Its a fairly uncommon shotgun in the USA as well.
Most of them were turned into Short Barrel Shotguns (NFA tax stamp required) in the late 1990s because they would hold 6 rounds rather than the 3 of Surbu body guard shotguns and would fit under someones jacket. (this was before Tromix and RJF started playing around with Saiga 12s
The 81 works fine. I have never had any problems with it.
I added a ventilated barrel shroud to it.
Other than the added shroud, its stock and has the shorter barrel 20" IIRC (I have not measured it in14-15 years)
The only problem with it is that the 5rd magazines are $100~150 plus each and are not imported.
Also since the shotgun is a pump action and based on a tube fed pump, the follower for the magazine acts like the lift mechanism from the pump, so I cant just modify Saiga mags to work in it. I have to have new followers made to fit the saiga mags and then modify the mags to lock up in the 81.
SuAside said:
I presume you mean the IZH-81KM if you say 5 shell magazines? That's a fairly uncommon shotgun (at least here). How do you like it?