I'm looking to buy a 12 gauge shotgun that can be chambered for at least 3" shells. I was thinking of a saiga 12 and I have 500$ to spend. Is a Saiga 12 a good choice if not what is?
Eleven answers:
Gunslinger.1911
2010-09-26 04:56:00 UTC
Well, in my opinion, and many others, the best 12ga shotgun is the Remington 870. A great cheaper alternative is the Mossberg 500. The price can range from $350 to $600, depending on which manufacturer and model you buy. I wouldn't recommend getting a Saiga 12, replacement parts are not only hard to come by at times, but when upgrading or changing parts you have to worry about U.S. Sec 922r compliance. Saiga firearms are very rough and have very poor quality actions as well.
?
2010-09-28 04:38:58 UTC
It's all about parts and repair services.
If your Saiga breaks on you, you're going to pay a lot of money for service. That is...IF you can find the foreign-made parts.
For a new 12 gauge, I would go with either a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500. Both can be had new in the box for under 300 dollars when the retailers are running their sales. AND, in either case, you can just ship a broken gun back to the factory for FACTORY AUTHORIZED repair work.
HippyKicker
2010-09-27 03:42:06 UTC
Saiga is fun as hell. Though 3'' shells in an AK based Semi Auto is going to tear your shoulder apart. I have shot both the 20g. and 12g model - I would suggest an optional "dragonov" type stock with pistol grip so that you can hug it in tight and steady - it's going to kick. The saiga is light, maneuverable, and has many magazine options (5rd, 10rd, and 20rd-drum).
Winchester SuperX2 is a nice gun, a used one is between 500-600.
The SuperX3 is like 1200 bucks.
I like the old Bonnie and Clyde "Whip-it" style shotgun - the Browning A5 design. Remington 11, etc. But these are only 2 3/4''. What a stylish shotgun though.
Well, good luck.
Winobot Dukket
2010-09-26 09:13:43 UTC
Its a great gun, but it depends on what you want to use it for, and $500 is about right for one. If you want one for home defense, go with the 870 or 500. If you want a gun to add to the collection, and have a blast shooting, get the saiga. I have to warn you though, its a potential money pit. There are so many aftermarket parts you will probably want, the mags arent cheap, and 12ga ammo isnt cheap either.
Its good to have one chambered for 3" shells, but dont plan on shooting em a whole lot. You may have no problem handling them, but you wont wanna shoot em all day...
anonymous
2010-09-26 07:24:00 UTC
i wouldnt buy a saiga because parts are a tad hard to find in the US without going out of your way to get them. if its a semi automatic shotgun youre looking for youre going to have to spend a little more than 500 bucks if you want it new. used, that is a whole new story. you could get a nice remington 1100 for around 300-400 used if you get a good deal. what would you be using the gun for anyway? hunting? defense? skeet?
stormgale
2010-09-26 14:44:52 UTC
a saiga is a good choice, but if your looking for most bang for your buck, a Maverick by Mossberg model 88 is also good, $180-$250 for a brand new one.
?
2010-09-26 10:31:46 UTC
The Remington and Mossberg are good choices,you can get a lot of aftermarket parts.I bought my kid a Benelli Nova for hunting price about the same as the Mossberg and Remington ( but I own both already ) but it comes with more chokes
MATT
2010-09-26 12:59:13 UTC
Rem 870
2A
2010-09-26 06:57:51 UTC
Rem 870 or Mossberg 500. Either can be had for 300.00 or less with money left over for shells.
I'm Not Here
2010-09-26 07:15:11 UTC
AL speaks the truth. Those 2 shotguns are so popular for a reason.
GBlitz
2010-09-26 07:32:16 UTC
Nothing beats the reminton 870. It comes in various types of models.