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'Saiga-308' is an interesting rifle from the point of view of both its
construction, style and service potential. The new rifles come in three main
sub-configurations:
'Saiga-308', with a quickly detachable buttstock.
'Saiga-308-2' ,with a skeleton buttstock.
'Saiga-308-1', with a fixed, non-detachable buttstock.
Being a "Kalashnikov" clone, the rifle has evident exterior resemblance with the
original AK rifles. Receiver, top cover, safety selector are the same. As for the bolt
group and the trigger mechanism, there are a several considerable alterations.
The bolt is adapted for a larger size of ammunition. The new construction of the bolt,
with three locking lugs to replace a two-lug design of the original AK-47 assault rifle,
enhances the accuracy factor.
Rate reducer and an automatic sear are eliminated.
The end of disconnector is shortened so that the selector lever does not hold it down in a
reloading cycle.
Automatic sear spring and a notch on the hammer are eliminated.
The sear trip projection on the bolt carrier is removed - the area is flat.
The slot on the right-hand bolt guide rail is removed.
The size of the bolt neck of the Saiga guns and the AK assault rifles are different so
they are not interchangeable.
Size of barrel and the barrel block of the 'Saiga-308' are heavier to ensure extra
strength and accuracy.
The above changes (p. p. 1 thru 7) are made by way of preventing remodification of
'Saiga-308' semi-automatic mechanisms into full-auto.
Since the trigger mechanism of 'Saiga-308' has no auto-sear, the selector functions in
two modes: 'S' - safety and 'F' - fire.
Construction of sights makes aiming easy and effective. The front sight is of the
round-post type with protective ears. It can be adjusted for both elevation and windage
zero. The rear sight is of a typically Kalashnikov construction: sliding tangent with an
open U-notch, adjustable for elevation to 300 meters, with 100-meter increments .
Accuracy of operational fire as well as hit probability can be enhanced by using an
optic scope, which can be attached to a standard AK mount plate located on the left side
of receiver. Usually, Russian snipers use PSO-1 optic sight with QDMS - quickly detachable
mount system.
The muzzle of 'Saiga-308' has a flash suppressor originally designed for a new SVDS -
the Dragunov Sniper Rifle, with folding stock.
Numerous tests have shown - the 'Saiga-308' rifles have very acceptable results in
shooting accuracy: 40 - 45 mm center-to-center groups of 10 shots at the range of 100 m.
The first prototypes of 'Saiga-308' had a purely sporting stock made of wood. IZHMASH,
however, is planning to make it with a synthetic, folding stock, ventilation holes in the
foregrip and a pistol grip under receiver. As 'Spetsnaz' (Russian version for SEALS)
experts claim, made in such a configuration, and firing special sniping ammunition,
'Saiga-308' can be used as an effective and rather inexpensive anti-terrorist,
anti-crime weapon. Its cost effectiveness in comparison to most Russian and foreign sniper
rifles is another strong factor in favor of 'Saiga-308' to be fielded by the Police
and Special Forces.
 :Siaga-308 series,
single fire.
Table 1.
Technical specifications of SAIGA-308 rifles.
| Designation |
Saiga-308 |
Saiga-308-1 |
Saiga-308-2 |
| Caliber: |
.308 |
.308 |
.308 |
| Operation: |
gas operated
without gas regulator, locked-breech with rotary bolt, fires from the closed-bolt
position. |
| Weight, empty and without mag, kg |
4,1 |
4,1 |
4,1 |
| Length, overall, mm: |
1.125 |
1.125 |
1.065 |
| Length of barrel, mm |
555 |
555 |
555 |
| Barrel: |
crome-lined,
cold-hammered, with four RH grooves of one turn in 320mm. |
| Feed: |
plastic,
detachable, box-type, 8-rd magazine. |
| Optimal operational range of fire, m: |
each weapon - up
to 300. |
| Manufacturer: |
IZHMASH Joint
Stock Company, 3 Derjabin St., 426006 Izhevsk,Russia; tel. 011-7- 3412-78 40 16; fax:
011-7-3412- 78 53 73 |
STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.
All modifications of the 'Saiga-308' have the following operational procedures.
After the primer ignites the propellant, part of combustion gas escapes from the barrel
into gas chamber through the opening in the barrel side. The piston receives an impulse
and pushes the bolt carrier towards rear untill pressure drops to a safe level. The slot
on the inner side of receiver turns the bolt to the right and releases its three
locking lugs from recesses in the barrel block. The bolt carrier travels on, the spent
case is extracted and then ejected from the receiver. While the bolt group keeps on
moving, the return spring is compressed, generating an impulse. The hammer rolls down to
be retained by the sear. As soon as the carrier slams the rear wall of the
receiver, driven by the return spring, the bolt carrier commences its forward motion.
On the way forward, the bolt strips a new round from the magazine and rams it into
chamber. The bolt turns to the left to lock the barrel. By pulling the trigger, the sear
disengages the hammer. The hammer rushes forward to strike upon the firing pin. The shot
is delivered. The whole cycle is repeated.
As it was mentioned above, the trigger mechanism of 'Saiga-308' is a replica of that
of AK original assault rifle with that only difference that the automatic sear has been
removed from its construction. At all times the gun is capable of delivering only single
shots while reloading is done automatically. Each time an operator wants to shoot the next
round, the trigger should be released and depressed untill the magazine runs out of
ammunition.
On the whole, all modifications of the 'Saiga-308' semi-automatic rifle, featuring
outstanding reliability and simplicity of operation of the well-known AK rifles become a
highly desirable and an effective tool for maintaining public order and security.
Sighted shooting from the
SAIGA-308. (MPEG Video).
Fig
4. Three shots at a "terrorist" from a distance of 100 meters: all three are
TENS.
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