Testing the Improved Gas Plug on the Saiga 12ga

[ronin29607]

Awesome! If you dont mind me asking, what is the name of the music track on this vid? I want it for my ipod when I do road work! :)

[AcAAvengersClan]

by any chance is the gun design Russian or from any country surrounding the Russian area, just wondering because of the safety/selector switch which is similar to the AK's.

thanks ^^.

[Killbore1]

@AcAAvengersClan You probably already know this but it is based off of the same design as the AK. Actually it uses the AK reciever, just modified to eject the larger 12ga shells. And the gas system is moved around towards the rear in order to make room for the mechanics. It has the same reliability as the AK as a result, and being magazine fed, has devastating lead-spewing abilities =D . If you don't have one, save up $800 and get one!

[Noobpatty]

@Killbore1 most shotguns are magazine fed :P

[cptexas1]

So who's "improved gas plug" are you shooting? Are you meaning gas piston?

[weaponeer]

@cptexas1 - as stated in the video comments it's the Gunfixers Improved Gas Plug (not the piston). since this was shot 2 years ago there have been a number of other companies building them now for an even larger selection.

[Eddie852258]

are you guys use 10 gauge or buck shot??

[weaponeer]

@Eddie852258 - these were all low power birdshot called low brass. Thw S12 is not designed to fire low brass, but if you changed out the gas plug, it worked just fine.

[Eddie852258]

@weaponeer wow thats cool man

[idRATHERbeOUTDOORS]

Essentially, did this solve the saiga's cycling issue with low power loads, like bird shot and target loads?

[weaponeer]

@idRATHERbeOUTDOORS - Yes

[kutz0341]

MD arms makes an improved gas plug as well. And seriously guys... bipods on a shotgun?? I'll leave it at that.

[weaponeer]

@kutz0341 - this one came from MD Arms. as for the bipod, it was used for long range slug testing (didn't have a sand bag)

[kutz0341]

@weaponeer so the plug, is it worth the small investment then? and as far as the bipods - I concede for that purpose but am morally opposed to them on a gun that isnt capable of reaching 400+ meters otherwise.

[weaponeer]

@kutz0341 the plug works well on mine. I have not had any problems at all

[vince38curious2]

Train stopper when shooting Slugs NICE...

[hectiky]

Love the soundwaves rolling around the hills.

[forgetTOexhale]

How much was the new gas plug ?

[weaponeer]

@forgetTOexhale - about $35 if you search around. just google gunfixer gas plug

[mobibavideo]

Now the regulator of giving of gas costs in position the Magnum. Therefore weak cartridges gets jammed. It is necessary to turn a regulator in usual position then at any shot automatics Saiga will work without a delay.

[weaponeer]

@mobibavideo - actually no. it's a well known problem on the S12 that it's tuned for slugs and buck, but the gas plug cannot be opened up enough for the most common shotgun ammo and as such they don't function 80% of the time. This new gas plug adds another position giving you more range and adjustability in the gas system so common ammo will work in the S12. the other issue is the quality control. many didn't bother drilling all the gas port holes, so they don't work for much at all.

[mobibavideo]

@weaponeer Probably. I use qualitative product Saiga 12 k Legion. It is special quality assemblage. The mechanism works like clock-work. Can look on my page.

[mojothemigo]

@weaponeer This is all very informative. Been wanting to buy one of these and I have read up and seen so many vids with jams/stovepipes and never any real background on why or how to fix it. Thank you for addressing it

[ComradeChad]

best shotgun ever

[skiggy007]

While rifle ammo has more or less the same powder charge, shotgun ammo loads vary greatly. There's everything from light loads like bird shot to full power 3 inch magnums. That's why these guns may have to be adjusted to run properly. It's the same with any semi-auto shotgun, not just the Saigas. Once you get them "dialed in", they are very reliable.

[skiggy007]

I don't understand why some people are so surprised that some Saiga 12s won't cycle low brass ammo. They are combat shotguns, made to shoot full power loads. Are you going to use bird shot in a combat scenario ? I sure hope not. I bet most $1500 Benelli M4s won't cycle that watered down shit either.

It certainly is nice that Gunfixer came out with this product so that the Saiga 12 will cycle the low brass stuff too because its definitely cheaper.

