Posted on 10/25/2011 10:45:02 AM PDT by DTogo
Thinking about .223 hardware at a good price ($329), like Soviet Bloc designs/surplus, and have a spare scope that needs a home. AR platforms are usually expensive, humdrum design, and I see a lot of jams at the range.
I have seen Spikes tactical and a number of others in that price range as well.
While more expensive than 7.62 now (the Russian stuff), .223 would be easier to access/come across later.
OMG, awesome price and somewhat near me too. Figures it’s before Christmas.
Also remember that J&G Sales price is a wholesale FFL price.
Add 10% plus shipping.
I am not poo pooing the saiga, I am just pointing out that for a few dollars more you could have an AR
Good points, wanted to hear more from Saiga owners about performance than “experts” on why not to buy. But then, I did pose the question: to buy or not to buy...
Thanks for the feedback!
The saiga is not near as accurate as the AR due to the sheet metal receiver flexing when it is fired.
It has an odd trigger arrangement that gives it a long pull.
Nothing approaches the AR15 for accessories.
I love the Saiga .308(But prefer the VEPR) and the Saiga 12
My thoughts on that are that by the time that .223 becomes available I’ll have my truck turned into a technical and need something bigger. HA!
I just got my iz132 7.62 x 39 saiga and love it. Have put about 500 plus downrange with no fte or ftf- not even a hiccup. I could not be happier with this rifle and am seriously considering adding another. The only customization I have done is remove the factory 10 round mag and paint the front sight. The reputation of all ak platforms being loose claptraps is bull. Svetlana groups as well as I can shoot her.
The Saigas are PC versions of what they could be, because of the import ban on firearms with certain features. The furniture on the Saiga rifle is akward, and the trigger mechanism is horrendous.
The good news is, you can replace all those parts and convert it back to the guns correct form. You just have to stay within the laws. I’m not going to get into the details, but go to Saigaforum.com and they can lead you through a conversion and the laws.
I’ve had a Saiga 12 and a 7.62 x 39. Both were reliable guns, but the rifle was mediocre in accuracy.
This Saiga is on sale here in CT, no need for an FFL intermediary or shipping.
Just finished building a very reliable AR 15: complete lower $150; complete 14.5 in ch barrel upper $425; nice compensator welded on to bring barrel to 16 inches, $35; forty round mag $18; 5.56 caliber so it will run 223 also. When you get through converting/upgrading the Saiga, how much do oyu think you’ll have in it? Why not just start with an AK74?
Do a quick search on gunbroker.com. Buy a gun out of state for less than you can find it locally and avoid sales taxes. The shipping is usually reasonable. Add the fee for your local FFL (mine charges $25) and you can generally come out cheaper than a local dealer.
That is a good price.
Yeah, but on foot it’s hard to handle a .50 cal with much extra ammo!
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The AK 74 is a hoot!
The 7.62x39 is what MAKES the AK a shorter range gun.
Of course, crappy barrels, flexible sheetmetal recievers and a feed system that is not kind to maintaining concentricity of the round during loading also contribute.
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