(Review) Izhmash’s Saiga-12 shotgun
The Saiga AK-47 style shotguns were designed by world renowned engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov who also designed the world’s favorite rifle, the AK-47. Thus, the SAIGA shotguns feature the same basic internal design as the famous AK-47 rifle and are manufactured by the arms division of the Russian company Izhmash. In addition, although their shotguns and rifles were previously imported into the U.S. by European American Armories, their agreement with Izhmash expired in 2005 and thus, Izhmash then began exporting through the Russian-American Armory Company. However, the current export/import partner for the U.S. market is Wolf Performance Arms (good luck finding a web site!).
Consequently, as the name implies, the Saiga-12 is a 12 gauge, semi-automatic, shotgun that is visually similar to the Kalashnikov series of assault rifles and is available in a wide range of configurations. Also, like the many Kalashnikov rifle variants, the SAIGA-12 is a gas-operated shotgun with a a rotating bolt that feeds rounds from a detachable box magazine. In addition, it features the large, AK style, lever-safety on the right side of the receiver, the optic mounting rail on the left side of the receiver, and the large, top-mounted, dust cover that is held in place by the rear of the recoil spring assembly protruding through the back of the dust cover. Plus, the Saiga-12 incorporates an adjustable, two-position, gas system that engages a recoil buffer for firing high-power loads such as slugs and buckshot which generate so much recoil force that the receiver would be damaged if the excess gas were not vented by the recoil buffer and yet, by adjusting the system, the shooter can fire low-power loads such as bean-bags and flares from the same gun since these loads do not generate enough pressure to cycle an action deigned to handle the heavier loads.
Furthermore, because 12 gauge shotgun shells are nearly twice as wide as 7.62 x 39mm rifle cartridges are, the size of the extraction port in the side of the dust cover had to be increased to accommodate the 12 gauge shell. But, because the bolt had to remain the same length to fit inside the AK-47 sized receiver, the rear section of the bolt is covered by a sliding metal flap that rides on the recoil spring which allows the gun to be sealed against dirt when the bolt is forward. But, the compression of the recoil spring during firing causes the flap to move rearward in order to clear the extracted shells.
The Saiga-12 features a traditional rifle stock a barrel length of 23 inches chambered for both 2 3/4” and 3” rounds as well as AK-style with tangent rear open sights and high post front sights and a standard AK rail can be mounted on the left side of the receiver for optics. Also, this shotgun is available with two, five, seven, eight, and twelve round box magazines as well as ten, twelve, and twenty round aftermarket drums and all magazines may be interchanged with all 12 gauge models (sometimes minor fitting may be necessary). In addition, the SAIGA-12 has a threaded barrel that enables the shooter to add various muzzle brakes or chokes.
Since the SAIGA-12 was originally designed for hunting various species of small and medium sized game under adverse climatic conditions, its internal configuration is based upon the ultra-reliable AK-47 assault rifle and thus, the SAIGA-12 will provide the shooter with the same reliability when hunting or competing in harsh weather or rough country. In addition, the detachable magazines make reloading a very quick process when using the shotgun in various types of competition. Consequently, the SAIGA-12 is an excellent choice for the tactical or competitive shooter and for the home owner in need of a self defense weapon.
Last, it is important to note that a new version of the SAIGA-12 called the “Saiga Taktika model 040” was recently introduced that addresses all of the deficiencies of the previous models. Therefore, the new model features last-round-hold-open of the bolt that provides the user with instant feedback that the weapon is empty and enables a quicker magazine change, a hinged dust cover with Picatinny rail to make mounting optics easier combined with a Picatinny rail gas block that allows for the addition of combat lights and a vertical foregrip. In addition, it features a newly designed 8-round magazine that can be inserted straight up into the magazine well and can be done with only one hand instead of the traditional “rock & lock” method on older SAIGA and AK designs.
Thus, for anyone who is looking for a tactical style shotgun for either competition for home defense, the SAIGA-12 is an excellent choice due to the ultra reliability of the AK-47 style internal components and the ability to quickly reload the weapon via detachable magazines. Furthermore, the SAIGA-12 would also serve well as a hunting firearm due to its rugged, rifle-like, design and the ability to easily mount optics.