Guns 2012-08.pdf - Jeffersonian

Not only made in Russia but made by one of the
largest arms makers in the world, Izhmash. The
arrow in a triangle (above) is Izhmash’s mark.
The “P in a “C” indicates the arm conforms to
national manufacturing codes and certifications
while the arrow in the oval is the official stamp
of the Izhevsk proof station. A sliding dust cover
(below) was added to protect the large ejection
port of the 12-gauge conversion.
the gas piston and the gas cylinder are
chrome plated. The exterior metal is
finished in a matt black.
Loading
The Saiga comes with one
5-round, synthetic, detachable
magazine. It accepts and functions
perfectly with both 2-3/4" and 3"
shells, and. it’s easy to load. Before
inserting it into the magazine well,
you must pull back the operating
handle and engage the bolt holdopen
device which is activated by a
tab at the front of the triggerguard.
Pulling back again on the operating
handle disengages the device and the
bolt slams home, loading the round.
Again, as aftermarket accessories, 2-,
8-, 10- and 12-round stick magazines
are available as well as 20-round
drum magazines. The 2-shot stick
magazine makes the Saiga legal for
waterfowling. The 20-round drum
magazine, tuned for 2-3/4" shells,
turns the Saiga into a formidable lead
slinger.
The only essential thing missing
on the Saiga is a rubber recoil pad.
It needs one if you’re going to shoot
magnum shells, slugs or buckshot,
and pads are readily available in the
aftermarket trade.
The non-adjustable sights on my
SAIGA-12
MAKER: Izhmash, Russia
DISTRIBUTOR: Century International Arms
430 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 1
Delray Beach, FL 33445
(800) 527-1252
www.gunsmagazine.com/
century-international-arms
action TYPE: Semi-automatic, CALIBER: 12-gauge
2-3/4", 3", CAPacity: 2-20, barrel LENGTH: 19",
CHOKE: Cylinder, choke tubes available, OVERALL
LENGTH: 41", WEIGHT: 7-1/2 pounds, FINISH: Matte
black, SIGHTS: Fixed or adjustable, STOCKS: Black
polymer, checkered, PRICE: $579.87
Saiga are functional with buckshot
but can’t be zeroed, and are hopeless
if shooting slugs. If I were going to
use the Saiga as a slug gun, I would
order the model with adjustable
sights, possibly add a Picatinny rib or
simply install an optical sight on the
integral side rail.
I enjoy my Saiga. It’s an outrageous
shotgun. As is, it’s a neat collectible
as a unique AK variant. It’s fun to
shoot. It’s practical as a self-defense
and hunting arm. Given the grocery
cart list of aftermarket accessories
available for it, it’s one of the most
modular shotguns ever put in the
field. There’s just nothing quite like
the Saiga.
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