SHOOTING SPORTS/ August 2005

Saiga -12 semi-auto shotgun

by Pete Moore

Pete Moore gets all misty over the gun he would have brought years ago...if it had existed. Is this the ultimate PSG machine ?

I was at the inception of the discipline of practical shotgun in the UK back in 1980; I helped to get it started and to this day I love anything practical and smooth bored. I don't shoot PSG comps anymore, but from time to time, I still knock down the odd steel plate or 20 and turn copious amounts of live into empty. Over the last 25 years I reckon I've pretty much seen it all, good and bad: from the ever-reliable pump-action, to the semi-autos working their way in, to the magnificently daft SPAS 12 combinationgun and finally; to the total dominance of the semi in competition. In all that time shooters who were looking for that edge dreamed of one thing; a detachable box magazine feed system. This would have made life so much easier and though such equipment did exist, it was more of a military or experimental nature, so very much out of reach to us. It was not until much later that the first mag gun appeared, in the form of Franchi's SPAS 15, an offshoot of their Model 12. Wickedly expensive - and that went for the mags too - demand never matched supply, so the tube magazined Remington 11-87 and Benelli M1 and M3 dominated the sport.

Behind the Curtain

However, in the last five years that position started to change thanks to a solution from behind the old iron curtain. Looking like a fat barralled AK47, the Russian Saiga 12 was possibly the ultimate Practical gun as it offered an eight-shot QD magazine that actually worked. I tested one and it wasn't bad, though not without faults, as I recall. The guns did not find that much acceptance as back then the UKPSA shotgun section saw them offering an unfair advantage over the tube magazine guns. I believe there were restrictions on their use as to startingwith an empty gun or magazine to try and make things fairer. I think that some of this was sour grapes from the learing lights, who had raised the art of loading tube magged guns to perfection. The only real advantage the 12 offered was its speed of reload, which is what a lot of the standard excercise stages are all about...And also for certain uses the tube mag's simplicity and versatility was superior. .Now it would appear that once again the Saiga 12 is going to make a comeback, this time courtesy of FSU Connections. I was contacted by the owner and asked if I would like to look at a current example of this most practical of semis. The Saiga 12 has been altered slightly since the one I tested and this does make for a better machine. The rear end - butt, pistol grip and receiver - are the same, along with things like the cocking handle, safety catch and the all-too short length of pull. New, and something we are now seeing on the Saiga M4 rifle, is the manual hold open catch, which is to be appreciated. A muzzle brake finishes oof the 24" barrel and though looking cool, it does appear to improve the recoil control. The feed system of eight, five and two-shot magazine, though I can't see much use for the minimum load, as it would seem unlikely that you would want or be allowed to use it on clays or birds...A nice touch is that all the mags come with clip-on belt pouches, which is essential if you are going to shoot it competitively, as it gives you a practical method of carrying and accessing ammo.

Almost an AK

The Saiga 12 use an adjustable gas/piston mechanism that locks with a twin-lug rotating bolt. The action is similar to the AK47, though not as basic, with gas being tapped off the barrel and directed onto a tappet that works the piston. The 12-gauge version offers a two position rotary valvethat varies the amount of gas used for the job. The gun came set on #1 and as we shall see worked with everything I put through it. If you need a bit more then all you do is depress the locking plunger and rotate the valve fact to setting #2. Typically, as it uses the M3 chasis, the Saiga 12 has the night sight rail on the left side of the receiver. There are a number of dedicated Red Dot scopes that can be used like the Cobra, which to a degree does enhance operation. Iron sights are fitted on top of the forend and consist of a short ventilated rib, a small brass pin at the front and a wide U-wing at the back. Certainly good enough for clanging large and small steel plates out to practical distances. I approached the Saiga 12 in three ways - feed and reliability, habdking and general operation. Loading the mags is easy enough, the single column box design requires the rim of the cartridge to be stacked in fromt of the one below. Fitting them needs the forward/lug section to be nosed into the front of the well then snapped back to engage the rear-mounted latch. Initially they were a bit stiff to latch-up but that was soon cured by use. I ran a good cross section of lengths and types of ammo through the guns as follows: #6 and 7 bird shot, #3's,BB,AAA,SSG and slug. And to its credit, it gdigested it all without one single refusal to fire or a feed stoppage. The sharp feed angle as the round is presented surprised me with its reliability, but it worked, which is all that matters in the end. Being an AK-style saftely catch the gun can only be set to safe with the bolt forward as the lever slides up behind it, so you have to go hot to cock it. This is whi Y welcome the manual hold open. This consists of a push-up bottom on the right side of the trigger guard just behind the blade. Pull the bolt fully rearwards and hold it there, push up the catch and then ease the action forward until it stops open. In this way you can be seen to be open and empty and in this condition when you clip in a full mag all you do is pull back on the cocking handle and release it to chamber the first round. On that point the gun shoots empty and closed, so no automatic last round hold open available.

