bdkcks
06-01-2002, 03:23 AM
I recently purchased a Saiga 308 carbine with 16.5" barrel. The carbine is same as the early imported and current 22" model but sports a polymer stock and handguard like the 7.62x39 Saiga. The EAA model has a better fit and finish than I had seen on the first imports. The finish is a spray on, but looks even. The carbine sports the standard appointments: side scope mount rail, spring-loaded firing pin, with the altered trigger group. The trigger has a lot of initial take up but is smooth and light. The safety is the same a standard AK. It is strange at first with a Monte carlo stock, but after awhile one gets use to it.
Taking the Saiga to the range, I was concern that the recoil would be excessive due the 16.5" barrel and 7.5lbs weight. Shooting from a bench, with Port surplus ammo, average group was 2.2" at 100yards with Iron sights. Hitting 200yard 24"x12" steel gong was very easy. Recoil was very manageable, much more than a Remington 7400 carbine or a Spanish FR8. Follow Up shots are fairly quick, with limited muzzle rise. After 250rds no malfunctions at all.
To compare this rifle with a standard Ak or Dragunov would not be fair, the rifle is more like an M1 Garand tanker or Remington 7400 carbine. To me the Saiga has better handling than a M1 tanker, due to it's narrower profile and changing magazines is much faster than using an 8rd enblock garand clip Another advantage of the Saiga over a tanker or 7400 is the sidescope rail, making it much easier to scope than the others.
Some improvement to the Siaga would be a shorter stock with a recoil pad, and larger sling swivels. Purchase price was $300, with cleaning rod, cleaning kit , a 1 8rd mag. I have not decided if I should have it converted to use 20rd M14 magazine, but I think I will leave it in with the current stock. I'll have to recheck the accuracy once my PSO 6 scope comes in. If you are looking for a good hunting carbine, or an alternative to an M1 Garand tanker, get the Saiga.
Taking the Saiga to the range, I was concern that the recoil would be excessive due the 16.5" barrel and 7.5lbs weight. Shooting from a bench, with Port surplus ammo, average group was 2.2" at 100yards with Iron sights. Hitting 200yard 24"x12" steel gong was very easy. Recoil was very manageable, much more than a Remington 7400 carbine or a Spanish FR8. Follow Up shots are fairly quick, with limited muzzle rise. After 250rds no malfunctions at all.
To compare this rifle with a standard Ak or Dragunov would not be fair, the rifle is more like an M1 Garand tanker or Remington 7400 carbine. To me the Saiga has better handling than a M1 tanker, due to it's narrower profile and changing magazines is much faster than using an 8rd enblock garand clip Another advantage of the Saiga over a tanker or 7400 is the sidescope rail, making it much easier to scope than the others.
Some improvement to the Siaga would be a shorter stock with a recoil pad, and larger sling swivels. Purchase price was $300, with cleaning rod, cleaning kit , a 1 8rd mag. I have not decided if I should have it converted to use 20rd M14 magazine, but I think I will leave it in with the current stock. I'll have to recheck the accuracy once my PSO 6 scope comes in. If you are looking for a good hunting carbine, or an alternative to an M1 Garand tanker, get the Saiga.