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GreenDefense

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Posts posted by GreenDefense

  1. GF,

     

    Appreciate the thorough and thoughtful response. I'll look for some Federal buckshot and I really appreciate the referral to additional ammo suppliers.

     

    I have now found that Remington 3" 000 buckshot is a reliable defense shell in my Saiga. Both from the SureFire mags and the ProMag drum.

     

    I understand differences in crimped length (I only wish SureFire Mags did) but this batch of B&P was defective for sure. Aside from my Saiga, the shells wouldn't easily slide in/extract from either of my single shot .410s, and would only insert 2/3 of the way in the cylinder of my gunsmith's Circuit Judge. It seems the crimp ballooned the ends just enough to hold them up. So yes, I'm blaming poor quality plastic for the mushroom effect.

     

    As this is B&P's only 3" .410 shell offered in the US, it does not surprise me that it escaped detection by their QC. To their credit, the B&P rep contacted me directly and, with genuine concern and apology, has offered suitable recompense. Always nice to find a manufacturer with integrity. Natchez was also responsive, forwarded my info to B&P, and offered a solution as well if B&P didn't step up.

     

    Got bit by the low pressure error already as well. Some 715fps buckshot from Herter's didn't even produce enough pressure to extract, much less force a full cycle, even on 2. So now I've got a bunch of that taking up space as well. Making for a total of 600 rounds of .410 ammo I have no use for and no way to get rid of. Yep...feeling pretty foolish these days.

     

    I realize and accept these are my rookie .410 mistakes. It just stings a lot (financially) and right at the onset of what normally would be my time of celebration, getting to know and love a new firearm.

    • Like 1
  2. I apologize in advance for the lengthy post.

    I'm a Saiga newbie and trying really hard to not become frustrated on the ammo front. I'm looking for current advice on 3" ammo for my lightly used Saiga .410. 

     

    For my rig, I have:

    Two 15-rd 3" SureFire Gun magazines

    One 30-rd ProMag 3" Drum that works well

    One 4-rd 3" factory magazine

     

    I had a heavy handful of 3" Remington and Winchester game loads and I burned through them verifying the weapon and all the mags worked properly. Everything worked well, with the gas setting on 1.

     

    So lately I've been searching for .410 shells from online retailers (local shops don't carry hardly any 3"). And I've scoured most of the posts here for research, but the info is scattered, inconsistent, and much of it is several years old.
     

    So here are my questions that, hopefully, someone with a .410 can advise me on:

    1) Best ammos
    Does anyone have 3" shell recommendations for:
    - steel shot (game/target)
    - buckshot
    - "plinking"

    - slugs
    - And what's the final word on Winchester PDX1?

    2) Best 3" .410 retailers
    I've been searching all the regulars (AmmoToGo, Midway, Cabela's, Sportsman's Guide, CheaperThanDirt, BulkAmmo, Natchez) none of them have a terrific selection of 3" in-stock. And I'm SHOCKED at how expensive .410 has become. Who's your go-to?

    3) The 2-1/2" shell dilemma
    With my hardware, will they work? Can they work? Do any specific shells work?

     

     

    I ordered a case of cheaper Italian (B&P) game loads for low-cost shooting just as I get a feel for the weapon, and wouldn't you know it, the things won't feed properly. It seems the diameter of the brass is too wide (yes, wide) to consistently slide into the chamber with a manual cycle. I'm running a 75% failure-to-feed rate with them. The shells are also too long for the 15-rd mags (they measure a full 2.75" crimped). The drum took them, but roughly 1 in 3 won't even fully slide in the chamber from a manual cycle. I've complained to Natchez and to B&P, but I'm not holding my breath for a refund.

     

    I also made a foolish error and accidentally ordered a case of 2-1/2" Winchester PDX1 shells instead of 3". Is there any hope for me making use of these? Or am I SOL? I'd be willing to buy 2-1/2" mags (if I can find them), but aren't even sure they'd work with my weapon or with PDX1 shells.

    After the PDX1 mishap and the bunk Italian shells, I'm gun shy (pardon the pun) and can't afford to lose any more coin to shells that won't work.

    I never thought the ammo side could be so frustrating. I really was excited about finally getting a Saiga .410; but with all the ammo mishaps and risks of losing even more money, the whole experience has become a real buzzkill.

    Many thanks in advance for your guidance and expertise. 

    • Like 1
  3. Thanks G O B. Any chance you've got a pic of "extended barrel extension fingers"?

    I can't say I know what I'd be looking for to deduce if mine has them or not.

     

    Of course, the fact that the shells aren't loading virtually guarantees mine doesn't have them.

    But yes, I have a gas selector.

     

    Can the extension fingers be added?

  4. Does anybody still stand by the claim that 2 1/2" shells work in a 30-rd ProMag drum made for 3" shells?

     

    I just tried to cycle ten 2-1/2" shells through my drum and not a single one of them loaded properly. The feed ramp just doesn't align them correctly; they all impact the edge of the bore and hang up the bolt.

     

    So disappointing.

  5. Yeah, we must have different models. There's no loading lever. I wish it were that simple.

     

    I contacted ProMag and apparently I'm missing a separate, black, plastic, loader device. They were quick to offer to ship me one free of charge. I do hope it makes it easier.

     

    That's what I get for purchasing second hand off of gun broker. Despite the A+ rated seller, tiny parts, no matter how vital, do have a tendency to escape one's mind.

     

    Thanks again for the guidance GunFun. I'll be keeping my eyes out the model you're referring to.

    • Like 1
  6. GunFun,

     

    Thanks so much for the reply. Sorry for the delayed response, I never got a notification that someone had weighed in and I just now logged back in to check.

     

    I appreciate the humor. Thankfully, no one else piled on. No, I don't think it's a strength issue; I have a pretty stringent weightlifting regimen. It has to do with downward pressure and the shells getting hung up on the brass edge of the previously inserted shell.

     

    Color me clueless, but if there's a "slider" on this drum, I sure don't see it. Care to elaborate? It's a ProMag 30 round, .410 bore drum.

    I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

  7. Hi all,

     

    Total newbie here.

     

    Anyone have suggestions for a magazine loader for my .410 mags and drum?

     

    I tried loading my new Saiga .410 15-rd magazines and 30-rd drum by hand and it didn't go particularly well. Got the mags loaded to 12 and had to quit. Drum only took 10 before it wouldn't load anymore, at least not easily.

     

    Any direction or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

     

    Search didn't yield any particularly relevant threads so I'm starting new. Sorry if it's been covered. Would appreciate any links if I'm oblivious.

     

    Thanks.

     

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