To sell the Saiga 308 and Stevens for an M1A, or not.

[kmcintosh78]

Ok, so here I am. I will have some extra money in the next several weeks (not enough to pay for an M1A) but enough see cover the difference between the price and what I could sell my Saiga 308 (Converted) and Stevens 243.
My question is, should I do this, or stock up on ammo and invest in a better scope for my Saiga?
I have conversed with several people that say that the M1A is good out to 500 yards, and great back down to the 75 yard range. Use would be for hunting, target SHTF. So, basically a multi use rifle.

Thanks

 

[WardenWolf]

Part of it would depend on whether you have the 16" or the 20" Saiga .308. The 16" version is a very handy gun, and is probably one of the best-handling .308's you could ever hope to own. It's also decently accurate for hunting, and would definitely make a great SHTF gun, much better than an M1A. The 20" version is a heavy beast, though, and not really that practical. If you have the 20" version, I'd say consider selling it for an M1A. If you have the 16" version, keep it.

 

[kmcintosh78]

Yeah, 16" Saiga.
I think my impulsive gun nature is taking hold.

 

[Avenger29]

I'd keep the Saiga, stock up on ammo, mags and spare parts, and consider investing in some better optics.

 

[Gelgoog]

if you want an M1A then go for it, and ditch the other two guns. If you just want a semi-auto .308 then the saiga is fine. I am a big AK nut, however I would rather have a M1A then a .308 saiga. The Saigas just don't do if for me in that caliber. If you want a nice .308 AK for long range shooting, either get a Vepr, Yugo M76, or SVD.

 

[bogus mcall]

Unless u absoulty dislike or have no use for a gun, don't sell it. U will regret it later. Keep the two u have and if u want a M1A save up and then add it to your collection. You can do most anything you want to do with your Saiga.

 

[AH-1]

http://www.m14tfl.com/upload/

lots of info here.

pete

 

[Gelgoog]

Unless u absoulty dislike or have no use for a gun, don't sell it. U will regret it later. Keep the two u have and if u want a M1A save up and then add it to your collection. You can do most anything you want to do with your Saiga.

I have sold lots of guns and do not regret it. If I am too sentimental over a particular piece I will not sell it. However if I have no huge attachment and there is something else I am after then it goes. The test is usually how easily I can replace a weapon that I might sell.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

Keep saving for the M1A but keep the Saiga for hunting. I took my M1A Standard and mounted a Leupold VXII scope on it for deer hunting last year. The Damn thing was so heavy I bought a Marlin Model 308 MXLR The only problem was it's the stainless version so I "had" to buy another Leupold VXII in Silver. I kept the M!A! The Marlin was so much lighter for hunting. You won't want to hunt with an M!A. (besides I missed an easy shot on a coyote with the M1A , so to punish the gun I replaced it as a hunter, had to be the guns fault right?)

 

[WardenWolf]

Honestly, the Saiga is a better battle rifle than the M1A, and, as stated before, the M1A is a bit heavy for hunting. If you've already got a good bolt gun in .308, I doubt you're going to be much happier with another semi-auto. Really, you should keep the Saiga regardless, and get some optics for it.

On a side note, shooting at a mere coyote with a .308, given today's ammo prices? Isn't that a little wasteful? If you're going to shoot a dollar bill (or more), you might as well shoot it at something you can eat.

 

[rangerruck]

that saiga can shoot better than most people know, and if yours is allready converted, no way in heck I would sell it. The only reason to get an m1a in my opinion, is you just have to have a piece of history, or a military arm, or a shooter from the actual war. If this is just a matter of having a semi auto 308, it is tough to beat a Saiga under any circumstances. Try several diff types of military ammo; especially south african, and any of the old Nazi/South american stuff. chances are the Argentine and the venezuelan and chilean stuff will work out great, and the south african not only will group very well, but be very consistent also.get a scope and mount from this guy;
he has tons of excellent russian stuff- as he should, he is a buddy of mine
named Dmitri, and is very Russian!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=167506337

look at his other auction stuff as well...

 

[Col. Plink]

Q: are Vepr's really considered a cut above the Saiga 308 (especially the ones that look just like the Vepr's, the 308-1v.21's)?

I have been quite pleased with my 20" Saiga 308, though there may still be some barrel whip mitigation to be done. As it is it's still a MOA rifle with rudimentary mount and glass. The only thing I may do it is an AK recoil buffer. 's done wonders for my buddy's PSL.

The companion I've picked up for the Saiga 308 is the Remington 760 .308; very new and dear to my collection. Lookin' over it right now, mmm....