[HYBRIDCOMBATIVES]

check out LONE STAR ARMS saiga 12s (yes i am a representative)

[wombatmountain1000]

looks like im not the only one that bought one of these boat anchors ,im using mine as a targer for my working guns now (which is every other gun i own) . my armalite ar10 seems to enjoy it most . this is luckily the 1st piece of russian crap i have bought and it will be the last . no wonder they never attacked us , it was a lack of reliability problem . their nukes probably don't work and jam also .

[TattooedHoodlum]

@wombatmountain1000 Russians are a bit lax in their production tolerances. It's not uncommon for a Saiga to need a little tweaking. Once you get em sorted out, it's a great weapon. Try the Gunfixer plug and a lighter recoil spring.If that doesn't work, the ports are probably too small or missing. There should be 3, and should be 3/32 in diameter.

[halopoop1]

That gun can take out anyone with one shot in the head it will be funny if u shot the guy in the balls

[weaponeer]

any gun will take someone out with a shot to the head... even the little 22 short.

[hrvatskiponos3]

even a .22 cb cap !

[thatruggedrebel]

when have you ever shot anyone in the balls

[Paboozala]

Pretty much any firearm can kill with a shot to the head, and your comment sounds like you are a twelve-year old that plays too much Call of Duty...

[dannycarl]

my brand new saiga won't cycle any low brass on either setting -i'm pissed russian realiabilty-i don't think so

[weaponeer]

they have major quality control issues. check to see how many gas port holes you have. you likely have one of the ones with too few gas port holes.

The aftermarket gas plug helps.

[micmanis]

my saiga 12 wont cycle any birdshot so far w/ my experience... is tis something the gunfixr's plug system will fix and if so.... how do i go bout orderin me one and is it something i gotta send my gun out for? please help me to understand this improvement and how to go about gettin'r'done! thanx boss, love ur vidz

[weaponeer]

The gunfixer plug should fix it. (google it for buying it)

it's easy to install, no need to send it out. (drop in)

If you remove your gas plug look down into the plug hole and count how many gas port holes you have. 4 is what you should have, but some have less. the gas plug fix gives you more adjustment so light loads will work right.

[micmanis]

my saiga 12 wont cycle any birdshot so far with my experience... is this something the gunfixr's gas plug will fix and if so i wanna order an improved gas plug system... how do i go about doin that?

[weaponeer]

search for MDarms(dot)com it's $40.00

[ANTtheKNEEEE]

just ordered mine today...can't wait

[tinspin1]

how many shells does it hold? 10? 18?

[weaponeer]

the Gunfixers Improved Gas Plug does not hold any... lol

The Saiga 12 Mag Cap depends on the mags you use. they have them in 5, 10, 12, (and more), plus 20 round Drums (and more)

[nozzghoull]

Thanks for putting this vid up. I just put a Gunfixers plug in my S-12 but have yet to try it out. Happy shooting guys!

[EmosWeekly]

wow that was kick ass

[dean81147]

If the factory plug is set to 2, which seems to be wide open, how does this plug help to provide more gas than the factory plug?

In other words, how does this plug work better than the factory?

Thank you very much! :-)

[weaponeer]

The factory plug is ok, but only has two positions. The plug installed here has one or more additional positions (I don't remember if it has 3 or 4). the extra position(s) do help with the wide numebr of loads on the market from light loads to 3 inch mags.

[chevlumina]

what kind of stock is that, on the closer firearm?

[weaponeer]

SVD

[rcdelta1]

nice

[PRDMRE]

I have a new S-12, and it is not ejecting the cheap stuff yet, but it functions perfectly on the high brass, Today I shot 00, #4, Slugs, and high brass 7 1/2, and never had a problem except i ran out of ammo eventually, and was very sad.

[weaponeer]

thats why I installed the modified gas plug. now it works for ALL ammo

[PRDMRE]

I will look at getting one, Thanks for the reply.

[watchforfinger]

do you have to adjust every time you change from high to low ?

[weaponeer]

once set.. your done. but you can use it to adjust the gas system for smoother functioning and less wear for heavy loads.

The plus has numbers on it, so just remember what your base number is for low brass, and move between them (or just leave it)

[watchforfinger]

thanks

[LoboNegroGrande]

Where were THOSE in Southeast Asia?

