AOW Draco 12 gauge

[USAF_Vet]

I plan to get an AOW stamp started in the spring, and was initially looking at a Serbu Super Shorty. I got to thinking about the (to me) biggest drawback, the 2+1 capacity.

Going with a higher capacity in a Mossberg or Remington platform doesn't make much sense as I could just get a cruiser style PGO and save myself the NFA hassle.

So thinking around the problem I thought about a Draco style 12 gauge. That comes with a whole set of issues, though.
1) are Saiga 12 virgin receivers even available?
2) would a 12" barrel be enough to build up the gas pressure to cycle the piston?
2a) if not, what barrel length should I be aiming for?

As long as we're planning on an impractical AOW, might as well pull out the stops and go for broke.

 

[dogtown tom]

What would the benefit be of manufacturing an AOW? ($200 tax stamp)
vs
manufacturing the SAME firearm as a short barrelled shotgun ($200 tax stamp) and being able to mount a shoulder stock.

Adding a shoulder stock to that AOW would require another $200 tax stamp.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Only benefit is that one stamp would be approved and the other wouldn't.

AOWs are allowed in Michigan while SBR/S are not.

 

[rjrivero]

1) are Saiga 12 virgin receivers even available?
2) would a 12" barrel be enough to build up the gas pressure to cycle the piston?
2a) if not, what barrel length should I be aiming for?

Tom Cole at Cadiz Gunworks makes Receivers for Saiga's. He'll even make you an entire AOW if you have a donor Saiga 12. I would contact him. If you're going to go AOW, take advantage of the $5 transfer tax.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I was hoping to have someone build one from a virgin receiver and only have to go about the $5 transfer tax.
That's why I initially was looking at Serbu. Hadn't done a lot of looking yet, and was hoping someone could make a Saiga 12 AOW Draco.

 

[rjrivero]

You asked for it. Here you go. https://cadizgunworks.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=95

 

[crazy-mp]

They can be done but they are going to be expensive if they are done right, the gas systems on the short shotguns are very finicky. There are several manufacturers out there who claim to build them, most will only run one or two types of ammo.

The only ones I have fired that will work all the time every time are Tromix conversions.

http://www.tromix.com/saiga.htm

They are not the cheapest or the most expensive, but they work and they stand behind their products.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Yeah, that would be about what I'm looking for. Too bad it completely blows my budget out if the water. The Serbu can be had for less than $1k. Still, the Cadiz is going to remain an option, even if it means saving for awhile longer.

 

[crazy-mp]

http://www.safetyharborfirearms.com/index.php/products/shotguns

Cheaper than a SERBU and easier to get

 

[USAF_Vet]

MP, thanks for the link. I am curious if they do lefty Rem870 models.

 

[crazy-mp]

Honestly I do not know about the left hand models I have never seen one personally I am sure they could they are only modifying the barrel, tube and I think action bars nothing mechanically. They respond quick to e-mails or at least they did to mine.

 

[Girodin]

2) would a 12" barrel be enough to build up the gas pressure to cycle the piston?

You will have to shorten the gas system if you want something that will be reliable.