New Saiga 12 owner

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selector67

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Hey guys, just recently bought myself an early Christmas present, a Saiga 12 for $625 with everything you see in the pic with the exception of the 20 round drum which I bought seperately from cheaper than dirt.com. I feel I got a pretty good deal considering the bear bones plain ones go for that much. I saw that they make 30 round drums for these, but 20 is just fine with me, anything more would make it to cumbersome to move around :) Looking forward to trying her out :) 101_2301_zps8df1820a.jpg
 
Great price when you consider private sector guns are going for like 1200 ( properly converted for the most part) I'd personally take all the accessories of that thing and have it properly converted and you'll have a real gem funded by selling the accessories on there... even commercial sector is gettin at least 700 New for those bad boys.. you got a good deal..
 
I would highly suggest against using the OEM magazine. Using USA made magazines, you are okay, but with foreign made mags, you won't be 922r compliant, as it looks like you have 8 foreign parts, plus 3 foreign mag parts. I am assuming that you got a US gas puck with the gas regulator.

I like using this 922r calculator: http://jobson.us/922r/

The Saiga-12 is a great shotgun. Unlike regular AKs, you WILL have to clean up the gas tube occasionally, as it will eventually, clog up. Don't worry, it's incredibly easy, and you don't even need to do a good job.

If you want to convert to a more conventional stock, you can do it yourself, if you are remotely handy with a Dremel, and just a little bit meticulous. Or an incompetent gunsmith could do it in an hour or two.

I think you got a pretty good deal.

Enjoy your Saiga-12!
 
If I'm not mistaken, that is not properly converted?

Unless the trigger group does not move on the 12's..

Ya might want to make sure its 922r compliant.

I only know the rifle conversion though.

You got a great deal.. a steal, really.. I have seen them for about $600 converted, once or twice.. and with the market the way it is right now, and where it might be headed..

Well, I may just have to pick one up, if they are still around and reasonable in February.

I already have a decked out Mossberg 590A1.. so.. I dunno.

Either way, nice gun, nice price.. kudos brother.
 
i think you did good, what brand mags are those? those would sweet on my vepr12
 
The Saiga-12 has 15 parts that count towards 922r compliance. The magic number is a maximum 10 foreign parts.

US Parts (7):
Buttstock
Pistol grip
Fore-end
Gas Puck (I'm guessing, from the parts tubes)
Magazine Body
Magazine floorplate
Magazine Follower

Foreign parts (8):
Receiver
Barrel
Front Trunion
Bolt
Bolt carrier
Trigger
Hammer
Disconnector

So as long as the mags in use are US made, he's good to go. If, however, he uses the Russian made mag, 3 parts move from the US column to the Foreign column, and the Saiga-12 becomes non-922r compliant. Lovely, ain't it? :banghead:

I think, if he were to simply swap out the hammer, then the mags would not be a problem. Then again, I don't know if any of the compliant hammers would work with the factory trigger and disconnector. The best real reason to do the conversion, is that the factory trigger leaves much to be desired. Once converted, the trigger is surprisingly nice. I prefer it over the stock combat AR trigger.

Edit: My guess is that the 10 rd mags are ProMag. It's a good enough range mag, but there is enough anecdotal evidence showing that they probably aren't Duty worthy.
 
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I thought you didn't need to worry about compliance unless it is in fact converted. this setup is considered a buttstock not a conversion. I could be wrong but that has been my assumption.
 
You are incorrect because youve added a pistol grip.

The pistol grip (yeah i know how stupid right) is what makes this gun an assault rifle. BUT if that was a skeleton type stock where the pistol grip connected to the back of the stock, then thats legal... drrrrr stupid laws.
 
I thought you didn't need to worry about compliance unless it is in fact converted.
Click to expand...

You're not supposed to stick a 30 round mag into a all-Russian imported sporting rifle. According to BATF anyways.
 
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I thought you didn't need to worry about compliance unless it is in fact converted.
Click to expand...
Still have to be compliant.

You're not supposed to stick a 30 round mag into a all-Russian imported sporting rifle. According to BATF anyways.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily.

Thats aside.

You can be compliant witht that set up. But an important factor to remember. It is arguable that the stock does not count as 2 parts, instead only 1, because the pistol grip is attached to the stock making it one pieace.

While I always suggest and encourage following 922r compliance and the law there has never been a documented case of legal actions taken against some one for a violation. proceed at your own risk.
 
If you folks could take a look at mine to clear me up, I would greatly appreciate it. I thought I was compliant but now... I do have US booster and some other internals.
 

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Use the calculater I posted a link to in post #3. Visually, the only parts I can't verify are the gas puck, hammer, disconnector, trigger, bolt and bolt carrier. (Okay, I am assuming that you aren't swapping out the barrel, trunion or receiver.) Since it looks like youhave an aftermarket gas adjuster, I assume you have an aftermarket gas puck as well, as they usually are ordered together as a kit. Using the calculater, I came up with the list above. That is why I gave the caution message about using foreign made mags.

As it stands, US mag is okay, foreign mag is not okay.

According to the BATF, inserting a magazine into a sporter configured imported rifle is part of the "assembly process". That is why the magazine parts count is important to 922r compliance.

Now I agree that the BATF is unlikely to prosecute someone solely on the posession of one weapon that isn't 922r compliant. It's more intended to curb US importers and dealers. But I think it's good to understand the laws when an individual begins to play around with firearms configurations.

(I am in no way encouraging anyone to disregard any applicable law.) <<< CYA Disclaimer
 
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First, congrats on your purchase of an excellent shotgun. Once properly tuned, they make fine shotguns for skeet, bird hunting, and home defense. However, expect to spend some on upgrades.

Here are the musts:

1. Saiga 12 TwisterPuc. This will improve your cycling. I find it to be better than the MDArms puck.

2. MD-Arms adjustable gas plug (good), or a Tac-47 Auto Plug (ideal).

3. Poly-Choke 2.

Between these three upgrades, you will have an excellent shotgun. Additionally, you will want to break it in, if it's not already. I recommend Rio Royal #00 Buck for that. It's cheap and cycles perfectly.

The drum you ordered may or may not work correctly. I believe you purchased the Pro-Mag drum, which tends to be a jam-o-matic. The only GOOD drum for the Saiga 12 is the MDArms drum.

I guarantee you will love your Saiga 12. It's a very reliable and soft-shooting shotgun. I put 35 rounds of #00 buck through it downrange in a single range session with no discomfort whatsoever. It definitely beats a Remington 1100 any day.
 
Thanks for the clarification gazpacho. I also recommend the MD plug with a twisterpuc. Mine will now run white box ammo as it wouldn't before.
 
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