The Saiga series of semiautomatic combat shotguns commonly come in 12, 20 or .410 gauge, with models designated by gauge number. Based on the AK-74 design, these guns come in several variants, primarily involving the addition of a folding stock, shorter barrel, pistol grips. Fully automatic versions with significantly shorter barrels, stocks and pistol grips have been produced for police and military use, though there is some question as to their utility considering the immense recoil generated and lack of accuracy at range.

The Saiga series shines particularly brightly when compared to the more commonly used SPAS-12 and USAS-12 semiautomatic shotguns, where the Saiga's main advantages are a compact design, reliability and higher-capacity magazines (The SPAS-12 holds six rounds, the USAS-12 holds eight and the Saiga-12 can hold up to ten).

The detachable box magazine of the Saiga-12 makes reloading easier as well, but its real power lies in its "universal" magazines, which allow any ammunition chambered for the weapon to function in the gun without jamming, regardless of shell length. The USAS-12 and SPAS-12 are notoriously difficult, if not impossible, to do this with, as the different shell lengths cause irregularities in the pump stroke, jamming the gun.

Additionally, most specialty ammunition used by tactical forces isn't powerful enough to cycle the action of a semi-auto shotgun, requiring the chamber to be cleared manually, which significantly lessens the rate of fire. The Saiga series, utilizing the AK style breach bolt, can be cleared much more rapidly than other guns, which must be pumped (though a few Saiga models do include pump actions). The Saiga has few drawbacks, and recent models have remedied those while remaining a reliable weapon at an affordable price. Five Stars.

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