Mikey; I heard about the scopemount problems and if i put a scope on my saiga which i think it doesn't need one I would use the orginal saiga scopemount while it may cost a few $$ more its made for the saiga by saiga. I shot my saiga at night too and the muzzle flash is awesome. I don't own any other "AK" style rifles "yet" but my first one the saiga sure gets my vote. I read another post on another forum from a guy who has both saiga's in 308 a long 22" barrel and the 16" barrel and he said both are the same in accuracy. I think the longer barrel would shoot accurate at a longer distance say 300yds? (I think) But my accuracy at 50 to 75yds was good with open sites with me shooting it. What a little tree stand gun? This saiga spits out the 308 rounds as fast as i pull the trigger with out a hicup they just fly out till the mag is empty. It has a chromed lined barrel and gas system so its the same quality as an "AK" which it is in a sporter syn. black stock. It handles the 308 round very well with litte recoil but with very little barrel rise. While its not my heavy 8mm no recoil Egyptian Hakim, it sure is a light weight semi auto 308. I have to have one in 30-06 and 270 now too when they get here in the spring of '05. I hope they get into making the magnum calibers too I would love to replace my 338win.mag rip your shoulder off bolt action with a "AK" semi auto!!! A saiga in 338win. mag. 22" barrel scoped would be it for me!!!! BigBill
Good;
It should digest any ammo wether surplus FMJ or SP hunting rounds.
Its lighter than my French MAS 49/56 in 308.
Its shorter than my Cetme
It cycles faster than any other semi auto i have.
It handles the 308 round very well.
Its very accurate.
Its designed for reliability and dependability.
Its very affordable under $300.
With its syn. stock and short length its the perfect hunting rifle.
It should last because of its chromed lined barrel and gas system.
The BAD;
The gun felt rough at first, the action and trigger till i moly'ed it up then it smoothed right out and became an awesome gun!! But thats just lubing it up so its not a negative thing no refitting or polishing needed.
BUT It does everything very well from price, light weight, short, accurate, chrome lined barrel/gas system, semi-auto, its dependable/reliable(russian quality) and 308 too What more could we want in a rifle?? I couldn't make one any better or add any thing to this one. I don't think there is a gun on the market today that comes close to a saiga. I like my C&R's but as far as a brand new sporting rifle this one is it.