A Barrel question about the Saiga 12...

[Saiga 12]

Does the Saiga 12 have some holes in the top of the barrel, about midway down the barrel, and on the top side of the barrel somewhere around where the gas piston selector 1/2 setting thingy is.

Either what I'm seeing are vent holes, or maybe my shotgun has a defect in the barrel, I took a surefire flashlight, and looked down the barrel, and I can't dee very well because of the angle of the barrel, but this spot looks like either a pitted area/ flaw in the barrel, or maybe it is the gas port vents.

Please let me know. So I don't look like a fool when I bring it back to the gun shop tomorrow for something that isn't even a defect...

 

[squeak003]

yes there are holes. how many depends on how drunk the ruski was when it was drilled. it allows the gasses to get to the gas puck to operate the weapon. if u pull out your gas selector this is what u will see.

or

 

[Saiga 12]

Thank you so much squeek003! You are awesome! I am happy that you posted those pictures! I was worried for nothing.

Now I need to call back my uncle who is a gun collector, and tell him that I was wrong about the defect in my Saiga 12 barrel. (I called him thinking the barrel was flawed, and asked for advice, and he said that I should take the shotgun back, because the russians are stupid!) That kind of p#ssed me off!

Now... (Spoken in the voice of stewey from family guy) I shall call him back, tell him not to worry, and gloat in his face, about how such supreme Russian engineering of the Saiga 12 gas injection port system threw my American shotgun trained eye into wonders of worry...