Double-barreled shotgun TOZ-34: reviews, price, technical characteristics, review

TOZ-34 is a Tula double-barreled shotgun with an almost legendary history. The original design, unpretentiousness, reliability and quality of workmanship ensure its enduring popularity

TOZ-34 is one of the most famous double-barreled hunting rifles in the USSR. The first sample was released in 1965 at the Leipzig fair, where it was awarded a gold medal for the originality of the design. Serial production began in 1969, and the model had already been improved - an ejector appeared. This is the year of production of the TOZ-34 weapon.

Review of the TOZ-34 gun

A double-barreled weapon has one undeniable advantage: the speed of the second shot is determined by the speed of movement of the finger from one trigger to the other. In most cases, double-barreled shotguns are better balanced than single-barreled bolt guns, although this property does not apply to every model.

TOZ-34 is a kind of legend. The gun is characterized by high accuracy, adaptability and balance. It is produced both serially and individually – in souvenir versions. This option has an interesting design: chasing, intricate and complex engraving.

However, experts recommend purchasing models produced before 1990; later, the quality of assembly and machining of parts, unfortunately, has noticeably decreased.

An overview of TOZ-34 is given in this video:

Advantages and disadvantages

The TOZ-34 rifle belongs to the category of hammerless smoothbore hunting rifles. Available in 4 calibers. The first model was used as the basis for a number of different modifications. The barrels are designed for cartridges with plastic, paper and metal sleeves. However, the latter reduce the accuracy of the battle, which the manufacturer warns about.

TOZ-34 has the following advantages.

Accuracy of fire is the most important indicator for a hunting rifle. In the usual version - the serial version, the accuracy when shooting from 35 m at a target with a diameter of 7.5 mm is for the upper barrel - 60, for the lower - 50. In the piece version, the figures are slightly worse - 65 and 55, respectively.
For shooting, you can use standard cartridges, as well as those loaded with buckshot, shot or bullets with sleeves 70 mm long.
The rifle is lightweight - no more than 3.3 kg, which is very convenient for hunting on the go.
The barrel channels and chambers are chrome-plated, this improves the accuracy of the fire.
The connection between the box and the barrels is carried out according to the original scheme - ring hinges. This solution requires very precise adjustment of the grooves and protrusions, but it is what ensures the low placement of the barrels. The design is not only more convenient, but also looks much more aesthetically pleasing.
The barrel in the TOZ-34 is locked onto the barrel coupling hook using a wide bolt frame. The device is very simple, but at the same time it ensures a long service life of the gun - 12 thousand shots are guaranteed by the manufacturer, in practice the figures are significantly higher.
The firing pin mechanism – separate firing pins for each trigger – ensures a smooth release from cocking. In addition, there are interceptors - they intercept the triggers, preventing an accidental shot.

The design feature of the TOZ-34 rifle is an unusual way of separating the barrels. The operation is somewhat difficult, especially when handling a new gun, and has resulted in cases of internal hammers breaking. To avoid this, a flag appeared on the right side of the TOZ-34 rifle. Now, to separate the trunks, you just need to turn the flag down.

TOZ-34 models are made not only with smooth ones - for 12, 20 and 28 calibers, but also with rifled barrels. The manufacturer also offers rifles in which the barrels were combined: the upper one was rifled in 5.6 mm caliber for rimfire cartridges, and the lower one was smooth for 20 or 28 caliber.
Another unusual feature of the TOZ-34 is a removable plate secured with screws on the “forehead” of the box. This allows the owner to eliminate the resulting gap between the breech cut and the “forehead” of the box by securing a metal plate.

The disadvantages of TOZ-34 are as follows.

The USM uses horseshoe-shaped springs. The reliability of the springs is insufficient, which leads to their distortion.
When firing cartridges with a metal sleeve, accuracy decreases.

Photo TOZ-34

Purpose

TOZ-34 is offered in different calibers, which suggests several areas of application.

Rifles under 12 gauge are used for hunting all types of game by both amateurs and professionals. This is the most popular caliber.
TOZ-34 16 caliber appeared much later. It has a lighter recoil and is used for hunting fur-bearing animals.
20 – more often used for commercial hunting. The powder charge in 20 gauge cartridges is small and produces little recoil. For this reason, models of this kind are sometimes called “female”.
28 - as a rule, it is loaded with small buckshot and shot and is used for hunting birds and small animals - hare, prairie dog.

The Tula plant also produced a sports version, but it did not gain much popularity. Note that this manufacturer is also known for such models as models TOZ-122, 120, , , , Arkhar, KO-44, OP SKS, etc.

Varieties

Today there are several versions of the rifle with different design features.

