I've been a shotgun guy for decades. It's what I like to shoot. I've owned several Remingtons (870s, 1100s, one 1187 and an old model 11). I own a Benelli M3 Super 90 pump/semi that I've had for years. Great gun, though I'm going to sell it. I've had Mossbergs and Winchesters too. It wasn't until a month ago that I bought a Saiga 12 shotgun. So my view on this might still be a little bias towards what I've always known. I think I'm pretty open minded though.
I was introduced to the tube fed shotgun in my youth. I was trained with it in the Army, then later at Gunsite in AZ. It's what I know and what I'm comfortable with. I tended to go with a pump over a semi, but that's just me.
After a shotgun injury to my right palm (Army stuff), I had to become left handed. This greatly affected my ability to use the pump guns as easily as I had. I still do OK, but it's more challenging. Not too long after that, I started looking at semi autos instead of pumps. Nothing against pumps. It's just what worked better for ME.
My new Saiga 12 is still being "broken in" I suppose (200-250 rounds through it so far). Anything #6 shot or above cycles like a champ. It's easier FOR ME to reload than my tube guns. It cycles faster than my Benelli too, as you can see in
this video. That's not full auto either. It's a fast firing technique.
As I said, number 6 cycles great. Number 8, not so much. Check out the jams using light load #8 shot
here. By polishing up some parts and not shooting as fast, it can cycle those pretty reliably, but I want it to be 100% in order to avoid Mr. Murphy as much as possible.
Anyway, to get more on the topic of this thread.......
So, what do I think the downsides are on the Saiga? Well, many folks have already mentioned some, but I can only speak for myself what I find better on the tube fed guns over the Saiga. Forgive me if I state something that's already been mentioned....
* Most tube fed gun are sleeker and not as prone to hang up on things. The 5 round Saiga mag is fairly low profile, but not as much as a tube gun. I know shooting prone was mentioned and I can see where that might be a consideration, if you needed to do that. Of course, tilting a Saiga a little solves this with a 5 round mag.
* Definitely, the ability to cycle really, REALLY light loads has to go to the pump. Not necesarilly the tube fed semi, but the pump. The Saiga has an adjustable gas knob for shooting lighter vs. heavier loads. They make a 4 position knob that's supposed to help out in this area even more, but I don't own one of those yet, so I can't say how they work yet.
* As has been mentioned, the "assault" mystique that some people may attribute to the AK-47 can spill over towards the Saiga-12 if you want to shoot it at a public range or use it to hunt with. It sucks and shouldn't matter what the gun looks like so long as it meets the restrictions on mag capacity and whatever else may apply for whatever you're hunting, but unfortunately, in some areas of the Country, some people might give you crap about it. I used an old Colt SP1 AR15 with a Colt 22 conversion and 10 shot mag for hunting squirrels once. The GW thought I was Rambo until he saw what it was. Then he thought it was cool. I doubt all GWs will be like that though. Tube guns are usually less conspicuous.
* Domestically made and readilly available spare parts. While I really like my Saiga, if I need a new bolt for it, they're really tough to find locally. I suppose the same could be said for my Benelli though. Domestically made products help our economy too. USA! USA!
* I have to say, especially as a lefty..... I HATE THE AK STYLED SAFETY!! I'm currently designing a more user friendly safety, but we'll have to see how that goes. This isn't the thread for discussing THAT though.
Anyway, that's all I can come up with right now. Note that I didn't list the advantages of the Saiga, as this thread asked about the disadvantages. Please don't get me wrong, I really like my Saiga. I'd just change a few things. That's all.
I hope this helped.
Corbin
