Saiga is the iconic civilian embodiment of the equally iconic Kalashnikov assault rifle. This is no longer just a weapon - it is part of our culture and history. Today we will talk about the most popular version around the world: the smoothbore Saiga 12.
And although it cannot be called a new product, there is still something to talk about, because in recent years, the Kalashnikov Concern has significantly reworked its concept and introduced many interesting modifications.
Saiga 12K isp.030 / 033 gun
I read the Hansa for a long time, shortened it and couldn’t make up my mind, like a girl.
But then I came across one store in Izhevsk, called GOU TIU (here is a link to the gun on their website: https://gou.tiu.ru/p210560181-sajga-ispolnenie-033.html), which had some kind of very sweet prices. I looked for reviews, it didn’t seem like a scam, I called them (I’m from St. Petersburg), we discussed everything, in the end I paid and began to wait for the brilliant green. I waited and sent them a letter, and in the end a month later they sent me a box via special communications. This is what the content looked like:
And this is how it is when I pulled everything out:
Along with the gun, I ordered a replacement muzzle device 1.0, a regular machine gun belt, a case, a pencil case and a cleaning kit. For everything, including shipping services, I paid 39,028 rubles. This is despite the fact that in our armory yard in St. Petersburg I saw a naked gun for 44,900.
What I didn’t like right away was that the paint on the receiver cover was starting to come off a little, the black paint was starting to peel off. I'm proud of Russia.
Received it at the Special Communications Center on Kondratyevsky on Friday, haven’t registered it yet and haven’t fired it yet. As my communication with this gun develops, I will write here about my post-shootings, impressions and jambs. Although, having read about Saiga’s shoals, I expected crooked horrors, so I fucked up the guys from Izhevsk on the phone, saying, aren’t your guns crooked there? They said that Izhmash seemed to have improved a little, which I didn’t believe one bit. But when Saiga came, I was surprised. Except for the paint that was peeling off here and there, everything else was fine. The sights are not blocked, the barrel is mirror-like and not crooked, all 5 holes are in place, the barrel lining is in order, the magazines do not play. If anyone watched the video of the well-known Phil Romanov about the modification of the bolt and bolt frame, then my Saiga’s bolt was already in adequate condition, which cannot be said about the bolt frame. You still have to cut, oh, Raseeee.
Please help. Since I am a beginner, cartridges are a very murky thing for me. I know that a short one without a choke will only eat large portions. I have 192 CHOC, so with it 033 will become like 030, only you won’t shoot with a bullet. Question: What cartridges should I take to shoot without a choke and which ones to shoot with a choke? I would like something cheaper and bigger, of course, some kind of sporting, but it probably won’t work with a short barrel? I saw very cheap Vetter cartridges on the website of the Baltic Shooting Center, but there is such a variety there that I get confused.
Saiga 12 - automatic hunting rifle based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle
Many mushroom pickers, seeing hunters armed with Kalashnikovs in the forest, become very frightened and try to leave the forest as quickly as possible. Only another hunter, seeing a weapon similar to an AK in someone’s hands, will understand that in front of him is either a Saiga hunting carbine, or its smoothbore version - the Saiga 12 automatic smoothbore shotgun. Hunting with a Saiga-12 gun is quite difficult, although if it is a Saiga 12 with a long barrel, then with sufficient skill and training you can use it as a hunting weapon.
Description
The compact self-loading smoothbore shotgun Saiga 12K version 033 chambered for 12-gauge cartridges was developed on the basis of the design of the Kalashnikov AK74M assault rifle.
Purpose: hunting, training shooting, sports.
- reliable automatic gas venting, allowing the use of a wide range of cartridges with a sleeve length of 70 or 76 mm;
- chrome-plated bore and chamber;
- removable flash suppressor on the barrel;
- possibility of installing replaceable choke tubes;
- folding stock, firing lock in folded position;
- buttstock with rubber butt pad-shock absorber, steel frame;
- forend and handle made of impact-resistant polymer;
- adjustable iron sights;
- hinged receiver cover with Picatinny rail Picatinny
is a rail-type bracket used on different types of small arms to provide versatility for mounting sights. More details for installing red dot sights; - Picatinny rail Picatinny
is a rail-type bracket used on different types of small arms to provide versatility for mounting sights. More details on the base of the front sight under the barrel; - magazine receiver shaft for faster reloading.
