Saiga is a family of hunting carbines made on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. They are created at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant. Today an unlimited number of different samples have been created:
- smoothbore design for hunting - a gun of 12, 410 and 20 calibers;
- rifled designs for calibers: 5.56x45, 5.45x39, 9x19 Parabellum, 7.62x51, 7.62x39, .22 Long Rifle;
- small exclusive batches were also produced for Russian 9x53R and 5.6x39 mm cartridges. The first in the series, with all this, was the Saiga-5.6 for the 5.6 x39 caliber, which was produced in 1974.
Saiga is a more abundant model range in terms of varieties and copies, which also has its own “tuning” and “finishing” production studios. The gun represents a wide range of calibers from rifled rifles to caliber 12 smoothbore carbines, also from almost clear copies of the AKM to carbines that are completely different in the barrel and butt. They are also distinguished by their amazing technical properties.
Prerequisites for the creation of the Saiga hunting rifle
The Saiga hunting carbine begins its history more than 30 years ago, when countless herds of saigas trampled the fields of Kazakhstan, causing significant harm to agriculture. The administration of the union republic sent a request to the Politburo to resolve this issue. Saigas spoiled the crops, but the smooth-bore rifle that existed at that time, used for hunting, could not cope with this problem; the gun was ineffective.
custom_block(1, 49496586, 1451);
It was decided to make a special hunting tool that would allow hunters to more effectively control the number of small antelopes, while replenishing the cash budget, because saigas meat was exported.
The first self-loading Saiga carbine for hunting appeared in the 1970s. Designers and testers of Izhmash, together with representatives of local game managers and Glavohota, tested hunting carbines for four years and also brought them to perfection. After the development of the new product was completed, approximately three hundred Saiga carbines were made for hunting under the 5.6x39 mm caliber. Still, even despite the creation of the first industrial batch, for many years a new smoothbore hunting carbine remained a rarity.
The history of the Saiga family
The turning point in the fate of the Saiga family carbines was the “dashing nineties”. The adoption of laws that regulated the circulation of civilian weapons, including the worsening crime situation, created a great demand for massive army self-loading rifles. Izhevsk gunsmiths who were left without a “state order” remembered the “Saiga” for hunting.
Since 1993, the creation of the Saiga family of self-loading rifles for hunting has been established in Izhevsk. The adaptation of the combat assault rifle to a rifle was decided by a group of gunsmiths consisting of V. Afonin, G. Nikonov, V. Simonenko, A. Turkin, V. Tsypko and others. An exotic cartridge for the Russian Federation was chosen as ammunition for the gun - .410 Magnum. At first it was assumed that the hunting carbine would work with foreign cartridges, then the creation of this type of ammunition was established at the Barnaul, Krasnozavodsk and Tula factories.
The next step in the development of “smooth-bore carbines” was the creation of a similar weapon chambered for the 20-caliber cartridge. This gun was intended for hunting medium and small animals, as well as performing security functions.
custom_block(1, 14644487, 1451);
By the end of the 1990s, on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the Saiga 12 carbine was developed, which became one of the more massive types of weapons; the carbine demonstrated good technical properties. It is curious that “Saiga 12” in a special version “030” is used not only by civilian shooters, but also represents a certain interest for experts in the form of a massive assault weapon (Carbine “18.5 KS-K” - in a combat version).
In order to improve the technical properties of the design, it was decided to deeply modify the Saiga for hunting. A modernized version of the Saiga-M appeared, which became the founder of the family of rifled guns. At first, in the 2000s, the Saiga Mk models were released, which on the outside were a copy of Kalashnikov assault rifles.
Saiga-12
A self-loading smoothbore carbine under the name “Saiga-12” has been produced since 1997. Its purpose is amateur and commercial hunting, and can be used as a service weapon and for self-defense. "Saiga-12" for hunting is equipped with automatic reloading mechanisms taken from the Kalashnikov assault rifle. Their design has been changed to accommodate 12-gauge cartridges.
custom_block(5, 16235012, 1451);
Automation works by introducing the energy of powder gases, which is discharged through a side hole on the barrel wall. Cartridges are fed from detachable box magazines with a capacity of 2, 5 or 8 rounds. The trigger mechanism can only fire single shots. The ammunition used is 12-gauge bullet and shotgun cartridges, with iron, plastic and nankene casings.
All Saiga-12 models, according to Russian legislation, are classified as civilian weapons; as a result, the scope of their implementation has been significantly expanded - from security measures and hunting to implementation as a weapon for special purposes. Saiga-12 models show good technical properties.
