Saiga 12 Drums?

[icebones]

Just brought home my shiny new saiga 12, now I am searching for drums for plinkin and shreadding up old home appliances.

Are the Promag 20 rounders expensive paper weights like most of the magazines they make or are they actually servicable? I would hate to shell out 120 bucks for the MD arms 20 round drums only to find out that the $80 promags are actually pretty decent. Any other brands you would reccomend?

Thanks in advance my friends.

 

[Girodin]

Many of the people who have given reports on the pro mag drums have reported favorably. Personally I'd probably get the MD. I think it is a superior design, and there is no question about its quality.

Avoid the Wraithmaker at all costs. Its expensive and it sucks.

Mind your 922r considerations prior to sticking the new drum in it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Go to Siaga 12.com, and read up, as far as the promag, depends on who they ripped off,
and while your at it, I would suggest a Tromix (?) adjustable regulator, and self cleaning piston, and possibly a new lower hand gaurd, and possible a conversion.

 

[Roan]

I second the suggestion to check out the Saiga 12 forums. I learned everything I know about the Saiga platform from there and it gave me the courage and knowledge I needed to do my own conversion.

I have two of the MD Arms drums and I love them. The Promags are decent, but they aren't the quality or finish of the MD Arms drums. I guess my suggestion is this, if you must have a cheap drum, get a Promag. From then on get the MD Arms drums. Keep in mind the MD Arms drums go on sale occasionally. I got two for $75 each directly from MD Arms a few months ago.

Avoid Wraithmaker at all costs (which are considerable).

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I have a MD Arms drum and it's been reliable after I read the FAQs and discovered you can not load it to 20rds and expect it to lock in on a closed bolt, gotta download by 1.
I haven't tried the ProMag and probably never will, as my hatred of them runs deep.
The MD drums seem to go on sale for $80 pretty frequently.

 

[6x6pinz]

I use the 20rd MD drums and the 12rd promag. The 20rders are just too big and get in the way, not to mention heavy. The 12rders are much more shooter friendly.

 

[icebones]

Awsome. Quick question. Can you replace the barrel on a Saiga 12 like most other pump and autoloading shotguns, or is it attached like a standard AK style rifle? Mine has a 24'' bbl (I think, too busy with work to check it out) and I prefer a shorter bbl even on my hunting shotguns. A 18'' or 20'' would be perfect.

 

[737Driver]

Another vote for the MD Arms drum. Mine has been reliable from day 1 and is well constructed.

 

[Girodin]

You would have to have the barrel pressed out to swap it, and of course you would have to source a shorter barrel which might prove difficult and or relatively expensive. You could have the barrel cut down.

 

[WardenWolf]

As far as anyone in the know is concerned, there is only 1 drum for the Saiga 12, the MDArms MD-20. The others are junk. The Saiga 12 barrel is not replaceable without paying a gunsmith more money than the gun is worth. There IS a 19" Saiga 12, but you get what you get.

 

[Girodin]

I have actually never heard of anyone who has or has used the pro mag drum (their stick mags are another matter) refer to it as junk.

There are a number of members over on S12 who have considerable knowledge concerning the platform that have evaluated the pro mag drum positively. A number more have giving good reviews to the 12 round drum as well.

I own and have a preference for the MD20, I think it is a better product. If you can cite to any evidence that the pro mag drum is junk or that it is prevailing wisdom that it is junk I'd be interested in seeing it. Thanks.

The AA drum is junk.

 

[Pistolman36]

I got my MD-20 drum last week right before the price jumped from $80 to $120. Very good quality and they feed very well. Probably the best drum out there. I cant believe they used to cost $279 when they came out.

Ive never had the Promag drums, but cant believe they would be better then the MD Arms one. The 12rd drum does look attractive because of the size though. I admit the MD20 is huge.