The appearance of Saiga hunting carbines and Saiga-12 shotguns
In 1974, based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the IZHMASH concern created an iconic weapon that is still incredibly popular - the Saiga carbine. The first Saiga models were developed for the 5.6x39 mm cartridge. In those years, these carbines were not popular until the 90s, when owning a weapon that looked like a Kalashnikov assault rifle was considered the highest degree of “coolness.” IZHMASH instantly responded to the trends of the new time and released a new Saiga chambered for 7.62x39 mm caliber. Cartridges of this caliber were used in most military weapons of the time.
In 1993, smoothbore shotguns for hunting were produced based on the Saiga carbine, one of which was the Saiga-12. As with the carbine, the smooth-bore Saiga models differed from each other in barrel length, caliber of cartridges used, and various materials used to make stocks and butts. Hunting a serious animal with a short Saiga was problematic, but since the 90s were a dangerous time, short versions of the Saiga were used for self-defense and security. The length in this case was a hindrance, since in cramped spaces they used short weapons with a cartridge loaded with a bullet or buckshot.
History of Saiga 12
The older brother of the Saiga 12 can be considered the Saiga 410 smoothbore gun - it was with this controversial gun that the story of the fencing of army AKs began.
Many shooters have questions about the adequacy of the designers who created the Saiga 410 after the first acquaintance with it - the gun jams, the magazine feeds cartridges disgustingly, and the automation works very unstable, causing constant delays when shooting; In addition, the caliber of the cartridge itself is very weak and is not suitable for hunting. However, the designers have absolutely nothing to do with it - the gun was created as a transitional platform on the way to the popular 12-gauge gun based on the AK: the very possibility of operating the automatic AK platform with high-energy cartridges and a smooth barrel was tested.
Saiga 410
And the experiment turned out to be very successful! Despite the mountain of shortcomings of the Saiga 410, it literally blew up the civilian weapons market in 1993. At that time, the opportunity to have a weapon almost one hundred percent similar to a Kalashnikov assault rifle was an amazing offer, and after the commercial success of the Saiga, the plant began developing a 12-gauge gun.
Released in 1997, the Saiga 12 managed to far surpass the success of its predecessors in .410 and 20 gauge - the AK-based smoothbore shotgun in 12 gauge instantly became the most popular semi-automatic shotgun in the world, which it remained until the introduction of sanctions in 2014.
Now Saiga’s position is somewhat weakened, competitors in the form of VPO-205 and Turkish analogues are nipping at its heels, but some of its modifications still remain the best smooth-bore versions of the AK in the world.
TTX "Saiga" in 12 gauge version
The automatics of a smoothbore gun work similarly to the automatics of an AK, which formed the basis of the Saiga series hunting weapon. The entire layout and design of the gun is practically no different from the Kalashnikov assault rifle, except for two significant differences:
- The ability to fire automatically has been removed—to fire the next shot, you must release and press the trigger again;
- Saiga-12 has a special gas regulator, since this weapon requires the use of powerful 12/76 mm cartridges for hunting.
The general characteristics of Saiga smoothbore shotguns differ only due to the length of the barrel (and the Saiga-12 barrel has several length options) and the caliber of ammunition that is used when shooting.
Various sighting devices used on the Saiga-12
Sights on the smooth-bore Saiga are different and depend on the modification of the gun for hunting:
- An ordinary open sight, consisting of a simple rear sight without the possibility of adjustment and a front sight without a front sight;
- The same system, only with a front sight equipped with a muzzle;
- The sighting system is similar to that of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, equipped with an adjustable sector rear sight and a front sight with a front sight.
In addition, the Saiga has a dovetail rail, which allows the use of many types of optical sights. The latest Saiga modifications are equipped with Picatinny-type sighting rails, which allow you to install whatever the owner wants on the weapon. These can be sights of any type or under-barrel lights.
Ammunition for the Saiga-12 automatic rifle
Magazines for Saiga-12 come in several modifications:
- A magazine that holds only two cartridges, which is done for those who are hampered by the standard size of the Saiga magazine. Such a store is an element of “tuning”;
- Standard factory magazine for 5 rounds;
- Enlarged magazine holding 8 rounds;
- Magazine for 10 rounds.
