Harpoon

Went to the range today to sight in my .308 with the RSA "Mojo" peep sight. That went well considering the howling wind. Then I tried to sight it in with the EAA Saiga mount and a 3-9X scope. Even with the elevation adjustments at full up, the gun shoots 6-7" low at 50 yds. Now after comparing the iron with the scope, I know it isn't me. Anyone know how I can adjust this rig to bring the point of aim down so that the elevation adjustments on the scope are somewhat in the middle of its range? Thanks, Don.

Thanks for the advice. I'm generally of the opinion that more gun problems are created by excessive teardown than are solved. I guess I may have given a post I saw too much credibility. The poster seemed to believe that the firing pin was prone to collect fouling from firing. Don

I guess one of the few things about my Saiga that frustrates me is the lack of an indepth manual. Lacking that, can any of the knowledgeable out there tell me what the correct procedure is to remove the firing pin for cleaning the pin and internals of the bolt? Thanks, Don.

Good luck, I don't think EAA cares one bit about any more service issues related to the Saiga. Think they have washed their hands of the whole affair. Don

Seeing the thread about Saigas at RSR, I called. They don't have any mags. Bangers, however, does. The fly in that ointment is that they won't sell to individuals even though sales of mags do not require an FFL. Second issue is that even with an FFL, their minimum order is $100. They wouldn't even give me an accurate price because I wasn't an FFL. So, I'd like two more mags, would someone like to join me in a buy to get at least 2 more mags to go over the $100 min? The salesman hinted at $30-35 ea. If interested, best idea would be to post here and email me @ dmdietz@earthlink.net.

Do they have new magazines for sale? Don

Although I do have a good scope for my Saiga .308, there seems to be a real issue with point of impact with the considerable difference between the bore and the centerline of the scope. Maybe I am all fouled up but getting a consistent sight in between a bench and a sling has been difficult. Having said that, I put a RSA (Power Custom) mojo peep sight on it. I like it. Good for aging eyes, I only have to focus on the front sight and the target, not the rear blade, front sight, AND the target. I also think the gun feels much handier without the scope. Now I have a second option. Don

Don't know, only asked about the forend. Give EAA a call. Don

How, specifically do you remove the floorplate on the mag? With them being as scarce as they are, I don't want to experiment on them. Don

I put Uncle Mike's 1.25" sling swivels on my .308. Being paranoid with the relative lack of parts, I was/am concerned that the pressure from using a marksmanship type sling might break the forend. I wanted another forend as a spare. EAA has extra forends, complete as you would expect, with the forward sling point reinforced with the metal plate and the rear attachment to the receiver with the metal insert. So...anyone who needs/wants one, they are $45 + shipping. Mine came with more of a reddish cast vs the blonde type look of the original but it is nicely finished. Don

Another option is to get some 1.25" sling swivels from Uncle Mikes and install them. The buttstock just screws in, the forend threads into the existing insert. I got a Turner biothane sling, a top quality marksmanship sling vs "tactical" slings that would be seen on an AK-47. Don

Natchez has SA ammo on sale @ $26.86/140rds and new production Wolf for $4.77/20. Don

For Wolverine/Tony aka Tromix. Absolutely no offense intended in my question. Are there any downsides to these modified M-14 mags? I do like the idea of a metal mag and 20rds sounds great. Any comments you might have would be appreciated. Thanks, Don.

Dodgeturbo, do you know something we don't? What 20rd mag on the horizon? Don

What's the point? The muzzle blast must be obscene and you've castrated it power wise. Don

I wouldn't expect a significant accuracy difference. In some cases, shorter barrels of the same profile (sporter style) are more accurate. You should expect something like a 200-250fps velocity loss with the 16 vs the 22", a moderately significant difference in energy and possibly degraded hard barrier penetration if that's your thing. Don

A spring change might modify your perceived recoil. The usual means for reducing absolute recoil are by reducing cartridge energy, increasing weight, or using a muzzle brake or a combination of the three. There are some spring loaded stocks that seem to work but they're certainly not off the shelf items for a Saiga. You won't get anything dramatic like the 50% number you mention from a change to the springs in the action. Don

Bench resting and prone shooting do greatly accentuate perceived recoil. You can use things like Past recoil shields in prone and bench and things like lead shot bags on the bench to cushion the kick. As to stiffer springs, I haven't tried that, perhaps some of the more experienced people on this forum know of a source for such springs. You'd have to be careful, a stiffer spring might turn the classic AK style "it shoots anything you feed it" into a jammomatic. You might also try a good muzzle brake, it would help under all conditions but at the cost of greater muzzle blast. Don

Thanks for the input Allan, I think I'll try your idea about the glassing in of the swivel area. I was amazed that the bipod seems to provide a more stable position than the concrete benches at my range, perhaps due to the fact that I have to hunch over to get low enough to use them. Don

Thanks for explaining that, Wolverine. I was at a loss to understand why it appeared that I might have been censured. BTW, if you don't mind, how did you choose the handle "Wolverine"? Have you had any experience with those animals? Awesomely powerful for their size. Don

Could someone explain what the note under my login of "Harpoon" that says "warn %" means? It says 0% in my case. I've never said anything controversial on this forum and noticed that others don't have it. Thanks, Don

I answered my probably not too astute question. The fender washer was the cause of the rocking. I replaced it with small washers to fill in the recess where the stud goes and to support the stud. The result is considerably more stable. I just hope that the stress of recoil on that thinner portion of the forend doesn't crack or break it. Now if that works, I'd sure like RAAC to come up with more mags and even better, someone to give us good high capacity mags. Not that this is a unique thought at all. In any event, Happy New Year to all forum users! Don

I replaced the factory sling swivel on my wood forend .308 with a Uncle Mike's sling swivel stud. I also reinforced the forend with a narrowed fender washer between the head of the sling swivel stud and the forend. Put the Harris on and it provides an extremely stable shooting position. My question is there is some fore and aft "rocking" with the Harris's legs down in the prone position. Am I apt to break the forend when I use it? And....if it breaks, does anyone know where I can get a replacement? Thanks much. Don

Well Wolverine, I'm in my 36th yr in the defense industry (21 yrs military) so I know about bureaucracies and one of my favorite expressions that fits BATFE's attitude toward sporting firearms is: "We care but not about you!" I think it applies relative to the Saiga magazines. Don

For Battlerifle, I hate to say it but I think your comments are too close to being the likely course of events to be comfortable. I've been trying to be optimistic. I can't believe Izhmash isn't interested in US hard currency so why not satisfy this market by supplying some mags? I really like my Saiga .308 but right now I only have two factory mags and that doesn't leave much brathing room for accidents/random failures. Don