[Did I buy a dud?]

To the OP: You state you only had 15% function when on setting 1 with Bird shot. That's the way it's supposed to work. Setting 1 is for high brass, buckshot, slugs, Magnum rounds.

 

I've found that new guns run smoother when the rails & extractor slot is greased. I took my '09 3 hole gun out with the factory mag and ran 25 rounds through it without a single hickup. I did try 1 mag on setting 1 just for the hell of it and it choked up on 3 of the 5.

 

When broken in these guns will run dry, but I don't understand why anybody would pull one new out of the box and leisurely shoot them dry. Take the gun home, field strip it, grease the rails, bolt lugs, and extractor channel, then go put 100 rounds of bird shot through it. Would you buy a new Sig, HK, Springfield, Glock pistol and run it dry right out of the box?

 

The ability to run dry is great for when you are running for your life, and the last thing on your mind is the wear that is occurring to your weapon.

 

Gun was greased prior to shooting the first time and cleaned and regreased prior to going out the next. I tried setting 1 only b.c setting 2 would not cycle, knowing that it wasn't designed for bird shot on 1, I figured what the hell and gave it a shot but not really expecting much. I'm waiting on the new plug and plan on picking up some slugs to compliment the shot I already have and see if it works any better.

 

To bigcec1: I purchased this gun knowing that there is a great chance it won't work out of the box and might need some adjustments - from my newbie understanding that's just the way these guns are built..Russia really isn't at the top of the list when it comes to QC, but I'm certain with some work and the help of the knowlegable people on this forum that I'll have it dialed in in no time. Pick one up - it's a sh#t load of fun when you cycle a 5 rnder through with no jams- can't wait to slap the MD20 on there!

[Did I buy a dud?]

Well, brought my new addition to the property today and it failed miserably. After spending some time getting the MD 20 and Pro Mag to lock in it was off to go blast some quick rounds before dinner with the Mrs. and have a little fun after a work week of hell. It might be the ammo - Remington Sport Shot 2 3/4- but not one shot cycled on either 1 or 2 setting. I stripped the weapon down and was able to see all 3 holes on the gas port, so that doesn't seem to be the issue and not even the stock 5 round mag would work, so I am hoping it's the ammo ---------Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am into this weapon for close a $1k with all the bells and whistles and can't get more than a shot off at a time!!

mine was the same, but do the following

 

make sure the barrel ports are not plugged

 

get a kings armory tappett

 

lock the bolt back and leave it for a couple of weeks

 

polish the rails inside

 

 

if this doesnt work, then you may need a gunfixer plug

 

Uh, why not just skip all the above shit, (except checking the gas ports, obviously), and just buy a Gunfixr's gas plug? It's superior to the factory plug in every way, allowing you to have both more gas settings and to hand-adjust those settings at any time, without fucking around with a seperate tool.

 

Gunfixr's improved gas plug is also significantly cheaper than the King's Armory tappet, and imho, is a more impressive innovation over the standard Russian part.

 

Put the order through about an hour ago with Mike over at MDARMS - should be here in a couple of days and will have a chance to get out and try it on Tues after I get back from a business trip. PLEASE if anyone has any other insight send it my way. I hate to do it, but I'll have to leave the Saiga at home and grab another of my black guns when I head back out to shoot with the rest of my buddies again until it's spot on. It sucks b/c everyone thinks the weapon is SICK until they see it shoot and jam, shoot and jam, etc!

 

Seriously, thanks again...after researching it there's a lot to be said about this weapon just by the people that are in this forum. Prior to purchasing, I checked the site out and was impressed with what I saw - that's what sealed the deal (and the youtube vid of the pallet destruction) and you guys haven't let me down yet! Thanks again!

 

BTW- Should I trash the Promag and go with an AGP? I filed the promag down so it seats properly, but I'm getting consistent jams...

 

I guess I should walk before I run - you can scratch the mag question.

[Did I buy a dud?]

Run a few hundred high brass buckshot or slugs through the gun to get it good and loosened up on Setting 1 before trying more of that light stuff.

 

Should I order the gun fixer plug or just pick up a hundred slugs and run them through? Seems like a lot to break these in proper- can't wait to get her up to snuff so I can hook up the MD20 and go out and have the fun that everyone on here keeps talking about!

[Did I buy a dud?]

Hmm dumb question... The puck is in the gas system right?

 

Yes, puck is and rotates.

 

does anything happen with the bolt when you shoot?

