Primary Arms is good stuff. I have one of their 1-4 power scopes that I had mounted on a C308. I had it leaning against the wall and it slid over landing on the top adjustment turret on a tile floor. Held zero and other than a slight scratch on the cap, was undamaged. That incident sold me on...
I like mine. bolt gap was on the minimum side, so got some new rollers for $30 and now it is perfect. It does destroy brass, if you can find it after it is thrown 20 feet.
Yeah I don't think using screws on a trigger guard is going to compromise the integrity of the firearm. I used them on a Norinco Hunter I converted, they have worked great.
I have no complaints with Arsenal, I currently own a SLR-95, which is kind of cheating since it was a 100% Bulgarian gun and I converted it as well lol. I really liked the SLR-106 series when I owned a couple of them, they treated 5.56 brass well enough to reload.
I'd like to get a 54r but I think the 308 may be better for me as AR10s are my primary long range gun and I reload. I saw on Definitive Arms website they are now doing mag conversions on the 308 Veprs so they will take SR25 pattern/Pmags
Sorry, didn't understand what you were trying to say.
I've never owned a pre-ban gun, so I can't speak for those. Keep in mind I equate quality to how well the gun is built not how close it is in configuration to an AKM. The Vepr is 100% Russian materials and workmanship when you get it off the...
I bought the PTAC 308 carbine upper with Melonite barrel and put it on a PA10 lower ( I actually order a PTAC lower but PSA upgraded it to a PA10 for free due to wait time, kudos there). The whole setup is very well made, accurate, and has functioned flawless so far. Don't shy away from the PTAC...