There are also “tuning” disk magazines for Saiga-12, which are produced by foreign countries and are very popular outside of Russia precisely as a copy of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
All versions of domestic magazines are single-row and are loaded in the same way as Kalashnikov assault rifles. For firing from Saiga-12, cartridges of 12/70 mm and 12/76 mm caliber are used, which are reinforced. It is recommended to use cartridges in plastic casings, since cardboard casings can interfere with the stable operation of the gun’s automatics. Ammo with brass casings is not suitable for this gun.
The lineup
| Name | vendor code | Series | Magazine capacity | Peculiarities | Total length, mm | Price | |
| Carbine KK Saiga 12K isp 030 tubular stock 12x76 | 202900900581 | isp 030 | 5, 8 | tubular buttstock, with rail | 910 | 51 990 ₽ | |
| Carbine KK Saiga 12K use 033 pipe stock pls 12x76 330mm | 202900901031 | isp 033 | 8 | tubular stock | 870 | 53 490 ₽ | |
| Carbine KK Saiga 12K isp 0-030 12x76 | 202900900411 | isp 030 | 8 | 47 690 ₽ |
show more
Various modifications of Saiga-12
The main model of the Saiga smoothbore shotgun is the Saiga-12. The stock for the Saiga-12 is fixed, so it is recommended for use as a hunting weapon. Other characteristics, such as a long barrel and a semi-pistol neck, contribute to the hunting use of this weapon. Tuning for this model is the installation of optical sights and the installation of a neck for more reliable fixation of the Saiga-12 magazine, which significantly improves the characteristics of this model.
List of the most popular models based on Saiga-12:
- "Saiga-12S" is a model that is practically no different from the base model. Its main and only difference is the presence of a pistol grip and a folding stock, which can be folded. Butts are of frame or tubular type, and are equipped with rubber butts, which can be either removable or stationary;
- Saiga-12S Tactics is an improved version of Saiga-12S. Model “Saiga-12S “Tactics” with a folding frame-type stock, an automatic front sight, a flash suppressor, a forend with ventilation holes and an adjustable sector rear sight. This combination of sighting devices can provide high shooting accuracy. “Saiga-12S “Tactics” is recommended for those who hunt using cartridges loaded with bullets. If you plan to hunt smaller game using shotgun cartridges, there is no point in overpaying for a more expensive modification, which is the Saiga-12C Tactics;
- "Saiga-12K" is a shorter modification of this model. All modifications marked with the letter “K” are distinguished by a shortened barrel. All Saiga-12K modifications are equipped with folding stocks. Since the laws of the Russian Federation prohibit the use of such short models of firearms, the Saiga-12K is equipped with a blocker that does not allow shots to be fired with the butt folded. In order to fire a shot, you must unfold the butt, then the blocker will allow you to fire. This version of Saiga is most suitable for security and self-defense. It is sold under a hunting license, but it is quite difficult to imagine it on a hunt, although some novice hunters try to use the Saiga-12K for hunting large animals. When meeting with a wild boar or a bear, such a weapon is unlikely to help. But for security or self-defense, “Saiga-12K” is ideal;
- "Saiga-12K" in version 030 is a shotgun that is recommended for purchase by security agencies. Saiga-12K 030 is often supplied as a service weapon. Despite this, Saiga-12K 030 is often purchased by athletes who engage in target shooting. Many truckers take the Saiga-12K 030 model with them on flights, since it can be placed on the passenger seat and, in case of danger, quickly used for its intended purpose. Some choose the Saiga-12K 030 for its compact size, due to which the automatic rifle does not take up much space in the safe and is transported in a small case. Tuning this model consists of purchasing a barrel extension for hunting large game, belts and chokes;
- "Saiga-12 isp.340" is a smoothbore shotgun designed specifically for participation in The International Practical Shooting Confederation competitions. This model is used by many of the world's leading athletes, but its price can be three times higher than that of a regular Saiga-12. This model has reduced recoil and does not require tuning;
- Saiga-12K 033 is a fairly new development of the Kalashnikov concern. It is a modified version of the 030 model, although there is a lot of controversy about this. The most obvious difference between the Saiga-12K 033 and the 030 model is the higher price;
- Saiga-12 061 is one of the most convenient automatic rifles in the series for hunting. The length of the barrel allows you to hunt almost any animal. Only the Saiga with a barrel length of 680 mm can boast of a greater range.
