EAA Siaga

[Archie]

I know it is not exactly military surplus but I figured this was the best place to get some feed back.  Does anyone have one? Is is it accuracte (less 1.5" at 100).  Does it jam.

Thanks

[1911crazy]

I've been thinking of getting one too in 308 and i've heard nothing but good things about them.  Since they are copied from the Ak's there's no doubt their good. For the price of under $300 its one of the best buys out there right now in newer guns.                        BigBill

I asked about them on another forum and i heard all good responces about them.  There is a way to redo the 7.62x39 into an ak looking gun with all ak stock parts too.  They move the trigger group and it all goes together.  There is a website for doing it with exact measurements.  I'll get it and post it.

[Dan Chamberlain]

I own one.  They are not "copied" from the AK.  They "are" an AK!  They have all the internal mechanism of the AK and they are made in the original AK factory.  They don't get any more AK than that!  They do not look like a mil-spec AK, but they function and shoot like one.  They have a much better trigger though and it helps in accuracy.  Most mil-spec AKs produce a little trigger kick-back and that can be disconcerting when you know it's coming...not to mention it can actually start to hurt after a while.  The Saiga has a great trigger and mine will shoot mostly 3 inch groups at 100 yards with the open sights if the light allows me to get a good sight picture.  I believe scoped, I could keep them inside 2 inches.

Dan C

[1911crazy]

Dan which caliber do you own?? I've been looking at the saiga in 308. Since its an "AK" it has the reliabilty and dependability of the weapon well known and used around the world today.  Thats why it has my interest, well the price too for there is no competition against it in this price range too.  Its looks like its another affordable fun shooter!!!  I've sworn off buying new over priced expensive modern rifles but the $299 price tag is affordable and I'm still being FRUGAL too!!!! I have to get the most bang for my buck now!!!!  But i can own a brand new "AK" is 308 for $299 just doesn't sound right does it? I better get one before the prices go up.                          BigBill

[Mikey]

Fellas - Gun Tests Magazine ran an article on the Saiga and found problems.  The biggest problem is that with their stamped receivers you can not get a scope to stay on target.  There is just too much shake and vibration in those stamped receivers to keep the scopes on target.

I discovered this with my NHM 91, a long barrelled AK.  With open sights she is accurate to 2" at 100 yds with S&B hunting ammo.  With a scope and a proper scope mount (to the receiver, not a scout mount) I could not keep her zeroed.  In the Gun Tests magazine article they found the exact same problem with the 308 Saigas- the rifle was not as accurate with a scope as it was with open sights.

So, if you're gonna buy one keep that in mind.  It may be a 308 Semi-automatic but it sure ain't a Remington 7400, and if you were gonna get a 308 or 30-06 semi-auto I would tend to stick with the Remington, possibly an H&K or some other noted brand but, that Saiga may be only good with open sights.  HTH.  Mikey.

[1911crazy]

Good point Mikey for the guys who had plans of scoping one. I wonder if they used an orginal AK scopemount?

The website for converting the saiga with using ak parts is;
http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/index.htm

It looks real easy to do but i would like to just convert it to real wood its just not a real gun without the wood furniture.            BigBill

[SBF]

I know it's not a Siaga but you may also want to look at a CETME, another .308 semi-auto in the same price range.

[Dan Chamberlain]

7.62X39

Dan C

[1911crazy]

I picked up a Century G3 Cetme about a two years ago. Its one of the smoothest semi-auto's i have ever shot it feels like I'm shooting a 22.  While some had problems with them the only thing i did was to change the recoil spring to a "new one" and i put in a new buffer because it did jam open on me once.  I did notice a  problem with it though because it goes thru too much ammo I just can't control my trigger finger.  Its like i have a 22 semi and i just keep banging the 308 away because its so smooth to shoot.  And your right we need a few different guns in 308 thats my point too.  I wanted to get another FN49 Argentine in 308  but the $700 price tag is driving me towards the $300 saiga now.  I'm just too frugal sometimes.                                                           BigBill

[glock fan]

I've got three Saiga .308s.  One has a 22" barrel and the second has a "16 barrel.  Both are in a "hunter" style configuration.  The third is a pistol grip conversion with a 16" barrel and muzzlebrake that looks like a real AK, only in .308.  They all have the side rail scope mount which is typical on Saigas.  Scopes work great on these rifles contrary to what is noted in a preceding post.  At least they work great on my rifles.  (I don't use a scope on these rifles if I'm shooting 100 yds. or less.)  They are pretty darn accurate out-of-the-box.  However, I did put RPK adjustable rear sights on them so they could be dialed-in easier when using iron sights.  I think they are one of the best values in .308 out there right now.  I have three great rifles in different configurations for about what some people pay for one rifle.  BTW the 16" barrel version is as accurate as the 22" barrel version, only lighter & handier.

