Saiga .223 reliability

[DontBurnMyFlag]

So, I was at a local gun store and decided that a Saiga .223 would be an excellent addition to my gun collection. If someone can give me an idea on its reliability, I would appreciate it.

Is it better to get a .308 or 7.62x39 or stick with .223?

Its probably the closest I can get to an AK in NJ anyway, so I figure why not.

Thanks for any info.

 

[stolivar]

good gun

I have several Saiga's in 308, one in 762.39 and one in 223. they will all do 1.5 inches at 100 yards easily. Very dependible. I just bought the 223 for $277.42 out the door. last week.


steve

 

[DMK]

I just bought the 223 for $277.42 out the door.

Nice price.

What's the magazine situation like for these rifles? Any hi-caps available?

 

[KaceCoyote]

You can mod the rifle into using .223 AK magazines.

 

[Domino]

You can get them but they are expensive and are 922R non-compliant to actually use in a stock Saiga.

http://www.jocoemprise.com/cgi-bin/..._Code=W&Product_Code=SG22330&Category_Code=SG

They are essentially just modified .223 AK mags, you might as well convert the rifle if you want magazine capacity over 10 rounds. My advice, if you want a .223 AK to use 30 round magazines than get a WASR-3 or some sort of VEPR. Get the Saiga if you want a general purpose rifle.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/RI1168-N.html

 

[Tropical Z]

I've heard that stock Galil mags can be used in the .223 Saiga and will function just fine.Can anyone verify this?

 

[Kymasabe]

I had a Saiga with the long stock and 22" barrel..in .308. Was very accurate and very reliable. That gun never jammed and all I ever shot thru it was crap South African surplus ammo.

 

[Correia]

They will not work with Galil mags unless you convert the gun. You can also convert them to Weigers, or to (my favorite) Bulgarian poly waffles. Converting the gun is a snap, and detailed instructions can be found on Saiga 12.com.

As for reliability, I've sold a couple hundred Saigas now, and I've yet to hear any complaints about reliability. A girl that works for us got one, and put 700 rounds through it the first day. Didn't have a problem.

 

[roscoe]

I am trying to see how many rounds I can put through without cleaning. Up to about 2500 now, and not a hitch.

 

[rangerruck]

check here
http://forum.saiga-12.com/
I have had two in 223. about 1.5 years apart. both 16 in bbls. i have heard that the 16 in. bbls are more acc than the longer bbls, this i do not know, they say it is because of less whiplash.
I know that for instance, with the one i have right now, i shoot 2 in. shoot and see targets, open sites at 100 yards, and i will hit them 3 times out of a 5 shot group, or more. i would also say that my other one in the past was this accurate , also. but that doesn't mean the next one you pick up out of the store wouldn't hit the side of a barn, but as long as they are making their bbls the same way, chances are you will get a pretty accurate one.
i also have one in 308, and 762.39. you will love what you will get for 300 bucks or less, the best gun value out there right now.

 

[rangerruck]

oh , one more thing, after i dunked it in sweetshooters, and molied the bbl/action/receiver i have not cleaned it, nor do i plan on it. i have fired countless rounds since then.