Does anyone here have any experience with the Russian Saiga rifle. Its based on the Kalashnikov AK rifle,with enough mods to not be one of those "nasty" black assault rifles,that we cant get here in Ca.I was out at a local range today,and saw another shooter fire the .308 version. From what ive been able to research its available in .223,7.62x39,.308,and 30-06 calibers.Has anyone here shot one of these enough to have formed a reasonable opinion on them?

 

Fit and finish are typical eastern bloc, trigger is creepy as hell. But it is just as reliable and rugged as the AK its based on, sights are better and accuracy is much improved over AK. Kind of fun to play around with in .223 or 7.62x 39, but have never fired a .308 or 30.06. Might be a lot of fun!

 

I'm not familair with that rifle but am not a fan AKs. Are you saying you can't get an AR in the Republic of California.

I'll have to look into it if they do make it in .308, not because of the rifle but because of the mags. If they have a high capacity .308 mag it might be worth looking at for my AR-10. AR-10 mags are based of M14 mags and there are no other .308 size mags with a capacity over 20.

Edit; You may want to take a look at this vid, some of it won't apply but I find the slow motion vid ary telling. Also much like the Glock (oops I shouldn't have said that) The selector/safety leaves much to be desired, you cant empty/clear the gun with the safety on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6BpI3xD6h0

Have you considered a version of the M14, a vary good rifle.

 

'Morning, Guys!!!!

Ya know. . .there is SOMETHING that 'possum and I agree on!

I am NO FAN of the AK. I'll take my AR-HBAR anyday, or my beloved M14 platform (M1A NM+). The M14 platform is very, very good, even 50+ years after being created!

I've read on different sites that the Siaga is really popular. I forget who/whom the person/company is, but, they do work on the Siaga rifles and shotguns to 'the extreme' if you want (and have the $$$ for it).

The AR-10 magazines are 'based' on the M14 magazines, but, they are waaaaaaaaaaaay different. They are definitely NOT interchangeable.
The M14 platform magazines are 'rocked' into their lock (similar to the AK) while the AR-10 platform magazines are inserted like the AR-15/M-16 platform.

The US M14 . . . when you really have to reach out and 'plant' something!

 

Im looking at a cheap plinker,nothing more. basically im just looking at something similar to a Mini-14 or mini-30,most likely in 7.62x39,since ive already got a ton of ammo for my Yugo SKS. If i was planning on spending a bunch of money,id likely take a long look at an M1A. Ive already got the SKS,and a standard mini-14 before they changed the sights a few years back......I like the $400-$500 price of the Saiga.

 

Since you're in California, what will they 'allow' you to have, in the way of the AK and/or Mini platforms??

I've read where even the AR platforms must have some sort of 'fixed' magazine.
Is that right???

 

The Saiga that i saw in a local gun store had detachable mags,but it had no other features of an assault rifle,it had a sporter style stock,no flash hider,bayo lug,pistol grip,etc. presumably semi autos can still have one "bad" feature,Mini's are still available here,albeit with either a 5 or 10 round mag.....The store that i worked at a few years back was selling a Ca. legal AR lower,and it had a fixed mag,you had to pull one of the pins,break it open and load it from the top,and it still cost $200 or $300 for just the lower assy,ARGHHH!

 

And I thought Maryland was bad!

Here, we have "A List" of "Approved" firearms.
If the firearm is on the list, we can own it. That list is very specific, to include 'clones' of these 'evil' firearms.

This list is of 'restricted' firearms, in that they (even though they may be 'long arms') have to be registered as handguns, including our mandatory 7-day waiting period.
Maryland has that 'two or more evil traits' garbage in their laws, too.
If the firearm has two or more. . . it must be registered as handguns are, blah, blah, blah.

Bottom line is. . . Maryland is very, very anti-gun and they are hoping that IF they make the purchase process a PITA, most people won't bother buying one.

They don't know me too well. . . . .

 

To my knowledge, there are two common styles of AR10 mag. The Stoner, Knights Armament, DPMS style that is there own manufactured body that has a channel in the back like ar15/m16 mags and a identical style mag lock. And the Armalite system, they modify m14 mags, use a special follower that pops out at the top to activate the bolt lock, and just knotch the side for the mag retainer. Please correct me if you have any differant info.

The Stoner, Knights, DPMS is becoming the standard now that Knights Armament is making the new M-110 sniper rifle for the Marines. There is a 100 round drum on the market now for this configuration, but no box mags over 20 rounds.

The reason I brought up the Saiga mags, I have seen mags from other 5.56 rifles modifeid to work in ar15s, but this is mute saiga only makes mags up to 20 rounds.

I did some reading on this, it seems you can have a removable mag if you don't have any other "evil" features that make it an assault rifle. Like a pistol grip, flash supressor, or collapsable stock. If you have any of these features the mag must be set up so it reguires a tool to remove. The law states that a bullett tip is a tool, so they make mag release buttons that you just have to push in with a bullet tip.

I was wondering about travel through the United Socialist Republic of California with my rifle, is that at all legal? What about Maryland?

 

I am only familiar with the DPMS rifle (fondled one, considered buying one, but haven't fired one, yet!)
I am quite certain that my beloved M1A is quite accurate enough for me, and that an AR-10 platform rifle would just be monies spent, with no appreciable gain in performance.
(I have photos of groups that are 1" at 200 yards with this M1A.) I'm fairly certain that the AR-10 won't out-do that, without some serious tinkering.

As for travel through Maryland. . .
All firearms must be in "An enclosed container" with the ammunition in a separate container, and neither being readily accessible to the driver/occupant.
In Maryland, a loaded magazine (NOT in the weapon) constitutes a loaded firearm!
We all know that a magazine is NOT a weapon, but, Maryland's laws says that it is, and also says that you "ARE guilty", in the statutes.

(I was always told that in the US, that you are innocent until proven guilty!
Oh well. . .nobody said that Maryland wasn't backwards!)

 

I've often wondered how silly laws like this apply to pickups. Do they expect me to put my rifle in an open bed?

 

"They" don't care what you have to do, to be legal.

"They" consider that. . . your problem.

Not trying to be a smart-(ahem), but, that's the way, "they" look at it, here.

 

Sure it is:
Traveling with Firearms in California - Bureau of Firearms - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

I'd put the ammo in the bed of the truck, though.

 

I don't think I would fit any of those catagorys I live in a free state, and my rifle would be vary illegal in the Republic of California. In California it's an assault rifle but not (and never will be) registered.

Thanks for the info, Sorry for the little hijack.

 

Just want to say that in this great counrty, "they" is supposed to be "We The People"

So it should read;
"We the People of California" don't care what you have to do, to be legal.

"We the People of California" consider that. . . your problem.

that's the way, "We the People" look at it, here.