Saiga 12g, how reliable?

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

After searching online a bot longer, I did get taken for about 100 bucks too much!
But since they had to order it, I got to pay it off in two payments and spread it out over two checks. The extra 100 could have gone to my conversion though!

So if you find one for 450-500 and have it professionally done with all the bells and whistles(not Tromix however 800!!), you can come out around Benelli M4 price point.

To each their own...
Still 2 Many Choices!?

 

[HJ857]

I use a Saiga 12 for 3-gun use. I bought it on a whim pretty much and since it's replaced my modified 11-87 as the shotgun of choice. I think it's more reliable than the 11-87, but not by a lot. I think the 11-87 is a more natural pointer, but the overall speed of the Saiga is unbeatable.

I think returning the Saiga to AK configuration is just a personal preference and does not much to improve anything over the stock config. This would be LAST thing I'd do to the gun.

The only things I recommend adding are the Gun Fixers gas plug. I have a feeling that the original intent of the Saiga did not include low power, cheap birdshot loads, so the oem gas plug may not work well with those loads. The new Gun Fixer plug gives you the solution to that.

http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-190/MD-ARMS-SAIGA-12/Detail

Replacing the trigger spring gives you a substantially better trigger, and lowers cycling friction. Highly recommended and an easy DIY job.

http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-328/AK47-Saiga-JT-Engineering/Detail

If you need an additional compliance part, this gas piston is dang nice and it really does help keep the gas tube clean.

http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-309/Saiga-E-dsh-tac-Gas-Piston/Detail

For competition use, or even if you just want to make fast reloads, get a magwell because they are GREAT. Research the options carefully though. I use the JT magwell that I like a lot, but limits me to using only Surefire mags.

http://store.carolinashooterssupply.com/servlet/-strse-310/Magwell-Saiga-12-JT/Detail

In my view, anything else is of questionable value for enhanced functionality. But on the other hand, tricking out your Saiga is a big part of it's appeal.

 

[Avtomat Kalashnikova]

i have a converted s12, it has been 100% reliable even with the wally world bulk, the conversion greatly improved the trigger and balance of the gun and was very easy to do

 

[cajun47]

thanks for all the info and opinions. i was thinking this "ak shotgun" was a simple no nonsense works all the time no matter what don't have to tinker with it as the ak47. i'll stick with mossberg 500, just not as cool.

 

[faizi]

thanks for all the info and opinions. i was thinking this "ak shotgun" was a simple no nonsense works all the time no matter what don't have to tinker with it as the ak47. i'll stick with mossberg 500, just not as cool.

Good decision.

 

[heviarti]

I've handled a saiga. reliable? It's a frickin' AK, MMMkay?

That being said, if you're wanting it to knock scads of starlings out of your shrubbery, Meh. You've got to run 1350fps 7 1/2 to get it to cycle. Cycles great with winchester military buckshot. I personally didn't like the gas adjuster, 'cause it wasn't infinitely variable. The factory stock has to go. It's hollow and makes a great deal of noise. Imagine beating a 2 liter bottle every time you touch the stock. I was also somewhat lukewarm about the sights. Radius was too short. Sights were too small. A stand up AK type front sight with a ghost ring rear would be a big improvement. A set of ghost rings in place of the factory sights would be an improvement, but the short radius would still chog. Just my two cents.

 

[stiletto raggio]

Saigas are a lot like "tuners," those small but fast Japanese cars that hobbyists are always tweaking. Out of the box they are not that great, but if you convert them back to the original pistol-gripped configuration and go with 10 round + mags, you have soemthing very useful. If you add a twenty round drum, you have something that is essentially unique in the field. Different matches have different rules on max capacities, but if you are already in open class, why not go big? Also, there are more and better options for replacement furniture, optics mounts, rails and muzzle devices than for any other shotgun on the market.

I have not gone to a magwell yet becuase the magwell prohibits you froom using a drum and usually requires you to go to a single kind of mag. Mike Davidson at MD Arms has reliable doublestack magazines coming out, which should translate into a 12 rounder no longer than a standard AK mag. Once he comes out with those and a magwell to fit, I will probably switch to one because they greatly increase mag change speed.

The Saiga does have a different manual of arms than even a standard AK, but they are very reliable and, once you get used to it, very fast to run. While a tube-fed may be lighter and more streamlined (due to the lack of a magazine) the Saiga is lighter than a 590 and (properly converted) much more ergonomic because your pistol grip is actually under the receiver rather than behind it. I've got five Saigas now and my growing preference for them resulted in me selling my pistol-gripped Benelli M3, which is simply not in their league.