bae

I picked up some Saiga-12s yesterday.

Mind you, I'm an 870/Benelli sorta guy, and I am a bit biased.

First impressions:

- Higher production quality than I had been led to expect
- The manual is the suck
- The balance of the gun is superb, and the sporting stock fits me fine. Most of the weight of the gun is between your hands, it swings and points really fast compared to anything else I have. As soon as I picked up one, I got a big grin on my face, it instantly mounts properly and is very fast in your hands.
- Comes with Commie side-mount optics clamp-thingy attached, I did not expect this.
- The trigger is a bit on the gritty, creepy side. It's the stock Commie trigger though, it appears. Slapping in a US-made trigger package would really help
- My wife loves it, as soon as she saw it, she said "that's really stupid..... Everyone needs one!"
- Functionally, I ran a few boxes of buckshot and birdshot through it, and it operates without complaint, and with pretty pleasant recoil. The stock butt has a hard plastic "pad", it looks like two screws would allow you to attach a rubber one easily enough if you wanted to.

This works so nicely, and handle so well in out-of-the-box trim, that I'm not sure I'm going to bother to do a complete conversion job. I may leave one stock and use it for a deer gun, the sights are fine for this.

I ordered a Polychoke, for which the barrel is already externally-threaded, and will take one to the trap range to freak out the Fudds next week.

randytulsa2

I got one not too long ago, too. I agree with everything you've said. The gun points and handles much better than one would think. The "manual" is ridiculous. It is as reliable, in my admittedly limited firing of it, as the day is long.

I've got to hand it to your wife, too: the thing is so stupid and awkward-looking that is simply a must-have smile-maker.

My wife said "What's that? A shotgun with a magazine?"

"Yeah", was about all I could manage as a response - - with kind of a dumb grin on my face, along with "Uh...it's Kalishnikov's design, Hon..." & etc.

I was going to go dove hunting with it, so I ordered up some 2-round magazines from SaigaStock.com. They don't work. At all. I got some extra 5-rounders (all of which function flawlessly). I might get some 10-rounders, but I think they'd make the surprisingly well-balanced weapon a little clumsy.

It's still a thing of beauty, properly considered. Extremely functional and well-made, IMHO. Tough-as-nails and made cheap. What else could you ask for?

__________________
"...bad decisions that turn out well often make heroes."


Gary D. Mitchell, A Sniper's Journey: The Truth About the Man and the Rifle, P. 103, NAL Caliber books, 2006, 1st Ed.

Rustynuts

Converting it properly to US trigger is a bit more involved than just slapping it in. But if you are at ALL handy, it's not too bad. A couple rivets need to be ground off to get the bottom plate removed. You will need to paint this area as well. If you are REALLY unlucky you might also have to cut a pistol grip nut hole. The new trigger stuff does drop in, but the springs are a pain. Now grinding off the stock "tang" to a fit a folder is also a pain. Also get a Tromix DIY trigger guard, will save LOTS of grief and looks cool. DON'T get the all-in-one stock and pistol grip combo (for use without converting and moving trigger forward. They look dumb and not considered a "true" conversion. Note, whenever you slap a 8 or 10-rd mag or put a folder or pistol grip on, you need to be aware of the importation 922r rules (10 foreign parts or less), so buy US made stuff for the conversion.

My converted Saiga with Tromix DIY guard and foregrip, Ace folder setup.

Mo

Hey RN - mind if I ask how much the folder setup cost? I'm thinking about it for my saiga. Looks like about $130 for the folder and about $40 for the hinge mechanism? And which hinge mech did you use??

Sorry to hijack the thread. I'll add that the 7.62x39mm is similarly awesome, considering you get a brand new Russian-built AK with a perfect bore.

Rustynuts

No, I think the $130 folder price is already WITH the folding mechanism (but you still would need the internal block). I bought mine separately though since I wanted the push-button type. It's $90 alone. The non-button version is $60.
ACE LTD. USA

The stock itself can be used fixed or folding, $65, and I got the extra deep 1" pad, no charge.
ACE LTD. USA

To do it "right" you have to grind off the stock tang on the receiver and fit the internal block which structurally supports the stock assembly, or there are plates that need welded on made by Tromix. This Ace internal block doesn't add any extra length to the gun and bolts on with one bolt (after a little fitting). $40
ACE LTD. USA



Another good place to look for parts is MAA

http://www.mississippiautoarms.com/i...ort=20a&page=1

So all-in I have $90+ $65+ $40 = $195 just in the stock setup.

This setup still allows enough room for a lefty to shoot and has room for the left-handed optics mount to still be used.

Mo

Right on, I meant $170 for the whole thing, including block. If I do it, I'll do it right and cut off the tang. Looks like I was about $25 short.

Thanks for the price breaakdown!

Rob72

If you call Ace, they may have parts in the "seconds/returns" bin. I bought 2 AK folder setups for $109 delivered. A touch of matte black Krylon, and they looked new.

kohburn

so if you were to make your own foregrip and buttstock, would those count as usa made parts for the 922r compliance?

__________________
"An armed society is a polite society" - Robert A. Heinlein

Pete Zaria

I've been very interested in the Saiga 12; it will probably be my next gun purchase.

Nice weapons, for sure, guys.

Mind if I ask, has anyone tried grouping it with slugs? That's one of my concerns about buying one... I'd like it to at least be able to put a 5-shot group on a dinner plate from 50 or 75 yards. Anyone know if it'll do that?

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

__________________
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

"Booger Hook Off the Bang Switch" - unknown

Rustynuts

I'd ask that question over at Saiga-12.com forum. It's smooth bore, but with rifled slugs it might do it.