Saiga problems

[76 SS 3]

I bought a Saiga 12, put 200 rounds through it & noticed a few problems. Mainly, some shells wouldn't cycle. I tried turning the adjustment knob, but only the more powerful shells would cycle. Is something plugged up? Sorry, I don't know much about this gun except I know I love it! Also it stopped staying open on the last shot. Will a 3 inch shell work in it? I've been using 2-3/4. Wanting to buy a bunch of ammo, need advise. Wishing the cheaper stuff would cycle....

[Odd Man Out 1,283]

Best thing is to spend time reading the vast info on this learned forum -- it will serve you well.  Welcome to the madness...

[ChileRelleno 7,071]

It is a military combat shotgun designed for full power loads, not low power.

 

#1
Shoot the hell out of it with at least 200-300 high brass buck/slugs before trying get it to eat low recoil bulk.
This will help break the gun in, get rid of all those rough spots and smooth it all out, and perhaps make it easier for it to cycle the low power rounds.

 

#2

Check your ports, 2, 3 or 4, are they unobstructed and what size they're.
 

Edited January 3, 2016 by ChileRelleno

[76 SS 3]

Looks like a 3 port. Cleaned & oiled real good, worked the bolt a few hundred times. Had a little junk in the gas tube. Could see where settings 1 & 2 were doing. Looked like setting 2 would let more gas in? Searched this forum & found nothing. Searched Google & found threads from this forum I needed

[Cobra 76 two 2,677]

Any and all Saiga 12 shotguns work much better after the bolt, carrier, and FCG are re-profiled and polished to work with low powered ammo.

[HB of CJ 1,263]

Welcome to this very excellent Forum.  Of all the places I hit on the Internet ... this place is the default setting.  There are a whole lot of educated savvy individuals here.  I am not one of them.  Excellent suggestions already given.  Here are mine.  1) lube up heavy and hand rack and dry fire the shotgun another 200 times.  Take down and look for wear points.  You will also smell hot metal.  "You lapping in shotgun Russian style".

 

2)  Read the funny owners manual if you have one.  Good reading. 3)   Buy up some expensive 3" mag shells. Type does not matter.  Find the cheapest highest velocity heaviest bird or buck shot loads.  Get at least 200.  This will cost some money.  I have forgotten which setting is the most gas passing one.  The S12 is in the safe.  Consider a soft small pillow to padd your shoulder.  4)  Shoot off the ammo.  Get the gun hot.

 

It then should shoot off fine with the heavy shells. 5) Pull up a chair and grab a nice hot cup of coffee and read up on this forum.  A wealth of information.  Then start having fun considering how to properly modify your S12.  All of this is doable and fun.  Also expensive.  Welcome to the fun and madness of Saiga ownership.  Some of us have kinda gone over board with this stuff.  Enjoy.  Don't forget to smile and have fun.

[76 SS 3]

Thanks guys! Shes already been moded. Trigger moved, adjustable stock, new grips, a nice laser that falls off every couple shots....

[Capt Nemo 882]

Check 3" shells on #1 setting.  #1 should also cycle 2 3/4" slug, buck, and 1 1/4oz magnum loads.

[Gzus Kryst 53]

yea the search function is kinda lacking just google what you need and add saiga-12 forum to the search, not perfect but it helps.