Kel-Tec KSG vs Saiga 12

[hairtumor]

looking to get a shotgun, I like the look of the KSG but the price of the Saiga is coming back down after the panic buying. Don't want to skeet shoot, just want a bad *** SHTF weapon

[tgriffin]

Considering that the KSG might as well be vaporware at the moment, if you are looking to get a shotgun anytime in the next year or two, I humbly suggest the Saiga. Now for what you are going to put into a Saiga to convert it and get it to run reliably with all types of ammo...I'm going to color outside of the lines a bit and suggest you keep your eyes open for a Benelli M1S90

[unusedusername]

For bad A**, a saiga-12 is not a bad way to go.

Just be aware though that they are not that awesome until they have had quite some work put into them.

[Abra Philippines]

I love the FRANCHI SPAS12 and the COBRAY STREETSWEEPER! Those are no longer made or imported. I hear from various sources that they want to stop the importation of the SAIGA 12 shotgun.
You want BAD*$$... Get yourself a SAIGA 12! If your not sold on one, Check out the videos on YouTube. You think they are cool to watch. Wait til you have one in your hands and feel the DIABOLIC RUSH OF ADRENALINE as you UNLEASH!

[hcbr]

GET BOTH! lol

[JagerTroop]

Saiga 12 or KSG?? Lol. No contest. The KSG is just a pump SG with 2 tubes. Seems like a gimmick to me. The only selling point for me is the bullpup design. But that's not enough to outweigh the S12 for Bad*ssedness.

S12 is the way to go. And if Kushnapup ever gets their sh*t together, you can have the best of both.

[mif_slim]

S12 is for cool factor, KSG would be better for real SHTF for concealability. Just remember during SHTF your not going to wave around how much arsenal you have, low profile is what will work.

[MasterYong]

Since you have to use a rather cumbersome mag lock on a Saiga 12 I'd say it's pretty useless as an emergency (or as you say SHTF) gun.

The KSG isn't available yet, but is much better suited (assuming it doesn't have major flaws, as 1st gen Kel-Tecs often do) as a defensive shotgun.

If you really want a bad-A HD/SD/SHTF shotgun, but get a Mossy 500 or Rem 870 and trick it out to your heart's content. If you use it much, you'll likely take half the accessories off anyways (or more).

For bad A**, a saiga-12 is not a bad way to go.

Just be aware though that they are not that awesome until they have had quite some work put into them.

Mine functions FLAWLESSLY with every load I've ever put in it with zero work put into it. I put a Poly Choke II on it, but that doesn't affect the cycling of the weapon, just the pattern.

[stix213]

Saiga 12 may not shoot cheap walmart target loads without some work, or it might run flawless out of the box. I used a drill press to add an extra wide gas port to mine personally, which gets me pretty good reliability with the cheap stuff. Also the 10 round box mags often have reliability problems, as I've bought three different ones between two brands, and still get issues feeding. If you are LEO you can buy and use 20 round drums which would be awesome, and yes you can legally use 20 round drums in a fixed mag auto shotgun and not violate AW laws. Problem for most of us is they didn't make the 20 round drum before 2000.

What works great for me though is using either the 5 round factory mag, or a 10 round drum from pro-mag. Also, I've generally switched to using the higher loaded Remmington ammo marked Nitro that you can get at walmart, but it costs a bit more. This combo for me runs practically 100% and I've been very happy since.

KSG looks awesome though, and I'm considering getting one. As a defensive shotgun the Saiga 12 might be a poor choice due to loading. Box mags can warp shotgun shells if they sit in the mag for a long time, making a oval shaped round not fit into the circle it needs to.... Also when you insert the mag you need to pull back the bolt when the mag is loaded. There is an aftermarket fix for that last one, and I haven't checked if my drum also warps the ammo (maybe I'll load up the drum a few days before I head out next time and see what happens).

[monorailboy]

Is the KSG legal in California ?

[sirgiles]

a shtf shotgun? neither. both are unreliable.

[vintagedude88]

I love my Saiga. Its awesome. However, honestly, its been a money pit since I got it.

[Dead*Reckoned]

Is the KSG legal in California ?

This has been discussed in many threads, general consensus as of now is yes.

[Caseless]

just want a bad *** SHTF weapon

Neither. KSG is vaporware like mentioned and unproven. Sagia-12 is 100% reliable with 00 buck from the factory, but requires quite some practice to become proficient with it unless you are very familiar with the AK platform already.

Remington 870 or clone is more practical for SHTF.

[Rob454]

Realistically for me the excitement of my S12 wore out pretty quick. I shoot my Mossberg 500 for the most part. With the prices of Saiga12 these days you can get IMO a way better handling gun for as much or less. Sure it won't look as tactical as a Saiga12 can look. if you do not want to convert your Saiga12 ( if you purchase one) I HIGHLY suggest spending the money and either buying a set of wood Saiga 308 stock and foregrip or making your own. I made a few of my own but i did not like the overall feel so i went with a Saiga 308 wood set. My neighbor was gonna buy it twice and flaked twice. So I ended up keeping it
The ONLY thing that makes the S12 a PITA is the mag lock IMO. If you are talking a SHTF end of the world zombies running wild I doubt there will be anyone to arrest you for removing a maglock.