| The Saiga rifles are some of the best known rifle | | | | Izmesh is also known for producing Red Army |
| designs in the world, but adapted for the civilian | | | | weapons, vehicles, armor, and other military items, |
| market. Since the beginning Saiga shotguns have | | | | prior to the fall of the Soviet Union. Now capitalism |
| taken precedence in the firearms communities, due | | | | took these remarkable firearms, from the hands of |
| to the creation of the fastest repeat action shotgun, | | | | military personal and combatants, to the hands and |
| known simply as the Saiga 12. A key factor in the | | | | hearts of the civilian market. Despite the start as a |
| Saiga firearms success was the time tested design | | | | USA rival, the Saiga shotguns in particular are |
| of Kalashnikov's rifle. Still Mikhail Kalashnikov works | | | | becoming some of the most popular firearms, which |
| and over sees the production and engineering of | | | | can be found in almost any gun shop around the |
| every new product to leave the production line. | | | | country. In fact during the last few years the Saiga |
| A key difference in the Saiga firearms, from other | | | | firearms have been back ordered, to the point |
| designs is the lack of the pistol grip, which is | | | | specific models were solely produced to meet these |
| restricted by importing laws. Although there are a | | | | demands, ensuring that they would always stay |
| variety of gun smiths across the USA, who specialize | | | | available. |
| in converting Saiga shotguns and Saiga rifles to | | | | Currently the Izmesh firearms are used in more |
| accept pistol grips, by moving the trigger group | | | | militaries than any other firearms company world |
| forward, to accommodate for the pistol grip. Aside | | | | wide, and due to the faction of the price, compared |
| from these minor differences, any AK47 enthusiast | | | | to other popular military weapons there is no sign of |
| can clearly see the piston operated rotating bolt | | | | slowing this trend. Despite the prominent role in |
| operation, as a reminder of the almost sixty year old | | | | militaries, Saiga still takes careful consideration before |
| design, which still has yet to be improved on, since its | | | | exporting their weapons, to ensure reliability and |
| release. | | | | quality are never sacrificed. |
| Aside from the tactical aspects of the Saiga | | | | In conclusion for hunters on a budget or anybody |
| shotguns, there is a large amount of hunters | | | | looking for a high quality, yet affordable repeat action |
| switching to Saiga 308 rifles, along with other popular | | | | firearm, the Saiga is nearly impossible to beat. The |
| hunting caliber RAA imported firearms. Every Saiga | | | | only major draw back is the lack of long distance |
| firearms goes through a stringent test for quality and | | | | accuracy, which is considered useful to approximately |
| longevity, at the Izmesh production plant in Russia, | | | | two hundred and fifty meters; although on average |
| where all the Saiga guns are produced. Despite the | | | | the typical hunter is only shooting within these |
| original design being cost effective, innovations like | | | | ranges. During my experience with Saiga firearms, I |
| chrome plating and lined parts helps to ensure the | | | | would recommend them to anybody who is looking |
| integrity of every firearms exported. | | | | for an affordable, yet high quality firearm. |