Mag-tastic

In comparison to the rifle cersion the Saiga 12's safety catch, though identical in size and operation, is far easier to manipulate. And in discipline like PSG where there is lots of fire and movement, good mechanical and mental safety is paramount. OK, it's not as fast or well placed as the cross bolt system of a Remy 11-87, but it works. Felt recoil was more than acceptable no matter what load I used and the Saiga was one of those guns what you could shoot a full day's match with and not feel beaten up at the end of play. I put some of this down to the muzzle brake, as I don't recall the earlier (non-braked)version being as pleasant to use. As ever the butt comes up very short in the shoulder, with little or no comb to get your cheek in. The well-rounded forend provides a comfortable forward hold, but I found the rear pistol grip a bit skinny. If this were my gun I would put a forward grip on, as it would give better general control, and also extend the butt rearwards and upwards. Mag changes are a doddle and for people used to the one-at-a-time load ot top up of a tube-magazine, snapping in a fresh clip of 8-rounds is a shotgunner's wet dream. No more fumbling for loose ammo, just pull out that black banana and lock it home. However, the size of the mag needs to be considered as they are long and bulky, and what you do you do with the empty ? You don't want to be dropping and losing them...The Saiga mags are synthetic with moulded-in steel feed lips and like the gun look likely to last you a lifetime. On that point the mags cost £32 for the five and £44 for the eight-shot. Given the specialist nature of the Saiga 12 that's not too bad, and the gun itself is not expensive, so you could afford to get spares without breaking the bank. For PSG needs you would want at least four, as that's the weakness of a box mag gun - when they are all empty you have to stop to fill them. It's here that the tube magazine designs - Remington 11-87, Benelli M3 - that can be topped up with looses ammunition brings things back into balance a little. Also on 'load one, shoot one' stages the lack of an automatic last round hold open facility does make the gun a little slower to operate. At the end of the day the Saiga 12 is probably the ultimate practical shotgun, though when compared to the tube magazine guns and the way competitions are set up then maybe the two types are incompatible, as giving the nod to one system then detracts from the other. But at the price and taking into account what this big Russian semi offers, it's an absolute bargain. AS we used to say in the old days, shooting it was 'the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on'!

GUN MART/ July 2005

Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova

by Pete Moore

Pete Moore looks at a straight pull derivative of the famous Russian Dragunov SVD sniper rifle from Russian Military (FSU Connections Ltd)

The Dragunov SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova) is an unusual rifle given its intended role as a sniper's weapon. I think in some ways the words 'designated marksman' perhaps sum up its function better ! Designed in the early 1960s by Yevgeniy Dragunov and Ivan Samoylov (looks like Yevgeniy got all the fame) the rifle came into Soviet service in 1965. Up until that time the USSR had used the Model 1891-30 Moisin Nagant Snayperskaya Vintovka with a 4 x PU and later a PM scope on top for their sniper rifle. In the 2nd WW the self-loading Tokarev was also used in that role. Both obviously chambered for the standard infantry/machine gun cartridge - the 7.62 x 54mm R (rimmed), a round not dissimilar to our own 303 nd possibly the only rimmed .30" cal cartridge still in military service today...

Going Straight

The SVD is a self-loading mechanism and as is plain to see it is based on the AK-47 system in some ways, thought blessedly it's not capable of full-auto fire and uses a short stroke gas piston. Given the development of sniper rifles in general, the SVD does appear a little dated, as most nations have gone for hi0precision bolt-actions, as opposed to self-loaders. Probably the Dragunov's nearest relative is the old US M14, as accurised guns with scopes on board were used in Vietnam and beyond by sniper teams.They are still in evidence today with some Marine Recon teams and US Special Forces. THe M14 was originally designed as a service rifle which it still fulfills very well; whereas the SVD was built for that job from day one.