[clyse88]

ive been wanting a saiga, i need a folding stock, can they get that and whare do i get a saiga

[weaponeer]

a folding stock can be done as long as it meets the federal requirement for overall length that exceeds 26" and the barrel exceeds 18 inches.

[angurisloud]

Why don't you try going to a gun show? Found several 3 weeks ago, $485 for a stock 12, found a modified for around $800 (don't recall exact price, as it didn't interest me...)

[TROLLSHITZ]

wow! look reliable JK

[weaponeer]

after adjusting on the video you see here the shotgun has not had a single jam with low brass ammo, and that was around 500 rounds ago.

[dgl1962]

I agree about auto's needing a break in period,my DS arms FN .308 took about 80rounds to work in, now 800 rounds later it still never fails,it's absolutely reliable.

Also I have a Benelli M4 which needed a slightly stronger recoil spring to feed 3" 00loads,works flawlessly now.

Everything needs the bugs worked out-even a multi million dollar corporate jet(I'm an aircraft mech).

[944lucifer]

i installed a king armory tappet for the sbs ihave and now it runs flawlessly, before i had an aliance armament tappet and had fte's if it was not cleaned after every shoot, now i clean it whenever i feel like.

I do like this plug you have tested with more than 2 gas settings I think I might try one out for myself!

[GT4604]

I thought the bipod falling off was funny.

[GT4604]

My god why are you people bitching about unreliability when the video is clearing titled TESTING for a MODIFIED PART.

[weaponeer]

I noticed most people who watch YouTube videos cannot read.

[HotaruZoku]

Well said.

[Rhodes1966]

You really think all of us are crazy? Of course the weapon is reliable once its broken in its a freaking semi-auto they all have to go though a break in process. I will take that S12 any day over a 870. May as well have a musket I hear they are pretty reliable also. Sheesh.

[weaponeer]

People are having reliability issues due to the use of low brass (light loads) which the factory S12 was not designed for and many don't shoot very well. The other issue is th enumber of gas port holes... a large number were drilled for only a couple rather than 4 and as a result are under gassed, and not reliable with light loads. The light load issue was corrected in this video with a new gas plug. the number of gas port holes is another issue that greatly affects reliability.

[Rhodes1966]

I am familiar with the light load issue its been well known in the Saiga community for a long time. I wont use them for that reason since most are trying to avoid recoil. Gotta take it to give it.

[gmiller25941]

I don't care how many rounds the magazine holds. If it aint reliable, then your putting your life at risk. You guy's would be better off with a Remington 870 pump. They are very reliable, and if you do have a miss fire, you can still stay on target while chambering another round. I would not want the saiga , as a personal defense weapon for me. Just not reliable enough.

[weaponeer]

I have fired 300 rounds since I installed the gas plug. all 300 rounds were low brass, and all 300 fired without a single problem.  no malfunctions, or feed problem using original and aftermarket mags. (the 300 rounds were fired during the DPMS shotgun course)

[Azkamidaka]

Great! That just means more for those of us willing to put in the work to make them better. These weapons can be made as reliable as any. The reason why the shooters where having FTE's was because they were testing out a relatively new part that enables the platform to use a minimum amount of gas to cycle the next round, effectively lengthening the overall lifespan of this weapon well beyond its factory longevity. These weapons just need a little tuning baby =). Out of the box though, id agree.

[husky394xp]

Great Video!

Question...Will a muzzle brake affect the chambering of rounds? I have the 24" barrel Saiga 12, and it won't chamber a new round no matter how I set it. I just ordered the "Gunfixers Improved Gas Plug", so hopefully that will fix the problem.

Also, I was shooting Fiochi 00 Buck. Could that have been a problem? Would higher quality ammo cycle better?

Thanks.

[weaponeer]

Are you using the original magazine or an aftermarket mag?

if you pull the original gas plug and look in side, try to count the number of gas port holes into the barrel.

00 buck should function without any problem. oil it up and work the action to make sure it's smooth. tighten the gas plau all the way in, and back it out approx 2-3 clicks. try it... if it functions great, otherwise back out out another click until it works.

[husky394xp]

Original 5 round factory mag.

I can see two small gas port holes. Is that the normal number?

The gun is brand new. I brought it home, took it apart, cleaned and oiled it.

