I want to buy a Saiga 12, but...

[akshooter100]

I want to get some feedback to confirm that it is reliable. Also I want know if it has the square hole in the receiver for the pistol grip nut as I would like to make the conversion when I get it. I can only imagine how much fun it must be to shoot a reliable clip fed AK shotgun.

[Tomac]

I was so impressed w/my first converted Saiga-12 from Elite Firearms that I ended up buying 2 more. My first is 100% reliable w/buck & slugs but required about 50rds to be reliable w/light loads (it's my understanding that Russian light field loads are hotter than ours so a break-in period may be required). My 2nd is 100% reliable w/buck & slugs and after 50rds of light loads still isn't 100% reliable (but reliability is significantly improving). Haven't had the chance to shoot the 3rd & newest Saiga yet. The Saiga has 2 gas port settings, '1' for heavy loads & '2' for light loads. Some have reported that after enough rds are fired they can shoot everything, light & heavy, with the gas port set to the heavy '1' setting. You'll have to cut your own square hole for the pistol grip nut but that's not hard to do w/a Dremel if you're careful.
Fun?... I'd heard of this but didn't believe it was possible until I tried it for myself: You *can* shoot 5 rds through the Saiga so quickly that the 5th rd is fired before the first empty hits the ground! The only real downside to the Saiga (IMHO) is that 8rd mags are pricey ($80+) and difficult to find (I've had 10 of them on order for over 2 months and I *might* get them in the next 2 weeks).
Tomac
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/FinishedSaigaS.jpg

[akshooter100]

Can they fire both 2-3/4" and 3" using the same magazine? Or is there dif mags for the two size shells.

[stormcaller111]

Can they fire both 2-3/4" and 3" using the same magazine? Or is there dif mags for the two size shells.

same mag for both

[avatar]

Get one you'll love it. No the square hole is not there you must cut it your self (If you use one of the TAPCO AK SAW grips you can attach it in the trigger slot and not even cut the normal openning if you don't want to). I used dimensions off the web for a standard AK rec which turned out to be slightly to the rear for the 12 guage. Fixed easy enough.

[integratedj]

What all of the other guys said. you will need to measure and cut the grip nut hole out, but it is really easy and only requires a dremel with a cut off wheel.


Mine took about 250-300 shells to get it to reliably feed and especially extract the really cheap lightweight walmart special crap shells. Now it works like a charm.


Get one, you will love it. CDNN has the cheapest prices I have seen. download their catalogue from their site and take a look. I think the ones they have left are $229 or so.

[Wesz]

Tomac what length barrel is that in your picture of the saiga?

[Tomac]

Tomac what length barrel is that in your picture of the saiga?

18.5"

Tomac

[AK_liebhaber]

anyone pay the tax and go the SBS route? I want one but plan to go with a 12-14in barrel and was curious if the gas system needed any tweaking?
also I assume the 74 sidefolder can be installed also?

[Tobacco Man]

Tomac,
Was it hard to put the folding stock on? Where did you get it? Also where did you get your pistol grip? And lastly where did yo find the 8 rnd mags
Thats a nice looking saiga.
TM

[Tomac]

anyone pay the tax and go the SBS route? I want one but plan to go with a 12-14in barrel and was curious if the gas system needed any tweaking?
also I assume the 74 sidefolder can be installed also?

I don't remember all the specifics but I believe I read over at the Saiga-12 forum than someone had experimented extensively w/cutting back the bbl on the Saiga-12 and that major reliability problems were enountered (regardless of tweaks) if the bbl was made shorter than 14". Are you referring to the '74 polymer sidefolder from the AK-100 series that folds to the left? If so then it can be installed but requires major mods to the receiver/rear trunnion. It also interferes w/mounted optics when trying to fold it. That's why I went w/the Romy folder.
Tomac

Tomac,
Was it hard to put the folding stock on? Where did you get it? Also where did you get your pistol grip? And lastly where did yo find the 8 rnd mags
Thats a nice looking saiga.
TM

Thx, TM! The folding stock was easy, exactly the same as installing it on any other stamped receiver AK: Remove 2 screws, pull the original buttstock, install the Romy folder, install the 2 folder screws and you're done! (Although I do suggest using Loctite to prevent the screws from loosening from 12ga recoil).
The pg is the Tapco SAW-style pistol grip, I find it makes recoil more manageable than the std AK pg, I keep spare PK-AS/tactical light batteries in it.
My 8rd mags haven't arrived yet (hopefully within a week or so), I ordered 5 from Assassin at the Saiga-12 forum and 5 from AndyArts on Ebay (he specializes in Russian militaria, got me some neat/rare SVD stuff earlier). Easiest way is to order from here: http://www.rusmilitary.com/html/c-deact_magazines.htm but it's going to be pricey with the dollar losing ground against the Euro. I haven't ordered from them myself but have heard good things about them from those who have.
Tomac

[Tobacco Man]

I ordered 5 from Assassin at the Saiga-12 forum and 5 from AndyArts on Ebay.

What is the addy to Assassin at the Saiga-12 forum.

I already have the folding stock, just need to get the pistol grip now.
T M

[integratedj]

Just go to Saiga12.com and look around. you will see posts by him and can contact him that way.

[mrpanzer]

Has anyone tried to bump fire their Saiga yet???


Cheers,
J

[Tomac]

Has anyone tried to bump fire their Saiga yet???
Cheers,
J

Who needs to bump? I can fire 5 rds so fast that the 5th shot is fired before the first empty hits the ground! (Does anyone know if there's a faster-cycling semi-auto 12 out there anywhere???)
Tomac

[integratedj]

Who needs to bump? I can fire 5 rds so fast that the 5th shot is fired before the first empty hits the ground! (Does anyone know if there's a faster-cycling semi-auto 12 out there anywhere???)
Tomac


Some of the Benellis are a lot faster, but also cost a hell of a lot more.


I have bumped my saiga, and let me tell you, it happens way to fast, and the last 3 shells fire way above the target.

[mrpanzer]

What kind of operating system do the binellis use? I figure that could make them faster cycling....

Cheers,
J

[JWH223]

You bumped your Saiga?....I can bump all my other semi-autos, but whenever I try bump my Saiga (just got it) it jams, like the gun needs to be stationary for the recoil to function it....what did you do differently if anything from a standard bumping?

[Enigma102083]

I've heard that EAA isn't importing Siaga's anymore. I haven't had this confirmed yet, but I'm gonna guess the price will go up. So I'm gonna grab one at the gun show this weekend before that happens :jump:

[akshooter100]

I just ordered mine from CDNN. They just raised the price $40 and only have a few hundred left. Now if can just find some mags.