Saiga 12 GA Semi Auto - dependable ?

[CaliberFiveSeven]

I have some interest in obtaining a Saiga 12 to add to my Benelli Super Nova and Mossberg 590 shotgun corral, partly because the action is AK semi auto and partly because of the extra shot capacity drum options possible.

Recently came across as to what appeared to be a solid legit review of this model by a longtime firearms writer who just had to personally have one but soon sold it because of serious issues with this shotgun not fully cycling properly as a semi, more often than not having to be cycled and cleared manually.

The reviewer writes that it is a widespread problem in the Saiga 12's because of Saigas mediocre build quality but could be rectified with some ca$h offered to a competent gun-smithy.

But of course. Those smithys are true wizards worth their salt every time for the right price, but it soon takes the "shine" out of the BSO (bright shiny object) when the initial purchase price is affordably low and one then has to throw dough at an unforeseen issue.

Anyone else experience this with the Saiga 12's before I plunks down my moolah?

 

[Mike1234567]

TONS of info here: Saiga-12 Forum

Regarding hi-cap mags (or pistol grip): You'll need to replace enough foreign-made parts with USA-made parts so the firearm is 922r compliant (Federal Law). It's easily done and the Saiga-12 froum has all that info.

 

[chas2600]

Can anyone tell me what the bracket on the left side, holding the barrel away from you, is for. Oh yeah I'm talking about a Saiga 12 shotgun.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://raacfirearms.com/index.php3?pageid=AkdalProducts.htm check out this ar-15 shotgun

 

[.40isthenew.45]

Can anyone tell me what the bracket on the left side, holding the barrel away from you, is for. Oh yeah I'm talking about a Saiga 12 shotgun.

It is an attachment point for an optics mount.

 

[csspecs]

That is for a scope mount to attach to. The new ones are apparently not coming with that mount as BATFE decided that its unsporting.

 

[Girodin]

I've had multiple that ran 100% out of the box.

However, I also know that there are others that get ones that don't want to run right initially with light loads. They typically can be made to work. I will say that saigas (and other guns) notoriously do not like winchester bulk pack. I've seen some unreliable guns run perfectly just by using federal instead.

If you can look at the gun before you buy it you can up the odds significantly by looking at the gas ports and confirming the proper number and that they aren't blocked. There were some guns imported that only had two holes because they were designed only for heavy loads. At this point you likely would not get one like that unless buying used.

I wouldn't let fear of unreliability stop me. I think most run right and those that don't typically can be made to without that much time effort or money.

If you are looking at the saiga you may also want to give the MKA 1919 a hard look.

 

[Justin]

They seem to get touchy if you run them hard. I've seen multiple Saigas fail at various 3 gun matches.

That said, I hear good things about the guns available from Firebird Precision.