There’s something undeniably rugged about the AK-47 design. Intended to be used by relatively untrained conscripts and maintained less frequently than Robert’s guns (if that’s even possible) it keeps working under even the worst conditions.
Bringing that rugged reliability and brutal design to the shotgun world seemed like a slam dunk. While other companies have tried none seem to have gained more than a small cult following. Kalashnikov USA, the American counterpart to the Russian arms manufacturer, is hoping that by manufacturing semi-automatic shotguns in the states they can finally crack the code.
I reviewed the Saiga-12 shotgun way back in 2011. The gun had some issues — it refused to cycle regular target loads, the fit and finish was relatively poor, and the fact that it was made overseas brought in all sorts of 922(r) compliance questions that I really just did not want to deal with.
In the end I needed to replace a good chunk of the operating parts of the gun just to get it to run common target ammunition, and even then I wasn’t completely satisfied. When Robert handed me the Kalashnikov USA KS-12 12-gauge shotgun I had flashbacks to hours on end spent trying to get the Saiga-12 to run. I hoped I wouldn’t have the same issues here.
The outside the gun is just like the Saiga-12 series of shotguns, only better. The fit and finish on the gun is far superior to the previous version; rather than feeling like a 12-year-old painted the gun with a combination of black mud and sandpaper, the finish on the U.S.-made autoloading Kalashnikov KS-12 is smooth and even.
The KS-12’s barrel is a 18-inch tube with a threaded muzzle, just like the one on the Saiga series. Instead of using a set of chokes that screw into the inside of the muzzle of the barrel, you adjust the KS-12’s choke by tacking on a muzzle device that performs the same action. While it’s slightly easier to change in the field, it also makes the barrel longer and heavier than needed.
The handguard to the rear is similar to the Saiga series, but likewise improved. The styling is a bit more modern. The handguard includes quick-detach cups for sling-attachment points and screw holes for add-on accessory rails.
The operating bits, are also in this area. They’re identical to the Saiga and Molot series of A-style shotguns. In theory, this means that aftermarket parts made for those firearms will fit here as well.
This is also where the iron sights reside — on top of the gas tube. There’s no independent front-sight block like on a traditional AK-47; the front sight is simply tacked onto the front of the gas tube. That gives you less than a hand’s width of sight radius, definitely not ideal for precision shooting. Then again, this is a shotgun.
Things have changed a bit in the receiver.
The telescoping dust cover is still present. As the bolt carrier is smaller than the size of a spent shotgun shell, Kalashnikov needed a way to cover the rear of the action, and that’s as good a way to do it as any. The dust-cover extension is attached to the recoil spring. It may make getting the bolt in and out slightly easier; it’s a set-it-and-forget-it arrangement.
What isn’t still present: a bolt hold-open mechanism.
There was a button underneath the receiver on the earlier Saiga shotguns. Hold that button down, cycle the action to the rear, and the action remains locked open. It was a nifty design but often malfunctioned, sticking open and causing the gun to jam at inopportune moments. KUSA fixed this issue by removing the button and relying on the same safety-lever cutout as their other designs. (The KS-12T has fixed sights and a manual safety selector lever.)
The pistol grip is another welcome change.
Saiga and Molot shotguns had traditional style stocks. As imported semi-auto shotguns, they needed to fit the “sporting purposes” requirements. Pistol grips were right out and only available with heavy modification. The Kalashnikov design is built in the USA, so the pistol grip is built in from the factory.
A standard Russian-style optics rail sits on the other side of the receiver. The rail enables a red dot or other optics. The iron sights are usable but an Aimpoint would be pretty clutch on this setup.
There’s a nice buttstock with another QD sling mount and the shotgun takes standard Saiga mags. If you already have a stockpile of 20-round drum magazines you don’t need to throw them out and start anew.
Jeremy and I took the KS-12 out to the range to put it through its paces, feeding a wide variety of ammunition through the gun.
We started with two versions of slugs: Federal high brass and managed recoil 1-ounce slugs. The high-brass slugs worked just fine. The managed-recoil slugs worked . . . mostly fine. We had one failure to extract on the managed-recoil slugs early on out of about 50 rounds. I’m happy to attribute that to the crappy magazine we were using at the time.
High-brass loads in general seemed to work very well. Full power cartridges — we ran 00 buckshot, high-speed steel-birdshot hunting rounds, and various slugs — were cycling the action perfectly. When we switched things up, the gun started having all too familiar issues.
