Storing Loaded Saiga Clips, OK?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I am seriously considering purchasing a Saiga Shotgun for home defense. I like the idea of being able to store it unloaded, but being able to load it with multiple rounds very quickly.

However, I have heard that you cannot keep shells loaded in clips since the spring pressure will squeeze the shells, make them oval and prevent them from loading smoothly.

Has anyone had this problem? Is it a just an issue with certain brands of clips?

 

[armoredman]

Magazines? Hmm, never tried that with shotgun ammo. Get about 5 magazines, load two at a time, and rotate ammo every other week, if you want. Load one up and store it separately, and check it after 6 months to see if the plastic hulls are visually out of round. Then see if they chamber in a dismounted barrel.

 

[JCMAG]

To the best of my understanding, the wear on the springs is a result of flexing up-and-down, and not compression.

But that's how I understand it. Who knows. I would go ahead and keep a magazine loaded for safety reasons...

 

[Rustynuts]

It is NOT keeping them loaded in mags, the problem is keeping the mag inserted into the gun with the bolt closed. So it's hard to keep it chambered and ready to rock. Someone came up with a pull pin idea to keep the next round off the bolt by drilling through the mag. I don't like that as in a rush you could forget to pull the pin, then after one shot....nothing!

I believe all the latest Saigas come with a bolt hold open lever. Just load the mag and insert, while locking the bolt back and keep it stored that way. No bolt pressure on the next round and all is well. Then when needed, just rack the bolt and it will load normally. This is similar to storing a pump with nothing in the chamber.

 

[lloydkristmas]

^^Agreed. Bolt locked back with a loaded mag inserted is the way to go.

 

[nalioth]

Clip:

Magazine:

Over at http://forum.saiga-12.com someone has come up with a pinned magazine ( you drill your mag, and stick a pin in it to keep the shells from getting deformed ). When ready to run, you pull the pin and go.