Saiga-12
Summary
| Country | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Category | Combat shotgun |
| Manufacturer | Izhmash |
Technical specifications
| Saiga-12 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 240 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 12 (19.5 x 76 mm) |
| Magazine | 10 - 20 rounds |
| Length | 1145 mm (45.1 in) |
| Weight | 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) |
| Range | 100 m (328 ft) |
Description
The Saiga-12 is a shotgun based on the Kalashnikov rifle series, named after the Saiga antelope, and intended for civilian sale in Russia and for export. It is manufactured by the Kalashnikov Concern in Russia, who also produce Saiga-20 (20-gauge) and Saiga-410 (.410 bore) shotguns, as well as Saiga hunting rifles in various centerfire calibers.
Patterned after the Kalashnikov series, the Saiga-12 is a rotating bolt, long-stroke gas piston operated firearm that feeds from a box magazine. Readily identifiable features include the large lever-safety on the right side, the optic mounting rail on the left side, and the large top-mounted dust cover. It also features adaptations for shotgun shells, such as an increased ejection port size, and a sliding metal flap that rides on the recoil spring, covering the rear bolt section when forward but moving rearward to clear extracted shells during cycling. The non-rotating extractor and bolt-locking are performed by a caliber-neutral lug. An adjustable two-position gas system with "standard" and "magnum" settings is incorporated for firing 2-3/4" and 3" length shells.
The Saiga shotgun is available in 12, 20-gauge (Saiga-20) and .410 calibers (Saiga-410). 12-gauge civilian barrel lengths include 430 mm (17 in) and 580 mm (23 in). Configurations range from traditional styled hunting models with rifle stocks to military-style models utilizing AK or SVD hardware, including versions with AK-style separate pistol grips and folding stocks. Some Russian domestic 12K versions feature a safety preventing operation with the stock folded. "Taktika" versions feature various furniture and AK-style open sights, and optional screw-in chokes are available. Box magazines of 2, 5, 7, 8, and 12-round capacities are available, as well as aftermarket drum magazines.
A newer Saiga Taktika mod 040 version features an extended magazine well for vertical insertion, a hinged dust cover with Picatinny rail, a gas block rail, and a newly designed 8-round box magazine not interchangeable with other models. Other variants include the Saiga-12 ver. 75, Saiga-12K-040, Saiga-12 ver. 261, Saiga-12C ver. 10, Saiga-12K ver. 10, Saiga-12 ver. 278, Saiga-12 ver. 340, and Saiga-12K ver. 043, each with specific furniture, barrel lengths, or feature configurations. Service carbine variants include the Saiga-12K ver. 030, Saiga-12C ver. 031, and Saiga-12EXP-01 ver. 030, which have a magazine well receiver and hinged top cover with rail. The Saiga-12K ver. 033 is a shortened ver. 030 with a 330 mm barrel. The IZ109T model has an 18 in barrel including a permanently attached brake, military-style features, and modifications for loaded magazine insertion. Magazines for some newer variants like the ver. 030/033 and Taktika mod 040 may not be compatible with earlier Saiga-12 variants but can be interchangeable with Vepr-12 magazines.
The Saiga-12 is used by:
- Private security companies in Russia
- The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (18.5 KS-K carbine)
- The Russian Armed forces as an auxiliary weapon against low-flying UAVs
- Central Security Forces Special Operations Police in Egypt
- The National Anti Narcotics Agency (BNN) in Indonesia
- Police forces in Kyrgyzstan
- RAID and GIPN in France
- The Ukrainian Navy (Saiga-12K Tactical carbine since 2009)
- Some police SWAT teams and military units such as the Deployable Specialized Forces in the Coast Guard (United States).