Welcome everyone to the 160th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the vintage Model 10 was a fudd crap.  

HGFC — 12 Gauge Tactical or Impractical? — Poll Results

At this time the original auction remains up without any bids on the High Standard Model 10A.  We’re all hopeful that this shotgun can find its way to a new home in the very near future.     

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a highly customized Saiga-12 shotgun. As is tradition, this heavily modified gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $9,500 Buy It Now.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“When you want Terminator vibes on a Fisher Price budget and your buddy is like totally a legitimate gunsmith, bro.” – Adam S.

“When you want an AA12 but only can afford a Hi Point Carbine” – Matt E.

“Those signaling cones send a signal, alright: “not to be trusted at the range” – Rusty S.

Skullriffic! – Matt. M

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

Selling this skull-clad gat is GunBroker seller Grober1, located in Memphis TN.  Let’s see what they had to say about this one-of-a-kind Saiga-12.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

Authors Note:  The description for this shotgun is quite a long read.  However, there’s a lot going on here.  So I’ve decided not to truncate the description in any way in order to preserve the integrity of this listing.  

I PRESENT TO YOU THE SKULLKING, KING OF ALL SHOTGUNS 

THE GOAL IN ASSEMBLING THIS GUN WAS TO MAKE IT THE BEST FUNCTIONING AND BEST LOOKING SHOTGUN EVER. WE THINK WE HIT THE MARK. THIS IS A REAL SHOWCASE PIECE AND COLLECTOR’S ITEM. IF YOU’RE A HIGH-END COLLECTOR AND YOU WANT A SHOTGUN, THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU. THIS IS A CUSTOM ASSEMBLED RUSSIAN GUN, ISRAELI SIGHT SYSTEM, CZECHIAN DRUMS, & AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN STICK MAGS…PUT TOGETHER TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL, FLAWLESSLY-FUNCTIONING, INTERNATIONAL SKULL-TAKING MACHINE.

THERE’S A LOT TO UNPACK HERE, SO HERE WE GO:

This is an original Saiga-12 semiauto shotgun Model SGL12-08 that has been converted by professional Saiga gunsmiths. These guns are banned from further importation to the U.S. 

Here is a list of what has been done.

The FCG has been moved forward and a US-made polished and re-profiled FCG has been installed for a smoother action and better reliability with low brass.

In addition, an OverTravel Limiter has been installed and tuned to the gun for a fast 2nd shot follow up. This gun will fire as fast as you can pull the trigger.

Bolt & carrier were ground, reworked and polished as well.

The extractor has been modified, rails polished, the extractor ramp modified, the BHO modified, the internal spring for recoil has been changed and the BHO spring modified.

It has a Chaos Titan Quad Rail System that hinges up out of the way for easy access to the dust cover.

It also has the Chaos HK style sights installed. These sights co-witness with the MH1 as well as a Burress FastFire sight-optional.

There is also a Krebs Custom Safety in place of the standard factory safety.

The Bolt Carrier has been completely polished and a custom turned and welded upturned SKULL charging handle installed.

The trigger pull is approx 4lbs.  

19″ barrel.

An ATI plush grip has been installed.

Paint has been touched up with a solvent-resistant Ceramic-based paint.

The rear tang has been removed and the rear of the receiver has been reshaped and an internal support block has been installed to support the ACE hardware.

ACE SOCOM stock with foam cheek weld and ACE push-button folding mechanism that folds the stock flush and tight with a 1″ ACE buttpad that really pads down recoil.

Couple that with the ATI plush pistol grip and the Tromix Shark Brake which alone reduces felt recoil by 25% and the gun is a dream to shoot.

The gun can be fired with the stock open or folded.

Easy to attach or detach folding stock, just screw or unscrew it using the 4 rear screws.

A 4th port was drilled in the barrel to begin with and slightly enlarged all the gas ports to aid in the gun’s ability to cycle low brass ammo such as birdshot and the low recoil stuff. The gas block port was opened to clear the 4 gas ports and add an adjustable gas knob that has been modified to work with the gas port work.

A RAM ambidextrous mag release extension was also added.

An aftermarket reduced power recoil spring has also been added. 

Fire the gun, release a mag, lock open the bolt, all without taking your hand off the pistol grip. 

The gun handles FLAWLESSLY and has been range-tested with 20 rounds.

The BHO was notched and reshaped for greater reliability and so it doesn’t poke into your finger with the trigger in it’s new location.

