Decent price for Saiga 12?

[nwilliams]

I recently had to return a gun to a Cetme to my local gun shop because it didn't work. As a result I now have a $600 credit that I can put towards something else. There's lots I want but the shop does have a couple brand new Saiga 12's in stock and I've been leaning towards one of them. They are brand new with 19in barrels and they are priced at $679.

Is this a good price and should I consider a Saiga 12 as something to add to my collection? Are they as great as everyone makes them out to be? Is now a god time to buy one?

Advice is much appreciated.

 

[rbernie]

A local shop has dropped their Saiga12 prices from $699 (post-election increase) back down to $599 because they weren't moving at $699.

I like the Saiga, and have multiple rifles and shotguns that say SAIGA on the side of 'em. At this point in time I'd rather put $600 into a Browning Auto5 than a Saiga12, but that's just me and that doesn't mean that I don't think they're decent guns.

 

[LoneCoon]

On a similar note, will a Saiga .410 fire .41 magnums?

 

[lipadj46]

$600 seems to be the going rate these days. I bet they drop down to and stay at $500 as supply catches up. Even at $500 you will be disappointed in the quality both fit and finish and just general feel. Most Saiga 12's require a bit of finish work to get them running well. At $200 - $400 people ignored it but at $700 if you are used a modern american semi the S12 will just feel cheap and lacking in a few distinct ways (LRBHO, trigger, finish etc).

Mind you I own a S12 and like it very much but they are still Russian shotguns put together with Russian efficiency and quality control.

 

[nwilliams]

Yeah the price does seem high which is why I wanted to check. It seems to me not too long ago these were selling for under $500.

Maybe I'll keep shopping around for something priced more reasonably and not influenced by the ban scare hype that's going around.

 

[lipadj46]

Check here:

http://www.classicarms.us/

Don't get me wrong they are cool shotguns especially after conversion and some bolt polishing. Just go into things with eyes wide open. Go to forum.saiga-12.com/ for the whole story.

 

[MAX100]

$600 is the going rate and $550 - $575 would be an excellent price. They are a good investment because they will surely increase in price. They have steadily over the years.

It is just a matter of time before one is used in a crime and makes the national news. With the 20 rnd high drum mags the Saiga shotguns will be at the top of the gun ban list when it's time.

I own a couple of them.


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[Ben Shepherd]

I've got a few of them, excellent gun for the money. But I don't think I'd pay above 600 for a NIB example.

If it's been converted by someone that knew what they were about(like Tromix for example) that's a different story.

 

[Handgunner]

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/sai-12.aspx

 

[beechnut]

I pondered getting one before but I could not allow myself to drop that much cash on it.
Sure it is cool looking but magazines are expensive.
I ended up with a remington 870

 

[MAX100]

The Hi cap mags are about the same price as pistol mags. They hold their value well. The ProMag 10 rnd mags are about $35. You only need a couple unless you plan to either competition.


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[beechnut]

My local shop has them for $599
They go for $699 with 2 extra mags

 

[c5_nc]

Every place that carries assault weapons around here has more of these on the shelf than AKs, by a 3 to 1 margin usually. The Market is freaking flooded on them when you walk into a tiny shop and there are 10 are the wall. I wouldn't mind having one, but I wonder if they will be back to $429 soon.

 

[MAX100]

I wouldn't mind having one, but I wonder if they will be back to $429 soon.

That is about $80 under dealer cost, so it won't happen. They may go down to $550 if dealers can't move them but they are not going to lose money on them.



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[mesinge2]

I have one in a local store for about $470. I have one and spent more for it. When I asked the owner about the price he said that he has had it for a long time so when he bought it is was cheaper for him. The price he is selling it for reflects the original cost to him.

He's a nice guy, he did not raise the price just to capitalize.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Saiga 12s are well built and are a lot of fun. However, there are a couple of things to consider before buying one. These are things I didn't know before I bought mine.

1. They do not shoot cheap ammunition. There is not enough force to eject the spent shell and feed another in with the cheap stuff. I have heard that this improves with usage, but after about 300 rounds I still have to feed it stuff that sells in the $8-9 range.

2. This is one gun that you do need to read the owners manual, especially the part about the gas vent setting on the front of the shotgun. Set it properly and clean the vent extrememly well before firing.

