Saiga 12 cycling issues

[bubbapug1]

I did a search on poor cycling in Saiga 12's and found a few threads, but nothing definitive on how to get my saiga 12 to cycle.

I tried shooting some bird shot of all types yesterday at Burro. At first the Saiga worked fine, but eventually it stopped working. We single fed it and it would eject shells, but as soon as the mag was inserted it would slow down. I know high brass 00 buck works, but I'd lke to shoot it on birdshot.

What do I need to check to see if I got a Vodka Special unit, and whats the fix? When I took out the gas plug and examined the gas ports I was surprised to find only one port, not the three or four that others describe as standard on the saiga 12. Perhaps they are hidden and not located TDC.

I really liked how the gun did on trap, it was almost as nice as my athena and Citori, actually better from a recoil point of view, just a pain to load..

Are there any other add on options I could buy to make the gun work more reliably?

Just found this today - 10 3 2011...this will do it for sure

Who sells good recoil pads for saigas? I need to move the stock forward a bit to get a better fit for my long neck.



Thanks RLTW

[Sam .223]

on my S12 i usually have to unclog the gas ports afte a while useing cheap winchester bird shot, try checking the ports first, they should be around .009 from what i've been told, i got guages to check these from Pauly on Saiga-12.com, if your ports aren't clogged up you'll need to check the port sizes anyway and the number of them ideally 3 or 4. you probably have an under gassed gun which is a very common issue with the S12 check out the S12 forums there is alot of info there on how to fix the problem.

[RaiderNation]

on my S12 i usually have to unclog the gas ports afte a while useing cheap winchester bird shot, try checking the ports first, they should be around .009 from what i've been told, i got guages to check these from Pauly on Saiga-12.com, if your ports aren't clogged up you'll need to check the port sizes anyway and the number of them ideally 3 or 4. you probably have an under gassed gun which is a very common issue with the S12 check out the S12 forums there is alot of info there on how to fix the problem.

^ Nailed it. How many rounds do you have down range? If it is new you may need to shoot more high brass or rack the crap out of it. Forgot to mention that if you are under gassed don't waste your money buying things to make it more reliable. You will end up with a gun that might end up even more unreliable.

[mireally]

thanks for good post!!!)

[entgunguy]

are you running the 5 round factory mag or aftermarket 10 rounder? my s12 has no problems with the factory mag but the aftermarket does not consistently feed.

[Firearmspro]

This definately sounds like an under gassing problem. As soon as it starts to get a little dirty, it doesn't have enough pressure to assist the action and the spring pressure from the magazine is slowing down the carrier (thus the reason it cycles without the magazine). We overhaul the gas system on hundreds of Saiga shotguns and most of the time, that is the only repair/mod needed to get the running right.

PFIDude

[bubbapug1]

This definately sounds like an under gassing problem. As soon as it starts to get a little dirty, it doesn't have enough pressure to assist the action and the spring pressure from the magazine is slowing down the carrier (thus the reason it cycles without the magazine). We overhaul the gas system on hundreds of Saiga shotguns and most of the time, that is the only repair/mod needed to get the running right.

PFIDude

So what do you do to fix them? I see I only have one gas port hole unless another one is buried somewhere behind the other hardware. Its so close to working its frustrating.

I was going to run unscrew the adjustment cap another turn to see it that won'l let more gas by it on setting 2. There are still plenty of threads and the detent pin still engages. It might be enough to get me by.

[plinko]

Try removing the adjustment cap and remove the gas puck. See if you can see the ports. You should see at least one clearly and two on the front, like triangle if there are 3 ports or 4 like a diamond shape. Use a paperclip to see if they are plugged and clean them up.

Before you use birdshots in these S12's, you should run a bunch of buckshots or slugs through it first to loosen things up. Also, polishing the bolt would help too.

[stix213]

On mine I had to do some disassembly, and add an extra gas port with a drill press (mine came with only two, that were not lined up properly with the gas block - sounds like you have the same problem with the ports not lining up with the gas block). Then later I had to do it again to widen it. After further break in it now runs federal walmart bird shot just fine.

I've also had lots of mag problems. Make sure you work out any issues using the factory 5 rounder before you try using after market.

So, supposedly you can send your Saiga 12 in for warranty work. I've read that they will fix this exact problem. I personally though would just remove the gas block, and widen the gas ports.

[munkeeboi]

Aside form cleaning it and breaking it in with a couple boxes of buckshot or a 100 rds of birdshot, get an adjustable gas plug.

I know a couple guys (myself included) that almost sold the Saiga after it's first box of shells. Break it in!

[Sam .223]

[QUOTE=bubbapug1;7228432]So what do you do to fix them? I see I only have one gas port hole unless another one is buried somewhere behind the other hardware. Its so close to working its frustrating.

this is the way its suppose to be, the holes are either in a triangle pattern for a 3 port (hole) or diamond pattern for a 4 port. you can try to use a paper clip bent at around a 90* angle try to feel the holes, do th one you can see first then move the clip towards the muzzle and feel around you'll eventually hit one, if you're ports are clear then you'll need to check the port sizes to make sure they are correct. don't unscrew the regulator this will creat more space and make the little gas you have in there work even less, be sure to remove the puck from the gas tube and clean that off, reinstall WITHOUT oil. i've been told by a few S12 builders not to run an auto adjusting regulator with an under gassed gun so i'd try to fix the problem before just replaceing parts. if worst comes to worst you can remove the gas block entirel to look at your ports, that a bit extreme just to look at them but if you do need to fix the sizes you'll need to remove the block anyway. you should see if you can get a set of port guages from Pauly at the S12 forum so you can get the exact sizes you have and determine your next step.

[ivsamhell]

I drilled 3 ports out to .09375. Its possible your ports are covered by the gas block, use something like the paper clip method described(if you use a specific size rod you can even check the size) or knock it off and have a look. Clearance the block with a dremel if you see fit. You can also pickup a reduced power recoil spring.

[bubbapug1]

How hard is it to remove the gas block??

[ivsamhell]

How hard is it to remove the gas block??

I think it was two pins and some love. I've had mine off a couple times, no big deal.

[whitesmile]

yup, that's not a big deal for sure.