Tell me about the Saiga 308-1

[epijunkie67]

I'm not at all familiar with the weapon but happened to run acrossed one in my local shop this afternoon. .308 of course and looked to be in good condition. Had a tag on it of $325. Serial number H04740XXX.

Good? Bad? Accuarte? Typical Ak reliability? Whats the story? Google was pretty much no help what so ever.

 

[Kjervin]

Have you tried over at saiga12.com they have a forum (see the forum link on the left side) specifically for the rifle (as well as it's brothers in other calibers/gauges). I have one in 7.62x39 and put a .308 on layaway today. I love my 7.62 and look forward to the 308.

Good Luck!
Kj

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I've got the .308. I really enjoy shooting it. I scoped it once and even with a loose mount I got 1 MOA out of it. That was with the 16" barrel. The only thing that is irritating is that I have never been able to find extra mags for sale, and that God has decided that he hates the idea of hi-caps existing for this rifle. So what you see is what you get. Good overall though.

 

[TexAg]

Thats a good price for one. I have the 7.62x39 and its a great shooter, very accurate. I have not heard anything bad about the .308 version unless you count the low amount of mags available and no "high caps", but 8 rounds is plenty for most people and they will be importing them again soon.

 

[Crosshair]

There is supposed to be a new importer, they are just waiting for the ATF to clear the forms right now.

/Owns a Saiga 7.62x39
//Converting it to pistol grip.

 

[beerslurpy]

Russian American Arms had a great website up, but they took it down and stopped answering the phones because I assume they arnet ready yet and they got bombarded by interested FFLs and gun owners. They are the new importer FYI. I heard they will have 8 rd saiga12 mags, hopefully at a price that isnt gay.

 

[Correia]

Russian American Armory should be getting guns out in November. My company has signed up as a distributor and we are getting a pile of them next month.

 

[TexAg]

Correia,
Do you know how much the MSRP has changed? What will it be?

 

[Correia]

I've got my planned prices up at www.fbmginc.com in the guns section.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Got any idea how much mags will run once they start importing them, Correia? It's the achilles heel for this rifle. If I had some of them and could get that PG conversion done, Id be a happy camper.

 

[Correia]

Let me check. I'll get back to you.

 

[Drakejake]

The Saiga .308 is an excellent rifle. Its only drawback is the lack of hi-cap mags. Available mags hold only eight rounds, are scarce, and expensive. But if you live with that, you have a fine .308 carbine. I took out my new FAL and my Saiga .308 yesterday. The Saiga was right on target at 50 yards even though I had pulled the scope and put it back. The FAL jammed miserably.

Drakejake

 

[Crosshair]

How well do they hold zero with a scope?

 

[GunGoBoom]

Russian American Armory should be getting guns out in November. My company has signed up as a distributor and we are getting a pile of them next month.

Wow, straight from the horse's mouth, guys.

I was really skeptical until you said that Corr - after all, why would you take down a website promoting your product unless you were closing down? I had read an ominous thing into that fact - that their red tape must not have cleared a hurdle like sporting purposes or something - you sure about that? I can see why you wouldn't publish a phone # if you're getting deluged by calls and can't get work done - but why take down a website if not throwing in the towel? Just remove phone, fax, and email from said website, leaving snail mail addy only.

 

[Crosshair]

Actualy from what I understand (AKA: rumor) GunGoBoom, their website was just an unlisted beta version that they had up for testing so they would be ready when they got the guns imported. Someone over at forum.saiga-12.com found it and posted it on the board. It soon spread and they started getting calls. Since everything was not finalised, they took the site down until they are ready to begin selling. Though they at least know there is a large interest in these rifles.

 

[Correia]

Well, I'm pretty sure. But I don't have any guns yet.

I'll be sure to keep you guys up to date.

 

[Euclidean]

I'm so happy... I just emailed my local FFL. I want me a Saiga or two.

 

[antarti]

Any idea of the availability of their 30-06 AK-pattern?

I sure would like to see if I could get surplus BAR mags to fit. Would tickle me to no end.

 

[GunGoBoom]

K, thanks for the info. Yeah, I know that they know there is a high demand. I just thought that maybe there was a red-tape problem related to 922 and/or sporting purposes test, etc, that was nixin the whole deal. Can't *wait* to get my Saiga-12.

As to the original question, My Saiga .308 shoots great, although the trigger pull is pretty bad. I have a "BP-02" mount from Tantal on it, with a Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x32, and it's a hoot. This is the 21.8" bbl one with wood furniture. If 20-rounders for the Saiga .308 are ever forthcoming, then I'm going to add the 16" bbl one to the collection as well.

Antarti, when EAA was importing saiga's, their website showed that one of the Saiga models was in theory available in (1) .308 win, (2) .270 win, (3) .30-'06, and (4) .243 win. So apparently they were being made. But to my knowledge, none of them other than the .308 were ever actually imported. Having one in .30-06 would be awesome wouldn't it?

 

[Beren]

SAIGA GROUP BUY!

Including 8 round Saiga-12 mags please!

Oh please oh please oh please.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

And some 8rnd .308 mags for crying out loud! But we have to wait a while so I have money when the buy goes down. I'm always poorest when there is a good deal happening.

 

[antarti]

GunGoBoom,

I was waiting for EAA to bring the 30-06 AK pattern in, they never did AFAIK. However, it WAS on the RAA website, so I am still hoping for the best, AND that BAR mags can be made to fit.

I wish there were a hicap option for the .308 (the 16"bbl one), that would be my 2nd choice right behind a hicap 30-06. If I'm going to be limited to 8rds, then a CMP garand is in the cards instead.

Correia: If either a hicap Saiga 308 or 30-06 happens, I am 100% "in", just PM me and let me know.

 

[MY AK]

Drakejake - Can I get your opinion?

I noticed you wrote "I took out my new FAL and my Saiga .308 yesterday" and was interested which gun you prefer? I am in the market for a .308 and am undecided over the FAL or the Saiga. I am not much of a hunter, just a weekend plinker. Which do you prefer?

 

[rockstar.esq]

Two things that'd make a Saiga in .308 a slam dunk.

1) Bolt hold open

2) FAL mag compatibility

Failing #2 at least a significant stock of high caps plus some 5 round hunters.

 

[Correia]

Rockstar, since this old post we've had a few developments in the Saiga world. FBMG has designed, built, and is now shipping 20 round magazines for the Saiga .308.

My thumbs hurt from putting together another 100 last night.