The new Saiga-9 carbine is a civilian version of the Vityaz-SN submachine gun, and was first reported by GunsHolstersAndGear.com. Since then, we’ve developed additional information on the new carbine.
The Saiga-9 will be chambered for the 9×19 (aka 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Luger) cartridge. Standard magazine capacity is only 10 rounds, but I expect that surplus aftermarket, high-capacity magazines would be available. I presume the abnormally low round count mags is an intentional plan to assist with export/import regulations. There will be a magazine coupler available for faster reloads.
The styling of the original Vityaz-SN will be maintained, and manufacturer Izhmash claims the carbine will also retain the “reliability and ease of use” of the military weapon.
There is a Picatinny rail on the receiver cover for mounting a range of optics. Additional Picatinny rails will be on the fore arm for the addition of white lights, lasers and grips.
The buttstock folds to the left side of the receiver for transport and concealment.
This is the Vityaz-SN, the SMG on which the new Saiga-9 is modeled.
Ishmash states that the rifle will be available in two models: one for the domestic (Russian) market and one for export. The export version will have a “short barrel” and be chambered in 9×19. No additional information was provided on the domestic model.
It is not known if “short barrel” means a 16″ carbine (probably) or something shorter. I’m not an expert on the NFA, but I would believe that a true SBR would be difficult to import for sale to the civilian market. So, until I see otherwise, I’ll assume the gun will have a 16″ barrel.
Ishmash expects the MSRP to be around $950. That sounds pretty steep, but it is a strong indicator of how far the US dollar has fallen.
Preliminary specs:
- caliber: 9×19
- weight (without magazine/accessories): 6.4 pounds
- length (buttstock folded): 23 inches
- length (buttstock extended): 31.7 inches
- magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Note that this Saiga-9 carbine is not the same as the original Saiga-9 carbine that was chambered in 9x53R and designed for hunting. That rifle was substantially different and bigger. Needless to say the 9x53R and 9×19 cartridges are not interchangeable. I suspect that my readers will already know that…
I expect to see the Saiga-9 carbines at the 2013 SHOT Show coming up in January. If they are there, we will have video and photos of them, along with all of the specs.
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I would imagine that it might be 18.5″ to be Canada and Connecticut legal. I can’t imagine why anyone would pay that much for a pistol caliber carbine with 10 round mags of a proprietary design. The great fault of pistol caliber carbines is the fact that they tend to cost as much or more as AR’s and AR’s are widely considered to be better guns if you can only have or afford one “tactical” gun.
“I can’t imagine why anyone would pay that much for a pistol caliber carbine with 10 round mags of a proprietary design.”
“The great fault of pistol caliber carbines is the fact that they tend to cost as much or more as AR’s and AR’s are widely considered to be better guns if you can only have or afford one “tactical” gun.”
I can answer and refute both of these. I, and other people, would pay that much for this rifle BECAUSE ITS AWESOME.
Some people don’t “need” a tactical gun, and would like something to have fun with, regardless of what else can be bought with the same amount of money.
Most people don’t need AR’s, whats your point?
I can’t wait to see what comes of this gun. Hopfully 30 round magazines will be readily avaliable. I am interested
Why would surplus high capacity magazines be available? Surplus magazines cannot be imported from Russia due to the voluntary restraint agreement between the US and Russia. Like the Saiga-12 any high capacity magazines would have to be made in the US or come from a non-Russian source.
Correction made.
Also, how is the $950 price tag a “strong indicator of how the US dollar has fallen?” US dollar to Euro exchange rate is significantly higher than it was 2 or 3 years ago, and the US dollar to Russian ruble exchange rate has been sitting around the same rate for the last 3 years nearly.
Perhaps a more likely reason for the $950 price tag is that Izhmash needs to make enough sales just to keep the lights on given they’re going through another round of bankruptcy.