Saiga



The Saiga-12 is a Kalashnikov-pattern 12 gauge combat shotgun available in a wide range of configurations. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, gas-operated gun that feeds from a box magazine. All Saiga-12 configurations are recognizable as Kalashnikov-pattern guns by the large 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 held in place by the rear of the recoil spring assembly.

The looser clearances offered in an AK style design result in high reliability—an enormous boon on a semi-automatic shotgun, as this class of weapon had previously tended towards unreliability. The gun is also readily affordable and easy to maintain, made almost entirely from sheet-metal stampings.

The Saiga-12 is manufactured by the arms division of Izhmash, in Russia. It was previously imported into the US by European American Armories, although their agreement expired in 2005 and Izhmash is now exporting through the Russian-American Armory Company.

SHORTCOMINGS
Due to the shape and size of the 12 gauge round, the Saiga-12 has some unusual quirks. As originally designed with conical rifle rounds, the AK-47 can be loaded and then charged by cycling the action. The Saiga-12, however, is difficult to load unless the bolt is held in the rearward position whilst the magazine is inserted - the front edge of the shell hits the bottom of the bolt face, and the magazine will fail to seat properly. This adds about half a second to magazine changes. Nevertheless, with a bit of practice, inserting a loaded magazine into the Saiga-12 on a closed bolt is possible. Some newer Saiga-12s include a bolt hold-open catch to help with this problem.

Another problem stems from the fact that shotgun rounds are naturally more flexible than rifle rounds. When a loaded magazine is left inside the weapon for more than a few days, the top round of ammunition tends to become deformed from having the magazine spring squeeze it against the closed bolt. This can cause a failure to feed if a loaded magazine is left in the weapon for an extended period of time.

CONCERNS
Though it does not have the select (automatic) fire capabilities of an actual assault rifle (and indeed is not even a rifle), the Saiga is classified by the US state of California as an "assault weapon", as it is a semiautomatic shotgun with the ability to accept a detachable magazine. However, if a magazine lock that only allows the magazine to be removed by use of a tool is installed, it is no longer classified as an assault weapon, as its previously detachable magazine is then rendered a fixed magazine. CA PC 12276.1.