Eternal competitors: IZH-27 and TOZ-34 (MR-27 and TOZ-34)

What to look for when choosing

Today, it is almost impossible to purchase the TOZ-34 and IZH-27 models in a weapons store, since their production ended several decades ago. And when buying a gun secondhand, it is important to pay attention to three main points:

1. Quality. Considering that it is almost impossible to determine the condition of all mechanisms when purchasing a gun in person, it is worth asking the owner to make several test shots. It is important to pay attention to whether the barrel fracture works, whether the spent cartridges are removed well, whether the shot retains its accuracy, and so on.

Piece shotgun IZH-27

1. Price. Any hunter wants his gun to not only work, but also be relatively inexpensive. Considering that both models belong to the budget category of weapons, the choice should be quite large. At the same time, sometimes it is possible to stumble upon individuals who are trying to sell domestic guns at a price of 20 thousand or more.
2. Appearance. No matter what anyone says, the appearance of a gun is also very important for a hunter. Yes, a lot of time has passed since the release of some models, but if the previous owner took good care of the gun, then it will not have scuffs on the wood and rust on the iron.

If you are lucky and can find a brand new TOZ-34 or IZH-27 in a gun store, then buy the gun without hesitation. Firstly, the quality of the weapon will be significantly higher than that of a used model. Secondly, the store provides a guarantee for service or a refund in case of breakdown.

Appearance of guns

Models TOZ-34 and IZH-27, although they have a similar appearance, are still slightly different from each other. Many experts agree that the model from IZHMEKHA is not so beautiful and laconic, but is distinguished by sharper contours of the receiver. But the gun from the Tula plant has chrome-plated metal parts, which gives it elegance and a more expensive appearance.

The gun can be equipped with additional parts that change the appearance. For example, this could be a bakelite or rubber shock absorber located on the back of the weapon. Such products are marked with the index “P” in the number stamped on the receiver. If there is a letter, but no elastic band, this is a good reason to reduce the price.

TOZ-34R

Difference in configuration

The configuration of the IZH-27 and TOZ-34 shotguns also has a slight difference. In this regard, IZHMASH has completely surpassed the Tula Arms Plant, producing a wide variety of sets. There were options with replaceable choke tubes (choke and choke) or extractors. It was also possible to order an option with an ejector (ejector of spent cartridges) or a magnum chamber (76 mm).

TOZ-34 cannot boast of a variety of kits, but it was produced in a much larger circulation among piece guns. Such models are distinguished by a souvenir design: there is a chrome-plated chamber with carvings in the form of birds and animals, wooden parts are made of more expensive materials, and sometimes there are silver or gold inserts on the receiver. So if a hunter wants to buy an expensive gun as a gift for someone, then this option is well suited.

IZH-27EM – model with ejector

History of creation

Back in 1973, the first double-barreled shotgun designed by A. A. Klimov was released from the assembly line of the Izhevsk plant, the result of a creative refinement of the IZH-12 vertical gun. Nobody imagined that the gun would become a weapons masterpiece, but that’s exactly what happened. At the same time, several versions of the gun were developed, differing in caliber, but after a few years, the designers came to the conclusion that the optimal choice would be a 12-gauge weapon with a 76 mm chamber and a vertical barrel arrangement. This is exactly the type of smoothbore gun that is currently being produced.

IZH-27, due to the large number of copies, serial, souvenir and piece, distributed in different climatic zones, can be safely called a people's gun.

Since September 2008, the plant introduced a new nomenclature, so from that time the IZH-27 began to be called MP-27, but this did not change the essence of the gun at all.

Design features of IZH-27 and TOZ-34

In many ways, the design of the models is similar, but there are still points that are fundamentally different:

1. Soldering trunks. In TOZ-34 it runs along the entire length of the weapon, and in the middle there is a ventilated strip. The IZH-27 barrels are connected with a special coupling, which is not of the highest quality. So in this regard, the model from the Tula manufacturer wins.
2. Spring quality. Almost every professional hunter knows that the small parts of the TOZ-34 are not of the best quality. Many owners complain that trigger springs begin to stretch and fail over time. IZH-27 does not have such a problem, since all metal parts there are made of A50 steel.
3. Barrel locking mechanism. Both models are equipped with a system that prevents the hunter from firing a shot if the gun is not fully closed. The only difference is that in the case of IZH-27 it is represented by one hook and a hinge, and in the TOZ-34 it is represented by a hinge and two hooks. Although in both cases the mechanism works properly.
4. Fuse. The IZH-27 shotgun features three-stage protection against accidental discharge - a locking mechanism, an automatic safety, and a mechanical safety. The TOZ-34 does not have automatic equipment, so the gun protects the owner a little less well. However, in most cases this parameter is not critical for professional hunters.

