[turkeythigh]

ive been contemplating buying one. but dont really have a way to handle one before i buy it. so, i figured i would ask peoples opinions before i made my decision. construction quality, reliability, upgrades/aftermarket furniture ect.

[lipadj46]

Well I own a Saiga 12 and think it is great but at the prices they command these days you should be aware of a few things:

1) They sometimes come under gassed and have issues shooting lighter loads (RAA will warranty this if you have 2 gas vents).
2) The trigger is terrible and the only way to fix it is to convert it to the AK format.
3) They are very light (without a mag) and feel hollow so some can think they are cheap and flimsy but they are really tough.

They are really good reliable shotguns though as long as the comrades putting it together were not drunk or hungover that day (that is true of most manufactured goods though). There are tons of aftermarket support especially with the Saiga 12 as well as many great Saiga gunsmiths.

[6x6pinz]

I have the S12, S20 and the S410. Great guns one and all but as was stated before, price is getting a little high. Some have reported problems with the S20 feeding and being more picky than the other two gauges. I have not seen that with mine but the S20 is the one I converted. The 12 and 410 are main hunting guns for me.

[jbauch357]

I love my S12 - it's a great gun and even better after I finished the conversion.

You can toss 10rds (or more, depending on magazine capacity) of 00-buck downrange in a heartbeat right on target with these things.

Add a shark brake after converting and it looks Pissed!

[nalioth]

They're Kalashnikovs underneath.

Just pull off the "Klinton Klothes" and they make wonderful semiauto shotties.

[Geneseo1911]

I love my S-12. 10 rnds of 00 buck into a "reactive target" (read: old TV) is about as much fun as you can have. I wouldn't have paid what I did for it if I wasn't worried about their future importation. The fit and finish is that of a $300 gun, but they are selling for $550-600.

I always wanted a detachable mag fed shotgun, and the Saiga is more or less the only option. The aftermarket has actually gotten pretty decent, and continues to grow. www.forum.saiga-12.com is the place to go. Lots of info there. If it can be done to a Saiga, someone there has done it.

If you want one, I would get it now rather than wait. The administration could re-classify it as a DD whenever they feel like it, which would end importation. I suspect it is still far enough below the radar to be missed, but the question is, "for how long?".

[wofat226]

got my stoked

[DMGunn]

I am a rifle-only guy.....I mean WAS a rifle-only guy, until I got mine.....I agree they aren't "worth" $550 in terms of perceived quality, but I have never had more fun shooting. Just something about it........I really recommend buying one, but by all means set it up in the configuration it was designed around - and although not everyone likes the "AR stock on an AK" look, I can't say enough about how well mine swings and points in its current condition. They say having the shells centered under the receiver really makes a difference, and I think that is true.