Low-brass loads like the usual trap-and-skeet target loads (common in 3-gun competitions as well as practice ranges) rarely worked.
The malfunction you see above is par for the course. The low-brass load simply doesn’t provide enough pressure to the gas piston to kick the spent cartridge out of the action and clear the rear edge of the next round on the magazine.
I solved this issue in my Saiga-12 by changing the gas system. I’m hopeful that an aftermarket modification — such as the work done by Lone Star Arms, who lent us this gun — can make the KS-12 run on low brass.
I ran the KS-12 all morning. As long as I was using high-brass ammunition it chugged away happily. Shooting one clay pigeon out of the sky after another, the accuracy was good enough for government work. Shooting slugs I was nailing specific rocks at about 50 yards without an issue. In short, for everything you’d want to use the gun to do it should be OK. As long as you feed it well.
The KS-12 is a fine firearm. The fit and finish is remarkably good for an AK shotgun. The action feels smooth compared to the other Saiga examples I’ve owned, and it has some welcome features not on the original. The biggest issue, and possibly the deal breaker: The inability to fire common target loads without swapping any parts.
To me that seems extremely odd. The vast majority of the time shooters are going to want to feed the dirt cheap target loads through the gun, not full-power high-brass slugs.
Whether for recreational target shooting or 3-gun competitions, high-brass ammo is more expensive, more recoil to mitigate, and more annoying to try and find. A lot of people are going to buy the KS-12 expecting it to work out of the box without reading the “high-brass only” instructions. They could well give the gun a reputation for unreliability.
When you boil it down though, what you’re paying for is a magazine-feeding system. For $100 less you can get yourself a Mossberg 930SPX, a more compact shotgun that will reliably cycle both high-brass and low-brass shotgun loads straight out of the box, with no configuration changes needed. The KS-12 doesn’t do that. What it does do, however, is feed from detachable box magazines. And that’s pretty cool.
Specifications: Kalashnikov KS-12 Shotgun
SKU#: KS12-SHOTGUN
UPC: 811777021743
Caliber: 12 Gauge
Barrel Length: 18.25-inch smoothbore barrel with flash suppressor, threaded for a choke muzzle device
Size: 44″ overall length
Weight: 8.5 lbs
Operation: Semi-automatic short-stroke recoil
Magazine Capacity: (1) 5-round magazine included (KS-12T includes (1) 10-round magazine)
Finish: Manganese phosphate
MSRP: $999 – $825 Street
Ratings (out of five stars)
Ratings are relative to other similar firearms. Final score does not reflect the “average” of the categories but instead the overall feelings of the reviewer.
Accuracy: * * * *
There’s a pretty short sight radius, but even so it’s accurate enough for shotgun work.
Ergonomics: * * *
Definitely an improvement over the Saiga and Molot designs. Ergonomic pistol grip and improved ergonomics on the stock and forend as well. Not much you can do to improve the receiver but they did do a better job on the finish.
Ergonomics Firing: * * *
The trigger sucks (as do most AK triggers) and the recoil’s stiff, but otherwise it’s a more-than-merely-adequate shotgun.
Reliability: * * *
Get the right ammo and the gun will function.
Customization: * * * *
The Saiga-12 and Molot versions have been on the market for about a decade now, and thankfully everything seems to be compatible here as well. So all those accessories will work from day one.
Overall Rating: * * *
It works. I just don’t see how it works significantly better than anything else. Can’t use cheap ammo, can’t use it in most 3-gun competitions, and it just looks plain wrong on a trap bunker. But if this is what your heart desires then this is probably the best version of an AK shotgun that has ever been shipped factory fresh in the United States.
More from The Truth About Guns:
Gun Review: Kalashnikov USA KS-12 and Kalashnikov USA KS-12T Shotguns
Gun Review: Remington VersaMax Competition Tactical Shotgun
Gun Review: Kel-Tec Sub-2000 .40
Gun Review: Armscor Rock Island Armory VR80 Shotgun
Touring Kalashnikov USA – And a Look at Their Newest Gun!
Judge: SIG SAUER’s MPX “Muzzle Brake” Is Actually a Silencer
These guns are too scary for Massachusetts.
“But if this is what your heart desires then this is probably the best version of an AK shotgun that has ever been shipped factory fresh in the US.”
Perfect synopsis.
Is the fine tuning required of the Saiga and apparently this something typically considered DIY?
Last I heard, there was only one or two shops in the US who did quality work, and they were expensive. Not DIY because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.
I may be wrong, though.
