Saiga 12 cycling issues

[SJgunguy24]

4 ports at .077" or 3 at .094" IIRC. What happens is sometimes the gas ports are blocked by the gas block itself as others said.
I like to open up the gas block some and make sure I can see the ports, if I can see them, the gas will get through. Also what you should do is slick up the system a bit. It doesn't need much when properly gassed, I reshape the bolt and carrier a little and the hammer gets some love also.

[bubbapug1]

Super, I am going to operate today. Look for the "Help, I totally screwed up my Saiga" thread in a few hours!!

I really underestimated the quality of my Saiga. I thought it would be worthless for trap but the iron sights really helped my shooting. I busted 47 birds in a row which for me was a first and my best to date.

[Sam .223]

the S12 is a great shot gun once its tuned, it just time and a little know how.

[GettoPhilosopher]

Also, they can be hard to see. Use a paperclip to verify...mine looked like it only had 1, then I noticed the other two were just far enough forward that I couldn't see them.

Make sure you set it to the birdshot setting. I was having ejection issues at the range the other day, remembered I hadn't changed the setting. No issues for the rest of the day.

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.

[hawk81]

Get the MD arms gas piston and their 5 seting gas plug. I did and my gun runs like a top, even feeds cheap winchester bird shot.

[bubbapug1]

I dug around with a dentist pick and found three holes. All were clean. I also looked at the bolt and piston rod, I can't see much friction to be taken away by polishing them. The hammer face is also mirror smooth from repeated polishing from the bolt. It looks like the last resort would be to find a lighter recoil spring, but I am not sure if my issue is on the back stroke on the return stroke, unless I shoot it with a high speed camera. I also could drill out the gas holes, but that looks like a lot of work to remove the gas block!!

[SJgunguy24]

I dug around with a dentist pick and found three holes. All were clean. I also looked at the bolt and piston rod, I can't see much friction to be taken away by polishing them. The hammer face is also mirror smooth from repeated polishing from the bolt. It looks like the last resort would be to find a lighter recoil spring, but I am not sure if my issue is on the back stroke on the return stroke, unless I shoot it with a high speed camera. I also could drill out the gas holes, but that looks like a lot of work to remove the gas block!!

The gas block is easy to remove, it's 2 pins and a rubber mallet. You might need to open the hole in the gas block itself, also the bolt and carrier may need to have a little material removed, and the rails polished.

[bubbapug1]

Here it is...from another calgunner...this weekends project



Thanks RLTW...and here is the link to the original thread

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=437876

[GettoPhilosopher]

*Did you confirm that the gas block was set to the right setting?* It's very easy to overlook and makes a lot of difference.

Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk

[bubbapug1]

Yes, its set to to the right setting!!

I took off the gas black and did the drilling on the tree ports to 3/32". I tool me less than 45 minutes to strip the gun, drill it, and put it all back together. It would have been faster but I forgot to punch out the pins and beat on the gas block for about 5 mintues before I woke up.

Its a very easy process. Just use some anti seize penetrating spray on it ten minutes before you start and the gas block will come loose with two mild hits from a 16 ounce hammer. My holes were extrmally small and of non uniform size. Vodka is certainly part of russian quality I do believe now.

[Tho_Sun]

Hey bud, i had the same problem with my saiga barely not being able to cycle. I polished up the internals n ramped the barrel n now it works perfectly with my bullpup stock n aftermarket mags. U can find the writeup on polishing on saiga12.com forums.

[SJgunguy24]

Yes, its set to to the right setting!!

I took off the gas black and did the drilling on the tree ports to 3/32". I tool me less than 45 minutes to strip the gun, drill it, and put it all back together. It would have been faster but I forgot to punch out the pins and beat on the gas block for about 5 mintues before I woke up.

Its a very easy process. Just use some anti seize penetrating spray on it ten minutes before you start and the gas block will come loose with two mild hits from a 16 ounce hammer. My holes were extrmally small and of non uniform size. Vodka is certainly part of russian quality I do believe now.

Did you drill on an angle? Also when opening up the gas ports you will introduce more fouling into the gas system.

[bubbapug1]

I did drill at an angle as the original ports were at an angle. I just followed them as pilto holes.

I can live with more fouling. I just can't live with jamming, expecially when shooting doubles.

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.

[BoonieGhost]

PM sent

[stix213]

So how is it running with the widdened ports?

BTW, 45 minutes only is pretty fast. Took me a lot more time to do mine but maybe that is because I was learning as I went and didn't have anyone sending me fancy how-to videos

Also, expect some break-in jams still even after correct port size, for the next few hundred rounds. Also if you start rapid firing, make sure you lean into it. The gun can jam if you let it push you back while firing light loadings.