Saiga Magazines
There are two distinct types of magazines for Saiga rifles, and if you purchase the wrong type, they may not work in your rifle. Similarly, there are two distinct types of magazines for Saiga shotguns, and if you purchase the wrong type, they definitely won't work in your shotgun. See below for a more detailed explanation.
Saiga Rifle Magazines
As you probably know, the Saiga rifle is very similar to a military-issue AK rifle. However, factory Saiga rifles can only use specialized Saiga magazines, not standard military AK magazines. This is a purposeful design flaw intended to comply with US regulations that make it very difficult to import foreign semiautomatic rifles that can accept high capacity magazines.
However, Saiga rifles can be modified to accept military magazines by installing a bullet guide (the bullet guide is the design element that was omitted to limit the Saiga's magazine selection). Bullet guides are generally not installed in Saigas chambered for .308 Winchester or 30-06 because there are no military AK magazines for those calibers. However, Saigas chambered in 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, and 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington usually have a bullet guide installed so that they can use the wide variety of cheap, reliable magazines available for AKs in those calibers, especially the extremely cheap military surplus magazines (although foreign magazines don't count towards 922r compliance, unlike US-made magazines).
Installing a bullet guide is not difficult but it can be intimidating, as it does involve taking power tools to your rifle. As a result, many shooters want high-capacity magazines but aren't willing to install a bullet guide, so instead they purchase high-capacity magazines specifically for Saiga rifles. These special magazines incorporate a bullet guide into the magazine itself to provide reliable feeding, but are more costly than military magazines.
In short, you must be certain whether or not your Saiga has a bullet guide before you buy that tempting 10-pack of surplus AK magazines. See the list at the bottom of the page for a sample selection of both military and Saiga-only magazines.
As you probably know, the Saiga rifle is very similar to a military-issue AK rifle. However, factory Saiga rifles can only use specialized Saiga magazines, not standard military AK magazines. This is a purposeful design flaw intended to comply with US regulations that make it very difficult to import foreign semiautomatic rifles that can accept high capacity magazines.
However, Saiga rifles can be modified to accept military magazines by installing a bullet guide (the bullet guide is the design element that was omitted to limit the Saiga's magazine selection). Bullet guides are generally not installed in Saigas chambered for .308 Winchester or 30-06 because there are no military AK magazines for those calibers. However, Saigas chambered in 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, and 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington usually have a bullet guide installed so that they can use the wide variety of cheap, reliable magazines available for AKs in those calibers, especially the extremely cheap military surplus magazines (although foreign magazines don't count towards 922r compliance, unlike US-made magazines).
Installing a bullet guide is not difficult but it can be intimidating, as it does involve taking power tools to your rifle. As a result, many shooters want high-capacity magazines but aren't willing to install a bullet guide, so instead they purchase high-capacity magazines specifically for Saiga rifles. These special magazines incorporate a bullet guide into the magazine itself to provide reliable feeding, but are more costly than military magazines.
In short, you must be certain whether or not your Saiga has a bullet guide before you buy that tempting 10-pack of surplus AK magazines. See the list at the bottom of the page for a sample selection of both military and Saiga-only magazines.
Saiga Shotgun Magazines
Saiga shotguns do not require any sort of modification to use high-capacity magazines, although shotgun magazines holding more than five rounds are considered "no sporting purpose" and cannot be used in a foreign semi-automatic shotgun like the Saiga. As a result, your shotgun must be 922r compliant before you load up that 20-round drum you've been dreaming about.
However, there are still two distinct and incompatible styles of magazine for the Saiga 12. Most Saiga 12s have the "rock-n-lock" magazine insertion typical for AK-pattern firearms, but a few Saiga 12s use a straight-insertion magazine that is much less common. These straight-insert Saiga 12s are called "magwell" Saiga 12s in the USA, and can be visually distinguished by their taller, wider magazine well. Rock-n-lock magazines will not fit a magwell Saiga 12, and vice versa. Further complicating this matter is the desire some shooters have to convert their rock-n-lock Saiga 12 into a magwell Saiga 12, which is just about impossible to accomplish using an original Russian magwell (the parts simply aren't very available). As a result, a number of US companies have developed homegrown straight-insert magwells that use modified rock-n-lock magazines, or in some cases a completely proprietary magazine. In that sense, there are actually three distinct types of Saiga 12 magazines: rock-n-lock, Russian magwell, and American magwell, with that last category being subdivided into even more unique variations among the different manufacturers.
See the list at the bottom of this page for a representative slice of the Saiga 12 magazines available in the USA.
Saiga shotguns do not require any sort of modification to use high-capacity magazines, although shotgun magazines holding more than five rounds are considered "no sporting purpose" and cannot be used in a foreign semi-automatic shotgun like the Saiga. As a result, your shotgun must be 922r compliant before you load up that 20-round drum you've been dreaming about.
