Saiga Drums by MDarms

The MD-20 drum is extremely well made and assembled. Out of the box it didn't fit my early (2001) EAA Saiga but we all pretty much knew some fitting would be required. Mike has a well written and illustrated owners guide that tells you exactly what to do and the process involve a very few minutes with a fingernail file.There are two possible adjustments needed so PAY ATTENTION to the instructions. One adjustment sets the magazine depth, the other sets mag release clearance. Once you get the drum to snap in properly load a few rounds and try again. It might not fit as easily so a couple more minutes with the file is all you'll need.

The spring tension is factory preset but you can change it if needed. This is also explained in the manual. Newer style/stonger springs are in the works.

Sadly the drum simply will not function in my NON-Bolt Hold Open gun. Unless you have a BHO there is simply no easy (Or Safe!) way to insert the drum. My fix will be to modify my Safety/Selector to hold the bolt back while inserting the drum. But I knew this beforehand.

If you have a sidefolder it will no longer close as the drum interferes.

Of course Mike has already explained all of this in detail in this Forum but I decided to start a thread to show just what I ran into.

Personally I'm positive I got my monies worth even if I'd paid twice the price. And I now posess the baddest ass firearm on the planet!

Sadly the drum simply will not function in my NON-Bolt Hold Open gun. Unless you have a BHO there is simply no easy (Or Safe!) way to insert the drum.

So besides the fact that its hard to attach the drum mag with the bolt closed, does the gun actually function and feed reliably with the drum mag? I've been patiently waiting for my drum for almost a year now and I'm anxious to know how others perform.

With 2 3/4 lo-brass 00 Buck and 0 it runs like a raped Ape out of the box.

Exxxxxcellent :evil:

How would you compare this to the billet one on GB? Any idea? I'm inclined to order one of these in case of any sort of ban.

How would you compare this to the billet one on GB? Any idea? I'm inclined to order one of these in case of any sort of ban.

So much bad things have been said about the 'Billet'/WM Drum and from what I hear most are true.

I like my MD Arms Drum. Once fitted (Easy) it runs and feeds.

Updated to say the Mag WILL insert on a closed bolt with 19 rounds on MY Saiga.
Many users say their drum fit perfectly right out of the box.

This Drum ROCKS!

I have 1 ordered also. I ordered mine sometime last year. It will get here when it gets here but for 165.00 I can wait.

Do they offer any kind of guarantee for it to function? A $200 ish kind of gamble is kind-o high if ya know what I mean. :small_gri :uhoh_smal

Do they offer any kind of guarantee for it to function? A $200 ish kind of gamble is kind-o high if ya know what I mean. :small_gri :uhoh_smal

No gamble, there IS a Guarantee.
Or go buy the WM drum for TWICE the $ and then send your gun in with a $150.00 check to WM for 'reliability service'.

Got shipping confirmation on mine. Hopefully I'll get it this coming week. :D

The pre-orders for the second run went live last night at 7:00 est.
They had 1000 available, as of right now there are 593 left

I ordered mine today...clear covered.... 168 available

I've got one on the way too...can't wait to try it out! I read up on those crappy ass Wraithmakers, what a nightmare.

ETG, did you delete a response? I bought mine off someone, but you can order them from MDArms website.

Yes, I ask how to order then found their website and ordered one. I am concerned about this gas plug issue (email received today) - 1st run gets them free but second run has to pay $35 or you can cancel your order - it will work with some S12's - just a crap shoot if hi-powerd rounds will cause the gun to out-cycle the mag! I haven't received my gun yet so I can't see if it will cycle game loads on the hi-power gas setting - and even that is no guarentee. Below is the part that addresses this issue - the rest of the email delt with billing/payments.


1st Run Customers
As I stated earlier some Saiga-12's will out cycle the drum when using some high brass ammo. Instead of a new spring or replacement parts for the drum the fix will be a new gas plug issued. It seems that a lot of people haven't had any issues with high brass but a few have. The new plug will reduce the amount of gas going into the chamber and will slow down the action of the gun. It will keep the gun from out cycling the drum with the high power ammo. It will also help reduce wear of your gun when using high brass ammo. It is a simple part that will replace your factory gas plug. Any one with an order from the 1st run will receive 1 new gas plug for free and no action is needed on your part. If you have moved since receiving your 1st run order I will need your new address. Along with your new address I will need some way to confirm your 1st run order such as an order number or name on order, or by reply from the email address used to place the order. In the subject title state "Gas Plug Address Change" (DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL). If you have more than one gun you will be able to purchase extra gas plugs for $35 on my site soon. I'll send out an update email once I have them listed on the site. I am hoping to have some gas plug available to ship around the end of next week. PLEASE WAIT to ask questions about the new gas plug until I have sent the Gas Plug email and have added them to my site (probably tomorrow or Friday). Both will probably answer the questions you may have.