In all other respects, the guns received similar systems. Both samples have two over/under barrels, as well as a pistol grip and stock. However, due to the fact that the IZH-27 model is heavy, it is not very convenient to move with it through the forest. But the TOZ-34 has a higher windage rate, which makes it more difficult to aim in windy conditions.

MAKSIMOV.SU

For the entire Soviet and early post-Soviet period

domestic hunters are accustomed to the fact that the entire range of our hunting weapons is represented by literally a dozen models produced in Izhevsk and Tula. It should be noted that such minimalism did not bother even hunters much, and it was even more beneficial for our defense industry.

Eventually

hunters were given a choice of only two affordable vertical gun models - Izh-27 and TOZ-34. The Tula gun has now practically disappeared from the shelves, but the news about replacing the Izh-27 with a new model has become truly sensational.

Shotguns MP-234

Izhevsk Mechanical Plant

in its entire history, it has not put into production very many double-barreled shotguns with vertical barrels. The number of main models can be literally counted on the fingers of one hand. Actually, the assembly of “verticals” (and this was the Izh-59 model) at IZHMEH began in 1959.

Having produced

in 2 years more than 21 thousand Sputniks were produced, the plant switched to a new, very successful model - Izh-12. This gun was produced from 1962 to 1974, in total almost 312 thousand copies were collected. After which the production of the most massive double-barreled vertical shotgun in world history began - Izh-27, produced, according to various estimates, in a circulation of more than 1 million pieces. We will not consider sports models (Izh-25, Izh-39 and Izh-44), and only about 7-8 thousand of them were made.

Shotguns MP-234

And so it happened -

A fundamentally new model of the IZHMEKhovskaya vertical machine, the MP-234, is being prepared for serial production, which will be discussed in this article.
The first two copies of MP-234. A gun with a darker stock and fore-end is essentially a prototype. The second is a pre-production, “exhibition” sample.

Fitter-assembler Nikolai Ivanovich Bobylev,
one of the best craftsmen of the 28th pilot workshop of IZHMEKH

MP-234.
Development history and design features
Development of the new model began in 2007.

The goal of the development was to create a new basic model of a sporting and hunting double-barreled shotgun with a vertical barrel arrangement, as well as to replace the MP-27 shotgun and the MP-233 model, which did not live up to expectations.

In its original form

the terms of reference (TOR) included the following points:

1.

Reducing the weight of the gun to 3.4 kg;

2.

Increased strength and survivability of the locking unit relative to the MP-27M model;

3.

Caliber 12x89 at the design and testing stage to test strength and survivability (with the possibility of later implementation), caliber 12x76 at the production stage;

4.

Reducing the height of the receiver profile;

5.

Removable (with the help of a tool, and not quick-release, as on the MP-233 model) single-trigger trigger with a selector and a lower trigger force compared to the MP-233;

6.

Increased reliability of operation of the ejector mechanism;

7.

Replaceable choke tubes;

8.

The development initially included the use of new promising high-tech equipment with higher quality trunks, wood, and the appearance of the final product;

9.

Reducing the volume of manual stitching operations due to narrowing tolerances and manufacturing on CNC machines.

Block MP-234
after milling in OC

The first general ideas

which later formed the basis of this gun were developed by Konstantin Evseev, the author of the famous “self-loading” MP-153. They proposed a trunnion-type suspension scheme for the barrel block and upper unloading hooks, as well as the fundamental design of the new trigger. Subsequently, Evseev switched to the topic that is now the MP-155 model and no longer participated in the development of the “vertical”.

More than 95% of all work

The creation of the gun was carried out by
Yuri Yuminov.
He proposed and tested on samples numbered 01 - 04 various schemes for implementing the locking mechanism (it remained virtually unchanged), the trigger mechanism with both an upper and lower sear arrangement, an inertial one (in case of a misfire, it is necessary to fire a second shot hitting the butt against something hard, but the likelihood of a double shot is reduced) and a mechanical (it is enough to simply press the trigger again, while the mechanism for protecting against a double shot in a single-trigger trigger has undergone significant changes) disconnector, various designs of the selector, as well as cocking and ejector mechanism.
Yuri Yuminov

It should be recalled

that any more or less significant change in the trigger entails a large-scale change in the most complex part of the gun - the receiver. Yuri did all this work virtually alone.

