[mangyhyena]

I've been thinking about the Saiga lineup of rifles a lot lately. Mainly, I've been thinking of the Saiga rifles for survivalists and preppers who are just beginning to purchase firearms for shtf. I had someone I know ask me for advice about what firearms they should be purchasing as they build their firearms collection in regards to survival and preparedness. I haven't given him an answer yet, so I thought I'd run what I want to suggest to him by you all first to see if you all think I'm on-track with my advice.

He's already got a Glock. I thought he should get a shotgun next, maybe a pump, although he'd do well with a Saiga-12 IMHO. But the pump is cheaper and would allow him to save up and purchase MBR's quicker.

But for MBR I was thinking about directing him to the Saiga rifles. For a little more than the cost of a good AR he could afford to purchase two Saiga rifles, one in .223 or 7.62 and one in .308. He could even save up again and back up both weapons with identical Saiga models.

Would I be steering him wrong if I suggested he begin building his collection from the Saiga line of rifles as opposed to purchasing an AK variant or an AR or AR-10? It just seems to me that Saiga can cover MBR needs for a better price than most other firearms.

What would he be sacrificing by choosing to go with Saiga all the way in terms of quality and reliability? He's not a sharpshooter, so while other firearms might be slightly or even a good bit more accurate, his goal is to hit targets much bigger than a quarter. I didn't think he needed to be able to nail a dime-sized target at 400 yards, just hit a human-sized target.

They say quantity has a quality all its own. I guess the advice I'm considering giving him falls in line with that. He's fired my Saiga-12 and likes it quite a bit. If he tries out the other Saiga rifles and likes they way they shoot then I was thinking he'd do well to stick with the Saiga line exclusively.

What say ye all?

 

[Diddy]

A shotgun would be a good choice. I would suggest a Mossberg 500, personally.

I too am intrested in a Saiga. I've been going back and forth between the 308 and the 7.62x39. So if anyone out there has some good information...

 

[mangyhyena]

A shotgun would be a good choice. I would suggest a Mossberg 500, personally.

I too am intrested in a Saiga. I've been going back and forth between the 308 and the 7.62x39. So if anyone out there has some good information...

I laughed when I saw you're interested in the 7.62 and .308 Saigas. Those two are exactly what I'm considering purchasing in the near future.

 

[Dwind]

I don't think you can go wrong with a Saiga, even out of the box its about as premium I've seen in a Kalashnikov series. Some of the heavier ones like the 30-06 and 12 gauge are even more robust. I think they use an RPK style reciever there.

An AR is a scalpel, an AK a machete

 

[Texas Pete]

I have the Saiga .308...it is a very good rifle I like it a lot......but I don't think you have factored the cost of BATF compliance for high cap mags and the cost of the hi-cap mags....I have 4 highcap mags for mine and It cost me an additional $200.00 and Ihave no back up mags. With the 8 round mag that came with the rifle I can carry 108 rounds....that is it! then I have to reload mags.

A FN-FAL or a CETME would be a less expensive route and the FN-FAL is just as good a shooter as the Saiga.

 

[skifast]

I almost went with the 308, but the mag cost and ammo cost stopped me. I went with the x39 and am very happy with the decision. I have a 7mm Rem Mag, if I ever need to take a long shot.

 

[Dwind]

Yuck. I forget if it uses FAL or M1A mags but there's supposed to be a conversation kit available for that. If I had known there was a. 223 kit that sticks an AR magwell on it of never have bought a metric butt ton of polymer promags.

I have the Saiga .308...it is a very good rifle I like it a lot......but I don't think you have factored the cost of BATF compliance for high cap mags and the cost of the hi-cap mags....I have 4 highcap mags for mine and It cost me an additional $200.00 and Ihave no back up mags. With the 8 round mag that came with the rifle I can carry 108 rounds....that is it! then I have to reload mags.

A FN-FAL or a CETME would be a less expensive route and the FN-FAL is just as good a shooter as the Saiga.

 

[Goethic]

I love my Saiga 308. The only downside I have ever considered that it had were its 8 round factory mags.

I have heard lots of "garbage" reports about the various 20 or more round aftermarket mags. I have prayed (well, ok not really, but I have thought a lot about) 20 round steel boxes (similar to M14 mags but even improved upon).

There may now be a glimmer of hope.

I was on the Suarez International website and allegedly they have new steel 20 round 308 Saiga mags designed to fit and function perfectly.

They're not cheap but if they work as advertised, I will want 10. Has anyone tried these yet?

 

[Diddy]

I'm leaning more towards the x39 than a .308 due to the cost and availability and to a degree the redcoil.
I really like the look of the Saigas over most other brands. I know that sholdn't be a big factor but I cant help it. The .308 with the wood stock looks beautiful.

If anyone has any experience with the after market mags that would be very useful information.
Also does anyone know of a flash hider for a Saiga?

 

[Goethic]

I'm leaning more towards the x39 than a .308 due to the cost and availability and to a degree the redcoil.
I really like the look of the Saigas over most other brands. I know that sholdn't be a big factor but I cant help it. The .308 with the wood stock looks beautiful.