2nd Run Customers (very important, please read all below, it may prevent further delay in shipping and/or cancellation of your order!)

There has been a slight delay in the completion of the 2nd run of drums. Everything was looking good and I even thought I would be able to ship early of the tentative ship date. But the metal parts were not completed in time for this to happen. It is looking like the earliest I will be able to start shipping the 2nd run will be around the end of the coming week, around the 16th of January and possibly later.
Also I wanted to bring to your attention that some ( not all ) might find that their gun will out cycle the drum when using certain high brass rounds. It seems that a good number of people from the first run didn't have a problem but some have. It really will all depend on your gun. The best way I have for you to determine if you may have this problem is asking you if your gun will cycle low brass on the high brass setting (1). If it does your gun is over gassed and you will very likely have an out cycling problem when using some high brass (mostly slugs, with the exception of Breneke KO slugs). But even some guns I have that won't cycle low brass on the 1 setting still has problems with the high brass. I will be listing a new gas plug on my site soon that will eliminate this problem. It will tone down the gas in your chamber and allow the drum to keep up with your gun when using the problem rounds. The new gas plug will also greatly reduce the wear and pounding on your gun when using high power ammo. I will be adding the gas plug to my site soon if you want to add one to your order. They will be listed for $35. I will send out an update email letting everyone know once I have listed them to the site. I am hoping to have them ready in time to ship with the drums. If I don't I will not delay shipping your drums until they are. I will ship the gas plugs separately at my expense if they aren't ready in time. If you don't order one before your drums ship and decide to order one later shipping will be at your expense. If the idea of possibly needing a replacement gas plug to operate some high brass rounds is unacceptable you can cancel your order for a full refund. If you want to cancel your order send me an email with the subject title "Cancel Order" (DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL). PLEASE WAIT to ask questions about the new gas plug until I have sent the Gas Plug email and have added them to my site (probably tomorrow or Friday). Both will probably answer the questions you may have.


ETG, did you delete a response? I bought mine off someone, but you can order them from MDArms website.

My drum doesn't work with high powered loads (slugger, Rem Flight Control) in the drum. The action cycles so quickly that it cannot pick up the next round, the drum isn't fast enough to present it fast enough. The drum is badass, and I have a few more on order, but I rarely use it. Big and bulky, you can't beat the simple 10 round mags.

If you buy the drum and decide you don't like it, you can resell it for what you paid or even more for it. They were going for $350 for a while before the hubbub died down. Mike's good people, he'll do what he needs to do.

There should be a way to modify the existing gas plug. Since I have never really looked into a S12 I'm just going off general AK experience. I would think you could fill and redrill the existing plug but I'm not even sure what the plug is or what it's made of. When my gun arrives it will probably be obvious.

You'll be getting a FREE gas plug as designed and sold by Firearm Sales if you're first run customers.
This device is FASCINATING and lets you fine tune your gas system from 2 position to 4 position.

The designer lost his machining operation and originally sold the plugs/regulators for $80.00. MD Arms will take over production through a local shop and will sell these items for less cost and Firearm Sales gets a cut I'm sure. Retail price will come down too.
Basically it's a win-win deal for customers, the designer, and MD Arms.
Anybody that hasn't seen one check it out. Fine tune for ANY load or shut off the gas altogether.

I havent shot any real heavy loads out of my Saiga 12 using the MD-20 drum yet, but the drum has cycled various brands of birdshot ok. I had to file fit the drum to get it to lock in properly, but the drum came with instructions so it was quick and painless. I'm going to run some slugs and buckshot through it when the new gas plug shows up. My only regret is that I didnt buy more drums. Doing a 20 round mag dump with a 12 gauge will turn any frown upside down. :D

The MD-20 drum is AWESOME!

the Saiga 12 with one of these drums is deadlier than ANY NFA F/A sub machine gun.

get them before ObongoX declares them a DD

Hey!

I just wanted to post a couple pictures of my Saiga-12 with all the goodies, including the new Saiga expandable stock.

Gorbachov

http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv183/ajh2727/Saiga121.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv183/ajh2727/Saiga122.jpg

Gorby,

Move the trigger back where it belongs.