AK Sponsor
Posted: 10/24/2008 11:48:45 AM EDT
| I have never fired one, and I haven't really heard about how reliable these shotguns are. Are they just as reliable as their AK cousins? |
|
I've been wondering.....a lot of owners and potential owners talk a lot about "converting" them, but from what I have read, it is mostly cosmetic except for polishing the feed ramp and welding up some internals. So do virgin Saiga's work well right out of the box? |
|
I think they are probably more finicky about ammo than a regular AK, my overall impression is that you need to dial them in somewhat, or at least avoid the crappier brands. I had some FTE's on my first S12 trip, but I was using range bought birdshot, some brand I can't recall. I'm completely confident that the majority of ammo will run properly, next time I get a chance I'm going to go back with a stack of something higher quality and see how the S12 runs. One things for sure, they are a freakin hoot. I couldn't stop smiling...I own a 12 guage AK  Z |
So it's safe to say that they need a higher grain shell to cycle correctly? |
There are Saiga RIFLES and Saiga SHOTGUNS The feed-ramp 'conversion' is for the RIFLES.... 'Conversion' of these guns, in general, refers to turning them from 'gooseneck-style' sporters back into something that looks like (or is) a proper AK. |
Thanks for the clarification. I have read that the shotguns have a similar issue with "feeding". Sounded like a simple fix though. |
|
Saiga shotguns using orginal mags (Russian 2, 5 and 8 rd) will not have any feeding issues. US mags, on the other hand, might have some issues. Examples: The ones from Keep Shooting require fitting to make work and there's a drum that requires some work to the gun to function correctly (can't remember the name). |
They can end up looking pretty cool, here's mine with polymer triangle stock (a non folding copy of the bulgy/russian style folder...very sturdy actually): And like I said, its a 12 gauge AK...hard to beat for fun factor. You can save some dollars by doing the conversion yourself, I did mine and a 7.62x39, plus helped a friend convert his 7.62 also. Patience is really all you need plus about a hundred bucks or so in parts (assuming you have a few power tools around the house). It's also very gratifying to do your own conversion although obviously its probably not going to come out as good as a Tromix...but what the heck, you can be proud of your own work. Z |
I haven't seen mine have a problem with any type of ammo, but those cheap ones from walmart. The other Federal bluk 100 pack from walmart works perfectly though. |
Big +1 here. Rebuilding my S12 was a hellofalotta fun.
Same here. Cheapy wally world runs thorough mine just fine. |
I have zero problems with my all of my AGP mags. I'm not sure why you would be having problems with them. |
|
Quoted: They are more finicky. I was told I need to modify my bolt to use AGP mags, currently when I use my 10 rounders instead of the 5 rounder that came with it it jams 2-3 times per mag. There is some problems with the 1st Generation of AGP mags. You can fix them with some mods. The Second generation are marked as such and have few problems. If you are having problems call AGP up, they will go out of there way to help you out. The drum that needs a little filing to get it to fit is the MD20 from MD ARMS. It took me 10 mins, as I was talking on the phone to a friend, to get mine to fit my shotgun with a hand file. There is also a drum from Alliance something that might (read most likely) need to have your gun sent in for a "service" for $180 so that it will work with it. There is a gas setting that you can adjust for light loads and for heavier loads. If you are shooting light loads make sure that you are on setting #2. I haven't had any probs with any of my AGP mags or my MD Arms drum. |
|
It's not so much that the shotguns are more "finicky" than the rifles, but rather that shot shells come in a much wider variety of loads, pressures, and shapes than rifle ammo does.
For a gas-operated autoloader this is a design challenge, but the Saiga does it as well or better than any other. There are some function enhancing mods you can do; polishing and reprofiling. Most guns don't need it but some will benefit. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm still on Tony's list over at Tromix so mine is still "stock". It worked perfectly right out of the box. One thing you can't use is the really junky winchester red box Walmart brand shells. They don't cylce the action every time. So it's safe to say that they need a higher grain shell to cycle correctly? I haven't seen mine have a problem with any type of ammo, but those cheap ones from walmart. The other Federal bluk 100 pack from walmart works perfectly though. Same here. Cheap Winchester bird-shot FTEs quite a bit. That's with the regulator on the "1" setting, though. Cheap Federal bird-shot has been 100% with the same setting. I've heard some won't cycle bird-shot with the regulator on "1", but mine cycles everything except the previously mentioned load. |
AK Sponsor