ronswin

I've got an SPS 170mm Para mag that won't run with more than a dozen rounds reliably. I've changed the follower and spring out with a couple different manufacturers and had same results. Nice looking magazine, I just wish it worked.

True, AK-47 is 7.62 while AK-74 is 5.45. These rifle are technically neither as the Bulgarian is 5.45 SLR-105 A1, the Saiga .223 is a Saiga MK while the Vepr rifles use the caliber as model designation. All can be considered Kalashnikov (or AK) derivatives.

I have one or more of the following in different calibers and can attest to their quality in this order: Russian Vepr rifle series- hard to find now with current import ban, but has 1.5mm thick RPK receiver with hammer-forged chrome-lined medium heavy barrel Bulgarian Arsenal series- well made with better than average tolerances and accuracy Saiga rifle series- most popular of the Russian made and still fairly easy to obtain in various calibers ( I suggest .223 if possible)

Fordfan, that might be the issue then if the feed lips are the early stainless steel. Contact AGP for the replacements.

Never had that issue with my AGP magazines and they were all first generation. Some very early 10-round AGP magazines had stainless-steel looking feed lips that were out of spec and AGP replaced them all with parkerized steel feed lips.

I'm pretty sure you may have reliability issues such as FTE after cutting the barrel down to 18 inches. I did the same many years ago and tried to use the Saiga with no choke and had very bad results as the pattern was too big to be practical and was forced to use high velocity shot shells for consistent ejection. First, check your barrel ports behind the gas tappet (or puck) for the number of gas ports. Four ports and you should be ok shortening the barrel, three ports and you probably won't get enough pressure to work the action with low brass shells. You can enlarge the gas ports IF you can move your gas block far enough to get a drill bit into the ports. I suggest Saiga-12.com for detailed instructions if you are a DIY type.

I can verify that the battery cover on the Fastfire III can be easily cross threaded rendering the battery cap worthless. I do like the features of the Fastfire III as outlined by others, but I'm beginning to apprecieate the simplicity my Fastfire II more now.

"Do we need a flashlight this year? " +1

I used one for about a year and the capability for rapid change in pattern size was useful, its just that the Polychoke wasn't worth the disadvantages. You will eventually get erratic shot patterns and poor slug accuracy with extended use before a thorough cleaning. I noticed carbon fouling and wad shavings were collecting under the Polychoke "petals" during a match affecting how well it worked.

An ultrasonic bath works fairly well for me.

My experience with the one piece ring is the same as Alaskapopo. Worn out after just a few hundred rounds of factory ammunition and I'm back to standard rings.

If you are shooting 3-gun for the fun of it then by all means use your AK. I have a RobArms Vepr II in .223 that I have used in 3-gun and was satisfied with the results. I can recommend a Red Star Arms adjustable trigger group if you are looking for a better trigger for the AK.

I've used my MSAR-556 AUG clone in several 3-gun matches (mostly for fun)and it does have certain advantages. It's light, compact, fairly accurate and with a 20-inch barrel it's shorter than an M4 carbine. Trigger pull isn't an issue as company called Ratworx is making a drop-in hybrid trigger pack that will use standard AR-15 trigger parts and is tunable just like AR rifles. The AUG can be fired left or right-handed with a bolt conversion or weak-handed with strong hand as an improvised brass deflector. Mag changes are slower, but I use Steyr 42-round magazines so it kinda evens out.

The best combination pack and camp chair is made by Chair-Pak. I've got and older model and it useful and built fairly well: Chair-Pak

If you wear prescription lenses, find an optometrist that has Crizal coatings. Very resistant to fogging, scratching and rain beads off like it's teflon coated. The summers here in central Virginia will often have tropical-level humidity making anti-fog a requirement.

I tried the Alliance drum in a match while waiting for the first batch of MD drums to be completed. It was extremely heavy and stopped working entirely in one stage when loaded with high brass shotshells. I've been using my MD drum for several years now with few issues. You can "tune" the MD drum to the shotgun by playing with how many turns the feed mechanism is set before assembly. Light lubrication on the interior with graphite doesn't hurt either.

My 2004 manufacture P18-9 is LDA, but I haven't seen more than two or three in LDA configuration over the years at gun shows or gun shops. The action on mine is very crisp and predictable.

The P18-9 is very accurate and has minimal recoil in a 1911 package. It can be a little hard to find and you will have to replace the Power Extractor with an aftermarket like the Aftec (and a sleeve) or with the HD extractor now in Para Ord's Proshop. Avoid the black finish ParaKote or "Steath" finish pistols as this wears off very easily.

At one shotgun match several years ago, one friend had a case of Winchester Universal shotshells and under the summer heat that day the shell crimps were unfolding like flowers blooming. Very poor construction.

Alliance Arms would also be happy to charge you $200 for a "performance service" modification to your Saiga 12 so their 20-round drum would at last reliably operate on your shotgun. Their drum was extremely heavy and temperamental at best.

The PXT extractor in a 9mm pistol will only get worse with use. I just converted my P18-9 to Aftec with extractor sleeve and it made a world of difference in elimanating constant FTE's. Don't even bother the customer service at Para and go with the sleeve with series 80 extractor.

Nice side mount! Can you say where you got it or a brand name? thanks, Ron S.

I have two P16-40 Paras that I love to shoot and they work very well. My P18-9 with the "Power Extracter" the other hand, has been nothing but trouble with failure to extract problems. Its also been to Para's repair shop twice with no success in solving the FTE's. I've been trying to sleeve the P18-9 to use a standard 1911 extractor, but everyone is out of stock on the extractor sleeves (EGW has been out of stock since November). Apparently, so many Para owners are dumping the Power extractor that the shop making the sleeves can't keep up with the demand.

Remington 1 oz. Slugger slugs. Never had any issues with feeding, recoil or accuracy. Took 85 yard slugs shots on one stage at the Pan Am and my Saiga shot like a rifle. I've also had excellent luck with S&B buck even though it is european roll crimped. With a full choke, it patterns better than some premium buffered buckshot brands despite being very cheap shotshells.