410 saiga (good or not?)

bubbaman · October 23, 2010, 09:16 PM

I have just recently started to think about a home defense shotgun. The new saiga 410 models are cheap enough, but how are they on dependability? That would be my only issue about a gun of that type.

FL_WARRIOR · October 26, 2010, 07:39 PM

I've owned one for several years now, and its a hoot to shoot at the range, and lots of comments about the mods that I've done. Good shooter, reliable, relatively cheap in cost, but not my first choice in HD weapon..

be well

stegmaier · November 8, 2010, 07:56 AM

When I first got my Saiga in 12 Guage, it didn'nt work well at all, single shot was the best it would do, took it back to the dealer to see what he could do with it. He sent it back to I have no idea where, but it was back in two weeks, they put a weaker spring in it, works great now, it's alot of fun blasting away, but I wouldnt advise it as a primary HD unit, just too darn long and cumbersome for that application...................stegmaier

zippy13 · November 8, 2010, 10:15 AM

Bubbaman, as a HD gun, the 410 Saiga has two strikes against it from the get-go, and they apply to any .410-bore autoloader.

Strike One is the size, most folks prefer a gauge larger than a .410-bore in a HD gun. Yeah, I know, you hear a lot about the new special .410 HD loads; but, they are intended for the Judge revolver. A .410 is a pretty hot handgun load, but it's lightweight shotgun load. Most would select a 12-ga for HD with the 20-ga a distant second choice.

Strike Two is the action type, most folks want a very reliable gun for HD, and prefer a pump action over an autoloaders. I don't know why, a pump is just as likely to be finicky about ammo as an auto. I've read several recent threads about Remington 870 Express models having extraction problems, not so with the Remington 1100 auto.

Most competitors, myself included, don't use an autoloader for match work because they've lost too many targets due to autoloader FTFs. They prefer the O/U -- drop one (or two) in, and if the action closes smoothly the probability of the gun shooting is awesomely high. Yes, there can be occasional trouble with the selection mechanism in a single trigger O/U -- selecting a double trigger HD gun eliminates that possibility. That's why some prefer a coach gun for HD -- they select reliability over a pump's larger magazine capacity. (Some shooters, well trained with a double gun, can get off 4-shots very quickly.)

If you hear something go bump in the night and your choice is between a 410 Saiga and no gun, it's a no brainer. However, given a choice, it wouldn't be my go-to gun for HD.

markj · November 8, 2010, 05:19 PM

410 shells are expensive. More so than 12 ga and 12 ga you have a lot of different loads to choose from.

zippy13 · November 8, 2010, 08:45 PM

markj
A great point! We know the ammo makers will cite supply and demand and production schedules to substantiate their .410-bore ammo prices. But, if you're like me, you'll agree that .410 prices have gone from high, passed outrageous, and are now disgraceful.

hogdogs · November 8, 2010, 08:53 PM

You can dang near buy a 100 count brick of promo load 12 or 20 to practice with for the cost of a 20-25 round box of coon loads (#4-6) in .410.

Brent

zippy13 · November 8, 2010, 09:32 PM

Brent,
Pushing it to the extreme, midwayusa.com has Winchester .410-bore 3-inch 000 Buckshot for $7.19 per box of 5. That works out to 35.95 per box of 25 -- forget the 100-count bargain box -- for $36 you can get 4 boxes (of 25) Winchester AA or Remington Premier STS loads and have nice re-loadable hulls! It's crazy.

markj · November 9, 2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

and are now disgraceful

I justify the expense as this is my sons first shotgun, he is 8 and is just starting to shoot. Soon he will be big enough for a 20 then the 410 will be put in his gun safe

yes he has a gun safe, with the rest of his guns.

zippy13 · November 9, 2010, 05:40 PM

markj,
I love the .410-bore for Skeet. Like the majority of regular .410 shooters, most of the time I shoot reloads. I shoot 'em 'till the burnt crimps cry for mercy. Needless to say, by then there's probably no way they would function in an autolader or pump gun. In my vault, the shell boxes with the big black "X" on them are the "last time" loads -- they aren't fit to be seen by women, children nor squeamish shooters.

nefprotector · November 9, 2010, 07:31 PM

I had one. Got rid of it due to jamming problems. Buy yourself a good Mossberg, Remington, or even an NEF protector etc. Good luck!

markj · November 11, 2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

markj,
I love the .410-bore for Skeet

I had a hard time hitting the targets but my younger brother dusted each one using the 2.5s with .5 oz of lead. He is good like our Dad used to be.

When I was 12 I had a pheas fly right to me, I shot him with a 410 3in, he just flew away. Had feathers every where,

went to a 12 and have had no problems.

