What is the legendary Saiga carbine really like?

Saiga-12 with Izhmash rails and EOTech red dot sight

Saiga-12 is a self-loading shotgun developed at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle and intended for commercial and amateur hunting of small, medium-sized animals and birds in areas with any climatic conditions.

Story

The development of the first carbine with the name “Saiga” began in the 70s of the last century. A modified Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) was used as a prototype for a new model of hunting weapon. As a result, the carbine received the following design changes:

• the fire mode was completely switched to semi-automatic (single shooting);
• the magazine was reduced to 10 rounds to make the hunting weapon compliant with the law;
• a bullet that did not have a steel core was used as ammunition;
• A flashlight was attached to the receiver, charged from a battery.

The Saiga carbine was created on the basis of the AK-74 assault rifle.
The turning point in the production of Saiga hunting carbines was the “wild nineties,” when a number of serious changes were introduced into the legislation of the Russian Federation, allowing civilians to arm themselves with practically combat machine guns and rifles.

In 1990, the legendary Saiga-12 smoothbore carbine was created, using 12-gauge (18.5 mm) cartridges for firing. The model was used not only by hunters, but also by special forces of law enforcement agencies.

In parallel with the development of modifications for the smooth-bore Saiga, the Kalashnikov concern also gradually established the production of rifled versions of the carbine. The new models used not only the domestic 7.62x39 mm cartridge, but also NATO analogues, for example, 7.62x51 mm.

Advantages and disadvantages

Hunting carbines based on the simple, reliable and time-tested Kalashnikov can fully be considered the heirs to the main advantages of this machine gun - power and reliability in almost any climatic conditions. Although the manufacturer still recommends limiting the range of use of Saiga to ambient temperatures from minus 30 to plus 50 degrees Celsius.

The creators of the Saiga carbines have provided a number of measures for their weapons to increase their durability. In particular, some parts of the guns are chrome-plated: the bore, chamber and gas piston. The working life of this gun is very high. With proper care, its operation will be stable even after 10-15 thousand shots.

At the same time, the disadvantages of this carbine are also associated with the peculiarities of its design, the basis of which was an army machine gun with properties characteristic of this weapon. First of all, this is a fairly significant weight of this weapon for its relatively low power. In addition, it is absolutely clear that smooth-bore hunting weapons are significantly inferior in their performance characteristics to rifled weapons.

But it is noteworthy that Saiga 410 has virtually no competitors in Russia. This situation arose due to a rather specific cartridge, characteristic of only a few models of foreign-made shotguns that were not widely used in the territory of the former USSR.

Equipment of the carbine in the most popular version “Saiga-410-K2”

General design

All Saiga hunting rifles have a similar design, based on a gas exhaust system. That is, part of the energy generated when the gunpowder ignites is used to open the valve, which opens the bolt frame and activates the extractor, which ejects the cartridge. New ammunition is fed from the magazine automatically because it is under spring pressure. In this case, the weapon does not have to be removed from the safety lock before each shot.

Saiga carbines can be presented in three different versions: with a plastic, wooden or metal stock and butt. The latter is sometimes foldable, that is, it can be bent towards the receiver for ease of transportation. However, in most cases it will not be possible to fire a shot until the butt is moved to the firing position (there are versions in which such a safety system is absent).

The standard sighting device is usually a classic open front sight and an adjustable rear sight. Also, weapons are often equipped with a dovetail (11 mm), Weaver (16 mm) or Picatinny (22 mm) bracket for installing optical, diopter, collimator and other sights. There is rarely a bar under the barrel, but it can be installed without much difficulty.

Smoothbore carbines

Self-loading smoothbore carbines are very popular among hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts. Weapons are often used by private security companies and even special forces of the armed forces. Such carbines are “powered” by cartridges of 12 (18.5 mm), 20 (15.6 mm) or 410 (10.2 mm) caliber. The model markings are as follows:

• index “M” - indicates that the weapon is equipped with an orthopedic butt;
• index “C” - indicates the presence of a shortened butt and pistol grip;
• index “K” - a sign that the weapon is equipped with a shortened barrel;
• index KV - evidence of modification of the carbine to the “service” version;
• index EXP-01 - export version of the carbine, supplied abroad.

Smoothbore carbine Saiga 12K "Tactics" caliber 12x76
"Saiga" of any caliber can be presented in various versions ("version 01", "version 030", "version 105" and so on). Such weapons have minor design changes that do not allow it to be considered a full modification. Well, don’t forget that Saiga can be presented in different configurations.

"Saiga-12"

The legendary self-loading hunting rifle, about which we have already done a detailed review (link). The weapon has 4 unique modifications, tailored for hunting, sports or the needs of civil servants, and also has several dozen different versions. However, do not be fooled by the fact that the gun uses 12-gauge cartridges for shooting - only a suicide would go after a bear with it. Considering that part of the energy is spent on reloading, the power of the shot is hardly enough to kill a deer. Saiga-12 is mainly used for hunting fur and feathered game.

