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Does anyone have experience either good or bad with the AK platform shotgun? I've read from many sources that the VEPR is an improvement over the earlier Saiga model.

I had Saiga and it gave me tons of trouble cycling with anything less than high-brass. I got all adjustable gas block pucks on the market and none solved the problem.

I have now the VEPR and it is improvement over the Saiga especially the lock open on last rd. It was a struggle to reload with bolt closed.
I did not shot much the VEPR to judge about digesting bird rds.

I have a Saiga and I have not had cycling problems with it and I have shot quite a few different types of ammo through it. I consider it a "fun" gun. I enjoy shooting it and it stirs up quite a few conversations on the range. My only gripe is that in my opinion, the AK platform is not ideally suited for a scattergun. From a pure tactical standpoint, I find it too heavy and slow pointing. It is not at the top of my list as a go to shotgun for defensive purposes and is not in my bug out kit, but it is a good conversation piece in the collection. I bought it because I thought it would be fun, and it is.

karder wrote:My only gripe is that in my opinion, the AK platform is not ideally suited for a scattergun. From a pure tactical standpoint, I find it too heavy and slow pointing.

That may be true, but it takes me 5 minutes to reload my Remington 1100 because if I slip up and don't fully insert the cartridge past that little catchy thing, the magazine spring pushes it into a funny place and I have to disassemble the gun to unjam it. Maybe on other SA or pump-action shotguns, that's not a problem, but it's really soured me on non-box-magazine-fed guns for pretty much anything other than fun at the range.

Anyway, the point is that whatever the tactical shortcomings of AK-based shotguns may be (and I'm not disputing them), I don't really care that much because, AFAIK, they're the only viable easy-to-reload (for me) shotguns.

If only they didn't cost so much, I'd get one.

Dave2 wrote:

karder wrote:My only gripe is that in my opinion, the AK platform is not ideally suited for a scattergun. From a pure tactical standpoint, I find it too heavy and slow pointing.

That may be true, but it takes me 5 minutes to reload my Remington 1100 because if I slip up and don't fully insert the cartridge past that little catchy thing, the magazine spring pushes it into a funny place and I have to disassemble the gun to unjam it. Maybe on other SA or pump-action shotguns, that's not a problem, but it's really soured me on non-box-magazine-fed guns for pretty much anything other than fun at the range.

Anyway, the point is that whatever the tactical shortcomings of AK-based shotguns may be (and I'm not disputing them), I don't really care that much because, AFAIK, they're the only viable easy-to-reload (for me) shotguns.

If only they didn't cost so much, I'd get one.

For sure ammunition management is the key to running a shotgun, but I own 3 1100's, a tactical, a trap gun, and a SBS, and have NEVER experienced the issue you reported after many thousands of rounds. For me the 1100 platform is a winner, and outperforms manual actions.

I have shot on squads with 2 of them, very ammo sensitive mag fell out of one, I shoot an FN and 5 years of shooting not 1 problem.

Bitter Clinger wrote:

Dave2 wrote:

karder wrote:My only gripe is that in my opinion, the AK platform is not ideally suited for a scattergun. From a pure tactical standpoint, I find it too heavy and slow pointing.

That may be true, but it takes me 5 minutes to reload my Remington 1100 because if I slip up and don't fully insert the cartridge past that little catchy thing, the magazine spring pushes it into a funny place and I have to disassemble the gun to unjam it. Maybe on other SA or pump-action shotguns, that's not a problem, but it's really soured me on non-box-magazine-fed guns for pretty much anything other than fun at the range.

Anyway, the point is that whatever the tactical shortcomings of AK-based shotguns may be (and I'm not disputing them), I don't really care that much because, AFAIK, they're the only viable easy-to-reload (for me) shotguns.

If only they didn't cost so much, I'd get one.

For sure ammunition management is the key to running a shotgun, but I own 3 1100's, a tactical, a trap gun, and a SBS, and have NEVER experienced the issue you reported after many thousands of rounds. For me the 1100 platform is a winner, and outperforms manual actions.