Characteristics
| Brand: | Concern Kalashnikov |
| Model: | Saiga 12K |
| Series: | isp 033 |
| Product weight, g: | ~3600 |
| Caliber: The caliber of a smoothbore weapon is determined by the internal diameter of the barrel. For example, a barrel 18 calibers long. The caliber number refers to the number of spherical bullets that can be cast from 1 English pound of lead (453.592 g). Bullets are spherical in shape, identical in mass and diameter, which is equal to the internal diameter of the barrel in its middle part. The smaller the bore, the more bullets can be produced from a pound of lead.
| 12×76 |
| Drill type: | standard barrel |
| Butt material (stock): | plastic |
| Number of trunks: | single-barreled |
| Operating principle: | gas outlet |
| Magazine Capacity: The number of rounds that can fit into a magazine. There are designations for magazine capacity, for example, 4+1 - this means that the magazine contains 4 cartridges, and another 1 is placed in the chamber. More details | |
| Peculiarities: | tubular stock |
| Barrel length, mm: | 330 |
| Color: | black |
| Vendor code: | 202900901031 |
| Total length, mm: | 870 |
| Country of manufacture: | Russia |
| Average rating: | 5 |
| Brand Country: | RUSSIA |
Scope of application of smooth-bore Saiga variants
Although Saiga-12 is used not only by novice hunters, we should not forget that this weapon is intended more for self-defense or combat use, as it was created on the basis of the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle, which can hardly be called a hunting weapon. It is also worth remembering that Saiga-12 variants with a short barrel are practically useless for hunting, while long-barreled models (with proper training of the shooter) can be used for hunting. If you modify the standard Saiga-12, and the modification consists in adjusting the parts, then it becomes a fairly accurate and reliable weapon.
The main purpose of the Saiga-12 smooth-bore automatic shotgun is self-defense. A particularly striking example of this is the short-barreled Saiga with a folding butt. These options are most suitable for use in confined spaces, such as buildings. So the use of Saiga in hunting can only be justified by its low price or the owner’s love for the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Pros and cons of Saiga-12
Like any weapon, Saiga-12 has a number of pros and cons. The advantages of this weapon are as follows:
- Like the Kalashnikov assault rifle, Saiga-12 is a fairly reliable and trouble-free weapon. True, for this, the Saiga needs to be modified, and you will also have to work with a file;
- The next advantage is the rate of fire and firepower of the 12 gauge, especially when using a high-capacity magazine. In close combat, the Saiga-12 will be much more effective than any automatic rifle or carbine. Each buckshot at close range causes more damage than a bullet from a Makarov pistol, and there are quite a lot of buckshot in each cartridge;
- Magazines, which can be removed quite easily, also provide a huge advantage in battle. It is recommended to have several removable magazines for bullets, shot and buckshot;
- Low price is also a big advantage of Saiga-12.
Saiga also has disadvantages:
- Low build quality;
- Difficulties when hunting with short-barreled models;
- The need for improvement and “tuning” in order to hunt more or less normally.
If you want to purchase a smoothbore shotgun to protect your property, then Saiga-12 is the best option. For hunting, it is better to choose a classic double-barreled shotgun or a pump-action shotgun.
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Sergey
22.11.2020
Good afternoon I’m just about to buy a weapon and a lot of questions arise with this. Interesting Saiga 12k Spanish. 033., the main question is, will there be any problems when obtaining a license for this model? Thanks in advance for your answer.
World of Hunting
23.11.2020
Hello, Sergey! If you follow a number of nuances, there should be no problems. You can briefly learn about the registration procedure at the link: https://www.huntworld.ru/blog/litsenziya-i-razreshenie-na-oruzhie-kak-poluchit-litsenziyu-na-oruzhie-i-kak-prodlit-razreshenie- na-/ You can also read a useful article: https://www.huntworld.ru/blog/kak-vybrat-oruzhie-dlya-samooborony-plyusy-minusy-i-osobennosti-oruzhiya/