There is no fine tuning required with a Saiga 12. The author doesn’t know Saigas from sea shells. My S 12 has NEVER malfunctioned. Why, you ask? Did I get a magic S 12?
No, I’m just not dumb enough to run my s12 with target loads. I run Federal 12 ga “slugger” ammo, and Winchester 00 buck, called SuperX.
Just because high brass ammo hurts the author’s breast implants when he shoots, does not give him the authority to discount the Saiga as reliable.
The high brass 12 gauge is the only stuff you “should” run in a Saiga, if you need dependable firepower.
If you break the gun in with slugs and SuperX, it can fire some Federal bird shot on the low-power setting. But it MAY HAVE an occasional stovepipe.
But, that’s a malfunction, you say…NO, it is no more a “malfunction” than if you used regular unleaded to fuel your turbocharged race car, and blew the motor. Sure, it stopped running, but the malfunction was OPERATOR ERROR…
Do not confuse the Saiga 12 with a “sporting gun,” even if people occasionally attempt to pass it off as one.
The Saiga 12 is designed for just one thing – to blow the living s**t out of anyone unlucky enough to be at the wrong end of its barrel. At this, it succeeds quite well.
I agree with this guy, the Saiga is when you need serious fire power and I wouldn’t be running bird shot. I have a Saiga and Kalashnikov k-12 and they both will run Remington game loads from the start. In fact that is all I have ran so far, just because they said it couldn’t be done. Only have 40-60 rounds through each but no problems with either one. Both of these will float 6 shell casings in the air possibly 7 if your finger is fast enough. How fast is that? No cycling issues here with those results but I have heard you dont want to mix different type of loads on a fast pace as it can produce cycling issues. So dont switch, just run buck shot, 20 round drums and you will be the King of the Hill.
I haven’t had any problems shooting low brass loads with my Kalishnikov KS-12 series. As a matter of fact, including eye witnesses, we were hitting 12 ounce water bottles at 100 yards using Remington 2 3/4 rifled slugs. I’ve owned many shotguns, but for me, the Kalishnikov 12 guage is one of the best shotguns I’ve ever shouldered. It’s ability to shoot an array of different type loads is perfect for me. I give the Kalishnikov 12 guage a full 5 stars.
Considering the wide range shotgun shells come in it seems an adjustable system would be a plus.
Had the Saiga for a while, it was fun at first, then became more of a novelty.
They’re rugged as a brick but that’s about it.
Its one of those guns you pass around to your buddies, everyone has it for a bit until the fun wears off.
Yes, but does it have a “shoulder thing that goes up?” Without that, it’s not an ass-ault (or is it ass-hat?) shotgun that you can fire incendiary rounds that cook deer when you hit them.
But it may be worth buying purely for the apoplexy it will cause the brain-dead anti-gunners in congress . . .
Hey, just like flaming arrows in Minecraft! Now I really want one of those guns. Fortunately my state hasn’t gone the gun-ban retard route (yet).
It is common for a a semi-auto shotgun to not cycle properly with wimpy target loads. My Mossberg 930 Tactical has the same issue, while the Mossberg 930 JM Pro version will run target loads all day (it’s made for competition).
You can make a gun with a weaker recoil spring that will cycle target loads, but if that spring is not strong enough to properly deal with the energy it’s given (high brass shells), it stands to reason that repeated use will damage the gun.
I wonder why they dont use a bolt carrier like the vz 58 and open the top of the action . Allowing more room for spent shells to eject.
Short-stroke piston vs full or long-stroke piston. The top is always blocked by the piston rod on an AK (attached to the carrier). The VZ only “taps” the bolt carrier and inertia carries it rearward.
I bought a simple tunable replacement gas plug for my Saiga. Tuned it for target loads, and haven’t touched it since. People make too big a deal out of this. My Saiga cost me $800 plus the cost of the replacement gas plug. I’d much rather have it than pretty much any tube-fed gun out there.
Is it offered with a rifled barrel for slugs? Would make for a great hog culling gun.
I had a Saiga 12. I ended up selling it. I instead bought a Vepr 12. A much nicer shotgun with more features like a BHO. It kakes reloads much easier as you don’t have to jam it to push that first round down to lock in.
“The trigger sucks (as do most AK triggers)”
I call bullshit on that. Author must not shoot AK’s at all to make such an ignorant statement especially considering the vast aftermarket out there for AK trigger groups available.
I find a milspec AK trigger much better to shoot than an AR one especially (ironically) factory Chinese triggers that are highly regarded in the AK community.
