Tromix
Modified Russian Saiga 12
I had the
chance to review
and photograph a
Saiga 12 shotgun made by Saiga (Izhmash) in Russia.
This one is modified by Tromix. This Saiga 12 shotgun is
used by Gabe Suarez for testing and evaluation of the Tromix
modifications. I can not speak for Gabe, but I was impressed
with what I saw when I took a look at this unique Saiga 12
re-designed for fighting from the ground up.
| Tromix – Saiga
Shotgun Conversions and Accessories |
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Tromix shotgun
conversions transform your ordinary
hunting gun into a more dynamic tactical
tool. The Basic Fixed stock conversion
consists of the following:
- SAW pistol
grip installed
- Rear of receiver
re-machined to the correct
angle.
- Receiver back-plate
Tig welded in place.
- Safety selector
stop welded in place.
- Tromix trigger
guard welded in place.
- Left over
trigger axis pins welded
up.
- U.S. fire
control components installed.
- Gas block
aligned as-required.
- Install Fixed
Tromix or Ace stock.
- Mod magwell
for 8/10rd magazines.
- Tune Extractor
and Extractor Bbl Relief.
- Sand blast
with aluminum oxide media.
- Refinish with
black bake-on Norrell Moly
Resin.
This Basic Fixed
stock conversion runs $395 on
the customer supplied gun. Add $65 for
folding stock mechanism. If you
also need your barrel cut down,
gas ports opened up, and muzzle
rethreaded, add $95.
If you need Tromix to provide the base-gun for work, add $475.
Availability of complete guns is extremely limited. All pricing
shown below for models S-O1 through S17 include the base gun.
Our short barreled shotguns can be ordered with
barrel lengths from 8" to 14" in length. In addition to the Basic Fixed stock
conversion outlined above, the entire gas system is relocated
rearward 4" in order to allow the gun to still cycle low base
target ammunition. The Basic Folding stock SBS conversion runs $750 on
the customer supplied gun. Add $475 if Tromix supplies
the base gun. Availability is extremely limited.
This
model (listed on the Tromix website)
is close the model we review
here
Tromix
Saiga 12ga TLR
Tromix folding
stock, Krebs sights, shark brake,
picatinney rails, vertical grip,
and Streamlight TLR-2 Laser / Light.
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With the stock
extended . This Tromix
stock is sturdy and light weight. It locks firmly
into place. There is a rubber pad with a slight curve
to help get consistent shoulder placement
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With the
stock folded the shotgun is much
shorter for carrying and storage. While it can be shot
with the stock folded, it would be difficult to aim with
the 12 gauge recoil
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When
the stock folds it leaves room for an optics mount
on the Saiga's optics rail. It's design also lends
it's self to many sling options
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The
Shark Brake by Mark Krebs and AK style front sight
post, both add to this shotgun's looks and offer
a typical AK sight radius and familiar sight picture.
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The Shark Brake does
a good job of looking good and being an effective
close quarters tool
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The
red arrows in this pic show how well the Shark Brake
diverts the gasses away from the shooters line of
sight, while keeping a slight angle to aid in muzzle
rise
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These
fuzzy pics show how well the Tromix conversion replicates
the typical AK sight picture. Front and rear sights
are very close to the standard AK. This allows a
shooter to concentrate on their shooting and not
the gun
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Here
is a picture of Gabe Suarez of Suarez International
shooting his Tromix converted Saiga 12 and for comparison,
a typical AKM (with the curved magazine below). Note
the similarities; the red arrows indicate the sight
radius, the white arrows indicate the cheek weld
and distance to the receiver, Blue and yellow arrows
indicate the controls (safety and magazine release)
which are set up in almost identical position on
both rifles
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Here
are the same two pictures as above without the arrows
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The
Galil style handguards offer comfort and control
with multiple grip methods. These also count as a
US part to comply with 922r
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When
moving the Saiga 12 trigger group forward the trigger
guard doesn't fit like a typical AKM because the
magazine release and trigger guard are two parts
on a Saiga12. Tromix makes a unique trigger guard
that offers room for the shooters hand (fingers)
to easily reach the magazine release.
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Further
modifications by Tromix include the gas block and
safety
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Overall
the Saiga is a great shotgun to begin with and Tromix
really does a decent job of improving it for fighting.
Here Gabe Suarez is able to shoot three rounds in
quick enough succession that two of the shells are
in mid air as the third enters the chamber. Note
the lack of significant muzzle rise in this test.
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Suarez International Advanced Rifle Gunfighting
"Our Rifle Gunfighting Course has set the standard
for close range rifle training, but there is
a limit to what can be done in two days. Where
Rifle Gunfighting is all shooting and focuses
on short range applications, Advanced Rifle Gunfighting
adds material that pushes both the weapon system
and operator to new levels."
Click Here for our review of
this class,
where we were able to see this Tromix Saiga12
Shotgun
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