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Just bought a Saiga 12 for defense/wilderness use.
- Thread starter tenkara
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2006
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- 5,288
Make sure what you plan on shooting in it, actually functions in it. They can be a little finicky. 
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2007
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- 3,542
I don't do autos so I can't help you on the gun. But any gun used for defence get ammo and find what works in the gun and what patterns best and shoot it till it is like an extention of you arm
What do you want to know? I have some knowledge about the system as my job requires me to work with them.
Is yours one that has the bolt lock feature or is it one that does not have the bolt hold?
Well I tell you what I know - not what I think...
They obviously come from Russia and are based upon modifying an AKM receiver which is currently in production. Russia is known for their highly reliable firearms and the AKM is one of the best. HOWEVER, their quality control, craftsmanship, and manufacturing practices are not always consistent or the best in the world. So firearms from there is like a finger print. They are all different. So you'll need to run an assessment with yours first to determine what you have. The AKM was not designed or engineered for a 12 gauge shotshell. So it had to be modified. Generally the Saiga 12 works fine. It often needs some TLC to get it to perform as a defensive firearm. You may need to polish the chamber and/or bolt to smooth it out and make it more reliable. The model with the bolt stop/lock is preferred because the magazine doesn't always want to seamlessly feed from a closed bolt like the 7.62 x 39 round does. An AKM is not fussy about lube or maintainence but in my experience the Saiga 12 is a bit more fussy especially when operating in a dirty, wet, and cold environment like a wilderness setting. So get into a good hygene protocol and test your cleaning in the field before depending your life on it.
Also the top one to three 12 gauge shotshells tend to deform when left in the magazine for longer periods of time unless you use good high brass, high quality shotshells. So be careful here.
These can make good wilderness/defensive guns as long as you make certain the reliability isn't an issue. You can use birdshot, buckshot, and slugs making them highly versatile. For a woods/defensive application a three point sling would work because you can use it both as a three point and as a two point. However for carrying a pack a single point sling is really great. HOWEVER, you've got to be extra cautious because of the short profile of the shotgun with a single point sling the muzzle will be sweeping everywhere including over your feet/legs and all your buddies. This is unacceptable! So you must figure out how to carry it and be able to control the muzzle without having these issues.
Best thing to do is to unload it, buy some plastic 12 gauge training rounds (I can help you with this) and charge your magazine with the plastic training shotshells. Then sling the Saiga up and carry around the house/yard for a full 8-10 hour day and learn to live, eat, sleep, bathroom and everything else with it like you will in the woods.
Finally, while they are easy to shoot and shoot fast they are in no way any faster than a standard American built semi-auto or pump in the hands of a trained individual. My business partner is one of the top ten pump shotgun shooters in the world - placing in the top ten when he competed (now retired) in the International 3 Gun Championships. So, a pump can be as fast as a semi if one takes the time and discipline to learn how to master its manual of arms. The key to the Saiga is its packability and having a magazine which may or may not be a tactical advantage. They do have a high CDI factor tho.
Is yours one that has the bolt lock feature or is it one that does not have the bolt hold?
Well I tell you what I know - not what I think...
They obviously come from Russia and are based upon modifying an AKM receiver which is currently in production. Russia is known for their highly reliable firearms and the AKM is one of the best. HOWEVER, their quality control, craftsmanship, and manufacturing practices are not always consistent or the best in the world. So firearms from there is like a finger print. They are all different. So you'll need to run an assessment with yours first to determine what you have. The AKM was not designed or engineered for a 12 gauge shotshell. So it had to be modified. Generally the Saiga 12 works fine. It often needs some TLC to get it to perform as a defensive firearm. You may need to polish the chamber and/or bolt to smooth it out and make it more reliable. The model with the bolt stop/lock is preferred because the magazine doesn't always want to seamlessly feed from a closed bolt like the 7.62 x 39 round does. An AKM is not fussy about lube or maintainence but in my experience the Saiga 12 is a bit more fussy especially when operating in a dirty, wet, and cold environment like a wilderness setting. So get into a good hygene protocol and test your cleaning in the field before depending your life on it.
Also the top one to three 12 gauge shotshells tend to deform when left in the magazine for longer periods of time unless you use good high brass, high quality shotshells. So be careful here.
These can make good wilderness/defensive guns as long as you make certain the reliability isn't an issue. You can use birdshot, buckshot, and slugs making them highly versatile. For a woods/defensive application a three point sling would work because you can use it both as a three point and as a two point. However for carrying a pack a single point sling is really great. HOWEVER, you've got to be extra cautious because of the short profile of the shotgun with a single point sling the muzzle will be sweeping everywhere including over your feet/legs and all your buddies. This is unacceptable! So you must figure out how to carry it and be able to control the muzzle without having these issues.