However, there are still two distinct and incompatible styles of magazine for the Saiga 12. Most Saiga 12s have the "rock-n-lock" magazine insertion typical for AK-pattern firearms, but a few Saiga 12s use a straight-insertion magazine that is much less common. These straight-insert Saiga 12s are called "magwell" Saiga 12s in the USA, and can be visually distinguished by their taller, wider magazine well. Rock-n-lock magazines will not fit a magwell Saiga 12, and vice versa. Further complicating this matter is the desire some shooters have to convert their rock-n-lock Saiga 12 into a magwell Saiga 12, which is just about impossible to accomplish using an original Russian magwell (the parts simply aren't very available). As a result, a number of US companies have developed homegrown straight-insert magwells that use modified rock-n-lock magazines, or in some cases a completely proprietary magazine. In that sense, there are actually three distinct types of Saiga 12 magazines: rock-n-lock, Russian magwell, and American magwell, with that last category being subdivided into even more unique variations among the different manufacturers.
See the list at the bottom of this page for a representative slice of the Saiga 12 magazines available in the USA.
Disclaimer
This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or generally in cahoots with any of the below manufacturers or product lines.
The below products are not claimed to be the best or worst available, they are merely listed to provide a "jumping off point" for a prospective buyer's search. Whenever possible the link will be directly to the manufacturer, but that does not always mean the product cannot be found elsewhere.
Prices are listed only to provide a general idea, not a guarantee. Prices may change over time.
This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or generally in cahoots with any of the below manufacturers or product lines.
The below products are not claimed to be the best or worst available, they are merely listed to provide a "jumping off point" for a prospective buyer's search. Whenever possible the link will be directly to the manufacturer, but that does not always mean the product cannot be found elsewhere.
Prices are listed only to provide a general idea, not a guarantee. Prices may change over time.
Magazines for Saiga Rifles
(all below magazines are for 7.62x39mm ammunition, but many other calibers are available)
Surplus 7.62x39mm Magazines - Military surplus Russian magazines. Bullet guide required.
$10 - $25
US Palm AK Magazine - A domestic design using modern materials and production techniques. Bullet guide required.
$25 - $30
SGM Tactical Saiga Magazine - A Saiga-specific design with a bullet guide built-in. Can be used in converted Saigas or other AK-patterns.
$30 - $40
Csspecs Magazines - All-steel magazines for a range of Saiga (and similar) rifles. Tough as nails but pricey, and some fitting may be required.
$30 - $40
(all below magazines are for 7.62x39mm ammunition, but many other calibers are available)
Surplus 7.62x39mm Magazines - Military surplus Russian magazines. Bullet guide required.
$10 - $25
US Palm AK Magazine - A domestic design using modern materials and production techniques. Bullet guide required.
$25 - $30
SGM Tactical Saiga Magazine - A Saiga-specific design with a bullet guide built-in. Can be used in converted Saigas or other AK-patterns.
$30 - $40
Csspecs Magazines - All-steel magazines for a range of Saiga (and similar) rifles. Tough as nails but pricey, and some fitting may be required.
$30 - $40
Magazines for Saiga Shotguns
(except where noted, all of the below are rock-n-lock magazines)
Promag Saiga 12 Magazine - A simple 10-round design.
$25 - $40
SGM Tactical Saiga 12 Magazine - A 12-round design that can be chopped to different lengths to match the shooter's preference.
$35 - $60
Generic Saiga 12 Magazine - An inexpensive copy of the Saiga's factory 5-round magazine.
$8 - $15
Russian 8-rounder - Rare and expensive as of this writing, this magazine is generally considered the most reliable high-capacity rock-n-lock magazine.
$100 - $150
Russian 8-rounder (magwell) - Rare and expensive as of this writing, this magazine is generally considered the most reliable high-capacity magwell magazine.
$100 - $150
MD Arms Saiga 12 Drum Magazine - A 20-round drum magazine. Reloading can be a chore, but firepower is unparalleled.
$185 - $215
Csspecs Magazines - All-steel magazines that claim to allow easier loading on a closed bolt for Saiga (and similar) shotguns. Tough as nails but pricey, and some fitting may be required.
$45 - $55
AGP Arms Saiga 12 Magazine - A well-regarded plastic magazine available in 6, 8, and 10-round flavors.
$30 - $40
(except where noted, all of the below are rock-n-lock magazines)
Promag Saiga 12 Magazine - A simple 10-round design.
$25 - $40
SGM Tactical Saiga 12 Magazine - A 12-round design that can be chopped to different lengths to match the shooter's preference.
$35 - $60
Generic Saiga 12 Magazine - An inexpensive copy of the Saiga's factory 5-round magazine.
$8 - $15
Russian 8-rounder - Rare and expensive as of this writing, this magazine is generally considered the most reliable high-capacity rock-n-lock magazine.
$100 - $150
Russian 8-rounder (magwell) - Rare and expensive as of this writing, this magazine is generally considered the most reliable high-capacity magwell magazine.
$100 - $150
MD Arms Saiga 12 Drum Magazine - A 20-round drum magazine. Reloading can be a chore, but firepower is unparalleled.
$185 - $215
Csspecs Magazines - All-steel magazines that claim to allow easier loading on a closed bolt for Saiga (and similar) shotguns. Tough as nails but pricey, and some fitting may be required.
$45 - $55
AGP Arms Saiga 12 Magazine - A well-regarded plastic magazine available in 6, 8, and 10-round flavors.
$30 - $40
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