I get a huge sense of gratification seeing my son shoot, only wish I had him 30 years ago

he missed a lot of good hunting

hardworker · November 11, 2010, 04:10 PM

The biggest problem with 410 is cost of ammo. 410 000 buck is nothing to sneeze at but will run your wallet dry.

bamaranger · November 15, 2010, 11:35 PM

Always thought the .410 Saiga would be the ultimate rabbit gun. Probably scare the daylights out of my beagles though , who are pretty sensitive about anybody hunting w/ an assault style weapon.

October 23, 2010, 09:16 PM	#1
bubbaman Junior member Join Date: September 20, 2010 Location: latrobe Posts: 21	410 saiga (good or not?) I have just recently started to think about a home defense shotgun. The new saiga 410 models are cheap enough, but how are they on dependability? That would be my only issue about a gun of that type.

November 15, 2010, 11:35 PM	#14
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,302	ultimate bunny blaster Always thought the .410 Saiga would be the ultimate rabbit gun. Probably scare the daylights out of my beagles though , who are pretty sensitive about anybody hunting w/ an assault style weapon.

November 8, 2010, 07:56 AM	#3
stegmaier Member Join Date: March 23, 2010 Posts: 16	When I first got my Saiga in 12 Guage, it didn'nt work well at all, single shot was the best it would do, took it back to the dealer to see what he could do with it. He sent it back to I have no idea where, but it was back in two weeks, they put a weaker spring in it, works great now, it's alot of fun blasting away, but I wouldnt advise it as a primary HD unit, just too darn long and cumbersome for that application...................stegmaier

November 8, 2010, 10:15 AM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Bubbaman, as a HD gun, the 410 Saiga has two strikes against it from the get-go, and they apply to any .410-bore autoloader. Strike One is the size, most folks prefer a gauge larger than a .410-bore in a HD gun. Yeah, I know, you hear a lot about the new special .410 HD loads; but, they are intended for the Judge revolver. A .410 is a pretty hot handgun load, but it's lightweight shotgun load. Most would select a 12-ga for HD with the 20-ga a distant second choice. Strike Two is the action type, most folks want a very reliable gun for HD, and prefer a pump action over an autoloaders. I don't know why, a pump is just as likely to be finicky about ammo as an auto. I've read several recent threads about Remington 870 Express models having extraction problems, not so with the Remington 1100 auto. Most competitors, myself included, don't use an autoloader for match work because they've lost too many targets due to autoloader FTFs. They prefer the O/U -- drop one (or two) in, and if the action closes smoothly the probability of the gun shooting is awesomely high. Yes, there can be occasional trouble with the selection mechanism in a single trigger O/U -- selecting a double trigger HD gun eliminates that possibility. That's why some prefer a coach gun for HD -- they select reliability over a pump's larger magazine capacity. (Some shooters, well trained with a double gun, can get off 4-shots very quickly.) If you hear something go bump in the night and your choice is between a 410 Saiga and no gun, it's a no brainer. However, given a choice, it wouldn't be my go-to gun for HD.

November 8, 2010, 05:19 PM	#5
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	410 shells are expensive. More so than 12 ga and 12 ga you have a lot of different loads to choose from.

November 8, 2010, 08:45 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	markj A great point! We know the ammo makers will cite supply and demand and production schedules to substantiate their .410-bore ammo prices. But, if you're like me, you'll agree that .410 prices have gone from high, passed outrageous, and are now disgraceful.

November 8, 2010, 08:53 PM	#7
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	You can dang near buy a 100 count brick of promo load 12 or 20 to practice with for the cost of a 20-25 round box of coon loads (#4-6) in .410. Brent

November 8, 2010, 09:32 PM	#8
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Brent, Pushing it to the extreme, midwayusa.com has Winchester .410-bore 3-inch 000 Buckshot for $7.19 per box of 5. That works out to 35.95 per box of 25 -- forget the 100-count bargain box -- for $36 you can get 4 boxes (of 25) Winchester AA or Remington Premier STS loads and have nice re-loadable hulls! It's crazy.

November 9, 2010, 05:40 PM	#10
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	markj, I love the .410-bore for Skeet. Like the majority of regular .410 shooters, most of the time I shoot reloads. I shoot 'em 'till the burnt crimps cry for mercy. Needless to say, by then there's probably no way they would function in an autolader or pump gun. In my vault, the shell boxes with the big black "X" on them are the "last time" loads -- they aren't fit to be seen by women, children nor squeamish shooters.

November 9, 2010, 07:31 PM	#11
nefprotector Junior member Join Date: December 3, 2009 Location: SE Alabama Posts: 701	I had one. Got rid of it due to jamming problems. Buy yourself a good Mossberg, Remington, or even an NEF protector etc. Good luck!

November 11, 2010, 04:10 PM	#13
hardworker Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 820	The biggest problem with 410 is cost of ammo. 410 000 buck is nothing to sneeze at but will run your wallet dry.