Used Saiga 12 buyer's checklist. Can you add to it?

P

Pond James Pond

New member
There is a used Saiga 12 on sale locally.

I've decided I'm going to have a look at it.

At the moment my list of things to check are purely the common sense types: any signs of damage, excessive wear etc.

However, I have no specific knowledge of Saigas. I've read about sight alignment issues, port holes not being sufficient in size or number etc.

How do I check for such things?
Which other checks would you recommend?
When I open the breech, what should I look for?

These kinds of issues would be very interesting and useful!
Thanks in advance.
 
To check for the gas ports, the easiest method is to use a flashlight and maybe a paper clip (straighten it, then bend about the last 5-7 mm at a sharp angle... about 120 degrees from straight). You see what you can see with the light and poke the paper clip into each gas port.

Other than that, they're very simple guns; there's just not much to go wrong.
 
Probably means ammo with no. 8 pellets, which are usually target loads.
If it cycles this, it will no doubt cycle stronger rounds.
But if it doesn't cycle with light loads, it's only a problem if that is the ammo you intend to use.
If you like the gun and want to buy it, don't sweat the ammo so much.
Just find what it likes and that's what you use.
You know, like a .22
 
If the gun will cycle a standard target load (usually number 9, 8, or 7.5 shot), then it means the gun has enough gas for most anything you'd do with a S12. The only lighter loads you'd come across are usually for target games only, and even then anything lighter than that (1 1/8 ounces of shot at 1300 feet per second or so) usually is labelled as not likely to cycle a semiauto.

If it cycles those target loads, it will cycle slugs and buckshot with zero issues. If it won't cycle those loads, it might still cycle the heavier loads, but it's an indicator that you aren't getting enough gas to operate the thing.
 
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