[Navy87Guy]

Well, after debating between 12 and 20 gauge, I ended up buying a Saiga S12. I picked it up this week and took it to the range on Saturday. I ran about 25 rounds of target loads through it with no problems whatsoever.

I got all the parts in and converted it to the AK-style over the weekend (and yes, everything is 922R compliant). Here are the before and after pics:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/889657/SaigaS12BeforeAfterPics.jpg

I still need to add a ghost ring sight (Kreb's Custom) and a sling. For now I have the low-rise scope mount to accept my EoTech Holosight. I also have a PolyChoke on order that should be here on Tuesday. Once I get that, I'll spend some time patterning some different loads to see what I've got.

I'm pretty happy with my new Russian toy!

Jim

[Dave McCracken]

Nifty. Let us know how it shoots...

[hankdatank1362]

May I ask a rough estimate of how much you have tied up in the whole shotgun, conversion and all?

[Navy87Guy]

Hank -

I paid $415 for the gun and right around $100 for the conversion parts (buttstock, pistol grip, pistol grip nut, fire control group). So the basic AK-style gun ran me about $525. Now, when you start adding the "extras", it can add up. The 10-rd mags (nice to have - the factory mag is a 5 rounder) are around $50 each. I also ordered a PolyChoke instead of getting individual chokes, so that was another $100. I already had the low-rise mount for my 7.62x39, so that's a "freebie".

You can certainly spend a lot on one of these makiing it "tacticool". I really like the idea of it having the same basic manual of arms as my AK rifle. I also like the vertical grip for stability and comfort.

Jim

[silverlance]

can you describe in breif the conversion details?

[Navy87Guy]

The conversion mainly involves repositioning the fire control group. The basic Saiga conversion is covered in the tutorial found here: http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/index.htm

You have to take off the trigger guard, remove the stock FCG and replace with a standard AK set (like a TAPCO G2). On the S12, you need to cut a hole in the bottom of the receiver to install the pistol grip nut. Then you install the stock, PG and button everything back up.

I started my conversion Saturday afternoon when I got back from the range and I was done on Monday morning. That's taking into consideration the fact that I shot a USPSA match on Sunday and it was my wife's 4oth birthday. In other words, it's not that hard!

Hope this helps,

Jim

[physics]

That looks real nice... I personally wouldn't mind tromix-ing mine. Just don't have the money yet... =(

[KMD]

Man I really wish I could get one of those. :(