Technically a self-loading mechanism is considered less accurate than a manual bolt- action. So what are the advantages of a rifle like the SVD in a sniper role ? Like the M14 the answer is versatility ! Yes they can shoot up to 600 yards and a bit more and accurately enough to hit man-sized targets. But if pressed they are at their heart self-loading rifles with a reasonable magazine capacity, so can be used as such for self-defence too. Whereas the low capacity and slower bolt-guns, though more accurate;are not the sort of piece you would willingly bring to a gunfight. A good example of this thinking is the American Knight Armament M25. Essentially a big M16 chambered in 7.62 Nato; it makes the perfect support weapon for a sniper team. As with its 20-round capacity you can fight with it, but is accurate anough to reach out to 600-yards + for a sniper role.

SVD in the flesh

The Dragunov has always been considered a bit of an exotic in the UK and though I've shot with them in the past, I never sawone available, even in the old self-loading days (Pre-1988). However, since the SLR ban of 1988 and the later rise of the hybrid straight-pull rifle for PR use, equipment like the generic Russian AK47 is now readily available. A few months ago a looked at the 04 Tigre; a shorter and more sporting version of the SVD and I can;t say that I was that impressed. Accuracy was OK, thought not helped by the scope and felt recoil was most unpleasant. So when Oleg from Russian Military rang me and asked me if I would like to take a look at a real Dragunov I was keen but cautious.

I say 'real' as this SVD was fitted out as the military version. with the full length 262 barrel, cage-type flash hider and a 4 x 24 scope near identical to the military PSO-1 sniper optic. As can be seen the Dragunov is a distinctive rifle; with its skeleton butt, which shows a rotary comb/cheek piece and the long skinny barrel. Earlier models used birch furniture, but the current guns use a black synthetic.

The first thing you notice is the weight and length of the rifle, at 48" it ain't short, but at 9.9lbs including scope it's not heavy either. Typically it's short in the butt, which I have found makes for a less than natural head/scope poistion. THis is unavoidable as the optic has an integral mounting system that fits onto the dovetail base on the left side of the receiver. In other words short of making up some butt extenders you have to live with the eye relief good or bad ! Saying that I found the PSO-1 - type glass was far easier to get on with than the 6 x 24 I fitted to the Tigre 04.

Iron & Glass

The SVD comes as standard with iron sights, which are of AK47- style. The front is a post in a ring protector on a transverse dovetail set on a low A-frame, this offers base zero in elevation and windage. The rear is a U-notch/tangent type graduated from 100-1200 metres. These can be used with the optic fitted. Like the old Nagant Snayperskaya Vintovka with its original, side-mounted PU scope it's set quite high for that purpose. Earlier wood-stocked guns used a removable butt comb to allow youto get your head down far enough to use the irons, or up for the scope. THis SVD uses a padded, rotary comb, which positions just off to the left of 12 o'clock for scope use and turns to 3 o'clock for iorn sights. On what is quite a basic weapon this is a rather nice feature and adds to its shootability.

The pistol grip is short but deep and a forward filler block gives a comfortable trigger finger position with the pad automatically falling onto the blade. THe forend is round and hand-filling. This rifle came with a detachable bipod that clamps to slots in the forward receiver - more of that later...

The trigger pull broke at 4? lbs and was smooth and easy; a bit too easy in fact, as thre's about ?" of take up then without any real warning of the break. This did take come getting used to and I did some dry-firing practice to make sure I got my finger and brain educated.

Feed is by the distinctive looking 10- round magazine. As can be seen it shows a strange looking re-curve shape to it. Research shows that this was probably the hardest part of the design to perfect, as it has to feed that big/tapered rimmed cartridge. Like the AK, the mag latch is at the rear of the well and pushed forward to release. insertion is a bit fiddly, as you have to get the front lug just right; again practice is the order of the day.

The straight-pull action usese the existing SVD cocking handle on the bolt carrier and the large safety catch on the right side of the receiver. This flips up for the SAFE and down to FIRE and as ever is awkward and stiff to operate. One improvement over the 7.62x39 AK47 is the fact that the Dragunov offers an automatic last round hold open, which is a blessing.

Bipods and Scopes

The bipod for the SVD is a blessing in some ways. The design is primitive with a C-clamp that locks it to the forward receiver. The legs are sprung but held together by a steel clip that simply pops off. They have to be squeezed to a position where thay are free and can be swung up and down. They are also height-adjustable and rubber-tipped. The mounts offers a degree of cant, certainty enough to account for uneven ground. When not requirred the pod folds up/forward under the forend and there's plenty of space to get your weak hand in for unsupported work...The unusual positioning of the bipod is by far the most logical place to put it, as it leaves the slim barrel completely free of any pressures or external influences.

