Saiga12: The Wrapup....

[Dave McCracken]

This is a followup to a pair of threads, for the whole story use Advanced Search, type in Saiga and my name as author....

Last weekend I went back to the shooting pit with the Saiga and ran some rounds through it while plinking at trash targets on the backstop. The goal was to find out what ammo issues it would have, if any.

Ammo included:

Rottweil Brenekke 1 3/8 oz, 3" slugs.

Winchester 1 3/4 oz 3" turkey loads in 4 shot.

OLD (60s) Remington 1 1/2 oz short mag goose loads with lead 2s.

Federal 15 pellet 00 3" loads.

And a pair of my 7/8 oz target loads.

Those last had the only problem. One failed to eject and it took a quick rack to return things to normal.

I wore the PAST pad and used a far forward stance with those shoulder busters.

Results were nigh perfect,except for that target load. All ammo functioned, though the slug hulls flung far from the others.

Both the old goose loads and those 15 pellets 00 loads appeared on the berm to have some area interdiction use. No choke meant lots of spread.

And yes, recoil was quite emphatic. The turkey loads were rough.

This wraps up my T&E.

Conclusions:

The Saiga is a viable choice as a fighting shotgun. Were it mine, I'd get the conversion done to clean up the trigger and put a decent set of sights on it.

I still prefer my 870s, but this would be my second choice.

Now to clean it, box it up and ship it back to the owner.

And thanks, you know who you are....

 

[lipadj46]

Were it mine, I'd get the conversion done to clean up the trigger and put a decent set of sights on it.

That is what I did. I should be getting it back this week. I had it converted by Cadiz Gun Works while they were doing warranty work (2 hole special). I ended up having them put on a Krebs ghost ring site. The front site is moved to the end of the barrel so it increases the sight radius.

Thanks for giving the Saiga a fair and unbiased look. I know some people just dismiss them for whatever reason but they truly are a really solid useful shotgun.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Thanks for the report Dave. Good read. IIUC, if one were to buy a choke set for it and do some patterning, it's an acceptable shotgun for serious work?

 

[Dave McCracken]

It's a good choice for serious work.

I'd like to see a full tilt Briley job on a Saiga barrel.

Slight overbore, long forcing cone, set of choke tubes.

The Saiga deserves a fair trial. While no claycrunching target gun or a decent quail tool, it has a niche.

Now to clean this and return it to the owner.

Anyone want to tell me how to get into the gas system?

Thanks....

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Have you ever torn an AK apart? It's just like that. Pull the dust cover and remove the recoil spring. Then slide the bolt and carrier assembly out the back. Then the additional step of depressing the little plunger right on the front of the gas system and then screwing the plug with "1" and "2" stamped on it all the way out, then the puck(piston) should slide right out.

The gas tube will come off if you rotate the lever by the side of the rear sight up until the respective bevels on the rear of the tube and crosspin clear each other. Then the rear lifts out and you slide it back just a touch to clear the gas block. It might take a little pressure to lift it out, but it'll come. Cleans out easily with a 12 ga bore brush and some hoppes #9.

BTW: Did you try the 7/8 oz loads on setting 2, or was it on 1? If it was on setting 1(the "1" next to the detent plunger) it's not suprising the light loads didn't cycle, those light loads don't produce a lot of gas, and on setting 1, the ports are fairly restricted. You'll see how it all works when you screw the plug all the way out and see the bevel cut in the back of it.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Never did an AK, Ben, did have an SKS for a while.

Setting 1. I expected them to glitch, only one did.

Thanks.....

 

[Gunfighter123]

Good job Dave ,

It is GREAT to see a honest review of the Saiga S-12 from a Moderator.

From MANY posts about the S-12 , I know it can be a VERY touchy subject for many members here.

Again , many THANKS , for your unbiased report.