Joeddox 1 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Is the saiga 12 a stamped or milled receiver? Does milled mean from 1 solid block of metal? I'm guessing stamped....??!? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cynical 8 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Is the saiga 12 a stamped or milled receiver? Does milled mean from 1 solid block of metal? I'm guessing stamped....??!? In order: stamped, yes, and yes. Milled receivers start out as a solid block of metal, and then have all of the various holes and slots milled out of them. Stamped receivers are basically sheet metal with the holes cut in them, then stamped into a "trough" shape which is then cross-braced with rivets. The AK was originally designed to use stamped receivers, but the manufacturing technology wasn't quite up to the task, and the originals weren't very durable. So for a few years early AKs (the AK-47) were made from milled receivers. Once the manufacturing process caught up to the design, most factories switched over to stamped receivers (the AKM). Stamped vs. milled turns into a religious war pretty quickly in some places. Stamped is lighter, cheaper, easier and faster to make. Milled is heavier and more expensive, but is usually thought of as stronger and more rigid. A good stamped reciever will outlast the user several times over, so I think the strength issue isn't a big deal, but rigidity can be a good thing. There's a reason the Dragunov and the Galil are made from milled receivers, the stiffness does help accuracy. Weight is usually though of as bad, but it does help offset felt recoil. On the other hand, there's a reason Galils aren't in wide use anymore, they're expensive and heavy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lipadj46 2 Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Is the saiga 12 a stamped or milled receiver? Does milled mean from 1 solid block of metal? I'm guessing stamped....??!? Stamped AK pundits like to argue stamped vs. milled just like the M14 snobs argue cast vs. forged. They both have the same conclusion a well made stamped receiver will last longer than your lifetime a milled receiver may last 10% longer but what is the point? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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