Looking for a "just because" .308 semi auto rifle

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It's fine for me, because I'm left handed and I use my thumb anyway, just like with an M16.

Bu it's too far forward for a righty to reach with his trigger finger, yet it's on the right side of the magazine well, meaning he can't use his thumb while grasping the magazine, either.

Pretty awkward, I should think.
 
I don't fully understand the details, but the basic reason the paddle mag release was replaced with the button one is that the piece that the paddle pivots on was a critical part of making the rifle full auto, so in the semi-only clones, there is nothing for the paddle to attach to. or something like that.

Don't confuse a tac-latch, which I looked at getting before I got fed up with the rifle and sold it, with a true paddle mag release. The original paddle moves rear to front, towards the magazine. The Tac-latch moves side to side, just like the button, but in the location the paddle originally was.

Another option for fixing the PTR trigger is Williams Trigger Specialties: http://www.soldierstuff.com/wts/
also looked at that, before realizing I'd much rather just buy a better rifle than continue dumping money in a rifle I would probably never truly like.

Even with these modifications, what I said in post #41 about reloads is still true.

If I couldn't afford an FAL, and couldn't wait to afford an FAL, I would probably go with the Saiga, and buy magazines over time. I'd also get one of the black jack SWIFT safety levers (assuming they fit on the Saiga, I have one on my SAR-1). Still no last shot bolt hold open, but at least it has a true paddle mag release and the charging handle is in a reasonable location. And I'd be willing to bet that a stock Saiga trigger is better than a stock PTR trigger.
 
If I couldn't afford an FAL, and couldn't wait to afford an FAL, I would probably go with the Saiga, and buy magazines over time. I'd also get one of the black jack SWIFT safety levers (assuming they fit on the Saiga, I have one on my SAR-1). Still no last shot bolt hold open, but at least it has a true paddle mag release and the charging handle is in a reasonable location. And I'd be willing to bet that a stock Saiga trigger is better than a stock PTR trigger.
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There's a magazine release from Red Star Arms that allows you to use your trigger finger also. I don't think there's any reason they won't fit a converted Saiga .308. Most of the fire control parts are identical to the other AKs.

The Tromix converted Saigas do, in fact, have a nice trigger. 'Bout the same as my FAL, not too heavy, but a little crisper.
 
Eh...

Unless I could examine it well before buying, I'd stay away from Entreprise. They don't have the very best reputation, but definately better than, say, a Century.

Do NOT buy anything marked Hesse or Vulcan. Junk junk junk.
 
There's a magazine release from Red Star Arms that allows you to use your trigger finger also.
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Anybody have any experience with those? I've been thinking about getting one of those for my SAR-1, but would like to hear what owners and users have to say about them first.
 
So does anyone know what the wait is if you order a gun from DSA? Is it true they have a waiting list?

That makes me lean towards the Saiga

Seems DeerHunter just got his from DSA but he had it made special for him and it took something like 10 weeks, how about just for something stock?
 
DSA guns are made when you order them. The waiting list is a long one, and the usual wait is around 12 weeks. Mine was longer because of technical difficulty.

In my opinion, they are worth it, but a Saiga would be a great choice too.
 
Ok, I think I finally have my mind made up.

I have decided to go for a PTR-91 by JLD

Seems to have good reviews and comes in right at my original $1k budget.

Now comes the question, where to find them online? :confused:

I really appreciate all the help I have got thus far on my difficult decision
 
Hanzo, go check out the falfiles forums. www.falfiles.com/forums, and go look in the marketplace. There are usually some very nice FAL rifles out there for under $1000. Once you try out a FAL everything else is just a gun.
I personally own SEVERAL now after buying my first in July. Two of them I built myself. Parts kits are drying up fast, the recent nice IMBEL kits that were out there over the summer have pretty much sold out and there are no more StG kits from Europe or L1A1 kits from Aussieland coming ever again. Somebody has some Rhodesian South African kits they unearthed going for cheap but that's probably the last SA kits we will ever see.

Entreprise Arms (Note odd spelling of ENTREPRISE) has a reputation for poor customer service and spotty quality. They have re-invented themselves lately and are promising receivers & finished rifles that are good. We'll see.

Century Arms Int'l have a reputation for quality issues but their recent crop of receivers is made by Caspian Arms and is actually quite good. CAI's gunsmiths tend to slap things together without the finer points of fit and finish. Measure with a yardstick, assemble with a sledgehammer, fit with a hatchet, sand with a chainsaw, paint with a bucket. Great if you are building totem poles not so good with rifles.