The Saiga-12 carbine is available in the following modifications:
- "Saiga-12" is a self-loading smoothbore carbine for hunting with the same plastic AK stock, barrel length - 580 or 680 mm;
- “Saiga-12 S” is a self-loading smooth-bore carbine for hunting with a control handle and a folding plastic butt, barrel length - 580 or 680 mm;
- "Saiga-12 K" is a self-loading smoothbore carbine for hunting with a control handle and a folding plastic AK stock, barrel length - 580 or 680 mm. The barrel is shortened to 430 mm.
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.
Saiga-12. SVD strategy 3-4
Izhevskaya is engaged in tuning Saiga carbines on an industrial scale. Among the more advanced Legion tuning options is the smooth-bore version of Saiga-12. SVD strategy 3 - 4". The design of the Saiga-12 carbine is made in the style of the Tiger carbine, which is based on the SVD rifle.
The SVD 3-4 strategy from Saiga-12 has the following borrowings:
- automation mechanisms;
- trigger and impact mechanisms;
- fuse and magazine.
The Tiger carbine has a 580 mm long barrel and a slotted flash suppressor. The shape of the orthopedic butt, which is created from laminated plywood, was borrowed from the SVD rifle. At the end of the butt there is a rubber shock absorber that reduces recoil force. The handguard is also made from plywood. For intensive cooling, oblong holes are made in the barrel. Shooting is carried out with 12/70 mm cartridges.
The SVD 3-4 strategy is fired from a detachable 5-round box magazine. The SVDS 3-1 strategy is produced based on the standard of another SVDS rifle, which has a folding stock. Unlike the SVD 3-4 Strategy, the carbine is equipped with a folding frame stock and a wooden handle. Both models look remarkable, “military-style,” which appeals to many security company employees and hunters familiar with the military Kalashnikov. In terms of ballistic characteristics, the SVD Strategy is no different from the ordinary Saiga-12.
Performance characteristics of Saiga MK 308
The performance characteristics (TTX) of the Saiga 308 MK carbine are presented in the following table:
| Characteristic | Index |
| Caliber, mm | 7.62 |
| Weapon length, mm | 1125.0 |
| Barrel length, mm | 555.0 |
| Total weight, kg | 4.1 |
| Store, ammunition | 8.0 |
| Effective fire range, m | 300.0 |
| Cartridge | 7.62/51.0 |
Saiga 308 MK carbine
Options for main components
Carbines of all modifications include different designs of the main components: the base of the front sight, the forearm, the butt and the like.
The main options for the butt:
- constant hunting stock;
- quick-release hunting stock, which is locked with a spring-loaded latch;
- orthopedic wood stock;
- plastic buttstock with a cheekpiece similar to the SVD rifle;
- unchanged butt like an AK assault rifle;
- folding plastic or framed iron stock similar to an AK assault rifle.
Forend options:
- gas tube and fore-end trim similar to an AK assault rifle;
- hunting forend.
Options for the front sight base:
- with a small conical flame arrester;
- with a long cylindrical flame arrester;
- with a small conical flame arrester;
- without flame arrester;
- the base of the front sight, which is combined with the gas chamber.
Design features of individual modifications:
- "Saiga-M" - a modernized version: a bolt with 3 lugs;
- extended barrel 555 mm;
- trigger mechanism with weakened trigger force;
- ergonomic wood stock with rubber butt pad;
Partial disassembly of the Saiga MK 308 carbine
Partial disassembly of the carbine is carried out for cleaning and lubrication of working parts and mechanisms. The order is as follows:
- to avoid an inadvertent shot, check the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. To do this, unfasten the magazine. The bolt frame is moved to the rear extreme position and released to take the working position. Fire a control shot;
- remove the optical device for aiming, adhering to the requirements of the instructions for the device;
- remove the receiver and return mechanism. To do this, immerse the protrusion of the return mechanism protruding above the lid, and at the same time move the lid back and up. Pull out the return mechanism;
- moving backwards, pull out the bolt frame and bolt;
- using a spiral movement, remove the shutter from the frame;
- Having released the latch, remove the tube for removing powder gases;
- if necessary, remove the forend by unscrewing the fixing bolt with a “straight” screwdriver;
- disconnect the butt.
See also the article Saiga 410k and its characteristics
After servicing the weapon, assembly is carried out in the reverse order.