"Saiga-20"

A self-loading smoothbore carbine, designed for hunting large and medium-sized game birds, uses 20-caliber cartridges. Saiga-20 has a short firing range, but has a good spread of shot. And given the high reload speed, the gun will be much more effective than any double-barreled shotgun. To adjust the accuracy of the fire, a thread is provided for installing various choke constrictions. The sighting device, by the way, is in most cases non-removable, although some versions (for example, isp. 030) boast the possibility of additionally installing a collimator. Magazine capacity ranges from 4 to 10 rounds.

"Saiga-410"

The weapon is not very common among hunting enthusiasts due to the fact that it has a narrow specialization - shooting swamp and meadow game (snipe, finches, quail, sparrows, and so on). The gun is unlikely to kill even a duck the first time - only if the pellet hits the head. But among athletes this little thing is very popular. The cost of 410 caliber cartridges is very attractive, so many novice shooters purchase this weapon for training. The Saiga-410 carbine also has the ability to install barrel attachments and is even equipped with several of them in the kit.

"Saiga TG2"

It is also known as IZH-1611 or MG10D-1 - a self-loading smoothbore carbine developed for the 366 TKM cartridge (9.55 mm). Such weapons are used exclusively for training shooting at targets and saucers. Among the attractive aspects are its low weight and dimensions (due to the presence of a folding plastic stock). The weapon was developed on the basis of the AK-103, so most of the parts are unified with the machine gun. Often the TG2 comes complete with a diopter or red dot sight and choke tubes. If desired, you can also install a sound moderator (a civilian analogue of a silencer) on the carbine.

Equipment

The required package includes a set of tools and accessories for carbine maintenance. At the customer's request, the carbine can be equipped with an optical sight and a bracket for attaching it, a belt, and a case.

Conversion of the Saiga-12 shotgun This specimen is equipped with a forend with Picatinny rails, a folding metal butt with a removable cheekpiece, a safety lever with an additional protrusion in the lower part for the thumb, an ergonomic handle, a compensator-flash suppressor, a front handle, as well as a collimator sight and a tactical flashlight.

Rifled carbines

When someone pronounces the name of the Saiga carbine, most experienced hunters immediately have in their heads the image of a rifled weapon, which is a civilian analogue of a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Despite the fact that a five-year hunter's license is required to purchase such a carbine, it is almost as widespread as the smoothbore versions. Here are the basic principles of classification:

1. Index “M” is a modernized version of the Saiga, which includes the following changes: an extended barrel (up to 555 millimeters), a bolt with three lugs, a trigger with a reduced trigger force, a polymer or wooden butt with a rubber butt, a more ergonomic shape of the handle.
2. The “MK” index is practically the same as the “Saiga-M”, but with a standard or shortened barrel length (all the described changes are present, except for the elongated barrel channel). Can fire the following cartridges: 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm (NATO), 5.56x39mm, 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem), 9x53mm or 9x53R.

Self-loading carbine Saiga-MK from the Kalashnikov concern

1. Indexes "EXP-01" or "EXP-02" are versions designed for export. Only NATO ammunition is used for shooting, and the build quality of such weapons is noticeably higher than that of domestic ones (although they are more expensive). The dovetail is not used as a sighting rail; instead, there is a Picatinny bracket.

There are even more design options for rifled weapons than for smooth-bore ones. In this case, the name may contain not only numbers (“sp. 03”, “sp.-75”), but also other names. For example, "Saiga-M" isp. 03 "Practice". Such a weapon is equipped not only with a Picatinny rail, but also with an additional side and under-barrel bracket for attaching the body kit. And this is just one example out of several dozen.

"Saiga"

A classic version of a self-loading rifled carbine, using Soviet 7.62x39 mm cartridges for firing. The butt and fore-end can be made of wood or polymer (depending on the version), and the barrel length in all cases is fixed - 520 mm. The simplest version, not equipped with brackets for installing a body kit or a muzzle thread for attaching additional constrictions. The butt is not adjustable.

"Saiga-M"

A modified version of Saiga, which was already mentioned earlier, featuring four versions. Depending on what preferences the potential buyer has, you can choose a weapon that best suits the requirements:

• Spanish 01 — rifled self-loading carbine with a quick-release stock (wooden or plastic);
• Spanish 02 - rifled self-loading carbine, equipped with a plastic or wooden butt with a shock-absorbing butt plate;
• Spanish 03 - this version is equipped with an AK-type folding stock, and also has an extended barrel (up to 555 mm), supported by special. order;
• Spanish 03 “Practice” is the most sophisticated of all versions, equipped with a huge number of brackets for attaching the body kit.