If anyone has any experience with the after market mags that would be very useful information.
Also does anyone know of a flash hider for a Saiga?

All of the muzzle brakes for a Saiga that anyone could desire (they are a reputable company and ship quickly)...

http://www.mississippiautoarms.com/saigapartsall-muzzleattachments-c-25_79.html

 

[TXsurvivor]

I LOVE my Saiga in x39! I just changed the FCG and can't wait to take it to the range this morning! I also want the .308. It's a dang good rifle and the customization factor is a great way to teach some basic gunsmithing.

 

[Goethic]

Here is a link and some pics to those new 20 round steel 308 Saiga Mags from Suarez International...

http://www.onesourcetactical.com/saiga308twentyroundcapacitysteelmagazine-.aspx

 

[Notofnow]

I have the 308 and 223/5.56, both converted to pistol grip. They are awesome . I shoot the cheapest ammo I can find which is mostly brown bear with not a single problem. Those rifles eat everything. I can shoot 308s at the same price as decent 223s and shoot 223s at the cost of 9mms. That's where u save the money. I have a great ar and I love shooting it but would grab the saiga if buggin out with limited supplies. I've never had a problem with the ar, I just have more confidence with the saiga. I would never shoot brown bears thru the ar unless I had to. You never know what type of ammo you will end up with if/when shtf thus the saiga as my choice.

It's hard to beat brand new AKs built from the same factory the Russian military get their rifles from. As far as I know others are kits put together from where ever. I must say that I have never owned any other ak variant so not sure as to their quality.

 

[smoke63b]

Why not just pick up a 7.62x39 Saiga for $299 and then "restore" it to it's AK format? You'd spend around 400 to 450 and have an authentic, NEW, Russian AK that takes $10 combloc magazines that will never fail.
MBR issue solved.

 

[Dwind]

I have the 308 and 223/5.56, both converted to pistol grip. They are awesome . I shoot the cheapest ammo I can find which is mostly brown bear with not a single problem. Those rifles eat everything. I can shoot 308s at the same price as decent 223s and shoot 223s at the cost of 9mms. That's where u save the money. I have a great ar and I love shooting it but would grab the saiga if buggin out with limited supplies. I've never had a problem with the ar, I just have more confidence with the saiga.

the Saiga is chambered for .223, have you shot 5.56 through it? if so any problems?

 

[Cryptkeeper]

what weapon you need should be determined by what terrain you live in. if you live in flate open areas you need along range weapon. if you live in dense forrest you will do just fine with a mid to short range weapon. so let your terrain dictate what weapon you need.

a saiga 7.62 and 308 is a mid ranged weapon, saiga 12 is a short range weapon.
if i was to get a saiga i would get the 308.but the saiga 12 would be nice to :thumb: the only mag feed shotgun we can own...yea buddy :thumb:


just a side note: most combat is done inside of 300yrds which the saiga 7.62 and 308 can do easily.

 

[blackwolf911]

I love em. Made of German tank steel (not really). Like Timex, takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. :thumb:

 

[blackwolf911]

I love my Saiga 308. The only downside I have ever considered that it had were its 8 round factory mags.

I have heard lots of "garbage" reports about the various 20 or more round aftermarket mags. I have prayed (well, ok not really, but I have thought a lot about) 20 round steel boxes (similar to M14 mags but even improved upon).

There may now be a glimmer of hope.

I was on the Suarez International website and allegedly they have new steel 20 round 308 Saiga mags designed to fit and function perfectly.

They're not cheap but if they work as advertised, I will want 10. Has anyone tried these yet?

I've not seen your mags so I can't say for sure, but on .223 and some 7.62 10rd mags you can cut down the size of the follower so they'll hold 15. May be possible on the 308. (Make sure it's legal in your area yada yada...)

 

[mangyhyena]

It looks like my advice is not bad. I'll talk with him.

Thank you very much for responding. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to steer this guy wrong. Much appreciated.

And by all means, keep posting about Saiga aftermarket products. I really like my Saiga 12 and I am looking to buy a few more in different calibers to keep it company. And I'll be converting the one I've got now soon. I'd also like to hear more about the magazine well conversion that will allow the Saigas to accept AR or AK mags, depending on what caliber Saiga you go with. I don't know much about that yet. How difficult is that to do at home?

Thanks again, all. You guys are great.

 

[blackwolf911]

It looks like my advice is not bad. I'll talk with him.

Thank you very much for responding. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to steer this guy wrong. Much appreciated.

And by all means, keep posting about Saiga aftermarket products. I really like my Saiga 12 and I am looking to buy a few more in different calibers to keep it company. And I'll be converting the one I've got now soon. I'd also like to hear more about the magazine well conversion that will allow the Saigas to accept AR or AK mags, depending on what caliber Saiga you go with. I don't know much about that yet. How difficult is that to do at home?

Thanks again, all. You guys are great.

For the .223 you have a couple choices. Modify the mags or mod the mag well on the rifle. I know you can mod the rifle for AR and AK74 mags too, but my only experience with this is Galil mags. You need to pick what mags you're gonna use because it's a little different for each and isn't gonna accept all of them after you're done. How difficult? Do you own a dremmel? It's not too hard.