First 25 rounds the bolt moves but gets hung up 1/2 way back thus jamming the spent round in the chamber.

 

Was it failure to fire(ftf) or failure to eject (fte) You need to break in the gun before you use either of those mags. Use the stock mag then install your gas plug, spin all the way in. try it on both settings, if that doesn't work come out one full rotation and try again. let us know and good luck.

 

Reverted back to the 5 rd mag and it does much better than the 10 rder but still have FTE issues. I picked up another 100 rds of multi purpose today and still having the same issues. I tried coming out one full rotation to no avail. So far I have over 300 rds through which should be more than enough for a break in. I guess I'll have to order the gunfixer plug tomm??? I'm at a lost - even had the rest of the guys (everyone thought the gun was kick ass looking but were not impressed w. it's performance) I was shooting with today give it a go and we had some 5 rd shoot flawless and others jam every other round- what gives, is this normal for a Saiga out of the box? Is it really necassary to polish everything down?

 

At any rate, at least I brought an AR with me and dumped 250 rds through it so the day wasn't a complete loss.

[Did I buy a dud?]

Thanks for all the help - Here's the update.. picked up 200 rds of Remington 2 3/4 1-1/8 multi purpose this morning and figured I give the Saiga another run using the stock 5 and Promag 10 as well as the MD20. On setting 2 I was getting 70% success on operation with both the stock mag and 10 rd promag. Setting 1 was much worse, somewhere in the neighborhood of 15% operation on both FTL and FTE on either setting. And the MD20 wouldn't even cycle 1 round. After reading Mike's instructions it seems I might need some type of new gas plug which I'll order on Monday. The MD is a great looking drum and I can't wait to get it up as I don't think it's the drum itself, as it is the weapon. Any additional insight would be great- and thanks again for all the help...it seems it's getting better but still have significant failures- is there a better ammo I should pick up as she is all cleaned up and ready for another go around tomorrow!!

[Did I buy a dud?]

Well, brought my new addition to the property today and it failed miserably. After spending some time getting the MD 20 and Pro Mag to lock in it was off to go blast some quick rounds before dinner with the Mrs. and have a little fun after a work week of hell. It might be the ammo - Remington Sport Shot 2 3/4- but not one shot cycled on either 1 or 2 setting. I stripped the weapon down and was able to see all 3 holes on the gas port, so that doesn't seem to be the issue and not even the stock 5 round mag would work, so I am hoping it's the ammo ---------Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am into this weapon for close a $1k with all the bells and whistles and can't get more than a shot off at a time!!

[Did I buy a dud?]

Well, brought my new addition to the property today and it failed miserably. After spending some time getting the MD 20 and Pro Mag to lock in it was off to go blast some quick rounds before dinner with the Mrs. and have a little fun after a work week of hell. It might be the ammo - Remington Sport Shot 2 3/4- but not one shot cycled on either 1 or 2 setting. I stripped the weapon down and was able to see all 3 holes on the gas port, so that doesn't seem to be the issue and not even the stock 5 round mag would work, so I am hoping it's the ammo ---------Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am into this weapon for close a $1k with all the bells and whistles and can't get more than a shot off at a time!!

[Drum]

Thanks again - one more question, any recommendations on ammo to be used for the break in period? I've read Wolf 3 slugs are the way to go, but that was only one owner's thought. Is it necassary, and how many rounds are needed.

[Drum]

Thanks for all the help- taking the new combo (Saiga/MD20) out this weekend for the first time. Heading up to Cabelas tomm and want to buy in bulk so I don't want to get stuck with anything that has been known not to cycle. I know Winchester Universal and low recoil shells are out - does anyone have some specifics manuf to stick with or stay away from? I'm looking for 00 through 3in slugs.

[Drum]

Be sure to READ the fitting instructions several times before you start and follow them EXACTLY. This means go very slow as well, You will be delighted!

 

1911

 

Thanks 1911- any pointers??

[Drum]

I endorse the MD-20, myself, as will most here.

 

Thanks for the heads up Bvamp, I was leaning towards the MD's but wanted to run it by some guys that actually used them! Just put the order through for the MD-20, as I'm in CT I'm not able to do a lot of mods....is there anymore I need to get for my Saiga to marry the new MD (once if gets here) to get it up and running?

[Drum]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and a new Saiga owner. Maybe I missed it throughout the various threads, but does anyone have any insight on the best 20 rd drum to buy?