Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Question Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    I'm pleased to say that I just picked up a new Saiga-12 a few days ago. I know I need to do the gas port check. With that said, the shotgun is bone dry out of the box. What needs to be lubed to get it ready for use? Though I know how to break down the gun into its 3-4 component part groups, I'm not sure how to properly clean/lube an AK-style weapon. Please assume that if you don't tell me, I won't know. I have the manual but I'm a little skeptical about what's written given some awkward phraseology.

    Thanks, in advance, for your help.

    PS: If there's an FAQ out there on how to do it, please let me know where to find it. No need to re-invent the wheel.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    http://www.tromix.com/S12Tips.pdf

    This will help with some general questions.

    As for lube, if you put any up in gas chamber or on the gas puck you're asking for trouble. That area should be dry, lube collects crap, shotguns are dirty, a whole bunch of residue around that puck will eventually cause problems for your gun. You won't like problems

    You can put some lube on the rails that the bolt carrier rides on if you want, but I tend to run mine pretty dry.

    If you want to "slick" it up you can polish the underside of the bolt carrier where it comes in contact with the hammer face as the bolt travels over it.

    If you're shooting buck and slugs (or any other high brass) put your regulator on "1" (so that the 1 lines up with the detent pin). "2" is for the cheap birdshot. You can try your gun on "1" to see if it cycles the birdshot, some get lucky and can run it all the time on one.

    I'm kinda a Saiga freak....
    The resident Saiga snob
    "You will never leave Harlan alive..."

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    Try www.saiga12.com

    I have a S17 from Tromix and they took care of all the items needed to run reliabile.

    Rich at www.frontlinearmory.com is an AK builder. If you need any work done, he is a good smith to see.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    Thanks for the great info, guys! I did the port check, saw three (clear, good holes), couldn't feel another. So, I decided to give the shotgun a try. I ran 10 rounds of Federal Premium Tactical (LE132-00) through the Saiga with the gas port selector on "1". I'd say 7 of the 10 rounds FTE'd, typically by stovepipe. So, my question is this: Should these rounds cycle on setting 1, or are they considered light loads (and thus worthy of setting 2)?

    TIA!

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    setting 1 is for 3" mag loads, setting 2 is for normal 2 and 3/4 loads... at least according to my manual.

    test with that setting... mine had an obscured gas port, so I followed the directions on the siaga forums and popped the gas block down, and re drilled mine to the proper size, and made sure none were obscured.

    mine seems to run everything now, even cheapo bulk pack stuff.
    "Oderint Dum Metuant" - BMFH

    "Tact is for people not witty enough to use sarcasm"

    Note: any whingeing crazy that hits my PM inbox will be deleted without reply

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    Quote Originally Posted by JayBell View Post
    setting 1 is for 3" mag loads, setting 2 is for normal 2 and 3/4 loads... at least according to my manual.
    Quoting from my manual:

    Use position "1" for 12/76, 20/76 shells and position "2" for in all other cases.

    Wait... it suddenly clicked! I get it now. 12/76 == 12g, 76mm (3"), as opposed to 12/70, which is a 2.75" shell. Make sense! Question is, reasonably speaking, are there are 2.75" (or smaller) shells that you'd want to use "1" with?

    Thanks!

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    2 3/4" "full power" 00 bucks, high brass should run on setting #1

    if that 00 buckshot you tried is "low recoil" then setting #2.

    General rule of thumb is try it on #1 and if it doesn't run go to #2

    And you're 4th hole might be up close to the gas block so you can't see it. Are your other ports in a triangle with the odd port (ie the "top" of the triangle) facing backwards?
    The resident Saiga snob
    "You will never leave Harlan alive..."

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    Quote Originally Posted by scoutjoe View Post
    if that 00 buckshot you tried is "low recoil" then setting #2.
    I was getting FTE in the form of stovepipes on most of the rounds on setting #1. #2, it worked flawlessly.

    And you're 4th hole might be up close to the gas block so you can't see it. Are your other ports in a triangle with the odd port (ie the "top" of the triangle) facing backwards?
    If by backwards, you mean to say that the gas-tube side of the hole is closer to the shooter and the bore side of the hole is closer to the target, then the answer is "yes"... at least if I remember correctly from the other day when I checked it. I'll check it again later tonight when I have a minute or three to do so.

    Assuming that the answer is, in fact, "yes", what does this mean?

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    Clearly I can't describe this properly...I blame the wine

    Look at the attachment #1 or #2
    Attached Images Attached Images
    The resident Saiga snob
    "You will never leave Harlan alive..."

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Saiga 12 cleaning/lubing

    #1 -- There are two holes muzzle-side, one hole stock-side.

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