Just wondering if anyone knows where one get get a Saiga 12 at a good price. I've seen them lately going for $700.00. It almost doubled in price from a year ago after a ban rumor was spread around.

I did a good bit of gun site surfing over the last couple weeks and that seems to be the going price.


I remember when I first saw them a few years ago. i think it was $450 or $500 at the gun show. I almost bought one on impulse just because it was different and fairly cheap. I let the low price and my unfamiliarity with the firearm talk me out of it. I didn't know anything about the Saigas or the conversions back then so I didn't think too much about it after that. They are apparently more popular now but I think I would prefer something like a Mossberg 930 or FNH SLP over the S12 at this point. They look really cool and the previously lower price tag made them a good deal but at $700 and being (IMHO) a better looking weapon coverted I don't think I would buy one now. The magazine does add to the cool factor but it also adds bulk and cost to the package and i wouldn't want to deal with that. Plus I like the fact that with a tube feeder you can shove
more shells into a tube feeder and keep on trucking.

Also... Something that I thought was cool on the shotgun side. There is a 14" FNH pump shotgun for I was for $450. It has a 4" muzzle attached to make it legal. I don't know how they put it on there but I think it would be cool to drop another $200 on there and short barrel it. Bet it would make for a nice zombie gun...

Good luck finding the S12. I would check the forums FS threads for the best price.

I missed the Siaga bandwagon allso. The Kel Tec KSG tactical shotgun looks promising. It's a 14+ 1 pump bullpup. Twin 7 round magazines with a lever to switch between tubes. However it won't exactly be inexpensive at first either.

Hey thanks for the responses Lazi & Hooker (?) I'll check those shotguns out. I'm moving out of NY soon, so I'm itching for something cool!<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


By the way, I've been told a lazi hooker is bad for business. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />


I was going to write I Hart Lazi Hooker, but that wouldn't be proper, so I won't. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The Kel Tec is only 26" long!

They already upgraded some of the features too.

I've been looking at the Kel-Tec KSG as well. Not so much for the capacity, but for the OAL thanks to the bull pup design.

I picked up mine locally for ~$600 about a year ago and then did a kitchen table Tromix conversion on it with an ACE folder. They have indeed about doubled in price. My somewhat local shop is selling them for ~1200. That sucks.

I'm starting to like the short Kel Tec 14+1. I'm impressed that they are addressing complaints, such as putting slits in the tubes so you can see your shell count. I still like the idea of a magazine/drum feature and having semi to dampen the recoil.

For the price...I'd just save a bit more and get another KISS AR. Offers more capacity, more control, more range, ease of & memory of training, and spare parts for the others. Food for thought.

The few I have seen at classes and competitions didn't seem to run that great, but that's a small sample size. I would also rather have an AR, or at least a Benelli.

The MSRP is going to be right in the ballpark of 880$, Kel-tecs hardly ever go for a lot (the Forward ejecting bullpup notwithstanding.)

The hard part is going to be finding one that hasn't already be paid for. There is at least a 6 month waiting list after they begin production, last I checked with my local gun store.

IMO, the Saiga is a great weapon, but admittedly I'm partial to AKs.

Being a blown up version of the AK47, it will feature the same sort of pros that the rifle will if you use full power ammunition. Shooting the target loads that you get at wally world will turn it into a bolt action. They just don't have the pressure to run the weapon. Let's face it, there's a lot of metal to move in a bolt carrier that big. I have seen drop in replacement pistons that supposedly allow functioning with the cheap target loads, however not yet being an owner, I have no experience and can't vouch for thier reliability.

Ammunition capacity is on par with the Kel-tec if your packing 12 rounders. They can be had fairly easily, Saiga12.com carries them in stock. They aren't cheap, however... Even better, there is at least one company that makes a 25 round snail mag for it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. The 5 rounders are easy to find, cheap, and more manageable in confined spaces, but I feel the MUCH faster reload makes up for the unwieldiness of the weapon. However, the NFA required 18" barrel will make for quite a long weapon, which could be unwieldy in close confines without a folding stock. I would definitely go for an SBR if I were to buy one right now.

As for conversions, there are several ways you could go about that as well. You could go for the drop in replacement stocks that fit un-modded shotguns for an inexpensive fix, just screws right in. Or, you could go the gunsmith route and have it converted back to a true mil configuration, which would cost a bit more. Either way, the functionality wouldn't be hindered in any way, and there is a whole slew of aftermarket rails and other doo-dads that are available now. There are even some pretty hefty aftermarket mods that can be had from custom shops like Rifle Dynamics if you really want to chop it up and turn it into a slick TEOTWAWKI life insurance policy.

There are pros and cons to any system though. Full disclosure: I'm very biased, lol. I fully intend to have a Kel-tec ready to rock and roll under the bed, and I also plan on having a kitted out Saiga in the closet as my SHTF weapon as well. You can never have too much firepower <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

still working on how I'd explain to the cops why I used a shotgun with a 25 round drum mag to defend my home against an intruder though...