nothing over the top like post #8 (no offense Girodin),
I take no offense. This gun is not my go to gun, and not even my go to shotgun. I have other semis and a handful of pumps and I feel like I have a decent grasp of some of the pros and cons between them all. I do think that it is a viable fighting shotgun, but probably not for everyone (I wouldn't recommend it for everyone), more on that later. I will say I actually don’t think there’s anything really over the top about that gun though. There is nothing on it that is not on it for a reason. There are, however, a few changes I would make were I building it today or if I were to get serious about this gun again. Let’s have a look:
The quad rail serves a couple purposes. First it allows me to mount the optic and the light. Some people will say that you don’t need an optic on a shotgun. I have a bunch of shotguns without them. For an across the room defensive shotgun a RDS won’t hurt anything but may not be worth the price of admission for most folks. For a broader use tactical or fighting gun it is actually really nice to have. It is probably faster than a bead in close, better in low light, and much better for slugs. It adds capability. Whether it is an addition someone needs or will even find useful depends on how he or she plans to use that gun. Second the quad rail allows for a light to be mounted. A light is a must for a fighting gun as far as I am concerned. I like a good durable light, thus the surefire, and I like to be able to activate it whether I have the gun shouldered on my strong side or support side. Third the quad rail allows me to use a C clamp type grip that I like with my support hand and not get burned on a hot gas tube or anything else.
What would I change? The quad rail adds more weight than I would like it too. It’s not excessive or unbearable. That gun is only slightly heavier than some ARs with optic and lights that I've used. That said I could do what I wanted with just an ultimak and I likely will go in that direction one day when I get back to doing more with that gun. The light has a tape switch, which allows activation with either hand the way I like. It is not pictured. The surefire on it is a serviceable light but is an older model and a small lighter one that is just as functional could be used. The aimpoint on it is one I had available. I think that one day I will either put an RMR or an aimpoint micro on it. These sights weigh less and are something I generally prefer depending on exact use to the pro. The pro is a very good buy though and works well.
Apart from the rail, light, and optic the only other things on it are the magwell, the charging handle, the magpul stock, the sling and the stubby VFG.
The magwell is probably one of the best additions I’ve made to an S12. It makes reloads faster and much more consistent. It also makes them much easier on a closed bolt. JTE may be coming out with a new magwell and I would seriously consider changing to that one if they do. The magwell is a very functional and useful addition. Most people can’t smoothly reload an S12 on a closed bolt, if they can even do it at all. The magwell makes doing so a breeze.
Charging handle: The big knob simply makes it easier to grab. I could live without it but it is a nice enhancement with the only downside being a rather slight increase in weight. One could live without it, but I like it.
The stock does a couple things. One it allows a cheek riser that in turn allows one to actually have a cheek weld with the RDS (which is mounted lower than it is in that picture). Without the cheek riser just about any optic on any mounting solution I’ve seen is going to be too high. A good cheek weld is essential to shooting very well. The stock also adjusts which is nice. I can adjust it to accommodate a plate carrier, or winter versus summer clothing (it ranges from -5 to 105 winter to summer at my house). It also accommodates different sized shooters. I like it more than my other gun with a traditional AK stock.
The sling could easily be detached. That said I find the sling a useful addition. It makes transitioning to a handgun easier and allows for shooting the afore mentioned handgun with two hands instead of one when one transitions. It also allows one to sling the gun which can be useful for any number of reasons (note it is a convertible single point/two point sling).
The VFG, I use it as a point to index off. One could do the same thing with a hand stop or an AFG. It’s not essential but I do like having something to index off. I have been playing around with different options on this gun and some others. I’ve had it bare, with an AFG, a VFG, and with a hand stop. One day I may totally settle on just what I like and then set them all up that way, but I haven’t yet.
In sum, there is nothing there that doesn't do something and nothing to crazy. I have another S12 that is much more stripped down. The only thing I like about it more is the weight. It’s not that the gun pictured above is unmanageable or anything. And in fact the weight is surely part of what helps to make it a very soft shooter. However, If I were going to get more serious with that gun again I would make changes to shave some weight as I generally like to keep a gun lighter is possible. Dumping the quad rail for an ultimak, using a lighter optic/mount, using a lighter light/mount, would make a difference. If I were really serious about it I might even SBS the thing. I’m actually leaning more towards SBSing a MKA 1919 to be honest. It has a number of advantages vis-à-vis the saigas.