saiga 12

Z

zahnzieh

New member
Hello, Anybody out there shoot the saiga-12? how reliable are they out of the box? Do you use the hi-cap 20round drum,and which one is better, plastic or machined aluminum? Did you spend extra for modded saiga, and which company is best for mods?thanks:D
 
I picked up a Saiga 12 about 8 years ago or so. I don't shoot it all that often, but I've never had any problems with it. I guess I just don't have need for that type of shotgun, since I usually only use them for clays.

But I just reworked mine for a fun project, changing the furniture and am looking for a few more mags for them. I've been looking at Promags, but only up to 10 rounders. From what I've seen, Promag's lower cap work well, but can be finicky with higher caps for the 12. I've no experience with the drums; they look awesome but I can't bring myself to buy one.
 
The S12 is a solid unit. I picked up a standard one about a year ago and converted mine with the Tromix fire control group and ATI stock. As for out of the box reliability I can't say as I converted it right out of the box. If you get the low brass reliability setup you can shoot cheap low recoil wally world rounds, makes for a lot of fun shooting clays. As for the magazines, I've had good luck with the gen 2 AGP 10-rounders. After extended use the lips of the magazines work loose, still trying to fix that issue. The 12 round drums work well after some use. They are fairly accurate units with slugs as well. I hope to get some deer with it this fall. Good luck and enjoy.
 
I just got 1 couple weeks ago and has work great on my reloads. those $500 drums i was told to stay away from. But the MD-20 drums i told are not that bad. but most people just told me to get 2 10 round mags. Here is a forum that just deals with Saiga gun. and is full of info.
http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?

The only mod i am doing to my gun is putting on a Barrel shroud makes the gun look cool

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67202&d=1297223308

This is the website that sells the Barrel Shrouds
http://www.1alumalite.com/s12.html
 
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great input!

Thanks for the input guys! i guess my other question would be- is a trigger/pistol grip mod the most necessary upgrade to be done to get this to fire faster. I have read that these will stove-pipe rounds without modification. I would like to take this thing hog-hunting. Also, does it beat you up using slug ammo?
 
Thanks for the input guys! i guess my other question would be- is a trigger/pistol grip mod the most necessary upgrade to be done to get this to fire faster. I have read that these will stove-pipe rounds without modification. I would like to take this thing hog-hunting. Also, does it beat you up using slug ammo?
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Doing the AK style shoulder stock/pistol grip mod (involving moving the trigger group forward) doesn't help you fire faster (I'm not sure what you mean by that). It's still one shot per pull of the trigger; anything else is not legal. It does result in a slightly more compact shotgun with slightly better handling.

I've not had any issues with stovepiping with mine. My main issue is the occasional round going nose-up to the top of the chamber. I've heard you're better off breaking it in with heavy loads (slugs, buckshot). While you do want to pay attention to the gas setting (don't run slugs through it with the valve wide open, you'll beat the rear trunnion into a real mess), it is actually a pretty soft shooting shotgun. The original stock isn't too nice (no recoil pad, so it can dig into you), if you do the stock/PG mod, then you can pick and choose the shoulder stock.
 
It's a semi-auto shotgun that runs great for what it's intended. Remember, this is an anti-personnel shotgun so slugs and buckshot are what it's designed for.

Getting the shotgun to run on birdshot, is an exercise in patience. Some folks will revert to a weaker return spring, polishing the internals, and even adding another port in the barrel to get them to run on birdshot.

I have run mine with MD Arms drums, and surefire 12 rounders. I've not run into any significant reliability issues with any of them so far. (knock on wood).

www.forum.saiga-12.com is the place you need to go to learn the ways of the Saiga. There are lots of "Saiga Tuners" that can get your gun running right.

In order to run high capacity magazines/drums you NEED to convert your saiga to meet the 922(r) requirements.
 
I have 2 ,they are converted to pistol grip . Both have the tapco triggers,and the K-Var Nato lenth stock ,polished bolts,gas holes drilled ,and barrel mounted AK type sights .I got 10 build it yourself AGP 10 round mags that I smoothed out the interiors on,and an Md 20 round drum . Factory finish sucks ,but they are 100% relieable with any shotgun shells from 2 3/4 Fedral game load to 3inch 00 buck or slugs .the Saiga would be my first choice for SD.I have seen many used with great success in 3 gun matchs. I also have a Benelli M2 and 2 Remy 870P shot guns .these are not Clay or Trap guns ,but they just plain work for SD. You do get some stange looks ,but who cares . I hunt birds with my Beretta 686 Onyx,so the Saiga's don't have to be used for hunting .I keep 1 saiga loaded at my shop ,and 1 saiga loaded at my home . The Saiga's are great for SD .They are ugly,have a cheap nasty finish,and are NOT PC ,but they excell at SD.
 
these are not Clay or Trap guns
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I own a Saiga 12. Why are they not clay or trap gun it is a shot gun and they make chokes for them. My local gun club will allow you to shoot any type of shot gun for clay, trap, or skeet.
 
If you put a poly choke or an adapter to use screw in chokes you could use one . Also the sights are NG for trap ,in fact the factory front sights are above the barrel on the gas piston houseing ( not in line with the barrel),you will have to get used to the sights or change them . If your used to putting your front sight bead at the bottom of your target,you will be shooting low.You will need to point at the center. I solved this problem by useing a AK tower type front sight with an AR 15 center post ,its dead on now .
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=919513
 
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I have had my Saiga 12 for about a year now, and I love it. Mine will cycle almost any type of load without any issues, with the exception of the Remington 100 round value box birdshot at Walmart. For some reason it would not faithfully eject the casing, and it would happen about every 10 shells or so. However, the Federals cycle great, as well as any brand of buckshot or slugs. As for the modifications, I have found that Mississippiautoarms.com has the largest selection and cheapest prices available on mod parts for the saiga, and they even have a huge selection of parts for non converted S12s. I personally have purchased/added a Tapco T6 collapsible stock w/ pistol grip, a UTG aluminum forend quad-rail, a Tapco vertical grip, a 12 round Surefire magazine, and a laser sight all for around 200 bucks. In my opinion you cant go wrong with it.
 
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