Hesse receivers had as much trouble as early Centuries did. Not an asset.

IMBEL receivers were imported from South America and it is often amusing that we take a brand new IMBEL rifle and remove the chopped up IMBEL receiver and put a new one right back on. However IMBELS are getting up towards $500 each for some reason.

DSA receivers are the "premium" US made FAL receiver and you will pay for that as well as wait in line to buy one. Prices are almost as high as IMBELS.

Williams "Alumabomb" receivers are best taken straight to the recyclers.

Coonan receivers (DCI) are now being re-introduced by NodakSpud. Supposedly they are very nice.

Ohio Rapid Fire will be introducing an all new FAL receiver... soon? But it is brand new so YMMV as far as quality. May be nice. We'll have to see.
 
On the first page Florida Gun Works is recomended. STAY AWAY FROM FLORIDA GUN WORKS unless you like being ripped off. If you use your credit card there you better cancel the card immediatly.
 
I bought my PTR from ATLANTIC FIREARMS last year for $699. Too bad the PTR's are gaining a solid reputation, now the price for that same rifle is $1029. If you check around the net you can find great deals on used ones, although even used ones are starting to climb in price.
 
Great if you are building totem poles not so good with rifles
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almost choked on my pizza.

but back on topic, if there is still a chance for you to try out a PTR and a FAL before you make the final decision on the PTR I strongly reccomend it. Or a Saiga for that matter. I personally would take a Saiga or a FAL over a PTR, but I've already explained all that and if the PTR is for you then it's for you and I hope it fits you better than it did me.
 
http://forum.saiga-12.com/
check here for all your saiga needs. I also went to the houston gunshow this weekend, and there was a new mag dealer there, called Hard to Find, outta Arizona. They had russian made, imported hi cap Saiga mags, for 40 to 50 dollars. He will be a the george R . show in 4 weeks.
 
Hanzo, I highly suggest you look at the DSA STG58. All you do is call them up, tell them what you want (in this case, an STG58, you pick the receiver type and barrel length), they say "okedoke", you give them information, they say "Gotchya, it'll be ready in twelve weeks" and you're goot to go.
 
You guys that have helped me on my decision are going to hate me.

I believe I have fallen in love with the new Sig 556, I guess I can't really explain why, but I may opt for the .223 over the mighty .308

Am I crazy?

I am supposed to go secure my preorder tomorrow
 
LOL! That sounds like something I would do.

As far as the 556 goes, I've been following that story since it was a twinkle in someone's eye, and I grew tired of the talk and wait and I'm going in a different direction. A lot of the initial wave to hit the streets will be overpriced, and if the GSR is any indication, SIG does not have a perfect record of getting all the bugs out of production before going to market. I'll wait a year or two on that one, let the dust and prices settle and see if it lives up to the promise. YMMV.
 
The .223 is great for shooting targets .. and small game. Many people will argue with me on this.. but the .223 just can't hold up to the .308 for a REAL battle rifle.
 
believe I have fallen in love with the new Sig 556,
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Sorry I was excited to hear of the civilian Sig 556 till I saw one. Wow did they screw that one up. An AR telestock looks good an a AR, not a shotgun, not a AK, not a 10/22, not a shovel, and not a Sig 556. Then of course there is the matter of rails on the foregrip. I dont want rails on the foregrip. And they changed it to take AR mags, ***! One of the neat things about the 556 was the clear poly mags that snapped together on the sides. If Sig wants to sell me a rifle I want an carbon copy of the Swiss Army rifle, not another AR wanna be. If they fix the problems I listed I would be first on the order list for one. Till then I dont see why you would pay $2K for a SORTA-AR. Sorry just my $0.02.

They managed to turn this sexy rifle :cool: .
552commando.gif

Into this botched abortion :barf: .
SIG556leftside16in.gif

Honestly is this next?
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Stocks can be changed and you can still get the poly mags, they just give you the option to use standard AR mags.

And you don't want the rails?!? I enjoy accessories so this is a must for me :)

As far as price goes, I asked my FFL dealer about how much over msrp he will sell them at, he told me they would come under msrp and it is illegal to sell it over msrp, so I am confused. He said he would order it but who knows when it would come in, but I really don't mind waiting.

As for .223 over .308, well its true, the .308 is a true "battle rifle" cartridge, but I got to thinking, 99% of the time I am just going to be target shooting

And as for the other 1% well who knows when a battle may erupt :neener:
 
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