Saiga 12 Tactical... Worth it?

[Psywarrior13]

As I continue the search for weapons to add to my collection, one that is obviously missing in a good HD shotgun. Of course, I have been looking at Mossbergs and Remingtons, but I ran across the Saiga 12 while I was looking at an AR 15 on Atlantic firearms website. As cool as these weapons look, looks have never automatically meant functional. So my question would be, if price is not a factor, is the Saiga 12 a worth while weapon?

Thank you

 

[john1911]

Depends on the price.

I really like mine. I've found it dead nuts reliable. Easier to swap mags than load a tube.

 

[Jeff F]

It's the AK of shotguns.

 

[machinisttx]

Ten round mags are $50 each. It's got all the faults of a regular AK. I haven't gotten around to converting my IZ 108 yet, and probably haven't run two boxes of ammo through it. Seems to be a good gun in the very limited shooting I've done.

If I was limited to one shotgun(and especially for HD), it would be an 870.

 

[Daemon688]

I have 3 handguns, 10 rifles, and 1 shotgun. I only need one shotgun because the S-12 fills all the roles. Since there are really no competitors to the converted S-12 it's worth every penny, even if it came in at $900-1000 price range. Of course, I got mine for considerably less and it seems Saigas are the only new gun that actually appreciate in value.

 

[PT92]

I have the Saiga MP12 and it is dead reliable.

-Cheers

 

[clarence222]

Don't know how true this is

I spoke to a guy at the NRA show in Louisville this past May who said he was the importer for the Saigas. According to him the factory was in the middle of retooling at the time and should be getting more in the country sometime this summer. If so they should run about $500 new when they arrive. If you can wait until they get here (if they are even coming) then you should be able to do the conversion for a lot less than what Atlantic firearms are selling them for. I personally have one and am anxiously awaiting another one when they start coming in again.

 

[Girodin]

I really like the siaga 12. Unless you buy multiple 10 round mags the S12 loses many of its advantages. I mention that so you can plan on figuring those into the price as well.

Some other things to think about.

Platform and ergos:
How do you feel about AK ergonimoics and layout? I like having a shotgun with the same saftey, mag changes, etc. Other people hate AK ergonomics and they are a turn off.

Conversion:
Is this something you want? Are you willing to do it (its not real hard) if not paying for it adds a bunch of $$$. Even if you do it your self you need to add a couple hundred dollars for parts.

High points of the gun.
-It is a soft shooter
-Ten round mag capicity (20 round drums are being made)
-Fast, you can put a lot of lead down range very quickly with one. You can have eight empty shells in the air at once with out much effort.
-Very reliable (especialy for gas gun)
-It garners lots of attention (for some this may be a low).

Lows:
-Price is climbing and the availability is low.
-Mags are expensive and can be hard to find at times
-Finish is cheap and not what one thinks of for a $500-800 gun (IMO).

In terms of sheer performance I think it stacks up to anything out there.

 

[PT92]

I will be really interested to see if the US adopts this platform relative to the police/military spectrum. I love the Remington 1187P but this Saiga 12 may provide a tactical advantage worthy of consideration.

-Cheers

 

[Zoogster]

The Saiga 12 can slightly crush and deform shells in loaded magazines over a period of time. That can cause them not to feed reliably. It takes a strong spring to reliably feed numerous heavy shotgun shells the length of its compression.

Since a defensive or service weapon is often kept loaded for many months or years before it is used, that could lead to a very bad surprise to the person who has thier life on the line. The distorted shells can jam the action.

If I was going to keep loaded magazines for a Saiga 12 for defensive purposes I would seriously look into the all brass shotgun shells and stay away from plastic hulls except for range use or when loaded for short term purposes.

 

[jpatterson]

They probably function well and are solidly built, but man, I think they're hideous

 

[FSJeeper]

I bought 2 Saiga 12's and am in the process of learning to trust them for HD.

They are my favourite guns. No complaints in anyway except no bolt hold open but that can be easily modified. Accurate, totally reliable, and with the factory stock, very comfortable.

I have no desire to convert them to tactical models because they feel perfect the way they are. I like mine factory stock and will not convert them.

That said, my Bennelli tactical is perfect. I think the tube load is more practical than the clip because you can reload as you shoot instead of waiting for a clip to empty.

The Jury is still out for me on the Saiga 12, but they are my favourite gun and may earn the right to be my primary HD weapon. I just need to spend a lot more time with them.

 

[Psywarrior13]

It's the AK of shotguns

I love AK's

How do you feel about AK ergonomics and layout?

Love it!

Is this something you want? Are you willing to do it (its not real hard) if not paying for it adds a bunch of $$$. Even if you do it your self you need to add a couple hundred dollars for parts.

Never done anything like that... Some reason the Army always frowned upon conversions....
But, I like working with my hands, and I'm sure that if I ran into any problems I can get help from the good people at THR or my smith.
Besides it could be fun

Is there any particular site that generally has the best deals on these (gun and mod parts) that I can be watching?

I think I am gonna go ahead and get one in the next month or two. Thanks for all the help

 

[PT92]

Zoogster,

Talk to some patrol cops and ask them about their squad car 870's that are left in the car all year long through the weather extremes. They have the same cycle issues that you mention regarding the Saiga and that's using a pump. I think it's just a shotgun issue in general but I would surely be cognizant of such if I were to stake my life on it. And by cognizant I mean I would periodically cycle my ammo.

-Cheers

 

[Psywarrior13]

The Saiga 12 can slightly crush and deform shells in loaded magazines over a period of time.

This is never a problem with any of my weapons... its kind of sad, I am really OCD about rotating ammo (among other things with my weapons) in my HD weapons ever week or two...

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It's a bit more "cool" than it is truly "tactical", relative to a standard tube mag home defense S.G., due to the weight, awkwardness of the long mags, and poor ergos. BUT.. it is in fact very reliable and has a very high cycle speed, so it can serve admirably as a real home defense gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUe4NWiOq5A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwIITTwh1DY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwIITTwh1DY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xYJ3NB8Ag&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIk7jUZHEwU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZeXWJOl1H8&feature=related

look at the flames coming out of the ejection port on that last one!