This shotgun had been developed by the IZHMASH Russian State Arms company in the early 1990`s as a member of the whole family of semi-automatic shotguns and rifles, based on the famous and time-proven Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle design. All weapons in the Saiga family inherited the basic design of the AK-47, with long piston stroke gas drive, rotating bolt with two massive lugs, and box magazine feeding. The shotgun part of this large family includes guns chambered for .410, 20 and 12 gauge magnum ammunition. In each chambering, there`s at least three versions, with long barrel and fixed stock, long barrel and folding, AK-74M type polymer stock and with same folding stock and shorter barrel. The latter versions intended as a security, police and self-defense weapons, and are widely used by numerous Russian law enforcement and private security services. The 20 and especially .410 gauge versions are very popular as a civilian self-defense and plinking weapons, and there`s even some versions in .410 gauge (Saiga-410-K1) that mimic the original AK-74M very closely (same furniture, similar sights and even a muzzle brake).
As said above, the Saiga 12K is basically similar to the AK-47, but with obvious exceptions. First, it is restricted to the semi-automatic fire only. Second, the receiver and the bolt group were redesigned to accommodate large, rimmed shotshells. Third, magazine capacity was limited to 5 or 8 rounds in the single stack plastic box magazines. Gas system is fitted with gas regulator with "standard" and "magnum" settings, and this shotgun can fire either 3 inch magnum or 2 3/4 inch standard loads interchangeably. Standard open sights were replaced by the short shotgun rib on the top of the gas tube. Optional side mounts for red dot sights are available. Barrel is equipped with screw-on choke system. The black plastic furniture features a long forearm and an AK-74M-type side-folding solid polymer buttstock and a checkered pistol grip. Saiga 12K shotguns, made for domestic market, featured a special safety block that locks the trigger when butt is closed, so the gun is compliant to the local gun laws, which prohibit the firearms with barrels shorter than 500 mm (20 ") and with overall length less than 800 mm. As you can see from the specifications above, with the open stock the Saiga 12K is legal in Russia, and with folded stock it is illegal, so the block makes this gun totally legal on the domestic market. It is offered for export, but with such a short barrel it is illegal in many states. The longer barreled version, Saiga 12S, is similar to 12K in every respect except that it has a barrel 520 mm long (20 2/5"), so it has no block and can be fired with butt folded.
In general, Saiga 12K is a reliable and effective close combat weapon, being much cheaper than its famous western counterparts from Beretta, Franchi and other brands.
Weapontype: Shotgun
Manufacturer: IZHMASH OJSC, 3 Derjabin St., 426006 Izhevsk, Russia
Operation: Semi-automatic, gas operated, rotating bolt.
Cartridge: 12 Gauge (3 in shells - 76 mm chamber)
Weight: 3.5kg
Length: (stock closed/open): 910 / 670 mm (12K)
Barrel: 430 mm (12K), 580 mm (12/12C)
Magazine Capacity: 5 or 8 Rounds
Muzzle Velocity: 280 - 311 m/s (depending on barrel lenght)
