Why NOT a Saiga-12?

My Saiga has all 4 holes in a diamond pattern. I checked it when I first got it. I've polished up the carrier, the bolt, the hammer and trigger.
I should emphasize that it works when fired from the shoulder at less than 3 shots a second with the #8 shot Wally World value pack ammo. It's just when I hold it below my armpit and start shooting 5 or 6 shots a second that it messes up using those. If I put #6 loads with a tad more drams of powder, it eats it up like Rosie at a dounut shop.

If/when they get put on a list, replacement parts would depend on if they regulate those too or not. Obviously, receivers would be the same as the gun itself. Parts like bolts and such SHOULDN'T be affected, I don't think. That's not to say Saiga parts are easy to get NOW. LOL


Corbin

If it makes you feel any better, I hear a lot of people can't get them to cycle when shot from the hip. Mine's that way, too. I was surprised a gas-operated semi would do that.

Oh yeah; welcome to THR!

We all know that shooters in general are a bit Traditional -- hard for a Top Shooter to switch from a Rem/Ben. after they have been useing that type of SG for 10 plus years and many hundreds of shooting matches.

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I don't know how true this is for the guys at the top of the game. They're always on the lookout for even the slightest incremental competitive advantage, and if the Saigas were as huge of an advantage for Open class that everyone here seems to think they are, you'd see a lot more top shooters running them.

Bottom line: with the ready availability of relatively inexpensive mag-fed shotguns, the only reason tactical matches relegate mag-fed guns to Open class is because they are technologically superior to tube-fed guns.

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This is akin to saying "I could totally dominate ICORE Limited division if only those jerks would let me shoot my Mateba!" Maybe yes, maybe no, but doing so would be something of a violation of the spirit of the game. Same goes for Tactical/Limited division in 3 Gun. Such divisions were presumably created to allow people to compete with firearms that are commonly owned and/or issued. Despite the popularity of the Saigas, the vast majority of shotguns owned in this country are tube-fed shotguns and it's a bit unfair to expect anyone who wants to play to have to specifically buy an entirely new weapons system to even be able to play.

That's what Open division is all about. If you want to experiment with the big money exotic stuff, Open is your playground.


As a final caveat, I will state that my experiences with the Saigas have been uniformly positive, even to the point of recommending one of the 20 gauge models to a gentleman who doesn't have the physical ability to run a pump shotgun.

Why NOT a Saiga 12?

Already have too many toys, not enough money.

That said, people who confuse the Saiga with a clays gun just make me laugh. A Beretta 682 probably wouldn't be the first choice for military use, either.

The fact that two guns take 12 Gauge shells and huck shot downrange does not make them equivalent.

No, Saigas are NOT really meant for the duck blind... thats true... but they are not incapable of performing there... besides... how often do you shoot 3 load 3 shoot 3 load 3 shoot 3 load 3 shoot 3 load 3... etc..etc... ??!?!?

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The OP asked "why not a Saiga?"

My response was that magazine fed shotguns offered no advantages and some drawbacks in a duck blind. If you are a duck hunter, or an upland game hunter, and that is all you use your shotgun for, a Saiga is probably not the ideal shotgun. Those are reasons for "Why not a Saiga?"

If a Saiga was your only shotgun it would work for hunting. I doubt it would be most people's first choice.

I've shot Saigas. I like them. I wouldn't use one for hunting if I had any of several other options.

The mag reloads aren't particularly easy to master.

The mag release sounds like a dificult thing to master, but in reality, it's not that much more dificult to master than quick reloading a pump gun.

Also, once you've got it figured out, you can always load faster than a pump action with a tube mag.

I wouldn't tell someone that a Saiga is superior to a variety of duck guns, and upland game bird guns, but it'll get the job done.

As for combat, it's real hard to beat.

The mag reloads aren't particularly easy to master.

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It actually becomes quite simple to load a mag on a closed bolt. It just takes a little practice.

I wouldn't tell someone that a Saiga is superior to a variety of duck guns, and upland game bird guns, but it'll get the job done

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Agreed; but my big-time waterfowler buddy was licking his chops thinking about a 20 rnd drum for Snow Geese!

