zimmthumps 2 Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 I read around through here and didn't see much recent discussion around SBS length preference. I have seen some comments about the 8" being a little too short and put's the front hand too close to the blast. What do you all think? I've placed an order to Red Jacket for an SBS12 and need to finalize length. I'm going to add their new muzzle break which will help but I'm still thinking of going with a 9" or 10". Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
corbin 621 Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 Welcome to the forum. I believe the 8" models allow for the barrel to be cut off behind the original gas ports, so there's no need for them to weld them up and grind/machine/reshape the contour of the welds down to match barrel. Generally speaking, most SBS Saigas have the gas block moved back a few inches or so (I don't remember the exact distance). 2.5"? Obviously, the shorter you go, the more unburned powder can exit the barrel. So the 8" would have a larger fireball than a 12", given the same ammo. I suppose that MIGHT affect velocity to a degree, but it's probably so small a change as to be moot. The difference will likely be seen in concealability, weight, balance, noise and flash. Also, with a Saiga SBS, the ports are usually opened up to allow enough gas to reliably cycle things. The trade off is you'll get more powder, wad material and other residue in the gas block than a standard non-SBS. Just the nature of things. I remember someone did a study where they cut down a shotgun barrel in one inch increments and tested for pattern change. Someone can post a link to that, if they have it, but as I remember, no matter how short they went (unless cut TO the chamber I guess), spread wasn't affected as much as you'd think. You definitely still have to aim. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KC913 324 Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 12.5" with factory handguard and factory length gas tube is my current setup and personal preference. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fallschirmjager667 729 Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 KC's 12.5 would be my preference, if i had an sbs it would probably look exactly like his except with ak handguards and RSB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parf 19 Posted September 25, 2011 Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 I'm going for something in the ~14" range along these lines... I will leave another 2 inches between the gas block and the front sight, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matthew Hopkins 1,065 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I went with 13 inches, that way i won't have to mess with the gas system, and changed out the stock handguard to a K-VAR one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TonyRumore 1,332 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Courtesy of Jeff Zimba, Small Arms Review Magazine. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I'm going for something in the ~14" range along these lines... I will leave another 2 inches between the gas block and the front sight, though. Pure SEX!! Damnit i want to live in a state where i can have an SBS!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
glennhmd 23 Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 Courtesy of Jeff Zimba, Small Arms Review Magazine. from these graphs, it seems that 12 inches may be the sweet spot in terms of how short one can go without much compromise in terms of velocity and spread compared to stock S12. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joelrod47 373 Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 6 inch........... Tony's creation !! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zimmthumps 2 Posted September 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 Thanks for all the input guys and keep it coming! Right now I am leaning toward a ~10.5" length with includes the new RJF muzzle break. If I go any longer I'd probably need to switch out the chaos quad rail for something different to take up a longer portion of the barrel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Mine is at fifteen (15) inches. I wanted the SBS overall length to closely match the companion Saiga .308 16.3" bbl RIFLE, which it does. All NFA and 9.22r rules apply. HB of CJ (old coot) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hudd 0 Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 That 6 incher looks like that Showtime gun wit Deniro haha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodi1 23 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 It would be 12 to 14 inches for me. Definitely nothing shorter than 12. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sunnybean 939 Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Don't want to burst your bubble but the best advice I can give you is to cancel your order with RJF and go with someone who can actually build you a quality gun. Having said that, I prefer 12.5+ inches without cutting down the gas system. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
towerofpower93 22 Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 I'm going with 12" so as to maintain the factory gas block location as well as handguard options. I figure I'll eventually put a Dinzag handguard set up on it so I can run standard AK hgs and the 12" S12s seem to look better to my eyes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joelrod47 373 Posted September 14, 2013 Report Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) 10" TROMIX for me !!!! Edited September 14, 2013 by Jeaux E Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobAsh 582 Posted September 18, 2013 Report Share Posted September 18, 2013 After seeing hundreds of Saiga-12s come through the shop- everything from a bare bones shooter to the maxed out accessorized- I conceived this build. 8" barrel with the "Intermediate-length" handguard. To me, the 8" is the iconic original Saiga SBS, and a dream to shoot. The length is perfect- though I do suggest a VFG. Fits in the space of a laptop! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrenaline 5 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 After seeing hundreds of Saiga-12s come through the shop- everything from a bare bones shooter to the maxed out accessorized- I conceived this build. 8" barrel with the "Intermediate-length" handguard. To me, the 8" is the iconic original Saiga SBS, and a dream to shoot. The length is perfect- though I do suggest a VFG. Fits in the space of a laptop! Any more pics? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gremlinx 20 Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 10" barrel is a great length barrel for the s-12 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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