Saiga 12 ga. owners

[Schuetzenman]

How do you like your 12 ga. AK's? Do they work reliably as the typical rifles do? Post your real life experinences on how you like this weapon.

[Price001]

I have an older import from EAA. 19" barrel, fixed sights, original stock config. Very fun gun to shoot. Easy to bump fire and it will shoot as fast as your finger can cycle. With AGP arms releasing 10 round mags these will get alot more popular.

[sarman]

I've got a RAA 19" barrel, rifle sites (not the rail), monte carlo stock.

It's shot everything I've ever thrown at it, it shoots slugs with amazing accuracy, and the kick is fairly low for a 12ga. I like the stock, it fits me well. The trigger is surprisingly good for an AK with a smooth takeup and a short and crisp second stage.

I've only got two complaints and they're minor:
I don't like having to change the gas setting. It's nice to be able to change it but if you forget and shoot slugs on the birdshot setting you risk damaging the gun. This is a pretty minor gripe as it's not really a big deal to just check before you load.
The fit and finish are typical AK, a bit rough. I need to loctite the handguard screw as it keeps coming loose. So do the buttstock screws on my SAR, that's why I call this typical.

Be aware that RAA imported some guns a few months ago that had short barrels and have the chokes welded on. If you have the option I would get a gun without the welded choke, it opens your options for both chokes and brakes.

If you like AK's you'll love the Saiga.

[Bettendorf]

I have an older import from EAA. 19" barrel, fixed sights, original stock config. Very fun gun to shoot. Easy to bump fire and it will shoot as fast as your finger can cycle. With AGP arms releasing 10 round mags these will get alot more popular.
I have the same shotgun. No problems at all after about 600 rounds or so. I shot trap aand skeet, slugs, lots of buck shot for 3 gun matches. It's my only shotgun right now and with my being here, I miss it dearly. Waiting for the 10 round mags. Ordered 8 of them things. Hope they will work! I ordered one of them russian folding stocks for it from cope's too even though I do like the factory stock a lot and think it points well.

[zzdroptop]

I got mine and converted it with the intention of using it for home defense only. Well I just had to try it out on some clays with my brother....We were both amazed at how quick we could aquire and shoot the clays with the Saiga. I fed it Win Super AA loads without a single hick-up. Heck if I can find a couple of 2 rd mags Im gonna use it on my labor day dove hunt in South Ga.(the look on some of my buds faces will be priceless when I pull the S12 out).Ive also ran various buck thru it with no problems. I keep three mags stoked with #4 buck near by at home incase I should need to take care of business. Get one ....convert it.....youll lve it.

[AKTexas]

I love mine,sorry no pics yet.Converted to pistol grip,flash hider and the Russian tactical handguard and folding grip.

I ran about 200 rds of left over reloads,and mix match left overs and not one problem with the shotgun,I have one dud fail to burn the power and I had to clear the bore,some of the wad was stuck.Cleared it with a bit of twig debris off the ground.Reloaded the mag and when right back to pulverizing the silhouette.

I named my S-12 the thumper.

[DYI]

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/29580P5010199.JPG

Mine is one of the early imports. I love it, its probably my favorite in my collection.

The only thing I would complain about, it once you put the 74 style stock on, its really hard to see the iron sights (really low for the hunting stock).

Of course the red dot takes care of that. I think someone is selling replacement rear sights that are taller.

The only issue I have is that occasionally the last 2 3/4" shell will get stuck on the bullet guide. This has to do with the way the last round sits on the follower in the 8 round mag. The guide should be about 2mm longer. 3" are no problem at all. Oh and I can hit bullseye slugs at 50' on the iron sights (3" mag slug).

I'm still waiting on the elevated Russian front and break from russeller:
http://akstore.xpsweb.com/pic/s12fh_sight_t1_.jpg

[Shep]