Oh? Maybe there's something wrong with mine... As soon as the cartridge clears the flappy bit, its spring tries to push it back down, but I still have to push the cartridge another 1/4-1/2 inch before it clears the catch. If I don't, the mag spring wedges the cartridge between the flappy bit and the bolt. I'm going to try to make the next DFW get-together... If I remember, I'll bring it and show you what I'm talking about.

Dave2 wrote:

Bitter Clinger wrote:

Dave2 wrote:

karder wrote:My only gripe is that in my opinion, the AK platform is not ideally suited for a scattergun. From a pure tactical standpoint, I find it too heavy and slow pointing.

That may be true, but it takes me 5 minutes to reload my Remington 1100 because if I slip up and don't fully insert the cartridge past that little catchy thing, the magazine spring pushes it into a funny place and I have to disassemble the gun to unjam it. Maybe on other SA or pump-action shotguns, that's not a problem, but it's really soured me on non-box-magazine-fed guns for pretty much anything other than fun at the range.

Anyway, the point is that whatever the tactical shortcomings of AK-based shotguns may be (and I'm not disputing them), I don't really care that much because, AFAIK, they're the only viable easy-to-reload (for me) shotguns.

If only they didn't cost so much, I'd get one.

For sure ammunition management is the key to running a shotgun, but I own 3 1100's, a tactical, a trap gun, and a SBS, and have NEVER experienced the issue you reported after many thousands of rounds. For me the 1100 platform is a winner, and outperforms manual actions.

Oh? Maybe there's something wrong with mine... As soon as the cartridge clears the flappy bit, its spring tries to push it back down, but I still have to push the cartridge another 1/4-1/2 inch before it clears the catch. If I don't, the mag spring wedges the cartridge between the flappy bit and the bolt. I'm going to try to make the next DFW get-together... If I remember, I'll bring it and show you what I'm talking about.

Can also meet sometime at DFW Gun or Elm Fork, they both allow tactical shotgun.

You might also wish to consider this training in McKinney next weekend:

http://txconcealedcarry.com/class-schedule-2/

Defensive Shotgun 1
Class Dates: Sunday 3-6-16
Class Times: 8:00AM to 6:00PM
Class Locations:
Classes held at Yeager Office Suites 6401 W. Eldorado Parkway McKinney, TX 75070
Class Price: $195 ($40.00 deposit to reserve spot)

Dave2 wrote:Oh? Maybe there's something wrong with mine... As soon as the cartridge clears the flappy bit, its spring tries to push it back down, but I still have to push the cartridge another 1/4-1/2 inch before it clears the catch. If I don't, the mag spring wedges the cartridge between the flappy bit and the bolt. I'm going to try to make the next DFW get-together... If I remember, I'll bring it and show you what I'm talking about.

No, there''s nothing wrong with it... it's just a training issue. BTW, your "flappy bit" is called the "lifter" or "elevator" - your choice.

What you need to do is hold the shell in your hand with your thumb bent so the end of your thumb is against the brass end. Place the round in the loading port and push down on it with the palm of your hand, then push the shell into the mag tube with authority. Pushing with the end of your thumb will do two things: 1) It will make it easier and faster to push the round into the mag tube and past the shell stop, so it won't spring back. 2) Having your thumb bent will cause your knuckle to ride against the elevator, holding it down and preventing your thumb from getting caught between the elevator and the mag tube (ouch!).

Or you could change to a Mossberg pump action (500, 590, etc.). When the bolt is closed on those shotguns, the elevator is in the up position and acts like a "funnel" to guide the shell into the mag tube. If, by chance, you don't push it past the catch, it just springs back into the loading port, ready for you to try again. Of course, then you'll need practice to become proficient in the operation of a pump shotgun.

sounds just like an 1100, just practice with it, yes we need another get to gather / BBQ meal. Just say when.