JTS M12AK 12 Gauge Review: A Cheap AK-Style Shotgun

Watch the video on YouTube (11:32) ↗

Today we're taking a look at the JTS Group M12AK. It's a 12 gauge, semi-auto, AK-style shotgun, and I like it a lot. The video covers the stock, trigger, rail and sights, how reliable it's been, the gas settings, a quick field strip, magazines, and what you can use it for. This write-up goes along with that video, plus the factory specs from JTS.

A quick note on this video: this is a re-upload of my original review from June 2020. The prices I mention in the video are from 2020 and aren't current. Prices change, so check current pricing before you buy.

Stock, grip, and trigger

Starting in the rear, we have a pretty short Combloc-style black polymer stock. It's got a rubber butt pad. It's kind of hard, but it works, as long as you're not shooting turkey loads through it all day every day.

Moving forward, it's an AK, so it's an AK grip. The closest comparison I can think of is the Tapco SAW grip.

As for the trigger, I don't know if it's a particular style. I don't think it's a G2 trigger or anything. I can tell you the trigger pull has been just fine, and it resets fine.

Top rail, red dot, sights, and barrel

Up top we have a Picatinny rail on a hinged dust cover, topped with a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot (Amazon). If you're looking for something that's inexpensive but works, look no further.

Moving forward, there's a rear dovetail sight just like you'd find on the AKMs, adjustable from 0 to 500 yards. If you're shooting this at 500 yards, I want to see a video, because that's awesome. Then you have polymer handguards, your front sight post, and an adjustable gas system for the piston.

It has a chrome-lined barrel (JTS lists it at 18.7 inches) with Remington-style choke threads. It's designed to fit any Remington-style choke. I personally haven't been able to try that, because I don't own any.

The Caldwell rest

This is all sitting in the Caldwell Precision Turret shooting rest. Hands down, it's my favorite shooting rest. It works for everything I've put in it.

Factory magazines

It comes with two five-round mags with steel feed lips. They've been working, and I haven't had any feeding issues with them whatsoever.

Reliability and what I shot

Over the weekend I've shot, let's just call it, about 350 shells through it, and about 200 of that was target loads, the stuff for your clay pigeons. I also shot #8 steel shot, #7 steel shot, 00 buck, and a very small handful of 3-inch turkey rounds. That reminds me: it accepts both 2 3/4-inch and 3-inch shells.

Out of everything I shot, I had zero malfunctions caused by the gun. There was one malfunction on one of the clay pigeon rounds, and I think it was just a bad primer, or a light primer strike of sorts, because as soon as I put it back in the mag and loaded it back up, it fired no problem. So reliability-wise, this thing has been extremely reliable.

The only thing I could see maybe leading to durability issues down the road is the polymer mag well. I haven't experienced any issues, and I don't know that I ever would, but I'm not used to seeing a polymer mag well, especially on an AK-style gun. I can't imagine it's too big of an issue. Maybe I'm thinking of nothing, and that's perfectly fine. Let me know if you know differently.

Gas settings

The gas system has settings from 0 to 3. Setting 0 is for ammunition that has absolutely no kick, no recoil. On that setting, every single time you fire, you're going to have to charge it back yourself.

I believe it suggests keeping it on setting 1 or 2. I found that setting 1 was absolutely fine for every load I shot, with no reliability issues. Check your owner's manual for which setting JTS recommends for your loads.

Field strip

I like that it's got a push button, and the hinged dust cover with the Picatinny rail on top is a nice little addition. Inside you've got your dust cover, guide rod, and spring. It operates the same as an AK. There's not really any difference.

If you pull the bolt back, it comes apart, and there's your piston. That's as far as I take it apart in the video. The owner's manual breaks it down heavily, and it's pretty awesome.

Hunting and home defense

This thing is so much fun to shoot. I was out with it all day, pretty much all weekend, and it's been a blast. As for what you could do with it:

Hunting. It could very easily be something you hunt with, like bird hunting. You'd probably have to modify one or two of the mags so you can legally hunt, depending on your state, so check your state's regulations first.

Home defense. You could use it for home defense easily. Throw in some 00 buck, and I pity the person who decides to come knocking.

Aftermarket magazines and furniture

It supports Saiga mags. The factory mags are made in China, and I've had no issues with them, but you can run Saiga mags (like this SGM Tactical 10-round Saiga 12 gauge mag at GunMag Warehouse), and JTS sells mags up to 10 rounds on their website. I've also seen people modify 25-round drums to fit. I don't know the exact process, and I don't have any 25-round 12 gauge drums lying around, but supposedly you can do it.

The one downside for me personally was furniture. Out of the box, I wasn't aware of any furniture you could use on it unless you modify it. For reference, some retailer listings today describe the M12AK's pistol grip and trigger assembly as AK-compatible, so check current compatibility before you buy parts.

The specs

Here's what JTS lists for the M12AK:

Bottom line

Overall, this has been an awesome gun to shoot. I definitely suggest it if you want something fun that also has some practicality to it. Like I said, you can use it for home defense or hunting, and it's a very fun gun. Prices change, so check current pricing before you buy.

The video wraps up with a short "Teach 'Em Young" bonus clip at the end.

This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. It isn't professional, legal, or safety advice. Always check the facts, local laws and regulations, and manufacturer data for yourself, and use your own judgment before you hunt or handle any firearm or ammunition.