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