The mods were done to get a pistol grip and be 922 leagal . I knew I would get flamed . I did not say the best ,I said one of the best . If anyone cares ,the Saiga is showing up at a lot of 3 gun match's and doing very well . When broken in and fed good ammo they run like a champ . Fedral 2/3 game loads (Walmart $4.50 abox) worked perfectly with the gas selector set to the proper setting from day one with No mods. This may be a moot point as the prices now are out of sight ,and are hard to find . I got my 2 at $350.00 each over a year ago . The mag s have not been a problem for me . I say shoot one ,than comment on the Saiga. For bird hunting I use my Beretta 681,but I would have no problem useing my Saiga 12 or my old Benelli M2 for SD at short range . I trust them equally .