Thinking twice about big purchase. (Update) Ca/ Calguns friendly site

[sdkelly85]

Which of these sites should I pre-order the Vepr-12 from? Atlanticfirearms.com, armsofamerica.com, blackforgedweapons.com or other. I'm looking for a site that is CA/ Calguns friendly. I appreciate the help that calguns and its members provide so I would like to do my part as a member.


For about a year now I've had my eye on the Saiga 12. Now that I have the money and with the release of the Vepr 12, I think I'm ready to take the leap. I'm not wealthy so I would like to make sure spending a $1000 on one shotgun is the right decision. I believe in "you pay for what you get", so instead of making multiple small purchases on cheaper firearms, I save for 1 big. I usually spend a week or 2 researching the item before purchase but there is not much info out there for the Vepr 12.

I have a Sig p226 and AR15. So a shotgun seems to be the next logical purchase. I will mainly use it for fun (skeet/ target) and maybe set it in my bedroom for HD.

Other interests lower on my list: Mossberg 930spx, full rail 1911, Glock 20, reloading setup. If there is anyone with any info on why not to get the Vepr 12 please help. Thanks in advance.

[swift]

$1000 for a Saiga 12 seems high.

[SoCal1]

A converted saiga can go for for over $1000 depending on who did the conversion.

What are you planning on using the saiga 12 for? It's a fun toy but in California with the magazine lock its not practical for much else.

[Ls1FALimpala]

With a 930 u don't need to worry about bullet buttons. There on sale at turners right now it's a GREAT shotgun reload times are faster so it will be a better choice for skeet shooting. Sometimes you can catch the saiga 12 on sale at turners for low to mid 600s but with no pistol grip. They don't advertise it thought.

[sdkelly85]

Originally I wanted the Saiga but with the release of the Vepr 12 I decided to go with the Vepr. Mostly fun toy, if reliable, HD.

[sdkelly85]

With a 930 u don't need to worry about bullet buttons. There on sale at turners right now it's a GREAT shotgun reload times are faster so it will be a better choice for skeet shooting. Sometimes you can catch the saiga 12 on sale at turners for low to mid 600s but with no pistol grip. They don't advertise it thought.

Went to the range with my buddy who owns the 930. Extremely impressed. But there is something about the Vepr 12, can't get it out of my head.

[CessnaDriver]

I won't talk anyone out of higher quality but I really like my 930 SPX so far.

This looks like a good sign for the future though....

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-weapons/930-spx-torture-test/

[sdkelly85]

A converted saiga can go for for over $1000 depending on who did the conversion.

What are you planning on using the saiga 12 for? It's a fun toy but in California with the magazine lock its not practical for much else.

How difficult is the AK type mag lock to operate? Is it worse then the AR bullet button?

[osis32]

yes it is much worse than the ar bullet button to manipulate. do not even consider it for anything more than a range toy with that POS on the trigger guard.

[Firerescuebatt07]

if you want the Vepr that bad get it... I am in your situation as well... I cannot afford to buy a guy every month like some brothers and sisters here... I'll make an actual firearm purchase maybe twice a year. So if you are wanting the Vepr that bad I say get that. My next gun is a Mossberg 500 Persuader 20in... Have it on lay away right now... After I pay that off I will more than likely pick up a Mosin Nagant or a Tokarav... I am leaning towards the pistol... Been wanting one of those for a while. The Mossy is my first shotgun as well

[NapalmCheese]

First off, get what you want.

My advice, however, is that if you are mostly going to be shoot skeet, trap, and sporting clays, why not get a wing shooting shotgun? It'll be more comfortable for those games, it'll be more accepted at the gun clubs you shoot those games at so more people will be willing to help you. Despite what anyone says you'll shoot those games better with a wing shooting gun and the learning curve will be less steep.

You already have a pistol and a rifle for home/self defense. Why not buy a nice shotgun for fun and then pick up a mossberg 500 for defense?

The first shotgun I bought was a 'defense' shotgun. It now sits in a wall locker thing while my wing shooting guns go out to play.

[Capybara]

The Saiga and VEPR shotguns are both cool, but kind of expensive for what you are getting. The 930 SPX looks more practical, AK BBs suck, they are horrible. If it were me, I would look at a conventional shotgun for any kind of clays shooting. The balance and reloading on either the Saiga or VEPR is going to frustrate you trying to bust clays.

[JamesY]

I had a fully converted Saiga 12 and didn't like it. It works great as a range toy but not good for competition. I now have a 930 JM pro and Remington Versa Max. I love both so far...

If I had a choice between only the Saiga and vepr, I'd go with the vepr. I hear they work great for competition across the pond. We're just starting to see them in the US so you wont get too much feedback right now.

[sdkelly85]

I had a fully converted Saiga 12 and didn't like it. It works great as a range toy but not good for competition. I now have a 930 JM pro and Remington Versa Max. I love both so far...

If I had a choice between only the Saiga and vepr, I'd go with the vepr. I hear they work great for competition across the pond. We're just starting to see them in the US so you wont get too much feedback right now.

Spent an hour trying to find them online, no luck. Signed up with 5 different sites to recieve an email notification when they do arrive. I figure with such a low amount of them out there I won't have trouble selling or losing money if I decide to get rid of it. I've been obsessing about the magazine fed shotgun for a while. I'll always have it in the back of my head if I don't buy one.

[profbri]

Everything I've read for the last few months on Saiga & Vepr 12 tells me that the Saiga might start out costing around $800-$1000, but to get it running reliably, you have to put another $600 or so into it. The Vepr is ready to out of the box. It has chrome lined barrel, pistons and all the impt works. Saiga only has the bbl done. The Vepr is going to last longer and be more reliable. I've checked out the Saiga 12 forum, and everyone is dropping $1500-$2000 on their guns before they are even used. There was a U-Tube vid showing the Vepr 12 firing w/o fail after a Twinkie had been shoved inside the receiver! With the mag feed you get ten shots and you don't have to take your gun off target in order to reload it (more so w/ BB) and the Vepr 12, from all the research I've read, seems like a bargain compared to the Saiga IMO.