AR15s are a more complex system to manufacture and therefore, cost more. But by that logic, since you can get a basic AR in Walmart for $650-750 now, the AR must be crap, right? When a FAL costs $1800 new, why, there has to be some reason the AR is cheaper and that reason has to be quality, right? -rolleyes-
Price alone does not determine the quality of a firearm, especially imported arms made in countries where skilled labor costs less per hour than the US. Witness the Croatian-made, marketed by Springfield XD series - as accurate and reliable as an H&K pistol but for a fraction of the price.
No, the Saiga .308 isn’t going to be challenging the CheyTacs of the world - but if you want something in .308, you can do a heck of a lot worse for a heck of a lot more money. Don’t forget the ‘.308 tax’ either, where pretty much anything mag fed and semi-auto in .308 almost automatically means ‘over $1200.’ I’d also point out that the S308s are considered the best value in .308 by a lot of people. And your buddy’s SCAR isn’t a lot more accurate or reliable despite costing four or five times as much.
I’ve got a Star 30M. Lots of steel. HEAVY. Cost $260. Some of the elements of the build definitely make it seem like a $260 DA hi-cap gun. But...it is extremely accurate.