Cheetah 12 Review

Published on December 1, 2017
Duration: 5:27

This review of the SDS Imports Cheetah 12 shotgun focuses on addressing concerns about durability and longevity, particularly regarding the bolt and bolt lugs. The reviewer conducted accelerated wear testing by setting the gas system to wide open and firing a significant number of rounds, including full-power defensive loads and slugs. The findings suggest that SDS Imports has improved quality control, specifically in heat treatment, compared to earlier imported Saiga-style shotguns.

Quick Summary

The SDS Imports Cheetah 12 shotgun addresses historical durability concerns of Saiga-style firearms. Accelerated testing showed no significant wear on the bolt or lugs after over 450 rounds, indicating improved quality control in heat treatment by SDS Imports.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Magazine-Fed Shotguns
  2. 01:00SDS Imports Cheetah 12 Overview
  3. 01:05Cheetah 12 Features Refresher
  4. 01:10Gas System and Magazine Type
  5. 01:21Controls and Ambidextrous Selector
  6. 01:41Bolt Hold-Open Functionality
  7. 02:18Peep Rear Sight System
  8. 02:53Addressing Durability Concerns
  9. 03:01The Bolt Steel Issue Explained
  10. 03:22Identifying a Defective Bolt
  11. 03:56Accelerated Wear Testing Setup
  12. 04:11Ammunition Used in Testing
  13. 04:27Testing Results: Bolt Condition
  14. 04:41Overall Assessment and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main durability concerns with Saiga-style shotguns like the Cheetah 12?

Historically, concerns have focused on the bolt's heat treatment and material quality. Issues like peening on the bolt face or cracks on the bolt lugs have been reported after firing several hundred rounds, especially with full-power ammunition.

How did the SDS Imports Cheetah 12 perform in durability testing?

In accelerated wear testing, the Cheetah 12 showed no significant wear on the bolt or damage to the bolt lugs after firing over 450 rounds of various loads, including full-power buckshot and slugs. This suggests SDS Imports has improved quality control.

What features differentiate the Cheetah 12 from traditional Saiga shotguns?

The Cheetah 12 features an ambidextrous, AR-15-style fire selector and a bolt hold-open button inside the trigger guard for easier magazine insertion. It also uses an aperture peep rear sight mounted on a secured dust cover.

Can the Cheetah 12 use standard Saiga magazines?

Yes, the Cheetah 12 is designed to utilize standard Saiga-type magazines, including those manufactured by SGM Tactical. It ships with a single five-round magazine.

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