Shear_stress
Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2005
- Messages
- 2,728
What's better than an AK?
. . . A 12-gauge AK, of course.
For those of unfamiliar with them, Saigas are made in Russia by Izhmash and are built around a modified Kalashnikov action. The magazine above is a five-rounder, though eight-rounders are floating around. Domestically produced ten rounders are also coming onto the market.
Anyway, word has it that Saigas are some of the softest-shooting, most reliable semi-auto shotguns out there. This is a plus for recoil sensitive wimps like myself (my Ithaca 37 used to leave me black and blue). Unfortunately, the importation of Saigas has been in on hold for the last year, and the entire inventory was wholesaled at firesale prices through CDNN. I missed the boat then due to the laws of the state I lived in. Since moving to a free state recently, I have been itching for a Saiga.
To my dismay, the supply of 12-gauge Saigas has all but dried up. Last week I called thirty gun stores in a hundred mile radius without success. One store had a twenty gauge and another a .410, but I had my heart set on a twelve. A gun show last weekend also came up empty. There is the internet, of course, but the prices of used Saiga-12s have gotten out of hand.
Then, this morning, I got a call from a store I contact previously. As it turned out--they did have a used Saiga-12 in stock. I nearly broke a leg running to my car and giggled madly during the too-long drive to the store.
The gun in question has a chrome-lined 22" barrel, a fixed full choke, and accepts 2 3/4 and 3" shells. Like other Saiga shotguns, it has a two-position adjustable gas system to accomodate everything from skeet to magnum loads. My Saiga was marked $325, but I paid much less. Why? Despite the apparent demand, this one had been languishing on the shelf for some time and the shop was happy to be rid of it.
My Saiga-12 was used, but in excellent condition. The bad news is that it came with only one magazine. The good news is that our friend Correia is a Saiga distributor and expects new guns and accessories to be available very soon. I can't wait.
I'll post a range report soon.
Happy new year!
Edited to add: interestingly, my Saiga was not imported by EAA, but by some company called "Kalashnikov USA".
Edited to clarify magazine status,
. . . A 12-gauge AK, of course.
For those of unfamiliar with them, Saigas are made in Russia by Izhmash and are built around a modified Kalashnikov action. The magazine above is a five-rounder, though eight-rounders are floating around. Domestically produced ten rounders are also coming onto the market.
Anyway, word has it that Saigas are some of the softest-shooting, most reliable semi-auto shotguns out there. This is a plus for recoil sensitive wimps like myself (my Ithaca 37 used to leave me black and blue). Unfortunately, the importation of Saigas has been in on hold for the last year, and the entire inventory was wholesaled at firesale prices through CDNN. I missed the boat then due to the laws of the state I lived in. Since moving to a free state recently, I have been itching for a Saiga.
To my dismay, the supply of 12-gauge Saigas has all but dried up. Last week I called thirty gun stores in a hundred mile radius without success. One store had a twenty gauge and another a .410, but I had my heart set on a twelve. A gun show last weekend also came up empty. There is the internet, of course, but the prices of used Saiga-12s have gotten out of hand.
Then, this morning, I got a call from a store I contact previously. As it turned out--they did have a used Saiga-12 in stock. I nearly broke a leg running to my car and giggled madly during the too-long drive to the store.
The gun in question has a chrome-lined 22" barrel, a fixed full choke, and accepts 2 3/4 and 3" shells. Like other Saiga shotguns, it has a two-position adjustable gas system to accomodate everything from skeet to magnum loads. My Saiga was marked $325, but I paid much less. Why? Despite the apparent demand, this one had been languishing on the shelf for some time and the shop was happy to be rid of it.
My Saiga-12 was used, but in excellent condition. The bad news is that it came with only one magazine. The good news is that our friend Correia is a Saiga distributor and expects new guns and accessories to be available very soon. I can't wait.
I'll post a range report soon.
Happy new year!
Edited to add: interestingly, my Saiga was not imported by EAA, but by some company called "Kalashnikov USA".
Edited to clarify magazine status,
Last edited:
Thanks for the mention. If anybody wants one give me a call.