Depending on the configuration, the Saiga-M kit may include optics or an under-barrel grip from the manufacturer or companies that cooperate with it. These versions are created for those who want a modified carbine, but do not want to upgrade it themselves.

"Saiga-MK"

The first versions of the carbine were created on the basis of the AK-74M, but further modifications used the AK-101 and AK-103 devices. The cartridges used for shooting are 5.45×39 mm, 5.56×45 mm and 7.62×39 mm. There are several options available:

• Spanish 01(MK-01) - the carbine is equipped with a black polymer stock;
• Spanish 02 (MK-02) - the rifle is equipped with a metal folding butt;
• Spanish 03 (MK-03) - a carbine with a barrel shortened to 341 mm;
• Spanish 033 (MK-033) - a weapon for firing NATO cartridges.

And these are just the most popular versions. A distinctive feature of the modification itself is that it is equipped with a removable flash suppressor and a Picatinny sighting rail for installing optics. The carbine also boasts a chrome-plated barrel channel.

"Saiga-9"

You can also find out more about this carbine by following the link (link). In a nutshell, this is the most unique carbine from the entire Saiga line. For shooting, it uses 9 mm cartridges, which most people are used to seeing in combat pistols or submachine guns. However, IZHMASH was able to circumvent the “Weapons Law” in such a way that even civilians could shoot the legendary bullets. Although the carbine is more designed for sport than hunting. The hunter will find the Saiga-9 useful as an additional weapon for catching game.

"Saiga-308"

Another version of “Saiga”, which you can learn more about by following the link (link). The weapon was originally developed for export, which is why it uses .308 Win (7.62x51) cartridges. However, Russian hunters really liked the carbine due to its high killing power and fast reloading. It is with this modification that they usually go after a bear or elk. In terms of its popularity, the Saiga-308 can easily compete with such rifled carbines as the Tiger or Vepr, although it does not have such an impressive firing range (no more than 300 meters).

The Saiga-308 carbine is most often used to hunt large game

It is difficult to find another line of hunting weapons as versatile as Saiga. The weapon absorbed all the positive aspects of the Kalashnikov assault rifle and in some places even surpassed it. Many European and American hunters know Saiga firsthand, and Russian hunters have been completely familiar with its design since high school, when they had to disassemble a Kalashnikov assault rifle in life safety lessons. So if you are looking for a trouble-free weapon with the possibility of modernization and good characteristics, then you should think about buying a Saiga first.

Notes

1. A. V. Kuzminsky. Weapons for the hunter: a practical guide / edited by. A.E. Tarasa M., AST Publishing House LLC, 2002. p.218
2. ↑
3. The “Weapons Law” prohibits the circulation of guns whose total length does not exceed 800 mm
4. « 2.3.2.
   Smooth-bore hunting firearms... Smooth-bore self-loading carbine “Saiga-410”, “Saiga-410S”, “Saiga-410K” cal. 410/76 “Order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1207-r dated August 3, 1996 “List of service and civilian weapons and ammunition included in the State Cadastre of service and civilian weapons”
5. “ Smooth-bore long-barreled firearms of caliber... 410/76, permitted for circulation on the territory of the Russian Federation, bullet cartridges and cartridges with rubber buckshot for these weapons.
   “Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1436 of December 30, 1999 “On special means and firearms used by departmental security”
6. « 3.2.2.1.
   Smooth-bore long-barreled firearms chambered for... 410/76 cartridges, permitted for circulation on the territory of the Russian Federation, bullet cartridges and cartridges with rubber buckshot for these weapons. “Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 173 of February 17, 2001 “On approval of lists of special means, types, types and models of firearms and gas weapons, cartridges for them, standards for providing them to employees of paramilitary and private security guard units under internal affairs bodies” (Appendix No. 2)
7. " 5. Smooth-bore self-loading carbine "Saiga-410", "Saiga-410S", "Saiga-410K" caliber 410/76
   "Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 495 of June 13, 2013 "On the provision of service weapons permitted as service weapons, civilian self-defense weapons and hunting firearms of officials exercising federal state forest supervision (forest protection)"
8. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1665 of December 13, 2022 “On the provision of service firearms, as well as civilian self-defense weapons and hunting firearms permitted as service weapons to officials exercising state supervision in the field of protected natural areas and their security zones”
9. “ service long-barreled weapons used in non-state (private) security activities... similar in appearance to automatic combat weapons, are subject to special painting from March 1, 2006.
   The color of the paint and where it is applied to the weapon are determined by the manufacturer in agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. “Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 179 of April 4, 2005
10. Victor Kukanov. “Saiga-410-01” // “Weapons and Hunting” magazine, No. 4, 2000