Jeff R. Saiga 12 Bullpup.

 Built by Saiga Custom

Some history 1st. Farm kid growing up with a bolt action Springfield 22 and a bolt action 16 gage shotgun. Hunted pheasants, etc. Became a target shooter with the .22 for awhile. Left the farm for college, then joined the Army National Guard. Went to boot camp 3 days after Saddam Hussien invaded Kuwait. Fort Sill, Field Artillery....yea baby !! The bad....I hated my M-16 with a passion. those damned A1's and A2's jammed all the time. I hated the thought of going to the range. It used to be such a good time. I hated the thought of going to war with that damn M-16. After my personal range experience in peace time, and family experiences in places like DaNang, Inchon, Normandy, I knew what I wanted. After talking with friends that were in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Honduras, and other places over the years, I knew I wanted a machine that worked. Everyone said the same thing....get something that works and works easy. So after not buying a single gun in 20 years, or a single round of ammo, I decided it was time to get serious about home defense. All I knew was that if I had gone to Kuwait, i was going to pick up the 1st AK off the 1st dead guy I found, and use that. Until 2 weeks ago, I hadn't even fired a gun in 9 years or so. I wanted a machine that worked. And I wanted it for home defense. I didn't want a gun that i had to baby or master the art of cleaning it for poor performance. I wanted something that I could sweep the room, and turn 180 degrees in the confines of my hallways, or on my boat. And still bring that barrel to bear on any threat. After two shoulder surgeries for rotator cuff and other significant repairs, I didn't want a pump or a long gun. I'm 53, with two bad shoulders. I can't move, rack, shoot, and stay on target like a kid can. So after some reviewing and studying, I figured Saiga. Too many reports of other bullpups with too many issues. I called Saiga Custom out of the blue and talked to Steve. 3 days later he had the order and started working on the little beastie for me. What a machine !!!! Chews ammo, spits fire, and belches smoke !!! 3 weeks after having it I just this morning finished putting a total of 300 rounds down range. after setting up the EOTech, I was hitting dead center on 7 targets from 20' out to 50'. Now that doesn't sound like much, but I shot all 10 rounds in 10 or less seconds.Fire, shift, fire, shift, fire shift. Targets were spread 45 degrees across my front. Hit each target dead center. Had to slow down the cycle rate as the shooting range doesn't allow rapid fire. 10 round magazine, 10 seconds, shifting across still targets. 50 rounds this morning, not a single jam, not a single issue. Well, except I had to run into work for some midday meetings that took me away from bang time ! I'm using Remington Birdshot for my training time, as the local range doesn't allow buckshot and the targets are for bird shot. I have Estate buckshot for home defense. The Remington I buy from Walmart down the road. Cant beat the price. The Estate ammo I buy on line. No issues. Winchester didn't work well. I had 15 rounds of that left over, and used it today. It didn't stop mid cycle like before (didn't have the kick to cycle the gun). But...just not warming to it as my choice of ammo.

All my ammo and shooting to date is low brass, 1150 - 1250 FPS. It cycles well on the lower setting of the gas port, and cycles...FAST !!! lol. I was able to do some rapid fire, and held 10 rounds on target, going through all 10 in about 5 seconds. Again, everyone recall why I chose this beastie...home defence and two bad shoulders. And 8 years of hating my M-16. Also had fired a number of American Semi-Auto 12's, and they cycled slow in the cold. Highlights....I trust this thing.

Two, shooting is fun again !

Three, Steve knows his stuff.

My Wants....

1. Easy to maneuver

2. Reliability

3. Semi auto and fast semi auto even in the cold weather

4. Control on firing...keep the muzzle down

5. Adjustable Gas system for range work, different rounds, tune it to my desires.

6. Home defense....Pure, simple, no bs. A working class gun for a working class reason. Save the wife and dogs.

7. grab, rack, shoot, scoot, shoot, scoot, shoot, stop anything in front of me.

8. more than 5 rounds, settled for 10.

9. wanted out of the box performance, but knew i wasn't going to get it.

Didn't need....

1. to worry about weight. I'm not running through the jungle, the sand, or Camp Grayling anymore

2. to worry about other opinions. I'm not a gun snob, and not susceptible to fads, or fashion.

3. to worry about reliability. Squeeze trigger, bang, squeeze, bang.

4. Chrome or paint. Paint chips, chrome gives away your position, unless it's in the chamber and barrel.

5. a "Compromise" gun. To justify buying a gun as a hunting gun, when I didn't want a hunting gun.

Likes....

1. The reliability. Zero mis fires / jams in 300 rounds. just no Winchester.

2. The size, can swing easily

3. The feel of it. It freaking goes where I'm looking, not where it wants to go.

4. Control, easy to control and bring on target and keep it there.

5. Fun to shoot !

6. Eotech sight system

7. Muzzle brake with Sharks teeth. For close in battle.

Dislikes...

1. Doesn't lock back on an empty clip

2. the AK rock and lock clip....buy the Magwell. I"ll upgrade in a few months.

3. the bolt lock back button. I store it with the chamber empty, safety off, clip in. Pull the bolt back and let it go.

4. Cost, but performance and reliability costs money. And my Want list spelled out the word money too.

5. Having to buy a Russian gun, but my choice. For obvious reasons.

6. In a pinch, having to change clips, not yet familiar with it

7. Eotech .... having to turn it on in a hurry

8. Having to reload clips, maybe i can buy a belt feed for range time ? lol

9. The safety, severe dislike for the AK safety

10. Having to buy a gun for home defense. Life should'nt be like this. But it is.

Upgrades to come:

1. Magwell or some significant improvement in the AK mag system

2. 5 20 round clips. Less loading time at the range. And one mag should clear the house

3. side mounted holster for the handgun. When the shotgun is done, pull the pistol and keep shooting

4. modify the bolt lever...extend

Next Steps:

1. Get wife trained to use it.

2. Burn more ammo and have some fun.

3. Buy Saiga 308 Winchester bull pup from Steve. For perimeter defense action, and busting engine blocks.

Won't do

1. Lasers, flashlight, or tracers. All three point in both directions. Hope this helps !

Jeff R

Sweet machine.....200 rounds already. Most of the ranges nearby only allow birdshot and slugs. Bought Winchester and Remington low brass birdshot from Walmart....very low price. Winchester 8 shot low brass didn't work well. Remington 7.5 low brass works fine. I could have adjusted for the Winchester but no need. Spartan low brass buckshot and estate both have worked well, no adjustments. After 50 rounds the should gets a bit sore. I haven't mastered the rocking clips. If possible, I may send back to you in the future for magwell. I now understand the difference. This thing is 300000 percent more fun than my m16 ever was. Love the fit for me, and for a home defense couldnt ask for much more. Weight isn't an issue Control is great. All smiles....5 star job.

Jeff R. Add to the the post.... The fire control group work you did was superb. No Gravel feel in the trigger, minimal travel, limited slack. Two former combat vets from the gulf war including a Marine Sniper loved it!