So in short don’t make ignorant statements about guns, like most Americans do about AK’s, that you know nothing about.
That statement is obviously exclusive of aftermarket upgrade options. AR triggers sucking worse doesn’t preclude AK triggers from sucking 😉
Had a Siaga , and sold it after the first trip to the range. If you don’t mind a bullpup then get a DP-12. 16 rounds of anything you throw at it. It has eaten every type, style of round I have put through it with zero FTF or any malfunction. I love this gun. You can pump, fire 2 rounds very fast, and another pump 2 more rounds. This can be done very fast and accurately. The gun at first feels heavy, but once shouldered it is ballanced very well. This is my mob dispersing weapon. It is shear firepower. Beats the hell out of the KSG IMHO. Made by a company that has been making high end shotguns for years. Reciever is one solid block of aluminum that is carved out. There is very little plastic on this thing except for the furniture. Sorry to sound like a commercial. I have no affiliation with this company, I just love this gun, due to its quality, and performance. I also love the spring loaded butt stock. Almost no recoil. You can fire all day, and. Not feel the punishment of a regular 12 gage.
I still love my Benelli Nova Army done completely in NP3.
This sounds like a fun gun to own and a useful one to have, as long as it works, like any gun.
I read the author’s review of the Saiga, and I’m sorry he had so much trouble with it. I have an older Saiga and it runs like a champ. It’s easily digested everything from slugs to buck to bird and I’ve never had an issue with ejection. It’s very energetic and sends the casings about 6 feet to the right which is an occasion to apologize to other shooters on the range. I do agree that loading a new mag into the gun is a b**tch. But to this day, my Saiga resides in a horizontal rack on the side of my mattress with a light attached in case any uninvited guests show up. It’s too bad the author couldn’t have just reviewed the new gun without feeling the need to slam the Saiga at the same time.
I watched the author’s original slam review of the Saiga with his accompanying videos of his 3-gun runs, and I have to say it’s entertaining watching overweight guys try to run around like they are John Wick.
Do these new ones hold the hi-cap mag-Drums like their Russian counterparts?
It may not even need a tuning. I bought a vepr12 some months ago. They were lauded for being able to digest a variety of loads including low brass something many auto loading shotguns stumble over. Having never much intending on using low brass anyhow I bought it, and the first couple of range sessions sighting in and just torture testing various loads I ran some lows” it ran some an bobeled others…. that was on the first couple outings. Since cleaning it and a lube it has since settled in and runs everything including the low brass just fine even in mixed magazines
It’s great to see these now available in the US, already pistol gripped, and with none of the other “neutering” problems the Saiga 12 had to deal with just to get it here for us. Thanks for the honest review. Sounds about normal to me considering they basically made a direct copy of a converted S-12, with a few added cosmetic upgrades. The lack of reliability with low brass, and the “crappy” feeling AK style trigger are no problem at all for me. It’s designed to run on magnum loads. If you want it to run on cheap target loads the solution is simple. Get the internals tuned up just like Cobras Custom has been proving for years works great on the Saiga 12. The result will be much better reliability with all loads, and an excellent trigger.
The Saiga-12 like you reviewed before was a rough early attempt at an AK shotgun and they went out of style in my country (Russia) a long time ago… have been replaced with the far superior Saiga-12K models, which are equipped with a mag well and other improved features. IzhMash only kept those older models around for the US market, due to their importable shape, continued popularity and after-market support. Also, Saiga-12s (or 12Ks) were never MEANT to cycle low power shells. The US distributors didn’t make this clear enough to the consumers. They can be modified/tuned to work with them, but that’s on you. However, a Vepr-12 is a superior weapon to both kinds of Saigas in multiple ways. It is also probably a much better shotgun than this US made (is it even US made? the product pages mention 922 compliance?), unlicensed (let’s be clear on this: KUSA has NOTHING to do with the Kalashnikov Concern) knock-off. I really doubt that his gun comes close when it comes to materials, parts quality and durability. I am almost certain that, just like with US made AKs (i.e.: Century RAS47), time will show that decent finish is the only thing going for it. Hopefully, they don’t blow up (like RAS47, which also had good early reviews)! I run Vepr-12 a lot and practically never had a failure that could be attributed to the gun. Most of my customers report great results with them as well. It’s a finely designed and made weapon. Molot does a great job. Unfortunately, as far as I understand it, US consumers can no longer get Veprs either, so this KUSA and the Chinese knock-offs are all that’s left? Good luck with them! Maybe, they finally do figure out good US AK?
