[JImbothefiveth]

I have a question about the saiga 12. Apparently some people have had it crush their shells if they leave the magazine loaded, usually for about a week. Has anyone had this happen to you?

[Gunfighter123]

I have never heard of it doing so with a 5 rd. mag --- there were a FEW reports of this with the 10rd. mags when they First came out -- they had a little heavy weight mag spring -- just cut a coil off IF IT occures.

You can also grind a bit off the underside of the bolt carrier and that fixs it also.

I have left my mags loaded for weeks --- no problem -- again , they are talking if you leave a FULLY loaded mag in the gun --- easy fix , load down the mag by one or two rds. -- still leaves 9-11 rounds ready to go.

[JImbothefiveth]

Thanks.

Which magazines are the most reliable and least likely to have this occur?

[Gunfighter123]

The AGP mags are the ones I like -- new ones are all generation 2 and have the better spring etc.

http://www.saiga-12.com/products.asp

[stiletto raggio]

I have a few AGPs and factory 5s that have been loaded for months. No issues.

[SN13]

It really depends on the ammo.

I've had Federal Bird Shot sit in mags IN the gun as a test for 3 months straight and they'd still feed.

Some S&B Roll-Crimped Buckshot seems to deform so easily that I had trouble after a few days getting the top round to feed.

I find that if your top round is a 2 3/4" birdshot, there is NO ISSUE. Seems the issue is only with the 3" magnums... the extra length causes extra squishiness.

[lipadj46]

It takes a long time they say I have not experienced it. Some ways to avoid it if you are worried is to load your magazine minus a shell (less tension), Use a brass shell on top or leave the bolt locked open (this is what I do).

[Girodin]

Like SN13 I had some rounds loaded for a long time with no deformation. I tried another brand and after a couple days it was deformed to the point it would not load. I do not think there is a standard time but this may be a consideration in purchaing ammo and something that one wants to test against.

I leave the bolt back but would still prefer not to have a round that easily deforms.

[SN13]

In my personal S12, I have one Federal #7 1/2 Birdshot at the top. This covers S&B 000 Buck. Why?

#1: I've never had deformation problems with the federal. They always feed (99.999999%) of the time.

#2: If, in a sleepy state, I screw up, the Birdshot is more forgiving to walls, items, and people than 000 Buck.

#3: It only takes 2 seconds to dump all 10 shots on target. 9x 000 Buck or 10x 000 buck isn't going to make much of a difference.

~Cheers.

[Old Guard Dog]

I have heard with the 10-round mag, it is easier to insert in the gun with only 9 rounds, and if you want to leave a loaded mag in the gun for a while, only load 8 rounds, and you won't crush the top shell. I haven't had the pleasure of testing this myself. I would not cut the mag spring down. Might work, but may cause feeding problems with last rounds. I've also heard you could load the top round with a 2", and not get the crush on the nose of the full length round. I think I would only leave it loaded with 8 rounds if I were using it for HD. Keep a second loaded mag, and if you use all them up, run!!!