuff to do a conversion on it, planned for this Sunday. Have to say I'm impressed with the rifle, as well as the accessories and parts available for it. If the 12's are as good as my 7.62 is, I'd say go with the Saiga.

Do you want to shoot 400 meters, or 50 meters?

PSL? Heavy hitting .308 comparable semi-auto with good distance shooting. There aren't many competitors in this area. AR10, FAL, M1A, M1 Garand,

I have and shoot the PSL. Good gun. Looks cool. Cheap ammo. For long distance semi-auto guns it's an average performer. I expect these prices to continue to creep up.

Saiga 12. Been wanting one. Mistakenly missed getting one at $450 late 2010 before they doubled in price. These are possibly the top of the HD shotgun food chain, and twice the price to show for it. Been craving one, but waiting for the price to return to sane levels. I expect these prices to go down.

I'm also a student and definitely more of a rifle guy. I definitely understand about the whole student with a limited budget, options in firearms, and permissions to own firearms. Get the PSL and wait on that Saiga-12. Rifle ammo in 7.62x54R is several times cheaper than shotgun shells, and you can have a lot more fun and utility with a rifle.

The 7.62 x 54 is more comparable to a 30.06 than a 308.Mine is good out to 700 yards or so and then it gets questionable. I can live with that! And the Saiga 12? No, I didn't overblow it. All of the custom shops will tell ya, they have to fit anything they do to the gun, as they are not consistant. 10' pole.

That poor Saiga 12... Can you hear it? Calling out:

'I have been mangled for import! Please, passerby, help me! I wish to be happy and free of these shackles and I can make you happy and free in so doing! I beg of you, convert me to that which I was meant to be!'

You guys say Saigas need fitting as if it's a bad thing. For me that's one of the most fun aspects of Saigas. I don't think I'd be as in love with them if everything just sorta fell together like an AR. I really enjoy sitting there with a Dremel and files tinkering with things to make everything fit beautifully. It brings me closer to my rifles and makes me feel more like they're mine. But hey I'm the diy tinkerer sort. If you're not and you're afraid to spend some quality time getting to know your firearms inside and out, Saigas may not be the best option for you. For me though it's very rewarding. Plus I just have a thing for Russian beauties.

10 foot pole? huhh
I have a saiga 12, 5.45, and 308. I have converted all 3 of them and several of my friends' saiga. After doing the 2nd Saiga conversion is it was a piece of cake. These gunsmith, plumbers, electricians, doctors or just about any profession whether they are paid hourly, salary or paid per case, they all like the easy route. For *most* people in a profession, they like going from a to z the fastest route and the most hassle free. That's just human nature.

Apples and oranges....could not be more different if you tried....what job if any are you trying to fill

I love my PLS...it is great fun to shoot, and if you reload you can get quite a bit out of the rifle. Personally I would look at the PSL, for a few reasons....they are not coming into the country at the moment...and might not for a while to come. They shoot the 54R cartridge and we all knows that is about as close to growning on trees as it gets...and it is cheap to.

I personally only shoot my reloads in mine....and have been very happy with it...the other...just another shotgun....nothing special to me...but we all have our likes.

308 or 3006, who cares??? Really. Does the same thing effectively as the 54R