First Saiga 12 Purchased - Questions

[Sharpie1]

I just bought a slightly used Saiga 12 shotgun, it looks pretty much brand new and I'm very pleased with the purchase because I've wanted one for a long time.

I took it out shooting yesterday evening (same day I bought it) - and it functioned as expected. I started out with some light target loads on setting 1. The loads would fire, but not eject - so I switched to the "2" setting. The loads then functioned fine. I then switched to Remington Reduced Recoild 00 Buckshot rounds. These functioned fine on setting 1. I also used some Winchester XX 2 3/4 in 00 Buckshot rounds - and these functioned on setting 1 fine as well.

I have been continuing to read up on the concerns with damage which can be caused by the bolt hitting the trunnion - and I've read about the big debate on whether or not to use a recoil buffer. After reading about the damage that could occur to the gun, I removed the dustcover from mine to inspect it - and thank God, it looks ok - lol. I ran my finger across the surface which the bolt could potential come in contact with - and it is very smooth, much to my relief.

That being said -- I purchased the gun "sort of" for home defense, but some just for the fun of it - and perhaps a bit for shooting skeet (even with the short barrel). It is an RAA, btw - if that makes a difference.

I don't want to do anything to damage the gun - so I need to know the safest way to ensure damage does not occur to the gun.

So the bottom line question is which is easier on the gun:

A - keep it on setting 2 all the time and always use light loads (skeet and light brass birdshot) for skeet shooting and defense

B - ok to put it on setting 1 and use the heavier stuff (buckshot, etc.)


I am fine with moving over to setting 2 and using the AA or birdshot loads when shooting skeet - then switching back to setting 1 when I bring it back home and load with buckshot, however the consensus on opinions here may determine whether I *ever* shoot this gun for skeet - or even just for fun with light loads if that means it could increase the likelihood of damage to the gun. If the risk of damage is that likely, I may rarely shoot it - or shoot just on setting 1, etc. I'd like to shoot it all the time like I do my Mossberg 500 Persuader, but I won't if there is a substantial risk of damage.

I need some info from experienced Saiga shooters. Any helpful info would be appreciated.

 

[rogertc1]

You should go to this board as the Sagia 12's are a touchy gun that takes some tinkering and modified OEM parts to get them reliable. (I have one)

http://www.forum.saiga-12.com/

 

[Zack]

It's a AK build, It can take a beating and keep on ticking.

 

[bullturkey]

I read your same question at the Saiga forum. I have accidently shot mine with the gunfixer adj 4 pos all the way open with slugs and buckshot.:banghead: no damage was visibleLike others have posted it's ak47 tough. I would not want to do it on a regular basis.

 

[Sharpie1]

Yeah - I have been looking through the Saiga forum since I've been considering this purchase.

To read some of the posts there about how to handle the Saiga's gas chamber selection, one might imagine that the gun is made of paper mache and is easily damaged.

I realize the gun may be well built, etc. - but I want to understand as much as possible about its operation and hear from experienced users so I can ensure I know what I'm doing and am caring for the gun as best as possible.

Thanks for all the helpful responses.

 

[jmorris]

I don't want to do anything to damage the gun - so I need to know the safest way to ensure damage does not occur to the gun.

Hose it down with cosmoline and put it in a gun sock at the back of the safe would do it.

I have had to shoot both light and heavy loads at the same setting through mine at 3 gun matches and have had no problems. These are tough shotguns compaired to many others out there.

roger must have got a lemon as mine has run like a top from day one even with reloads that don't function in other autoloaders I have.

 

[Girodin]

So the bottom line question is which is easier on the gun:

A - keep it on setting 2 all the time and always use light loads (skeet and light brass birdshot) for skeet shooting and defense

B - ok to put it on setting 1 and use the heavier stuff (buckshot, etc.)

The gun has two gas settings for a reason. Using gas setting one and shooting heavy loads should not hurt it and it has not hurt mine one bit. Using light bird shot loads for HD is a bad idea a much much worse idea than running heavy loads on the setting 1.