LOL!!!! I bet he WAS!!! ROFL!! now THAT would spit a few patterns out there REALLY FAST, wouldnt it?!?!?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6960824&page=1

Ask Eric Holder what a Saiga is good for.

I just put my order in this morning for a 24inch Saiga 12ga, they say they are shipping first thing next week, i cant wait.

I would love to have one to bring to the range, but for me I don't see a lot of use for it. It's really bulky, too.

The 12 GA version pulls up very nicely, though.

The Saiga is probably the most versatile automatic shotgun out there right now. I'd love one, but I want a benelli M1.

Versatility is better than specialization.

Hey DH...too bad they don't make a left handed one, eh?

Of course you wouldn't be able to use drums...

I like mine alot and right now I have it getting converted by red jacket in La. I thought it was only going to take 2 months, unfortunately 2 months came and went 2 months ago.

I have an 870 6+1 with 18" barrel that I once used for HD. I found that it distorts the ammo and renders it useless after setting there loaded up for awhile. I'd be in deep **** if I needed a second round.

I use my Saiga 12 for HD now. 5, 10, 13 or 20 round mags and I leave the bolt hold open engaged. I have a travelers vest loaded up with 6 (10) round mags in the pockets. Grab the vest and the loaded Saiga and I have enough ammo for the range or other possible situations.

I love my Saiga.

Just my 2 cents worth.

TTR said:

I have a travelers vest loaded up with 6 (10) round mags in the pockets. Grab the vest and the loaded Saiga and I have enough ammo for the range or other possible situations.

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Forgetting your weights on your diving expedition?

Versatility is better than specialization.

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Unless you want something specialized...

Shotguns confuse people, because they're the opposite of rifles in many ways.

There might be 10 different shotguns that are all 12 Gauges, but they are good for different things.

Then there might be 10 different rifles in 10 different calibers, and they are all good for about the same thing.

And yet, in the shotgun forum, you have people claiming the Saiga 12 is a pretty good skeet gun, whereas in the rifle forum, you have debates about .270 vs. 7mm-08 vs. 7x57 vs. 6.5x55...

Forgetting your weights on your diving expedition?

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Yes, exactly

It's really bulky, too.

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Have you had a chance to handle one? My uncoverted 19" is almost exactly the same size, shape, and weight as my 8 round Mossy 500 20". And it's thinner.

Agreed; but my big-time waterfowler buddy was licking his chops thinking about a 20 rnd drum for Snow Geese!

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I'd love to be the federal game warden who was watching him cut loose on the geese with it.

My single shot H&R 10 gauge keeps up with my buddies and their 10 and 12 gauge 3 1/2" pumps pretty well. It hits like the hammer of Thor compared to a 12 gauge 2 3/4" anything. Steel shot laws make it that way, but it'd be REALLY wicked with lead BBs. It out patterns any 12 I've ever shot on the pattern board, which is the real reason it works on geese so well.

I've never really wanted an M60 for deer hunting, either.

Have you had a chance to handle one? My uncoverted 19" is almost exactly the same size, shape, and weight as my 8 round Mossy 500 20". And it's thinner.

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Don't bother some people just hate anything other than what they like and will say anything. Its funny there is a thread over at thefiringline 3 pages long with guys going on and on about people calling shotguns shotties, whatever. I have a bunch of more traditional shotguns and a Saiga and the Saiga has it's place and it is what I will be using this year for turkey and deer hunting.

I have had both and decided I prefer the tube fed for its compactness and ease of changing shell types on the fly. Having said that, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the Saiga 12. They easily run as well as any auto-loader I have used, and are relatively soft shooting as gas actions go. I can appreciate the advantages in reloading faster. I was trained to top off as I go and so it does not bother me to do that with a tube fed, but I can appreciate why many shooters prefer magazines. Mine was a bit tricky to lock in with the bolt forward. As others have mentioned it just took practice.

I say if it works for you go for it! You are not likely to lose money on the gun if you sell it down the road.

John

You can't lose a tube mag, or drop it in combat.