ALSO INCLUDED ARE:

2 new MaxRounds 20rd drums + accessories with metal case that holds both, and carry bags. Drums made in Czech Republic, made of steel and hardened duralumin. Drums can be loaded on a closed bolt by slightly pulling the interior wheel back.

2 new ULTRA RARE Saiga 12 10rd Black Aces mags that have been fitted to this gun

2 new ULTRA RARE Russian 8rd mags

2 new AGP 10rd mags

1 new CSSPECS steel 10rd mag

1 mag carry bag for all the mags & the folding stock (zippered deep pocket section in back of it)

1 new Gladiator Blue laser sight w/ Krebs rail attachment

1 new RARE HARTMAN MH1 Israeli remote-controlled reflex sight with 3 aiming lines and a dot, see pics. Comes with TWO remotes; one on the gun, one new in package (Remote turns sight on and off and changes the brightness levels of the reticle with the touch of a finger. Solidly locks onto the picatinny rail with picatinny cut-out sections underneath the top module as well as a wrap-around strap with touch modules/buttons)

1 new FAB 2-position foregrip and flashlight mount w/ Hogue rubber grip around foregrip & w/ Inova T4R rechargeable flashlight w/ pull-on pull-off multi–color signal light cones (flashlight can also be removed and used with cones for emergency signaling. Cones amplify the light from the flashlight, making it easier to see in the dark especially from above)

1 new heavy duty EJ Snyder X-TREME SKULLCRUSHER machete knife w/ custom matching silver and white SKULL lanyard w/ velcro attachment to carry bag interior

1 black nondescript carry bag that hold the gun and the drums

6 matching SKULL rail covers and patches

All boxes for accessories are included as they are all brand new and only attached to the gun and tested for proper functioning, never used

***PRICE IS FIRM but if item is paid for in full within 7 days after auction close there will be a $300 discount applied.*** 

DO NOT PURCHASE IF YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OWN THIS FOR ANY REASON! THERE IS A 10% RESTOCK FEE IF YOU DO. WILL NOT SHIP TO WHERE PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER WAY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY OTHER THAN THE METHODS LISTED, LET ME KNOW VIA EMAIL AND WE’LL WORK SOMETHING OUT. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS ADD 3% AND WILL HAVE TO BE BROKEN UP INTO SMALLER PAYMENTS THAT ADD UP TO THE AMOUNT DESIRED, WITH 10% OF THE COST BEING NON-REFUNDABLE IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE PURCHASE FOR ANY REASON. YOU CAN ALSO PUT 20% DOWN AND PAY THE REST OVER A 90 DAY PERIOD BUT DOWN PAYMENT IS NON-REFUNDABLE IF FULL PAYMENT IS NOT RENDERED WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME. MONEY ORDERS AND CHECKS ARE PREFERRED. CHECK PAYMENTS WILL TAKE A MINIMUM OF 10 CALENDAR DAYS TO CLEAR. GUN SHIPS FROM MY FFL TO YOUR FFL OF COURSE, THE ACCESSORIES SHIP SEPARATELY TO YOUR DOOR. THIS IS A REALLY SPECIAL ONE-OF-A-KIND COLLECTIBLE GUN; A COLLECTOR’S DREAM.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

Manufactured in the ’90s, the Saga-12 is an AKM pattern 12 gauge shotgun.  Alongside the Saiga-12 were other shotgun variants like the Saiga-20 in 20 gauge and Saiga-410 in .410 bore.  These continue to be manufactured but sadly are no longer imported due to the ban.  The camo looks like one I spotted in 2019’s Call of Duty Modern Warfare, but I can’t quite put a finger on the rest of the inspiration.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

Determining the total value for this haul is a bit of a long shot as there are quite a lot of accessories.  All of this of course alongside the numbers matching Saiga-12.  Selling a firearm with accessories included is generally a plus.  However, this is assuming the cost of the accessories doesn’t overinflate the overall price tag.

Put bluntly, I think a firm price tag of $9,500 is a bit of a long shot.  Certainly, these shotguns are more desirable as the years pass on, but would you pay a little under 10k for this custom creation?  As always I leave it up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Saiga Lover or Hell Yeah Brother?

What do you think?  Is this Saiga-12 a Hot Gat or over-modified and overpriced Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this King of Shotguns Russian Saiga-12 is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: