Saiga vs. traditional mag tube tactical shotgun

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"If you think a gas operated shotgun kicks more than a pump I doubt you even fired it."

Yes I shot it. Perception comes from many things. I believe the hard dense and thin decelerator, combined with the lack of 'fit' to shoulder/cheek, etc. is what caused it to feel like it kicked more, then a nice 870 with a walnut and R3 (with excellent fit). My 11-87p (also a gas gun) kicks less (though she is heavier and thus should shoot lighter) and definitely my modded 870P's in SpecOps stocks with VC bbl work are pussycats compared to the S12. Why do I get the feeling that any criticism of the S12 will be reacted to like spit in the eye?
 
CBRGator, good for HD compared to what? Any gun that you can use with skill is good for HD. A hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 12 gauge, they say.
 
CBRGator, good for HD compared to what? Any gun that you can use with skill is good for HD. A hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 12 gauge, they say.
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Compared to a Mossberg 930.
 
You can buy a Mossberg , chances are the value will not go up much in the future.
Or you could buy a Saiga --- almost a sure bet to increase in value.

I think you already know my thoughts as to your question asking if a S-12 is good for HD ----YES
 
If you don't have loaded mags nearby, the 930 might actually be better.
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I keep mine with a 10 round mag (loaded with 00 buck) in it with the bolt locked back. I also have 2 other 10 round mags loaded with 00 buck and another 4, 5 round mags loaded with slugs. All mags are in a shoulder slung bag that I can pick up quick. So that is 50 rounds of double 00 buck I have in one neat package no fumbling around for shells in the middle of the night.
 
Well, haven't heard anything convincing enough to the contrary so, looks like I'm ordering one Monday. :) YAY
 
Well, haven't heard anything convincing enough to the contrary so, looks like I'm ordering one Monday. YAY
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Do yourself a favor have whoever you are buying it from to remove the gas plug and count the number of gas vents. If it only has 2 or 3 (with 1 or 2 partially blocked) don't buy it. You want 4 unblocked gas vents or at least 3 unblocked. The feeling is the new models may have 3 larger holes but 4 is ideal. Supposedly a batch of shotguns bound for the Russian military got sent to RAA and these were made to function with 3" buck shot shells so only 2 holes were called for. You will probably not be able to cycle any low brass shot shells if you have a 2 hole model. RAA will have you send it to Cadiz Gun Works in Ohio to get it fixed and they will pay for shipping each way. But it sucks to get a shotgun and have to send it right away to get fixed. I know this because it happened to me and if it happens to you just call Clyde from RAA and he will put you in touch with Tom Cole from CGW.
 
Probably not and I am not sure if they would be willing or able to look for you. It is worth a try though. Just something to keep an eye out for when you get it. Like I said RAA is fixing them under warranty and supposedly it is like a 10 day turn around. I sent mine in but weaseled my way onto the conversion list at CGW so I have not got mine back yet.
 
Hey Bob. Good to see you over here too.

He's right, Tromix makes DIY parts which really ease the conversion.

There are other manufacturers of similar parts, and they are good as well.

If you own a Saiga12 and have never been to Saiga-12.com, you're missing out.
 
Wow. All the negativity regarding the S-12 is surprising to me. I've used a few shotguns in the past with little to no enthusiasm. In fact, I am in the middle of pheasant country, and have never willingly gone bird hunting. Well, that was before I got my Saiga.....now I am out with a friend shooting clays anytime the temp is above 25F, and I can't get enough of the damn thing. It points so instinctively (with a cheap M4-type stock), that I have trouble missing! I love the thing. Yeah, its a little rough around the edges, like anything Russian, but it cycles anything, and contrary to other opinions, is quite light and pointable, at least in its current configuration - I agree it is quite a different story in stock condition. I am now hooked on shotguns, and will be hunting pheasants with gusto this year.

I suspect you will be very happy that you went ahead and bought one.
 

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I believe there are only a few vocal Saiga 12 haters here. I've said a bunch of times that the S12 points and aims as well as any other platform it just take a bit of acclimation. I believe even the moderator here did a big writeup on the S12 a while back that was positive. They do have there issues though and you have to be willing to fix them or ignore them. One problem that is hard to ignore these days is the huge batch of Saigas with too few or misaligned gas vent holes. Mine is at Cadiz Gun Works getting fixed under warranty. I was worried at first about the warranty but RAA is a stand up bunch.
 
It is easy to tell who has used a Saiga and who has just held one. These guns just seem to automatically point to target. I believe that the heavier barrel weight over the light stock helps the shooter to follow through and hit the moving targets much more effortlessly. I took several novice shotgun guys out shooting clays. They brought their rem 870's and defenders and were doing ok for new guys to the shotgun world. I would follow up and clean up any birds they missed with my S12. My S12 only has a polychoke on it, I use if for duck/geese and ocassionally dove. When they used my S12 their percentages imediately jumped to around 80 percent of birds hit on first shot. All three of them now own S12's two in 19 and one in 24" barrels. This coming dove season is going to be rough on the birds here in AZ.

While I don't like a shotgun for HD and I would trust my Saiga's with my life I don't think any mag fed, tube or detachable, shotgun would be a good choice. Stay with a double barrel and call it good. I don't invision twenty intruders coming in at once so the need for multiple rounds is just silly.
 
Hiya 6X6 ,

I'm glad to hear you like your S-12 , mine has become my favorite SG.
I just want to make a point that around here { Chicago area } I don't feel like my dbl. brl. SGs would be enough for SD. -- the reason being , Bad Guys rarely are alone when they do violent crime --- if there are three or four BGs in a car and they have a "beef" with you , they can call on their cell phone and another 2 or 3 car loads can show up within minutes { even before the police } --- now you could have from 5 to 20 "bangers" to deal with. The BGs run in packs around here and in most large urban areas.
Just my reason for having the S-12 as my main shotgun.
Stay safe , GF123
 
I guess we are lucky. All we have to deal with are the illegals. If you drop one the rest run. I personally don't like the idea of a shotgun for SD. A good hi cap pistol works much better for me. If I had to choose a SG I would want one that I knew was going to work. I see your point if you are concerned about more than one or two bad guys though.
If you missed it check out my new toy, I bet it would work well for HD. It is a Safir T14
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