The Kushnapup: Saiga-12 bullpup kit
A while back I blogged about the, quite frankly, ugly bullpup kit by Centerfire Systems for the AK-47 that could be used with a Saiga-12. The Kushnapup is a much better looking system designed specifically for the Saiga-12 shotgun.
This video shows 10 slugs being fired from a Saiga fitted with the kit.
The kit does not require any permanent modification to the shotgun and can be easily installed, no gunsmith required. The current model only accepts stick magazines, but a new kit is in development and it will accept drum magazines. The kit costs $275.
Hat Tip: Хроники безумного Макса
Is it actually available? The website has been in that same state for months.
Canthros, I presume so. I says to email for ordering details.
For a minute, I thought someone had actually put an ACOG atop one of those things, and we had a new winner for the waffenposselhaft award.
It certainly looks groovy. I’ve fired a few Saiga 12’s in my time (excellent weapon) so my only concerns with this bullpup layout are –
How easy is it to load magazines and cock the weapon? – Because Lord knows it’s a pain in the ass with a normal Saiga 12. Pull the bolt back, press a button, try to get the little magazine lip to click in properly. Yeah, I know it can be done fluidly with lots and lots of practice, but it’s not the most instinctive, user friendly or rapid system ever devised.
How does the new layout effect recoil? – one of the nicest things about a Saiga 12 is the perceived recoil. I shot one all day long and compared to my pump, it was so much nicer on the shoulder. Unfortunately, unlike my Western made pump, the crude metal bits on the Saiga did have a tendency to cut my fingers into bloody ribbons.
The design looks really well built and for-purpose. About the only gripe I’ve got is the magazine hangs so low if you twist to fire off axis, the magazine will hang on your utilities.
I ask because there’s been a thread over at the Saiga-12.com forum for months with a couple people claiming to have ordered one without receipt. I think it looks interesting, but $275 is a more than I feel comfortable committing to practically sight unseen and on an unspecified timetable.
I’m into the idea that shooting from the shoulder is better than from the hip – especially if you employ a tight choke for maximum effective range – but I dunno that I’d want to give up the ability to shoot from the hip, either. Right now I use a thumb-hole stock to do both, other people use M4-style stocks…bullpup I don’t even think makes it an option?
I love the recoil in bullpups, no matter how much it kicks, the muzzle climb remains low.
screw the saiga im interested in that ACOG
don’t forget to mention the tremendous close quarters possibilities with such a powerful weapon in such a short package