Best thing to do is to unload it, buy some plastic 12 gauge training rounds (I can help you with this) and charge your magazine with the plastic training shotshells. Then sling the Saiga up and carry around the house/yard for a full 8-10 hour day and learn to live, eat, sleep, bathroom and everything else with it like you will in the woods.
Finally, while they are easy to shoot and shoot fast they are in no way any faster than a standard American built semi-auto or pump in the hands of a trained individual. My business partner is one of the top ten pump shotgun shooters in the world - placing in the top ten when he competed (now retired) in the International 3 Gun Championships. So, a pump can be as fast as a semi if one takes the time and discipline to learn how to master its manual of arms. The key to the Saiga is its packability and having a magazine which may or may not be a tactical advantage. They do have a high CDI factor tho.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2002
- Messages
- 808
http://www.saiga-12.com/
make sure you have your gas setting (Dial labeled 1 and 2 at end of gas tube) set properly in tune with what you are shooting Slugs and 00 Buck OR LOW Brass accordingly....other than that the following link will be your friend and should answer any quetions you may have. ENJOY her...
http://www.saiga-12.com/
LD/BBG
make sure you have your gas setting (Dial labeled 1 and 2 at end of gas tube) set properly in tune with what you are shooting Slugs and 00 Buck OR LOW Brass accordingly....other than that the following link will be your friend and should answer any quetions you may have. ENJOY her...
http://www.saiga-12.com/
LD/BBG
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2009
- Messages
- 1,142
I'm in no way trying to be a wise ass, a 12 guage usually isn't referred to as a rife. Gun, shotgun, maybe scattergun, maybe even boomstick 
. My advice is to shoot it and get comfortable with it and know what the trigger and kick feel like so you won't be timid if you ever need to use it quickly.
. My advice is to shoot it and get comfortable with it and know what the trigger and kick feel like so you won't be timid if you ever need to use it quickly.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2002
- Messages
- 808
IMO...dont shoot it till you know the system, for example incorrect gas settings and ruin your gun, or shoulder which ever comes first....although usually i agree with just get out and expierence it first, on this one i dont....read a bit before hand and save the aggrivation. Breakdown is similar to most other AK platforms , I know the system well...
BBG
BBG
+1. The only thing I didn't like about mine was the inability to leave a loaded mag in the gun with the bolt closed for extended periods. I had trouble with the top round deforming and it can be difficult/impossible to chamber in an emergency. Also, with the 5 round mag fully loaded it can be really hard to lock a mag into the well with the bolt closed and if you do manage to, you've usually mashed the top round.
Cool gun, fun to shoot, just learn its ways before you count on it.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 206
Outstanding! Thanks for the great advice. I should have known not to refer to it as a rifle. I realize that's a detail dealing with the barrel and the type of ammunition used. Forgive the slip? I really appreciate all of the advice. What I could really use is a guide to optimizing and best practices with the saiga. I bought it unmodified with an unthreaded 19 inch barrel.
Thanks again,
Tenkara
Thanks again,
Tenkara
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2001
- Messages
- 1,751
my buddy has one with a drum magazine and a red dot site.. that thing can put out a wall of lead. he has the one with the long barrel. we went shooting birds and he used it like a anti aircraft gun. he'd lead it with the dot and just let go with a whole drum,birds just couldnt escape. it was funny as hell.
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2008
- Messages
- 1,021
its a good gun easy cleaning, I had one but I sold it due to it always wanting to rust...even when coated with militec.(might have been just my house I have to keep the humidity up for the ivory in the gun and knife room) I upgraded to a benelli m4 with the collapsible stock and 18 inch barrel....shes a sweet shooter. other than that its the mossburg 500 or rem 870 for me.
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- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
they can be fun, i have had them jam on me a couple of times. Like any shotgun they're a versatile survival/self defense tool if well maintained and operated responsibly. Check out Eberlestock if you're looking for a backcountry carry solution, no sling to get snagged on stuff or to compete with pack straps, baldrics, neck knives and all the other dangly bits, the draw is damn near instant. If you already have a MOLLE pack I suggest their shotgun sidescabbard.
grunt soldier
Gold Member
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- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,555
i got one i fully converted and its a beast. i had a gun smith hook me up and properly vent the gas tube i guess is how you would say it he basically added extra hole so it will feed anything, i was never clear on why the rounds wouldn't feed when i left mine loaded but am now sweet. i guess i will just leave it open with the bolt hold open instead of one in the hole.
they are so much fun to shoot. get a drum and go nuts
they are so much fun to shoot. get a drum and go nuts
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,172
Mine has been "modified" and it's a blast. I did pick up a 5 position gas plug, but the current 2 position has worked fine. It's actually fed low-brass shells pretty good, but I try to stick to high-brass shells as I've had zero issues feeding. I refer to it as my "hand-held" claymore
ROCK6
ROCK6