Used Saiga 12 buyer's checklist. Can you add to it?

Pond, James Pond · February 25, 2012, 10:25 AM

There is a used Saiga 12 on sale locally.

I've decided I'm going to have a look at it.

At the moment my list of things to check are purely the common sense types: any signs of damage, excessive wear etc.

However, I have no specific knowledge of Saigas. I've read about sight alignment issues, port holes not being sufficient in size or number etc.

How do I check for such things?
Which other checks would you recommend?
When I open the breech, what should I look for?

These kinds of issues would be very interesting and useful!
Thanks in advance.

Technosavant · February 25, 2012, 10:49 AM

To check for the gas ports, the easiest method is to use a flashlight and maybe a paper clip (straighten it, then bend about the last 5-7 mm at a sharp angle... about 120 degrees from straight). You see what you can see with the light and poke the paper clip into each gas port.

Other than that, they're very simple guns; there's just not much to go wrong.

rottieman33 · February 25, 2012, 10:54 AM

If you want to learn more go here, forum just for saiga guns.

http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?

M4BGRINGO · February 25, 2012, 04:40 PM

If you can test fire it with #8 and see if it cycles correctly you will know a lot about the gun at that point.

Pond, James Pond · February 25, 2012, 04:51 PM

Gonna sound daft, but here goes: What do you mean by #8?

Quote:

If you can test fire it with #8 and see if it cycles correctly you will know a lot about the gun at that point.

And what will it teach me?

g.willikers · February 25, 2012, 05:42 PM

Probably means ammo with no. 8 pellets, which are usually target loads.
If it cycles this, it will no doubt cycle stronger rounds.
But if it doesn't cycle with light loads, it's only a problem if that is the ammo you intend to use.
If you like the gun and want to buy it, don't sweat the ammo so much.
Just find what it likes and that's what you use.
You know, like a .22

Technosavant · February 25, 2012, 06:22 PM

If the gun will cycle a standard target load (usually number 9, 8, or 7.5 shot), then it means the gun has enough gas for most anything you'd do with a S12. The only lighter loads you'd come across are usually for target games only, and even then anything lighter than that (1 1/8 ounces of shot at 1300 feet per second or so) usually is labelled as not likely to cycle a semiauto.

If it cycles those target loads, it will cycle slugs and buckshot with zero issues. If it won't cycle those loads, it might still cycle the heavier loads, but it's an indicator that you aren't getting enough gas to operate the thing.

Pond, James Pond · February 26, 2012, 02:03 AM

Thanks for explaining!!

February 25, 2012, 10:25 AM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Used Saiga 12 buyer's checklist. Can you add to it? There is a used Saiga 12 on sale locally. I've decided I'm going to have a look at it. At the moment my list of things to check are purely the common sense types: any signs of damage, excessive wear etc. However, I have no specific knowledge of Saigas. I've read about sight alignment issues, port holes not being sufficient in size or number etc. How do I check for such things? Which other checks would you recommend? When I open the breech, what should I look for? These kinds of issues would be very interesting and useful! Thanks in advance. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

February 25, 2012, 05:42 PM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Probably means ammo with no. 8 pellets, which are usually target loads. If it cycles this, it will no doubt cycle stronger rounds. But if it doesn't cycle with light loads, it's only a problem if that is the ammo you intend to use. If you like the gun and want to buy it, don't sweat the ammo so much. Just find what it likes and that's what you use. You know, like a .22 __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 25, 2012, 10:49 AM	#2
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	To check for the gas ports, the easiest method is to use a flashlight and maybe a paper clip (straighten it, then bend about the last 5-7 mm at a sharp angle... about 120 degrees from straight). You see what you can see with the light and poke the paper clip into each gas port. Other than that, they're very simple guns; there's just not much to go wrong.

February 25, 2012, 10:54 AM	#3
rottieman33 Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 223	If you want to learn more go here, forum just for saiga guns. http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?

February 25, 2012, 04:40 PM	#4
M4BGRINGO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2011 Posts: 256	If you can test fire it with #8 and see if it cycles correctly you will know a lot about the gun at that point.

February 25, 2012, 06:22 PM	#7
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	If the gun will cycle a standard target load (usually number 9, 8, or 7.5 shot), then it means the gun has enough gas for most anything you'd do with a S12. The only lighter loads you'd come across are usually for target games only, and even then anything lighter than that (1 1/8 ounces of shot at 1300 feet per second or so) usually is labelled as not likely to cycle a semiauto. If it cycles those target loads, it will cycle slugs and buckshot with zero issues. If it won't cycle those loads, it might still cycle the heavier loads, but it's an indicator that you aren't getting enough gas to operate the thing.

February 26, 2012, 02:03 AM	#8
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Thanks for explaining!! __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.