durablity of the .223

[overweightelf 0]

i am in the process of buying a .223 i just wanted to know how durable they are, has anyone used it alot lto know?

[Sheik Yerbouti 0]

I have read several different sources about durability of the general AK design, and all of them seem to indicate that the average MTBF for sheet metal receivers is in the neighborhood of 35-40K rounds. Keep in mind that these figures were for full auto, which induces more stress on the gun than firing semiauto. The design of the AK is such that, comparatively speaking, the receiver does not have to absorb much of the forces that are induced during the firing cycle, hence the ability to use sheet metal in the manufacture.

 

I use polyurethane buffers in my AKs. I think that the combination of firing semi, taking good care of the gun, and using the buffers, I should be able to bequeath my AKs to my grandchildren.

[Messiah Jones 2]

As for just the general sturdiness of the Saiga .223, I think they are nice and solid.

 

They have a thicker barrel than a standard non-Saiga 7.62X39 AK, and a smaller bore, which makes for a much heavier and sturdier barrel. The Saiga sheet metal is also stiffer and thicker than that of a Romanian SAR.

 

In my opinion, for the price, you can't get a better Kalashnikov than a Saiga. The prices are low because they are in sporter form and low capacity. And you can get them in a wide variety of calibers.

 

Nothing beats a Saiga in quality vs. price. You'd have to pay upwards of $500.00 to get Saiga quality from another Kalashnikov manufacturer.