In 1995, Izhmash designers started working on a self-loading hunting carbine Saiga-12 based on the Kalashnikov automatic rifle.
The Saiga-12 required a significant redesign of the rifle’s assemblies. Gennady Nikonov, head of the design bureau of the Izhmash Firearm Design Center, worked on the new design. He managed to fit a 12 mm barrel, a large cartridge chamber, and magazine case into the standard receiver of the Kalashnikov automatic rifle with the caliber of 7.62 mm. Moreover, the Saiga-12 was significantly redesigned. The external receiver did not have the clamps and welds typical of a combat AK rifle.
The Saiga-12 can be used to fire high-power 12-gauge smoothbore cartridges as well as Magnum-type cartridges with an increased load of powder and shot.
Georgy Shumkov, director of a special equipment plant, carried out the technical preparations while designers Alexander Turkin, Vladimir Abramyan, Vladimir Tsypko, Lev Ponomarev, and Valery Zverevshchikov were in charge of engineering and manufacturing development of the Saiga-12.
The carbine has a split stock, a folding buttstock, and a firing handle. The round barrel is equipped with a slotted flash suppressor to suppress firing flash and improve accuracy. A cylindrical muzzle sight is covered by a fore-sight protector. Its base is connected with the gas chamber, and tactical light, laser sight, or additional handle mounts under the barrel. The receiver cover can be pivoted up and forward on the hinge. A Picatinny rail, a universal telescopic sight mount, is attached to the top of the receiver. A box-type magazine is inserted into the opening cut and widens out at the bottom.
The production of the carbine was launched in 1997. The Saiga-12 received the largest caliber and the most powerful cartridges in its category and was used not only by hunters. In 1997, an American company Smith & Wesson took interest in the Saiga-12 and a few months later it purchased such carbines for the US police operations. The export version of the Saiga-12S EXR-01 shown in the museum collection does not have a trigger lock. This carbine can be seen in many TV shows and movies about the American police.
The Saiga-12 required a significant redesign of the rifle’s assemblies. Gennady Nikonov, head of the design bureau of the Izhmash Firearm Design Center, worked on the new design. He managed to fit a 12 mm barrel, a large cartridge chamber, and magazine case into the standard receiver of the Kalashnikov automatic rifle with the caliber of 7.62 mm. Moreover, the Saiga-12 was significantly redesigned. The external receiver did not have the clamps and welds typical of a combat AK rifle.
The Saiga-12 can be used to fire high-power 12-gauge smoothbore cartridges as well as Magnum-type cartridges with an increased load of powder and shot.
Georgy Shumkov, director of a special equipment plant, carried out the technical preparations while designers Alexander Turkin, Vladimir Abramyan, Vladimir Tsypko, Lev Ponomarev, and Valery Zverevshchikov were in charge of engineering and manufacturing development of the Saiga-12.
The carbine has a split stock, a folding buttstock, and a firing handle. The round barrel is equipped with a slotted flash suppressor to suppress firing flash and improve accuracy. A cylindrical muzzle sight is covered by a fore-sight protector. Its base is connected with the gas chamber, and tactical light, laser sight, or additional handle mounts under the barrel. The receiver cover can be pivoted up and forward on the hinge. A Picatinny rail, a universal telescopic sight mount, is attached to the top of the receiver. A box-type magazine is inserted into the opening cut and widens out at the bottom.
The production of the carbine was launched in 1997. The Saiga-12 received the largest caliber and the most powerful cartridges in its category and was used not only by hunters. In 1997, an American company Smith & Wesson took interest in the Saiga-12 and a few months later it purchased such carbines for the US police operations. The export version of the Saiga-12S EXR-01 shown in the museum collection does not have a trigger lock. This carbine can be seen in many TV shows and movies about the American police.
