Saiga rifle in 308....

[Didorian]

OK... Saw one online lately for around $500.00
Compared to a FAL or an M14 that is a steal....
So my question is.... How, performance wise, does the Saiga 308 stand compared to a FAL or an M14 of any flavor??

 

[meanmrmustard]

They're good. Not as accurate outta box as the M14, but it'll hold its own for hunting accuracy or putting a .308 in "minute of bad guys chest" at reasonable distances. I've noticed better observed accuracy with the 16" model. At $500, I would not pass that up.

 

[Didorian]

Sweet.... Thanks for the quick response.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Sweet.... Thanks for the quick response.

Is it new, used? What barrel length?

 

[JerZsquid]

There's one for sale at my lgs slightly cheaper. 450 I think

 

[meanmrmustard]

There's one for sale at my lgs slightly cheaper. 450 I think

At that price, you may need to invest. I've not seen one locally for some time under $500 BEFORE tax.

 

[M1key]

I like this one...

M

 

[csspecs]

Buy it. They are a fun to shoot rifle.

Here is mine.

 

[303 hunter]

If it is unmodified in stock form,I can tell you how to smooth out the trigger. PM me for details.

 

[desidog]

I think the 16" version has less barrel whip than the longer one; making it marginally more accurate...however it is louder, and not long enough to maximize the 308's potential. For that loss, you get an awesome muzzle flash in return.

I have an M1A Loaded as well as a 16" saiga. While they perform different roles, I will say that if i had to walk or run any distance, i'd much prefer to be doing it with the saiga just based on the size and weight.

 

[henschman]

From what I've seen, the 16" barreled Saigas (or the 21" ones that have been chopped down to 18 or so) tend to be about as accurate as a standard model M1A, though not quite on the level of some of the more precision oriented M1A models like Loaded, NM, Super Match, etc... as was said, the 16" barrel does lose some velocity to the M1A's 22" tube, and has a much more apparent muzzle blast and flash. The 21" barreled Saigas do appear to suffer from barrel whip and tend to be less accurate (but still good enough to get you hits on man-sized targets out to 500 yards or so).

One nice thing about the Saiga compared to the M1A is that the Saiga has a chrome-lined barrel, while Springfield does not offer them anymore on any of their rifles. To get that option on an M-14 platform, you have to go with a mfg. with a higher price point than Springfield.

The one weak point on Saigas used to be the lack of an available standard capacity mag, but now there are some 20 rounders on the market for a fairly decent price. Of course that has caused the demand and prices to go up (you used to be able to get one for under $400, but now they routinely go for over $600). $500 is definitely a good deal for one.

 

[Zoogster]

I took a good look at them.
They are listed at just under $700 before tax around here, background check and DROS, and taxes, bringing them over $800.
Conversion is almost standard to get an improved trigger.
Then if you convert them you can add in another good $100 fairly easily. If you convert it you are likely also buying new magazines and won't be using the stock one (while several alternative firearm options come with at least a stock magazine in the capacity you want.) So you have to pay for at least a magazine more than in an alternative.

Adding all of that up you are in the cost range of much higher quality rifles.



They are somewhat accurate, but they also have a receiver that is just a bent metal flat. I would much rather have a nice milled or forged receiver.
You could ruin an AK receiver just by stomping on it. While you could stand on a good forged one all day long, and even run some over with a car.
The cost to build these rifles in mass is so low there is no way they should be anywhere near the cost of rifles that actually require wearing down tools milling or forging parts.
Under $500 would start to bring back some interest, because they do in fact function well.
Do keep in mind though that .308 ammo is not cheap. If you are not able to have much fun with it shooting very accurately, then you are more prone to try to enjoy its remaining quality, a high rate of fire.
If you are dumping magazines of .308 you will very quickly be well past the price difference of a much higher quality firearm.

 

[csspecs]

Vepr .308s have a few advantages over the saiga. They have a decent trigger stock, parts count can be met relatively easy. They used to cost more but that has mostly changed.

The barrels of both the saiga and vepr are chrome lined, which will allow them to eat cheap steel cased bimetal jacket ammo without a problem.

 

[mshootnit]

Having some experience with m1a, saiga 308, vepr 308, and ar-10 carbine. I would like to enthusiastically submit that the saiga 308 carbine does indeed hold its own in every respect. I can't imagine regretting purchasing one.