Last Shotgun....

triggerhappy2006 · March 2, 2009, 08:30 PM

...Before I leave for Recruit Training. I'm debating wether or not to get a Saiga 12 or try to get my hands on a Benelli M3? Any opinions? I'm feeling the Saiga because I have heard nothing but good things about it but the M3 I like the idea of pump/semi action.

nutty ned · March 2, 2009, 10:17 PM

You can't take it with you and at duty stations after PI you would have to keep it in the armory unless you are married and have on or off base qtrs.
My advice is to wait and see what conditions exist at your first duty
station after PI and MOS training.

Hirlau · March 2, 2009, 10:36 PM

+1 Nutty Ned

6x6pinz · March 2, 2009, 10:59 PM

Personally I would pick up the Saiga now if you can leave it some place safe. These are without a doubt going to be harder to get. I have really enjoyed mine and use if for duck/goose hunting. This past year I had to work on 3 of the Benelli's in the field. They just did not hold up to the, less than clean, enviroment of duck hunting. The Benelli's had FTE problems in two of them and one broke a Chryo(sp?) barrel part.
The best part is the Saiga just kept firing rounds. The only draw back is it is not able to shoot 3 1/2's, that is where my SPR453 comes to play.

olddrum1 · March 2, 2009, 11:52 PM

Not sure what branch you are going into but I would advise you to wait until you found out where your duty station was at and not pick something up until you get there. You may find that once you are in there are better deals to be had than what was at home. You also might have a better use for that money once you get to your duty station. I found while I was in, having a firearm and living on government property was a PIA for me.
Do what you want, this is just a thought.

zippy13 · March 3, 2009, 06:58 AM

If the Corps wants you to have something, it'll be issued. You may not want a Saiga 12 or Benelli M3 after basic.

+2 Nutty Ned
+1 olddrum1

Since you're headed to Parris Island, your free time is best spent in physical conditioning. The better shape you are in upon arrival, the more rewarding your basic experience will be.

triggerhappy2006 · March 3, 2009, 03:06 PM

Currently own 10 other guns, not looking for a service weapon but a personal weapon, I like both shotguns mentioned. I own a Saiga in .308 which I performed a pistol grip conversion. I have always like the Benelli M3 for the pump/semi action system. The only other shotguns I own are two Mossbergs 600 and 835 both in 12 gauge. And my uncle is going to hang on to my weapons until I get out.

lipadj46 · March 3, 2009, 07:07 PM

With out a doubt get a Saiga 12 they are awesome. Especially when converted. You are in NY state though and conversions are a tricky thing, legally speaking. You need to put on a "thumbhole" stock like a dragonuv type skeleton or bulgarian stock where the pistol grip is connected to the butt stock. The improved trigger and ergonomics are well worth it. Once you put 10 rounds of 00 buck into a bunch of milk jugs in 2 seconds you will be addicted.

triggerhappy2006 · March 5, 2009, 02:28 PM

Deposit made, couldn't resist

I don't think that 599 will be missed all too much.

triggerhappy2006 · March 7, 2009, 05:42 PM

OH YEA!!!! I picked up my Saiga 12 today and shot it for the first time. I haven't stopped smiling since.

Awesome gun, nice addition to the family.

March 2, 2009, 08:30 PM	#1
triggerhappy2006 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2006 Posts: 452	Last Shotgun.... ...Before I leave for Recruit Training. I'm debating wether or not to get a Saiga 12 or try to get my hands on a Benelli M3? Any opinions? I'm feeling the Saiga because I have heard nothing but good things about it but the M3 I like the idea of pump/semi action.

March 2, 2009, 10:17 PM	#2
nutty ned Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 765	You can't take it with you and at duty stations after PI you would have to keep it in the armory unless you are married and have on or off base qtrs. My advice is to wait and see what conditions exist at your first duty station after PI and MOS training.

March 2, 2009, 10:36 PM	#3
Hirlau Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 296	+1 Nutty Ned

March 2, 2009, 10:59 PM	#4
6x6pinz Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 152	Personally I would pick up the Saiga now if you can leave it some place safe. These are without a doubt going to be harder to get. I have really enjoyed mine and use if for duck/goose hunting. This past year I had to work on 3 of the Benelli's in the field. They just did not hold up to the, less than clean, enviroment of duck hunting. The Benelli's had FTE problems in two of them and one broke a Chryo(sp?) barrel part. The best part is the Saiga just kept firing rounds. The only draw back is it is not able to shoot 3 1/2's, that is where my SPR453 comes to play.

March 2, 2009, 11:52 PM	#5
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Not sure what branch you are going into but I would advise you to wait until you found out where your duty station was at and not pick something up until you get there. You may find that once you are in there are better deals to be had than what was at home. You also might have a better use for that money once you get to your duty station. I found while I was in, having a firearm and living on government property was a PIA for me. Do what you want, this is just a thought.

March 3, 2009, 06:58 AM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	If the Corps wants you to have something, it'll be issued. You may not want a Saiga 12 or Benelli M3 after basic. +2 Nutty Ned +1 olddrum1 Since you're headed to Parris Island, your free time is best spent in physical conditioning. The better shape you are in upon arrival, the more rewarding your basic experience will be.

March 3, 2009, 03:06 PM	#7
triggerhappy2006 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2006 Posts: 452	Currently own 10 other guns, not looking for a service weapon but a personal weapon, I like both shotguns mentioned. I own a Saiga in .308 which I performed a pistol grip conversion. I have always like the Benelli M3 for the pump/semi action system. The only other shotguns I own are two Mossbergs 600 and 835 both in 12 gauge. And my uncle is going to hang on to my weapons until I get out.

March 3, 2009, 07:07 PM	#8
lipadj46 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Posts: 494	With out a doubt get a Saiga 12 they are awesome. Especially when converted. You are in NY state though and conversions are a tricky thing, legally speaking. You need to put on a "thumbhole" stock like a dragonuv type skeleton or bulgarian stock where the pistol grip is connected to the butt stock. The improved trigger and ergonomics are well worth it. Once you put 10 rounds of 00 buck into a bunch of milk jugs in 2 seconds you will be addicted.

March 5, 2009, 02:28 PM	#9
triggerhappy2006 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2006 Posts: 452	Deposit made, couldn't resist I don't think that 599 will be missed all too much.

March 7, 2009, 05:42 PM	#10
triggerhappy2006 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2006 Posts: 452	OH YEA!!!! I picked up my Saiga 12 today and shot it for the first time. I haven't stopped smiling since. Awesome gun, nice addition to the family.