Well, I can't think of anything else bad to say about it. I love mine and still giggle like a schoolgirl when I try to bump-fire it.

 

[Geneseo1911]

1. They do not shoot cheap ammunition. There is not enough force to eject the spent shell and feed another in with the cheap stuff. I have heard that this improves with usage, but after about 300 rounds I still have to feed it stuff that sells in the $8-9 range.

The QC at Ishmaw is pretty lax, and each gun is different. Mine choked on my 1 1/8 oz reloads when it was new, but after about 200 rounds, it will cycle 7/8 oz loads reliably. If yours won't cycle lighter loads, you might check to make sure it has all its gas ports. www.forum.saiga-12.com is the place for info.

To stay on topic, I gave $550 for mine. My dealer ordered it for me, and it took 8 weeks to come in. By the time he got it, the price went up & he marked it $579, but honored the original price he gave me.

If I was doing it again, I'd order the package Classic Arms is selling. The second 5 rnd. Russian mag is worth the extra $50 by itself.

 

[MAX100]

My Saga 12 cycles the Walmart value packs shells very well; as fast as I can pull the trigger. It throws the empties about 6' which tells me it should cycle the lower recoil shells also.


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[Noebb]

A local shop here had one for $750 (one mag)...

also had a used stock 10/22 (blued) for $379 if that tells you anything

They will not be getting any of my $$$.

 

[nwilliams]

Well thanks for all the responses guys but I decided to go for something else instead.

I actually decided to go back to the shop and just request my money back. They agreed to do a return sale on my Cetme and I used the money to buy an IMI Uzi instead (see link below).
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=441701

Until the prices on Saiga 12's drop I think I'll just hold off on one.

 

[lipadj46]

1. They do not shoot cheap ammunition. There is not enough force to eject the spent shell and feed another in with the cheap stuff. I have heard that this improves with usage, but after about 300 rounds I still have to feed it stuff that sells in the $8-9 range.

This is not that common. A properly gassed Saiga will shoot Federa Bulk pack stuff reliably. There are some undergassed guns out there that are covered under warranty and fixed for free shipping included. Check the number of gas vents, unscrew you gas plug another 2 clicks and polish your bolt if necessary. There is no excuse for a Saiga that has FTE issues as there are fixes available for all issues.

 

[chuckusaret]

I had a Saiga 12 and did not like it. Poor workmanship, and was not relieable. They are in the $400 to $600 range in this area but no demand for them. I paid $379 for mine last year sold it for $350.

 

[6x6pinz]

I had a Saiga 12 and did not like it. Poor workmanship, and was not relieable.

Sounds like one of the guys here. When I asked how he broke it in he said he did not break it in. He also had no clue on how to adjust the gas system. The saiga is based on one of the most reliable actions in the world and works just fine if set up correctly in the first place.
Having made it sound like I believe Saiga shotguns to be the best,this is not true. They are a wonderful shotgun in the $300 to $400 price range, problem is they are selling for well over $500. This is too much money for the shotgun. I own all three gauges of Saiga shotguns and shoot them regularly. I was lucky enough to get mine when they were under $300. At that price they are great. I don't know why people would buy an AK style weapon and expect it to look and feel like a high end shotgun. Far too many people make them sound like they should be in the upper class of shotguns when in fact they are just plain work horses that can be modified, for more money than the shotgun cost, to be what ever the owner wants.
Anyway the Saiga line of shotguns for me has been one of the most rugged and most reliable auto loading shotguns I have ever owned, and I have had a bunch.
For those not familiar with or wanting to learn more about the saiga line of firearms head over to the saiga 12 forum. Lots of info on Saigas there.

 

[Shear_stress]

Six hundred is about the going rate. I like the Saiga-12 and it was worth every penny of the $230 I paid for it. For six bills you might be better off with something like a nice Beretta 1201FP, though.

 

[chuckusaret]

Sounds like one of the guys here. When I asked how he broke it in he said he did not break it in. He also had no clue on how to adjust the gas system.

After three trips to the gun range with a gunsmith the thing was better but still not reliable. I don't keep weapons that are not reliable or weapons that I don't shoot at least every other month. My brother has a 1958 Browning A5 that has never been disassembled for cleaning and has never failed to fire in 51 years of hunting. Everyone has their "rathers" but I rather not have an unreliable weapon, to many good ones out there.