Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Saiga .223: To buy, or not to buy... that is the question! (vanity)
Vanity ^ | Oct 25, 2011 | DTogo

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.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; saiga
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-76 next last
To: DTogo

That is an excellent price.
Go for it.

you wont be sad, and the price will likely appreciate.


41 posted on 10/25/2011 11:49:26 AM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]




Click the Pic               Thank you, JoeProBono

Gary and Harriet Leave the Reception in Their Honeymoon Shells

Follow the Exciting Adventures of Gary the Snail!


Abolish FReepathons
Go Monthly

If you sign up
A sponsor will donate $10

42 posted on 10/25/2011 11:53:49 AM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: The Toll

‘I have the 7.62 and the .308 Saiga.’

Aren’t .308 and 7.62x51 the same?


43 posted on 10/25/2011 11:54:46 AM PDT by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN
When you get through converting/upgrading the Saiga, how much do oyu think you’ll have in it?

A picatinny scope mount for around $40, maybe another mag, that's about it.

44 posted on 10/25/2011 11:56:47 AM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: DTogo
I bought a couple of these beauties a few years ago at my local gun store for $200 a pop. Police turn-ins. Always turns heads when folks see you pumping a .223 :-)


45 posted on 10/25/2011 11:57:33 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici ("Si, se gimme!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mylife
I had the rear BUIS, pistol grip, and railed foregrip in inventory, but I will put this rifle up against any AK74 for handling, reliability, and accuracy. The flash suppressor was replaced with a nice compensator after this picture was taken:

My next project will be a piston 5.56 build.

46 posted on 10/25/2011 11:57:46 AM PDT by MHGinTN (Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: bk1000

I meant 7.62x39 Ak round for short. Should have been more clear.

I believe you are correct as far as the 7.62x51.


47 posted on 10/25/2011 12:03:51 PM PDT by The Toll
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: DTogo

When I see an AR that jams, it is due to;

A nasty gun. Cleaning the buffer tube is needed as well.

A dry bolt carrier assembly. If you believe that “majic coating” will let you run it dry, you shouldn’t believe everything you read in gun magazines. NONE OF THEM WORK FOR VERY LONG! Grease the bolt lugs. Oil the rest, inside and out.

CHEAP MAGAZINES. 95% of mis-feeding in self loading firearms are magazine related. This is one area the AK shines with those thick, steel feed lips and plenty of space for the compressed magazine spring to reduce stress. As for the AR, the Lancer L5 mags are the only ones that will store fully loaded for any length of time without losing spring tension or spreading the lips. Regular AR mags are fine if you load them to 60% capacity for long term storage (12 in 20s, 20 in 30s), have no-tilt followers and chrome silicon springs.

As for no-tilt followers (L5s seem to not need them), you do not need M4 style feed ramps at all, even in pistols, if you use them.

Laquer/Polymer coated ammo causes problems, and most brands are much more corrosive than admitted by their vendors. MEK is the only thing I have found to remove the paint residue from the chamber. Clean your gun and use the zinc plated cases if you like the combloc stuff.

Either get a chrome lined or stainless barrel if you are less than fastidious about cleaning.

Watch the shooters with the jam-0-matic ARs. When they do function, they probably can’t hit too well with them either.


48 posted on 10/25/2011 12:04:18 PM PDT by noprogs (Borders, Language, Culture....all should be preserved)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DTogo

I like the 308 more than .223 it is more fun to shoot and makes things explode when you hit them.

I would like one of their 12 gauge models though.


49 posted on 10/25/2011 12:05:11 PM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero

Shoot what you like.

I believe if you tried an AR-10, it would help with that antique fetish.

I mean, I like souping up flathead Fords and shooting my Blue-Star Garand, but when I really want performance I embrace technology.

The good old days really were not THAT great.


50 posted on 10/25/2011 12:08:53 PM PDT by noprogs (Borders, Language, Culture....all should be preserved)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero

BOOOYAOW! M1 Garand is my favorite rifle I own. Nothing beats the “TING” when it is our of ammo. Love it!


51 posted on 10/25/2011 12:13:08 PM PDT by crazydad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: DTogo

M1 Garand clips. LOVE EM!


52 posted on 10/25/2011 12:14:12 PM PDT by crazydad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: herewego; mylife
Thanks for the feedback, "to buy" seems to be the answer!

Q: Preferred scope mounts - AK side mount or picatinny'd receiver cover?

53 posted on 10/25/2011 12:16:28 PM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: dangerdoc
I like the 308 more than .223 it is more fun to shoot and makes things explode when you hit them.

Yeah, so is 7.62x54R, but again, accessibility of .223 is a consideration.

54 posted on 10/25/2011 12:21:25 PM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: crazydad

Need the M1 first... someday.


55 posted on 10/25/2011 12:23:28 PM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: DTogo
Q: Preferred scope mounts - AK side mount or picatinny'd receiver cover?

The receiver cover is too flexible to hold a good zero. For any serious work, get the side mount.

56 posted on 10/25/2011 12:27:49 PM PDT by Rinnwald
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Rinnwald

Exactly. Sidemount.


57 posted on 10/25/2011 12:47:21 PM PDT by The Toll
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: DTogo

I have the 7.62 and a Saiga shotgun. Good guns for the price. Don’t forget the red dot!


58 posted on 10/25/2011 2:47:47 PM PDT by goseminoles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DTogo
It's nice to have a spare in any caliber, good insurance against the possibility that the breakage of some small component like a spring or pin, much less a firing pin or extractor, won't leave you with a useless rifle and a quantity of *orphaned* ammunition. That said, the Saiga I've got is not a .223/5,56mm NATO version [rather than the 5.45 caliber nor one of the 7.62x39mm versions currently on sale at Centerfire Systems for around $300, each] For purposes of this discussion, we'll leave the Saiga shotguns and 7.52 NATO rifles out of the database as being not distinctly comprable.

The Saiga 7.62 x 39 version does not take the standard AK magazine, though aftermarket Saiga 30-round mags are available and the conversion to use an AK mag is not terribly difficult. But my Saiga is meant for use as a backup or spare rifle, a loaner to a qualified user caught without his own shooter, or for use under such miserable enviornmental conditions that a lesser weapon might prove unreliable or could be damaged. The reliability of the Kalishnikov platform is beyond legendary and I will not compromise that reliability with an aftermarket plastic magazine constructed of dubious materials or workmanship.

Just as the 7,62 x39mm Saiga can be converted to use a military magazine, so too can the 5.45mm version, and that's the one that gets rained or snowed on when long range problems ar3en't my problem.a .223 Saiga with a 20-inch barrel available, bringing the Saiga/Kalishnikov up to the level of capability of one of an M16A1 rifle of the Vietnam War era, but with better reliability and less expense- you'd still need a good optical sight, and the end result would be a tad on the heavy side, but that might be worthwhile for some users.

Accessories? Magazines, and more amnmo. Then more mags, then more ammo, and repeat as necessary. A way to carry the mags and ammo is a good idea, and a few spare parts wouldn;t hurt, even for a Kalishnikov- and do get a decent cleaning kit, even for an AK.


59 posted on 10/25/2011 2:55:30 PM PDT by archy (I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DTogo

Go with a PSOP side mount Russian scope

http://kalinkaoptics.com/rifle-scopes/posp/ak-vepr-saiga-slr.html


60 posted on 10/25/2011 3:02:52 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-76 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson