Cetme or Saiga in .308

[Dr_2_B]

Which of these should I buy for those days in the week when I'm feeling like I must have a .308 for home defense instead of my AR or AK? (Of course, I always keep the 12 ga.)

 

[sarduy]

Option 1. Saiga
Option 2. AR-10
Option 3. Cetme

 

[wally]

Saiga is nice, but I voted Cetme for the availability and cost of magazines.

Only plastic magazines are available for the Saiga .308 and while they appear to hold up reasonably well, they've not been on the market for all that long.

--wally.

 

[bensdad]

I voted Saiga. I don't have one in .308, but I have the .223 and the 7.62x39. Both are far more reliable than my buddy's Setme. If there's a difference in accuracy it is indistinguishable with open sights.

 

[rocinante]

Cetme are kit guns and don't really have a reputation of much or any advantages over the saiga in terms of accuracy or reliability. The saiga mags is an issue though. I have saiga 7.62x39 and a S12 and like them both a lot.

 

[rbernie]

I have both. Cheap mags aside, the CETME is clearly the lesser of the choices.

 

[coyotehitman]

You must have a large home or a big yard to need a .308 for HD.

 

[rcmodel]

In case you ever plan to reload, the CETME fluted chamber eats brass for breakfast.

I'd get the SAIGA, or better yet, save up for an M1A.

rcmodel

 

[Dr_2_B]

how much would I have to drop on an m1a?

 

[mr.trooper]

like $1,500

Some STOCKS for the M14 will cost you $650....

 

[moga]

I'd say SAIGA out of the two. Saiga is an exceptional value for the money. The CETME can be hit or miss, because of how and by whom they're assembled, and can be a pain to get to run reliably unless you get a good kit.

But for a few hundred more than a CETME, you could go for DPMS .308 AR. R&R has an A3 NIB for just a smidgeon under 900 IIRC.

 

[Z-Michigan]

As was stated, CETME's sold here are assembled from pieces, mostly used pieces, and are not likely to be nearly reliable for self-defense. If you really like the concept, get a PTR-91 instead, which is most/all new parts and very reliable.

Either one (CETME or -91) is hard on brass, but not so much from the fluted chamber as from the incredibly violent ejection.

If price were not an issue, I would view a 16" FN-FAL as tops for reliability and handiness. I wouldn't complain about an AR-10 type either. But I think the Saiga is a good gun for significantly less $$.

 

[guntotinguy]

My Saiga .308 is SWEET!!!I wouldnt use it for HD,that'd be my S12 or S410,but I do love the way the .308 handles in 'outdoor' range fire.

 

[MRIman]

If your looking to buy a Cetme, PM me.
I've got a nice one for sale.

MRI

 

[SASD209]

I love my Saiga .308, I've actually sold the M1A and the SOCOM and it's my only .308 now. Pricey mags, but the rifle works fine.

 

[Daemon688]

Well, depends on whether or not you're going to build the saiga .308 yourself. Looking at the prices for a converted S-308, it's not worth the 900+ dollars. At the same time I would steer far clear of the Cetme. I don't trust Century worth a bit (which is most Cetmes on the market) and the ones I've seen in gunstores looked ratty.

 

[gtmerkley]

spend the extra $$$ and get a hk/ptr 91

 

[Deer Hunter]

Save the money and use it on ammo. Nothing fancy, but blasting fodder to get you and your gun acquainted.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

if you can find a good cetme, get the cetme. Or better yet, get a PTR-91 they surpass both in all ways.

 

[stubbicatt]

Saiga

The CETME rifles built by Century were not good. The Saigas are well made, relatively accurate, firearms that most likely will work properly right out of the box.

 

[tinygnat219]

I voted Saiga because they seem to be good rifles. Everything I have heard about the Cetme has been hit or miss.

 

[Ash]

That's the problem. Design wise, the CETME is a fine rifle, and probably more accurate than the Saiga. If the build quality on CETME's was good, they'd be the cat's meow, and this comes from an FAL guy. Yet, with bad build on so many of them, lemons are more likely than lemonade.

The PTR is a great rifle from what I understand, but considerably more expensive, pricey enough that I would recommend a FAL first. Yet, FAL is not in the poll above so I don't.

Get the Saiga.

Ash

 

[rbernie]

Some folk can run the HK design OK. I'm not one of them.

The AK ergos and manual of arms is, IMO, superior than that of the HK design for every use from offhand to prone.

 

[TargetShooter2]

308

if i had to pick just one , i would go with the Saiga over the Cetme
TS2

 

[El Tejon]

Some dealers were selling Saiga .308s for $340 a rifle at the last gun show in Indianapolis.

For 1K you could buy 2 Saigas and a stack of ammo.