Ok, I am looking at trying to make a buying decision here shortly. I've wanted an autoloader 308 for a while. Initially the price of them had me realizing I could get a bolt, and a marlin 45-70(still want one!) The potential impending direction of political involvement has me thinking about moving the semi-auto to the top of the list.
So even here, I am left without certainty. After hearing that some minor kinks were worked out of the new batch of kel-tec rfb's, I am really interested...if I could find one in stock...amd IF I could get one for around $1200. Advantages:
1. Fal mags - cheap and very easy to get
2. Lifetime warranty
3. Full 18" barrel but very short OAL
4. most of what I've seen is indicating 1moa performance - great for a gun easily up to the task of clearing rooms
Disadvantages:
1. All I'll be able to afford for a while
Saga advantages:
1. I think I saw a thread here today showing them for $499
2. You could drop it in cake batter and it will still fire
Disadvantages
1. All different types of accuracy feedback
2. Proprietary, and mostly lower capacity mags
3. Requires some conversion process/parts to get them back to "ak" arrangement, with trigger, grip, etc - have to factor that in to price
AR10 advantages
1. Inherently accurate for a semi-auto
2. Usually available with, or easy to set up with multiple rails for accessories
3. Typically easy on brass (not reloading yet, but bought a press and plan on it)
4. DI system is easy to strip, clean
Disadvantages
1. Mostly proprietary systems, unlike almost all ar15 models
2. Debatable, but the DI system usually will fail due to build up before the
other designs
3. My budget wouldn't allow something like a REPR, larue, etc
4. Same price as the rfb
FAL advantages:
1. Adjustable gas system
2. Proven design, reliability similar to ak
3. Mag price/availability
Disadvantages:
1. To guarantee getting a good one, you will pay a lot - ds arms for example
2. If you want to go with a more reasonable price, you really have to know what to look out for with head space issues, parts quality, and assembly
3. Hard on brass
4. Not exactly light or compact
Once again, I'm not quite swayed one way more than another yet, but I do like the idea that I could buy a saiga AND a solid bolt action or lever for the same price as the others...but again I would probably pay more for one gun if I knew I were getting that much better and more accurate of a gun. Thx for reading
So even here, I am left without certainty. After hearing that some minor kinks were worked out of the new batch of kel-tec rfb's, I am really interested...if I could find one in stock...amd IF I could get one for around $1200. Advantages:
1. Fal mags - cheap and very easy to get
2. Lifetime warranty
3. Full 18" barrel but very short OAL
4. most of what I've seen is indicating 1moa performance - great for a gun easily up to the task of clearing rooms
Disadvantages:
1. All I'll be able to afford for a while
Saga advantages:
1. I think I saw a thread here today showing them for $499
2. You could drop it in cake batter and it will still fire
Disadvantages
1. All different types of accuracy feedback
2. Proprietary, and mostly lower capacity mags
3. Requires some conversion process/parts to get them back to "ak" arrangement, with trigger, grip, etc - have to factor that in to price
AR10 advantages
1. Inherently accurate for a semi-auto
2. Usually available with, or easy to set up with multiple rails for accessories
3. Typically easy on brass (not reloading yet, but bought a press and plan on it)
4. DI system is easy to strip, clean
Disadvantages
1. Mostly proprietary systems, unlike almost all ar15 models
2. Debatable, but the DI system usually will fail due to build up before the
other designs
3. My budget wouldn't allow something like a REPR, larue, etc
4. Same price as the rfb
FAL advantages:
1. Adjustable gas system
2. Proven design, reliability similar to ak
3. Mag price/availability
Disadvantages:
1. To guarantee getting a good one, you will pay a lot - ds arms for example
2. If you want to go with a more reasonable price, you really have to know what to look out for with head space issues, parts quality, and assembly
3. Hard on brass
4. Not exactly light or compact
Once again, I'm not quite swayed one way more than another yet, but I do like the idea that I could buy a saiga AND a solid bolt action or lever for the same price as the others...but again I would probably pay more for one gun if I knew I were getting that much better and more accurate of a gun. Thx for reading