Saiga 20Ga Jam-issue

[PryItFromMyColdDeadHands]

Will a light clay-target load cause a semi-auto shotgun to jam?

My Saiga 20ga Jams 5 out of 10 shots....what happens is the action catches the ejected shell before it can leave the breach......I have been told that using heavier ammo such as buckshot or slugs will solve the issue. Or will just buying higher end ammo fix it?........I am about to sell/trade this thing in if I can't shoot at least a full mag when I want to.

note: I am using Winchester 20ga 7 1/2oz bird right now.

 

[john1911]

What gas setting are you using?

 

[PryItFromMyColdDeadHands]

what do you mean?.....LOL sorry

 

[lipadj46]

The gas system on the Saiga has 2 settings I believe. One is for heavy loads and the other is for lighter loads. The saiga is an AK so with a good mag they are very reliable. Did you read the manual? Usually helps. I'm pretty sure they come from the factory setup to use heavy loads as that is what people generally use in them (slugs and buckshot). So try changing the setting, think it is 1 or 2.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Make sure you're on setting #2 on the gas first off.

Seondly, run heavier loads the first hundred or so to break the gun in.

 

[PryItFromMyColdDeadHands]

don't have a manual.....can anyone tell me where the adjustment is?

 

[lipadj46]

On the front of the gas cylinder there should be a 1 and a 2. Look here:

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?showtopic=262

 

[PryItFromMyColdDeadHands]

thanks alot...great link!

I will be at home soon and will check my Saiga immediately.

I do know that my numbers are not in white.....I think I would have noticed this before if they were and asked a question about them when I first got the dang thing.

 

[PryItFromMyColdDeadHands]

well I checked it and it is currently set up for light loads which is what I am firing....so if I change it to setting 1 I will have less gas according to the link there.

Could there be another problem?

 

[lipadj46]

A couple questions, is this shotgun new or did you buy it from someone? Also do you know how it got set to 2, I don't think that is the factory setting I can check with my friend's Saiga (I am getting my Saiga 12 on Thursday). I guess I am trying to figure out if it is new and stiff or broken in and possibly a bit dirty.

Yes you are correct 2 would be the setting you want. Besides the obvious stuff like clean out the gas system and clean and lube everything maybe the shot is too light. Ask over at the Saiga 12 forum also. How does it cycle with slugs, buckshot or a heavier shot load? Like Ben Sheperd suggested you can try to break it in with heavy loads to loosen everything up a bit, just make sure you switch the gas valve over to 1. From everything I have heard these are very reliable for a gas operated shotgun but they are made in Russia in vast numbers so I guess there could be a problem.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I assumed it is new by your first post? If so, my above advice stands. Run some heavier loads for the next little bit. Give the gun some time to break in.

 

[john1911]

My S12 cycles everything in position 1 (magnum setting). It doesn't kick the light empties very far, but does get them out and cycle the action.

 

[WardenWolf]

Saiga 20's, in particular, are a bit finicky to start out with. What you need to do is shoot the heavier magnum shells through it until you break it in. Once properly broken in, it'll shoot everything. If you're having problems breaking it in, though, there's a company that will do a tuneup (they call it a cycling upgrade) on Saiga 20's for $100, and this will fix them up. Check the Saiga-12 Forums for all things Saiga, including Saiga rifles.

Keep in mind that magnum shells should ONLY be shot on setting 1 unless it's failing to cycle. In which case you can go ahead and shoot it on 2 until it breaks in.