[weaponeer]

4 would be better for gas port holes... but it should still work for heavy loads.

seems they can be found with 2 to 4 holes

[OptimusGonzoo]

Well, I just put the new plug in my Saiga 12, but i'm not sure if It's installed properly, the directions said to screw it in until it bottomed out, and after several tries of trying to put the plug in, I think it did, because now I hear light clicking (I hope) indicating the switching of the gas setting.

[weaponeer]

turn it in until it will not turn anymore. it's then backed out 2 or 3 clicks for adjustment.

[1861dave]

ive had one since they first came out there the best 12 ga auto ive ever owned. i droped mine on a float full of sand,mud and shit.cleaned it out in the creak and it went off!!

[COMMYCABOOSE]

quick question. when you convert these shotguns to fully automatic, is it illegal at that point?

[weaponeer]

Yes, and in fact if you have the parts to convert it, but it's not converted you could still end up with a long stay at club fed.

Only C2/SOT can make a machine gun, and those can only be sold to C3 as post samples as well as Police and Military. all the transferable machine guns (legal for anyone to own) were made prior to 1986.

[Behemoth1337]

lol at first I thought,"Wow did they just fuck up the gas system even more?" But it seems that it works alot better, good job.

[weaponeer]

not long after this video I took this shotgun to a shoot (with a red dot) and shot next to 750 other shooters with the worst possible ammo, and after several boxes of ammunition, and not one stoppage I finished very well. The gas plug worked very well.

[jon549260]

its the magazine, these guys are stupid!

[weaponeer]

The new gas plug is designed to allow you to shoot low brass (something the saiga does not do very well).

It has nothing to do with the magazine! Once it was adjusted (using the same mag) it worked perfect with the low brass.

So it would seem the stupid one is YOU.

[weaponeer]

What I do find funny are the number PC Commando's calling people stupid.

One person in the video is a Class II/SOT (weapons manufacturer semi&class III)

and the other a Military trained weapon expert and instructor on building weapons such as the AK.

But the PC Commando's who have never fired one of these weapons are claiming the problem is not what the video is all about, it's something totally unrelated.

[AGUTube2008]

Thanks for putting the negative "know-nothing" in his place.

[iloveallecchianime]

put some 0000 buck lead-core steel shot in there so u can punch tru armor

[darkdoom645]

how much ammo does it have per mag

[weaponeer]

depends on the mag. standard is 5 rounds, but they have 10 or more round mags and 20 round (or more) drums.

[TriggerJunkie]

I finally got my Saiga-12 about 2 weeks ago and just yesterday put the Tapco T-6 stock on it. It looks much better and handles better in rapid response drills. What does the new gas plug do for the gun though?

[weaponeer]

buy some cheap winchester light loads and see if your Saiga shoots them reliably. if it does not, then buy the upgraded plug. if it does, then you can live without it, but the pkug does allow additional tuning of the gas system for better performance.

[OptimusGonzoo]

Doesn't this plug have a "gas off" setting? I remember seeing one plug that does, I thought that would be useful for those Dragon's Breath Flame rounds

[AGUTube2008]

Where can one get the upgraded plug?

[weaponeer]

do a google search for: Gunfixers Improved Gas Plug

[dbmccart]

As a Saiga 12 owner I love the heck of my Saiga 12. Personally I have to say this is one of the best firearms i've ever fired. How's it working out for you?

[weaponeer]

It's a great weapon and a very good performing 12 Ga that is easy to modify to suit a personal function or look. The improved gas plug should be a factory modification as it does not requires tools to change the settings. I fired several hundred rounds out of mine this year, and the only failures to feed are on this video, and that was due to the initial adjustments of the new gas plug. I also have a small red dot sight on mine that really improved my combat shooting and scores.

[dbmccart]

lol sounds like your enjoying it. Might have to hide it from yourself or else you might become the Saiganeer lol.

[SteelJM1]

How's the face slap in comparison to a regular hunting shotgun like a winchester 1300? That's what gets me the most on the recoil of my 12ga, the damn mouse under my cheekbone after a couple dozen high brass bird shells.

[weaponeer]

for me the recoil from the Siaga is really not all that bad due to the gas system.  hang a drum on it and all the weight makes it have hardly any recoil at all

[155Millimeter]

Saiga doesn't kick at all...