TOZ-34 P – basic model with an extractor: the cartridge case is pulled out by an ejector. The butt is equipped with a rubber butt pad.
TOZ-34E - differs in the method of removing the cartridge case: an ejector is installed here that ejects the cartridge case.
TOZ-34EP – equipped with an ejector and a rubber butt pad on the butt.
TOZ - 34-5.6/28 , a combined version with an upper rifled barrel - for .22 LR, and a lower smooth one for a rifle cartridge. The model was produced in small series and was equipped with an optical sight.
TOZ-34-55 “Bison” is also a combined model, but with a 9*53 mm rifled bottom and a smooth top. Equipped with an optical sight. This model is a piece.
TOZ-34-1 is a single-barreled rifle designed on the basis of the classic TOZ-34.
TOZ-34 Ш – souvenir version. A one-piece rifle with embossing or engraving on chrome-plated metal.

There were several other designs - TOZ-84, TOZ-91, TOZ-200, but for one reason or another they were not put into production. The exception is TOZ-120.

Technical characteristics of TOZ-34 are described below.

Modifications

Currently, several types of hunting rifles have been created on the basis of the thirty-four:

TOZ-34R, this is the same 34, but only the butt plate is rubberized and has an extractor;
TOZ-34E, this version has an automatic ejector (ejector mechanism);
TOZ-34ER, this model combines a rubber butt and an ejector mechanism;
TOZ-34-5.6/20 caliber, a gun intended for professional fishing. This model has a rifled upper barrel chambered for 5.6 mm, and a lower barrel chambered for 20/70 mm. A limited number of such guns were produced;
TOZ-34-5.6/28 caliber, unlike TOZ-34-5.6/20, the lower barrel of the gun was chambered for 28/70 cartridge. The gun was produced as a commercial one. Experienced hunters claim that the accuracy of the TOZ-34-5.6/28 is lower than that of the 12-caliber version;
TOZ-55 “Zubr”, also a combination gun, but its upper barrel is chambered for a 12/70 mm cartridge, while the lower barrel is rifled and chambered for a 9x53 mm cartridge;
TOZ-34-1, single-barreled gun, released in 1995 and chambered for 12 mm.

Specifications

Performance characteristics are not noticeably different. In fact, the only difference is the accuracy in serial and piece models.

Options	TOZ-34	TOZ-34 Ш
Caliber	12	12
Barrel length, mm	711	711
Firing accuracy, 35 m, percent	Upper trunk	60	65
Lower trunk	50	55
Trigger force, kg	1,5-2,5	1,5-2,5
Weight, kg	No more than 3.15	No more than 3.15
Weight with rubber butt pad, kg	No more than 3.2	No more than 3.2

Engraving on TOZ-34

Design

The design of the TOZ-34 is unique and has not been repeated in any other model. Thanks to this, the gun, despite the weakness of the mainsprings, remains one of the most famous, not only because of its lightness, but also because of its high service life.

The rifle barrels are removable and placed in a vertical plane. They are fastened with a breech coupling and additional straps. The slats come in both solid sighting and ventilated types. The barrel channels are chrome plated. The lower and upper ones have different narrowings: the lower one is 0.6 mm, the upper one is 1.0 mm. In the non-classical model, the restrictions are different.

The connection of the barrels to the box is unique: for this purpose, partially cut ring hinges are used to ensure separation of the barrels. Locking is done using these parts and the bolt frame.

The length of the chamber is 70 mm, the element is chrome plated. The cartridges are removed when the barrel is opened. In this case, in TOZ-34 the cartridge case is pulled out by an ejector, and in TOZ-34 E - by an automatic ejector (ejector). Only the spent cartridge case is removed: if the second barrel does not fire, the cartridge extends only a little.
The trigger is mounted on a separate base and is equipped with internal triggers and two triggers. To prevent an accidental shot, triggers were mounted on the mechanism. The cocking indicators ensure safe use of the gun. There is a mechanical safety lock that locks the sear. The button in the front position indicates the “fire” position, in the rear - “protection”.
A flag is placed on the right side of the box to simplify the procedure for separating the barrels.
The forend is integral - two parts, fixed to the barrel with screws.
The butt has a pistol-shaped neck. There is also an outlet to the right. Models with left outlet are available. The stock is made of beech, birch, and walnut.

The uniqueness of the TOZ-34 gun is described in this video:

Care

Like any other weapon, a hunting rifle loves cleanliness and lubrication; not only the service life of the gun itself, but also its reliability depends on this.

It should be remembered that the gun mechanism should always be coated with a thin layer of gun oil. Before shooting, remove oil from the bores and external parts of the gun. Since the mainsprings are really a sore point of this model, the gun must be stored exclusively with the triggers pulled, otherwise the springs can quickly shrink.

From time to time, every hunter should pay attention to the degree of tightening of the mounting screws. Immediately after shooting, the weapon must be cleaned and lubricated. If there was no shooting, in any case, the weapon must be cleaned and lubricated at least once every three months.

Powder deposits from the bores must be removed with a brush (bristly) using weak alkaline solutions; lead deposits must be removed with a brush made of thin steel wire and generously moistened with gun oil. After cleaning, it is strongly recommended to wipe the bore dry and apply a thin layer of oil. Wooden parts should only be wiped with a rag.

