Saiga 12 High-Performance Rebuilds

Original Russian-import 12-gauge. Saiga 12 assemblies are built by hand. No two Saiga 12s are completely, uniformly alike, and no two arrive at the bench with the same precise issues. Every Saiga we accept starts with a complete physical assessment and a comprehensive high-performance rebuild — gun taken down to bare barrel and receiver and rebuilt as described on our home page. Required 922(r) parts for stock Saiga conversions are invoiced as separate line items at supplier list. Additional customization is available separately after a consultation, and is quoted and invoiced on a parts plus installation labor basis.

922(r) compliance

Saiga 12 rebuilds on stock factory guns, or on guns missing one or more required 922(r) compliance parts, will be outfitted with the necessary parts during the rebuild. In addition to a U.S.-made box or drum magazine, which many Saiga owners already have and which counts as three U.S. compliance parts, three more parts are normally required for 922(r) compliance. By default we install those three as a U.S.-made fire-control group (hammer, trigger, and disconnector). If you intend to use foreign-made magazines, please tell us. We will install three additional parts, charged on your quote at flat supplier list price, to bring the part count into 922(r) compliance.

Ammunition and magazines

Ammunition is covered in the Services FAQ, and it is worth repeating here.

As with any gas-operated system, quality matters. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune on ammo to shoot and enjoy these builds, and that’s the point. What you do need to do is pay attention to the quality of the shell, and make sure there’s sufficient propellant to fully cycle the gas-operated semi-auto action. Look for shells with a firm hull and a clean, even crimp — no uneven ends or bulges which catch on barrel extensions and create additional resistance as shells enter the barrel. The sweet spot for these guns starts between 1,250 and 1,300 FPS for birdshot (ammo dependent), and around 1,200 FPS for buckshot and slugs. There are lots of affordable ammo choices in this range. However, don’t expect your gas-operated gun to cycle weaker ammo and bulk-pack loads made for breech loaders and pump guns.

IMPORTANT: Magazine choice matters as much as the shell. A poor magazine will defeat a comprehensive rebuild and good ammo. Use magazines that are reliable with a wide range of loads. We specifically recommend SGM 8-round magazines, CSSpecs 8- and 10-round steel magazines, and ProMag 12-round drums only. We do not recommend any other drum capacity or drum type for these guns. Fifteen-, 20-, and 25-round drums can be fun as range toys, but we have yet to find a drum of any brand or capacity other than the ProMag 12-round that truly performs reliably with the Saiga 12.

Who sends a Saiga 12

Private owners, 3-gun shooters, and working law enforcement have all used Lone Star Arms Saiga 12 work. Other letters on file come from U.S. Border Patrol, retired naval special-operations officers, and formerly frustrated owners who just wanted a home-defense gun that would run. Read those letters on the Testimonials page.

How to start

Please describe make and model — Saiga 12, Vepr 12, KS-12, or KS-12 Komrad or KHAOS variant. Tell us about any issues you may be experiencing and want to address. If additional customization is desired, let us know what you envision for your build. Please include your state of residence, and if possible, snapshots of your gun in its current configuration.

Call / text (505) 263-8822 Email [email protected] Request a quote

Please ship your gun only after you have received and read the shipping and payment instructions email.

US sales only. All sales final. No sales to residents of CA, CT, DE, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, RI, WA, or DC. You must be able to lawfully own the firearm as configured in your US state of residence.