JWarren, what were those limitations to the Saiga platform, and in what direction did you eventually go after selling it?
MTMilitiaman hit the high points.
Please understand that I am not disparaging the Saiga. I love them and consider them one of the best AK manufacturers out there.
And that in itself is one of its limitations-- and strengths. It's an AK.
As a strength, it will run. It will run all day, and will do so with reasonable accuracy. In fact, I was able to get 1.5 MOA groups at 100 yards with mine using quality factory loads.
As one limitation, I could not squeeze the accuracy that I wanted out of the platform.
As I searched for alternatives, I came to the decision that I would gain much better capability using an AR platform and opted for the LR-308.
My major issue with the Saiga (and any AK platform for that matter) is optics.
Mounting optics is possible, but not as easy as others. My most glaring complaint of it was that the optics are mounted off-set to the left side of the receiver. This makes it impossible to aim and fire left-handed. Because I am a hunter, I often had to take the shot left-handed and can do so as easily as I can right-handed. The Saiga and optics set-up made that impossible for me.
There may be other optics mounts that allow for the scope to sit directly over the bore, but I was not really in the mood to start buying more parts and being the test case.
I found that my Saiga would start stringing shots after a few shots. While this is no big deal for a hunter-- who makes one shot at a time-- I wanted more consistency. In defense, stringing can-- and will-- occur with practically any out of the box sporting rifle as well. Its just physics.
I should say this. The limitations are really more of limitations with ME than the platform. It couldn't meet my ideals and could not fit into the nuances of my uses.
Like other firearms I have owned, I found myself making allowances, seeking workable solutions, and modifying my behaviors. I don't want to have to do that.
I got ruined by the HK PSG1 back in the 80's. Oh, it didn't live up to its marketing, but I was intrigued with the idea of a highly accurate semi-auto. I had an HK-91 and began working to make a "clone." At the time, however, there just wasn't the aftermarket parts available. I had to have a lot of custom work done-- and that is hard to do for a High School kid. I ended up with a pretty decent and accurate rifle that I ended up selling like an idiot when I was in college.
Today, the AR platform has higher potential to meet the ideals that the HK PSG1 instilled in me. The vast amount of aftermarket parts, manufacturers, etc. have offered much more to the platform.
You see, an AK is a "built" firearm. You often have to work with what you have. As I view it, an AR is an "assembled" firearm. It's a true "Lego" gun. It is simply too easy to work it into what you want it to be.
Want a match trigger? Well, if you have a Saiga, you are practically out of luck. If you have an LR-308, order that Giselle DMR trigger, and you can install it while watching re-runs of the Sapranos.
Match barrel? Well, have fun on any AK. Pressing barrel pins is not a fun day. With the AR, you can do it with a vise, and a couple tools. Next thing you know, you have a Novoske barrel on that puppy.
Wanting to reach out long distance? This again points to optics. While you can get a weaver or picatinny base, it will take some doing to get something like a canted 22 MOA base on an AK. Its just a phone call to Badger Ordanace for the AR.
Do you see a pattern here? Yep. Its with me. For the uses that I have in .308 caliber, accuracy becomes my primary concern. There are simply better options in that area than a Saiga -- If you are interesting in reaching a high standard in semi-autos.
Again, I am not bashing Saigas. I'm not convinced that the HK platform or the FAL platform was as ideal for this goal, either. So its not in bad company.
The AK is a robust plaform, and the Saiga squeezes the absolute most potential out of its design. It, like all firearms, is not however a "One-Size-Fits-All firearm.
If you find yourself needing to make significant customizations to the firearm in order to meet your needs or expectations, the AK may not be your best choice.
If you are looking for a reasonably accurate MBR platform, the Saiga is the best bang for the buck, and I would consider it far more dependable than most others in the MBR class.
I hope that helps explain my statement. For many, the limitations I mentioned are not a consideration, so they should not be applied across the board.
-- John