Operating principle

The original design determines an unusual order of interaction between parts when opening and closing the barrel. However, it is precisely these features that make the TOZ-34 a fail-safe option.

Open the barrel by moving the locking lever to the right until it stops. In this case, the lever removes the locking frame from the groove, and the latter presses the triggers. The triggers release the strikers and they are pressed behind the plate under the action of springs.
The bevels of the barrels press on the cocking lever, which cocks the hammer and releases the stop. It lowers under the action of a spring and fixes the locking frame
The barrels do not rotate when opened, since the cocking lever rests against the box.
The cocked hammers, in turn, press the pointers up. The cocking indicators protrude above the plane of the box, which is a signal about cocking.
The upper bevel of the box presses on the ejector, which extends along with the cartridges and ejects them.
When opened, the triggers remain cocked. This movement turns the cocking lever, raising the stop. The locking frame is released, moves forward and locks the barrels. The lever returns to its original position.
If the locking lever does not reach the place, it must be brought in by hand.
To shoot, move the safety to the “fire” position, aim and press the trigger. In this case, the sear is disengaged from the cocking mechanism, and the trigger, pushed out by the spring, strikes the firing pin.

The rifle must be stored unloaded with the triggers pulled. Ammunition is stored separately.

We will describe below what kind of disassembly the TOZ-34 hunting rifle requires.

Double-barreled smoothbore shotgun TOZ-34E

History of creation

So, in 1964, the gun was developed by the young designer N.I. Korovyakov. Surprisingly, but true, in 1965 this model won a gold medal at the Leipzig fair for its original design. Since 1968, it has been produced in a piece version, and since 1969, the model has been put on the assembly line.

In parallel with this, the model was already being improved at that moment, and the first sample of the TOZ-34E was produced, which provided for the ejection of cartridges in automatic mode. For most hunters, the thirty-four is known as a 12-gauge gun, but only real experts can tell you that at one time barrels of 16, 20, 28 and even 32 caliber were produced. One of the most exotic variants was the TOZ-34-1, released in 1995. Technical characteristics of TOZ-34-1 - single-barrel, chambered for 12-gauge cartridge.

This weapon is described most fully in the book “Hunting Rifle” by Blum and Shishkin: “This was our first, our light and universal gun, which has two vertically positioned barrels.” For many hunters, the TOZ-34 hunting rifle has become the equivalent of “Soviet” quality for all occasions. It is believed that the TOZ-34 was taken as the basis for the creation of a new gun for sports, commercial and amateur hunting, the TOZ-200.

Disassembly

For cleaning and lubrication, the TOZ-34 is partially disassembled. Maintenance is carried out immediately after shooting, and in case of non-use of the rifle - once every 3 months.

Before disassembling, you need to make sure that the rifle is unloaded - check the cartridges in the chamber.

The safety button is pushed forward until it stops.
The triggers are pulled: to do this, with the barrels open, press both triggers at once and smoothly close the barrels so that the locking lever reaches its axial position.
Then the flag on the box is moved to the right until it stops. The locking lever is also moved to the right and the barrels are unscrewed from the receiver.
The locking lever is moved to its original position.

Complete disassembly includes the described steps, as well as separating the box from the stock and removing the trigger mechanism. Complete disassembly of the TOZ-34 is only necessary for repairs.

Disassembly and assembly

Initially, novice hunters had a question about how to disassemble the TOZ-34 without breaking anything. The thing is that the very first model of the thirty-four had a slightly complicated process for detaching the barrels, which was interlocked with the front trigger.

To disconnect the barrel, it was necessary to smoothly release the trigger, press the hook and smoothly move the locking lever to the extreme right position. If the locking lever is not retracted completely (not all the way), then it is likely that the cocking levers are broken or bent. Later, to avoid damage, a flag was added, which must be turned down after the triggers are released smoothly.

After this, you can disconnect the trunks without fear. With the advent of the flag, the number of gun breakdowns during assembly and disassembly was practically reduced to zero, since even novice hunters began to assemble and disassemble the gun correctly.

Tuning

The possibilities for modification on a double-barreled fitting are limited.

You can mount an optical sight. To do this, you need to look for the appropriate bracket. A noticeable limitation here is that optical or collimator sights must be searched for with minimal weight: TOZ-34 does not provide for the installation of devices weighing more than 200 g. In addition, a gun sighted under the collimator will have to be shot again without it when the device is removed.
A common modification is to replace the stock. They make serial stocks from walnut, beech, and birch, but they also make custom ones - with carvings and engravings.

Reviews and prices for the TOZ-34 shotgun are given below.

Owner reviews

Opinions about the rifle are divided into 2 parts. In one case they talk about the capriciousness of the gun, about breakdowns and misfires, in the other they claim that the TOZ-34 is one of the best models of the former USSR. Which, however, does not negate the fact that the springs are really weak, nor the fact that many of the owners would like to improve the gun somewhat. For example, remove the idle pull from the trigger, as it interferes with shooting at fast-moving targets.

Stock and handguard on TOZ-34