[dbmccart]

agreed

[iGOTCHOPPERS1]

hell fuck yea it does .. it uses harsh and primitive (but effective) AK47 mechanics and fires a 12 guage round that is a shoulder raping combo. i just shot one at the range july 11th, just a single 12 round magazine, and my shoulder hurt the next day. the guy that let me shoot it was wearing a recoil pad the whole time

[weaponeer]

I have fired a few hundred rounds in a day with mine and was just a little sore the next day. mostly from being out of shape.

The recoil is nothing like a pump 12 GA

[sem281]

нужно использовать стандартный боеприпас а не пихать всякое американское гавно.

[Gibbles1221]

My S-12 had to much gas from the factory so I bought the gunfixer plug for the negitive setting.

[tighterwad]

what kind of stock are you using i have been looking for a pistol grip but am a little aprehensive about messing with my trigger.

[weaponeer]

Standard Saiga or Dragonov stock

[RappelzFighter]

If you want a pistol grip but you don't want to mess with the trigger group then get a tapco G6 M4 collapsable stock with pistol grip. it is able to be mounted with the original trigger group or will also work if you move the trigger forward latter on also it's only about $60 from mississippi auto arms if you get the black one. for some reason the tan and green ones are $80 bucks...

[supersoviet8055]

those things jammed about four times!

[weaponeer]

This was the initial adjustment after installing the new gas plug. Both now fire low brass ammo without a single jam (in fact I have fired mine a few hundred times since the install without a single jam.

[155Millimeter]

Mine likes to jam on the 2 3/4 1OZ. bird loads, the red ones made by Winchester from Walmart, The green Remington ones I think are 2 3/4 1 1/8 OZ. haven't jammed yet. Did you have the same problem before your new gas plug set-up with the Red Winchester bird loads? and what gas plug setup have you installed? Thanks.

[weaponeer]

make sure yours has all four gas port holes. if it has less, then yours may be under gassed. in either case the Gunfixers Improved Gas Plug should fix the problem. I don't sell them, so I have nothing to gain, but I personally use one and have had great luck with mine

[XxIrishSaintVxX]

that thing looks alot like a black ak.

[weaponeer]

They are both Saiga 12's (AK 12 GA)

[ZIPPIBOY12345]

wat range is the saiga most acurate at?

[weaponeer]

depends on the load you use... it's a shotgun, so it has limited range, but in theat range it's hard to beat a 12 ga

[IzzyShooter]

I've got a Saiga 12 with Gunfixer's plug too. Definitely worth getting. I can now cycle pretty much anything in my Saiga. Even the El Cheapo Winchester AAs, though I don't really like them.

[intoler8]

Got mine a few weeks ago, amazing shotgun!!

[Ramerkay]

If youre thinking about getting a saiga 12 good luck. my dealer said they were impossible to get anymore cause they have so great of a demand, so i got the .223 instead, it rocks.

[labrattodd]

i know a guy with a little gun shop has great deals on the saiga 12, 20,410, sales 10 round clips for 35 bucks

[wwclay86]

thats a bad ass shotgun.

[heavensarmory]

.....yes,.... yes it is.......

[SimpleDan76]

I need to get me one of these saigas and BAD!

[wwclay86]

nice. a shotgun with normal capcity magazines. would be a bear in a fight....

[SimpleDan76]

they make 10 round mags for it

[wwclay86]

i try not to call them hi cap mags because the gun grabbers would love to do something stupid, like restrict them to two rounds......

[dannyfantasy2000]

Nice, I like your wordplay. "Hi caps" are really "normal cap." I'm gonna have to borrow that if you don't mind.

[sobr21azzaro]

Very fine video thanks!

What would be the price for that Saiga be in the states?

[weaponeer]

Pricing varies a great deal for the saiga 12, but currently it's approx $650

[hellnback05]

Great video brother

[madeinamerica650]

That is a cool vid. Those look like they have a lot of kick. Do they kick a lot?

[weaponeer]

while its a 12 GA shotgun, it's gas operated, so the felt recoil is not all that bad at all. I should note that I have a break on mine, and the other shotgun didn't. but they both kicked the same, so the break didn't matter at all.

[NOKTURNALMB]

im glad you posted this vid. both of my friends have saiga 12g and the jam with light loads. thanks for the vid and info.

[weaponeer]

This was the first time mine was shot, and I used very light loads that were sitting around for the last 20 years. It took one quick adjustment and it worked perfect. both were running after just a couple rounds.