The scope is dedicated to the rifle and as I said clamps to the rail on the left of the receiver. This 'fixed four' has a pre-set focus and offers external dialling turrets with a moving image reticule, which can be illuminated.So adjustment is always into the error. For example if the rifle is shooting left then the reticule has to be moved to the left to bring the point of impact over to the right. It takes a bit of getting used to, certainly when compared to our Western dial-in-the-direction turrets...

The actual reticule is also unusual. What you get is three chevrons (one above the other in the centre. The top one is flanked on the left and right by 10-graduations. So what you appear to have are three separate aim/range marks with lead marks to account for wind and/or moving targets. Below this is a range finding grid graduated from 100 to 400 metres. The Russian military PSO-1 scope is rated out to 1300 metres, which is a bit optomistic for a X4 optic. However, the three aiming chevrons can be used at any elevation drum setting to give 100m increments in range. For example with the elevation drum set to 10 the chevrons will give 1100,1200and 1300m aim points accordingly. So by trial and error you can work out what setting will correspond to any three distances and with the generous movemetnt of the elevation drum you pretty much have it all covered. For the PR shooter this is certainly attractive. Also you can wind in windage correction too. Zeroing proved easy with the reticule just off centre and slighting low in the view at 100 yards.

A word on scope mounting. The locking lever should be facing you as you slide the mount on to the receiver dovetail. It then pushes forward until it stops. In this position swing the lever forward and bear down on it so the locking lug slides under the mount's base and engages. From the box the scope was a loose fit one the rifle, but this is easily adjusted. The locking handle is splined to the shaft and can be removed then repositioned so that more tension is applied to clamp the mount tight to the dovetail as it swings forwad to engage.

Load Up

For the test I used Prvi Partizan 182-grain ammo kindly supplied by Henry Krank & Co Ltd. This approximates the weight of the 7.62x54mm R Ball D round (185 grains). As opposed to the Ball L and Ball LPS at 152-grains. The old Nagant cartridge is no lightweight and with the nominal 180-grain load recoil is most noticeable. Saying this though the extra 2" of barrel, flash hider and bipod did make the SVD a lot more shoulder-friendly than the Tigre.

Filling the magazine requires the rounds to be slid in from the front under the feed lips, as they won;t clip past them as with the 7.62 Nato mag. Insertion is a bit fiddly until you become familiar with the technique and typically the mag noses in at the front then is snapped back to seat and lock.

Reaching forward grasp the cocking handle and pull it back all the way and let it go and it will feed and chamber the first round. And that's what you do for each shot. In use I found the handle way too small and also too far forward. A drop back/dog leg design would be preferable. And if you don't do it quickly you run the risk of an empty case bouncing back into the ejection port off your hand. This is also a common problem with the 7.62x39mm Saiga M3 series. Having said that, the SVD was smooth to cycle with no hesitation on chambering or ejection, and certainly better in use than some 308 Win,AR15-style rifles I have used that showed hard if not impossible extraction characteristics. Some of this I put down to the more chamber-friendly shape of the tapered 7.62x54mm R case.

As I said before, recoil was noticeable but not unbearable, though I wouldn't want to shoot a full day's PR match with the 182-grain ammo. A 150-grain load would be far more sensible if you wanted to get a lot of rounds down range.Performance was around MOA, which I thought was very good. Though the bipod was a bit slack when compared to something like a Harris. This is a rifle you have to work at to get good performance - the shorter butt makes for a less than ideal eye relief position. The trigger though not heavy needs experience to make the break the same each time.

Conclusions

This is essentially a dead copy of the military SVD and I would like to try one for an extended test with a modified cocking handle, extended butt and 150-grain ammo. On that point if you are going to reload for the 7.62x54mm R then be aware that the bore size is .310-.311" and not -308". Correct size bullets are available from various outlets - Prvi PArtizan being one, who also offers Boxer-primed brass.

At the end of the day, the Dragunov is interesting, unusual and exotic and certainly capable of shooting up to and beyond the needs of Practical Rifle disciplines. It also comes in about £200 cheaper than the 04 Tigre and that includes the PSO-1 style scope and in my opinion is more shootable too.

SHOOTING SPORTS/ May 2005

SAIGA M3 CARBINE

by Pete Moore

Pete Moore checks out the Saiga M3 (Saiga MK), a manually operated version of the Russian AK-104 small size assault rifle from FSU Connections