[1911crazy]

I just picked up my saiga in 308 today and its the 16" barrel too.  I just got done putting moly in the trigger(sear) and inside the reciever.  It smoothed everything out and she is ready to shoot now too.  Its a different gun with the moly'ed up trigger.  My local gun store sells these guns so fast I had to wait for him to put more of them out in the rack.  If i like this one i just may go for another one or two? This has to be the best bang for the buck out there right now.
                                                                    BigBill

[His lordship.]

I bought a new Saiga last December in 7.62 X 39, with a 16" barrel.  I took it apart before shooting it and used GI grease throughout, installed a recoil buffer, took it to the range in the cold and it shoots great, never jams, and I also have a Rumanian AK-47 to compare it to.  The Saiga is more accurate and the interior parts seem better made over the Rumanian.  

Also, the Saiga has a better fitting stock for a tall person, instead of the military type, and there is a bolt hold open device to allow easier cleaning of the action.  I have to use an old spent shotgun shell to hold open the bolt on my Rumanian to clean the bore.  I had read of the problems with the scopes not holding their place, and it does shoot well with open sites anyways.  I would like to mount a scope, but as they are hard to find for that type of rifle it might be that a scope setup does not work well, who knows, I like the open sites on this very affordable ($229.00) rifle.

[1911crazy]

I noticed that IZHMASH has put the same quality in the Saiga as they have with there "AK" it even has a chromed lined barrel.  Their shotgun looks interesting too.  Most the saiga guns can be seen in the "AK Story" they show them at the end of the video.  I hope they get into some more different models like bull barrel .223 and .308.  No matter which one you buy you have to have a Saiga.                                                  BigBill

[glock fan]

BigBill,

I have a 12ga. Saiga semi-auto as well.  It shoots great and is very reliable.  Very little recoil for a 12ga.  It will shoot magnum loads too.  Since the ban expired, 8, 10 & 12 rd. mags are becoming available.  Also, some people are doing some incredible PG conversions.  The shotguns come with the side rail scope mount just like Saiga rifles.  I got mine for $229 @ CDNN.  They have their 410s on sale for $150 right now.  I'm tempted to get one and have it converted to a PG style for home defense.

[1911crazy]

I like the shotguns too and i seen them shoot on the AK video.  I haven't owned a semi-auto since my POS "TWO" new 12ga. remingtons 1100's that i bought on their anniversary sale over 25 years ago.  They jammed shut and wouldn't open.  A local sporting goods store had a sale on them for $159. I'll bet the saiga's would never do that.  The russian products and the overall imported stuff gets my vote for quality.  It could be me with my bad luck but i did have one 1100 in 20ga that never failed that i bought used.  Now I have an older 120 win. pump slug gun 12ga,  a savage 12ga double barrel and a 12ga maverick(mossberg) but i would like to add a semi-auto to it too.  I never had anything go wrong with these.  I guess we take a chance with new modern guns too.  BigBill

Ya 12ga saiga i'd like that too!!!!!  Less hurtin on my body, its tough to get old!!!  Plan ahead and buy semi atuo's now while your not old!!!!

[DWARREN123]

For yall's information Whittaker Gun's has the Saiga's now. They have them in 7.62X39, 223, 308. Don't go by there web site cause it is weak, give them a call.

WWW.WHITTAKERGUNS.COM

[77hiboy]

Just a heads up, EAA will be importing the saiga in .270 and .30-06 in the very near future. I just purchased a .308 22in. wood stock model and it shoots moa no problem.

[1911crazy]

Just a heads up, EAA will be importing the saiga in .270 and .30-06 in the very near future. I just purchased a .308 22in. wood stock model and it shoots moa no problem.

My first saiga 308 has the 16" barrel and we shot it up north while hunting with my buddies up there and it spits out the 308 round like no other. When i got home i picked up another one with the 22" barrel.  We'll take both 308's hunting with us now.  I have the 30-06 and 270 hunters on my wish list as soon as they import them in '05 I take a look.  I'm hoping they will make them in magnum calibers too like 300win. and 338win. too?
                                                                       BigBill

I have one problem with my saiga the mag is always empty?? Maybe its a trigger finger problem?  All i know is I have to stock up on plenty of surplus 308 now too.