I like your style, Klimov! The author is a fan-boy of all s*** made here in the USA. Unfortunately, Mr. Leghorn does not care for Kalashnikov shotguns, as evidenced by his constantly low review scores on them. His assertion the KS 12 is superior to even the S 12 design from over a two decades ago, is LAUGHABLE. He probably never handled an S 12k, but even of he did, and even if he got a bit excited by its robust construction, ergonomics, and reliability, he would never admit it…Because you know, the best guns have to be from the good old USA, even if they’re not. I would not trade my Vepr 12 for TWO KS 12s. But I would like a KS 12, simply for the novelty, much as I would LOVE to have Molot’s version of the M4/AR-15 in my safe.
I have 2 Saiga’s and they shoot everything just fine. I have had zero issues firing them with any type of ammo even the crappy 100ct $25 birdshot cheap stuff at Walmart works great. As for this gun I have yet to shoot so I don’t know. I just remember you were very bias about the saigas.
I say, I say, mister Leghoooorn, you sure have a predisposition against all things Kalashnikov-12-gauge. Furthermore, it’s no surprise the Saiga 12 or the ks12 wouldn’t cycle your target loads. That’s not what they are designed for.
I admittedly know less about you than you know about Russian-bred shotgun designs, but I have read enough of your boorish ramblings to ascertain that you must own a stake in “The Truth About Guns” website. Otherwise, there isn’t a Norinco-wielding man’s chance you’d still be writing for TGAG after all these years of piling horse crap beneath your printer.
A Saiga or other AK-pattern 12ga being fed target loads is akin to feeding a nail gun staples. ‘Taint what it was made to shoot.
FYI, if you want a shotgun that will eat anything you feed it and unselfishly belch lead with the reliability of a Swiss clock, grab a pre-2016 Molot Vepr 12.
Until then, please don’t complain when you try to run a Saiga 12 or KS 12 on ammo it wasn’t designed to feed.
Best of luck in your continued success,
Golden Corporal
Dude is an idiot, he won’t be successful
I just bought the tactical version of this shotgun. The book said there is a setting for light brass. Anyone seen this book said its below the front site just havent looked yet
KS-12 Setting #1 is for high brass. Setting #2 is for slightly less high brass. In current form there is no setting for low brass. Great gun. If you want it to run with a full range of ammo, send it to us.
https://youtu.be/y6EmzPPEVAA
https://youtu.be/CYfJlIMHhkE
https://youtu.be/AVSe2qY5mdI
$800 is to much .
I think the Lynx is a better gun tbh. Ive shot saigas and VEPRs and the Lynx kicks their asses on reliability. Yes i know the lynx is chinese but the 4 position adjustable gas system is key. Put it wide open and low brass is no problem in the Lynx and its $300 less than the ks12.
I have the newest model of the KS-12T, factory foregrip and 20 Round Promag drum setup. I understand that the trigger system is improved with a lighter trigger pull, (lighter than my SAM7 from Arsenal). It does have a two stage adjustable gas setting, I have run only high brass and slugs so far.
Firing a 1oz Fiocci rifled slug I am getting 2″ moa at 50yds using the factory iron sites from a sitting position.
Standing you can unload twenty rounds in 12-15 seconds, that is 1.3lbs of lead and a lot of noise within a very short period of time! Not to mention grapefruit sized holes in everything in the path of fire.
Seriously unless you fall into a pit of hungry bears, encounter a “Predator”, get attacked by a horde of zombies or ex-wives (just kidding!), then 99% of us own one because its just fun to shoot.
Yes its a serious defensive deterrent, and you must have a tolerance for a sore shoulder with it pulled up, but overall it is a very well built machine that has operated flawlessly.
Nick Leghorn is very biased when it comes to the saiga or anything that resembles it. His review on the saiga 12 and KS-12 are garbage. False info from a amateur shooter.
This dude is clueless and hates anything that resembles a saiga. Very biased imo, anyways I’ll say it again don’t be a clown and believe this guy.
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I know this is an old thread, but I still thought I would chime in. I have a KS-12, and after break in I found that it runs 100% reliable if I grease the snot out of the bolt aft of the charging handle and run it on the low gas setting. However, I would sometimes get a failure to eject on the high gas setting even with high velocity bird shot. So now I run everything 2 3/4″ inch on the low gas setting and still haven’t seen any wear at the trunion.