Saiga 12 Info Needed

[Superman]

I'm starting to research my next purchase and I'd like to get your guys' input on what you know about Saiga 12 shotguns. What are the good brands, what are the brands to stay away from, how much are they normally (the non-gauged prices that are going on right now), etc.? I've done google searches and read up on some stuff and I'm willing to do the leg work of reading if you just want to post links to websites

Thanks in advance!!

[karder]

I have a Saiga 12 and I like it very much. It shoots and cycles great and can handle any loads that I have ever put through it. Plus they are a lot of fun to customize and tinker with. I have no idea what they are going for now. I bought mine new for $599. I can't remember exactly how long ago, but my feeble aging memory seems to think it was in 2008 or 2009. I imagine the price gougers are asking crazy prices now, so you may want to wait a bit until things settle down. Good luck.

[philip964]

Even before the proposed ban I could never find one at the gun shows.

So where would you even get one.

[hpcatx]

Recently picked up a MKA-1919 (dubbed the AR-12, but only superficially looks like an AR pattern rifle and has a similar manual of arms). So recently, in fact, that I've not had the chance to put it through its tests at the range. I've been told that it shoots much better than the Saiga out of the box. The trade off is that the Saiga has many more after market parts, as it's more established and enjoys larger popularity. If you're having trouble locating a Saiga 12 gauge, you might want to consider the MKA-1919. They're going for around $700-750.

[SDenton]

Good luck finding them right now at a realistic price - Saiga 12 is on Feisteins ban list, and I've just had one customer pay over $1k for an unconverted Saiga 5.45 rifle (I did the transfer for him, I wasn't the seller).

Ones converted by the better known manufacturers like Tromix are highly coveted right now, prices are insane unfortunately.

[Ace_Inthe_O]

I'm starting to research my next purchase and I'd like to get your guys' input on what you know about Saiga 12 shotguns. What are the good brands, what are the brands to stay away from, how much are they normally (the non-gauged prices that are going on right now), etc.? I've done google searches and read up on some stuff and I'm willing to do the leg work of reading if you just want to post links to websites

Thanks in advance!!

Saiga is the brand of shotgun...only Saiga makes Saiga shotguns, it's possible to have different importers and slightly different variations but they all basically function the same. When you start looking you will see "converted" and "non-converted" the difference being converted Saiga has returned the fire control group to it's original factory location (when the shotgun is imported it is modified b/c of some very dumb laws we have here in the US). Saiga shotguns before the craziness went for $750-800 (basic conversion) and the stock one were $599. Now even before the craziness they were hard to come by as they aren't imported in huge numbers and the imports aren't consistent. The best price I have ever found on them is classicarms.us and they usually have regular stock.

Check out saiga12.com as well there's a ton of information over there as well as DIY conversion instructions. I converted my own and love it...probably the most terrifying gun I own when equipped with a 20rd drum.