The Saiga-12 is hands down the most reliable and kick-ass shotgun I've ever owned. It was a 22" model with the rib sight but it has since been cut back to 19", converted to pistol grip and the rib has been removed and replaced by a simple bead. It has reliably cycled everything that I've tried in it so far, all on the #1 setting (restricted gas flow for highpower shells) including Walmart low-brass, practice ammo.
This gun is really fun! I make it a habit to save every plastic container that comes through my house (milk jugs, juice, water, dish soap bottles you name it) so that it can be filled with water and blasted. Take a bunch out to the range and randomly set them out from five to 15 yards away, then blow through them as fast as I can. With enough jugs I can practice reloads as well.
The only problem I've had to date is one stovepipe which came after shooting 36 rounds of Wolf 00 buck and another 17 of the cheap Walmart stuff. It was the last round in the mag and I think the failure was caused because the Wolf ammo is very dirty stuff which doesn't use a shotcup so you get lots of fouling in the gas chamber. Couple that with the low power shell and the #1 gas setting and it isn't surprising.
This is my home defense gun and I'm now using Federal Tactical 00 buck loads which is cleaner and makes recoil very easy to handle for fast follow ups. Eventually it may go to Tony Rumor of Tromix for him to work some magic on but for now the only plans for further improvment is a railed lower from Cope's so I can get a light mounted on it. Current mods include a Kmart NATO length stock, BlackJack buffer and BlackJack SWIFT lever with the BHO cutout which I consider a must have for this shotgun.

Get one! You won't regret it!


Shep

[lightning 351]

just got mine from fbmg,100% reliable with everything.IMO THE BEST semi auto shotgun going,hands down.i have the 19 inch model(109).cant wait to buy another.

[sopmod]

I've got about 4,000rds through mine with nary a hiccup.

[aksforme]

Bro. I have seen your posts, and you mine, for about five years (of course I was under a different name before that Bowhunt asshole got me banned for telling the truth about his buddy Gary Gucciano--before the feds descended upon him and all the lawsuits came down--mine included. I was trying to warn the site's members when Bowdick banned me). As such, all I can say about the S-12, with all the aforementioned credibility can buy me, is that I now have 2 and I suggest you get one for more fun and firepower that anyone can have with their clothes on.

[integratedj]

I have one of the 19in threaded models from when EAA imported them. Pistol type sites were originally on it. Mine is 100% flawless with anything 3", and any high brass 2 3/4". The only thing I will sometimes short cycle on are the Remington and Federal light crap bulk packs from Walmart.

It is probably the most fun I have shooting. That includes shooting with my suppressor, or my SBR. I love the S12.

I can't wait for Kevin to get his mags done.


Here is mine now...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/jscorey/IMGP0860.jpg

[Punk]

Love my Saiga 12, put probably close to 1K rounds through it with never a single problem, cycles even low power loads on gas setting one. Finally got some extra mags last week. Me and my brother had fun this past weekend trying to get to 2 hits on a thrown 5 gallon bucket lid. The first shot is easy of course, but it sends the lid for a ride, it's a tough follow up shot!

If shooting a Saiga 12 doesn't put a smile on your face you must be half dead!

[gun papa]

I have had mine when CDNN had them for less than $300. Bolt hold open is a plus. I have never removed my choke. I have at least 1000 to 1500rds through it without a failure. Works very dirty as does an AK. Even functions with Wal Mart Cheapy ammo on the restricted gas setting.

I did have the dust cover shutter break off, but its a minor almost cosmetic piece that didn't effect shooting the shotgun. EAA replaced it for free, and no problems since.

The "sporting style" stock is actually pretty damn good. Natural pointer, and moves well around corners. Switching from right to left is smooth.

I toy with converting to pistol grip but I am afraid it will effect reliability.

So far the Saiga12 kicks mucho ass. papa

[ironhead7544]

I have shot all manner of assault weapons, semi and full and the Saiga-12 impresses me the most. Like the others have said its simply kick-ass, the best discription I can come up with. Light recoil and almost pinpoint accuracy with slugs. I put out milk jugs at 100 yards and shoot them rapid fire with slugs. I have shot over 100 slugs in a day with no problems. 20 rounds with my pump action practically maims me. You wont understand until you shoot one. The Wolf slugs are great for this gun. They are loaded a little lighter than the US slugs and are very accurate. Get one. You will like it.

[zzdroptop]

The "sporting style" stock is actually pretty damn good. Natural pointer, and moves well around corners. Switching from right to left is smooth.

I toy with converting to pistol grip but I am afraid it will effect reliability.



Trust me....convert it ...you want be sorry. The gun feels perfect after you convert it and is just as reliable.

[Demon5Romeo]

I really do hate threads like this. I have a Saiga in .410 and love it. Now I'm just going to have to get a Saiga-12.