Since 2011

Young designer Alexander Konyshev helped Yuminov perform part of the work on preparing documentation in versions for pilot workshop 28 and for the department of the Chief Technologist (preparation for development and serial production)
.

Leads the development of the gun

Honored Inventor of the Russian Federation, laureate of prizes of the Udmurt Republic and the Russian Federation, leading designer
Vitaly Petrovich Votyakov.

Major reduction in gun weight

and improvement of its balance was achieved by significant processing of the barrel block. Firstly, in the initial versions chambered for the 12x89 cartridge, the outer contour of the barrel tubes themselves was revised, and the material changed from 50A steel to high-quality alloy barrel steel 30ХН2МФА, tolerances for thickness variations were tightened (at the factory they joke that in many years Yuminov is the first person who managed to push through the technologists and “tighten” the tolerances).

In the design of the MP-234 you can see elements of several world-famous models at once -
from TsKIB guns to modern Western ones. But no patent rights are violated

Secondly,

lightweight interbarrel strips were used. An arched sighting bar (similar to the MP-155 type) was also planned, but it was not presented even on prototypes due to the complexity of its manufacturing and soldering technology, which had not yet been mastered by production at that time. The non-switchable (due to increased manufacturability and reduced labor intensity of manufacturing and assembly) selective-type ejector mechanism (throwing out only the spent cartridge case) and the cocking mechanism are partially reminiscent of those in models.

In the design of the MP-234 you can see elements of several world-famous models at once -
from TsKIB guns to modern Western ones. But no patent rights are violated

However, Yuri managed

not only not to fall under foreign patents, but at the same time to reduce the number of parts of the mechanisms, increasing their manufacturability and reliability. The connection of the block of barrels according to the trunnion pattern (the so-called unloaded Woodward trunnions) is now used everywhere in mass-produced guns, even for powerful cartridges; it has proven itself to be quite reliable (with proper manufacturing quality).

This design

allows you to reduce the height of the receiver profile, making the gun more elegant and visually less massive. Since the box became lower, and the fore-end latch mechanism was migrated from other IMZ models (the lower point of the fore-end remained at the same level relative to the axis of the lower barrel channel), it was necessary to make the layer of wood thinner when mating the forming lines of the fore-end and the box (by the way, only walnut was laid , not beech or birch), sacrificing its strength in this place.

Improved technology for the production of MP-234 pads
in machining centers makes it possible to do without volumetric

To avoid damage to the more elegant forend,

the stem of the hinge was doubled. Thanks to this, the forend latch is now attached directly to the metal of the hinge and the wood bears much less load when fired. The upper unloading stops on the breech coupling showed their best side, removing part of the load from the under-barrel hook.

MP-234

They

create a second point of support for the barrel block, stabilizing its vibrations and reducing its relative deformations when fired. Such stops (but in combination with a locking knot tied to them) are used in Beretta models, including sports ones, and are also found in other manufacturers (mainly in Turkish copies of Italians).

Due to

With a wider receiver, it was possible to make the locking plate much wider than in the MP-27 model; now it is not fixed in a cantilever manner, but also fits into the side grooves in the walls of the box, due to which the rigidity of the locking unit has been increased. After the end of the research work (R&D) stage, the technical specifications were adjusted. The final version included a gun weight for 12x76 caliber of no more than 3.3 kg. Caliber 12x89 (due to low demand) was no longer considered.

The trigger trigger
is borrowed from the time-tested MP-27

USM is non-removable,

with switching the sequence of shots by pressing the trigger forward, borrowed from the MP-27, with the exception of a fundamentally new mechanism for protecting against double shots. The barrels are made of 50A steel, the maximum unification of parts and blanks is used (except, of course, for the command ones: the box, the breech coupling and the hinge) with the MP-27 model (due to the complexity of switching production to a new range of parts).

Protection mechanism

from “double guns” now tracks both phases of the gun’s movement during recoil (the acceleration phase during the shot itself and the braking phase during interaction with the shooter’s soft tissues and skeleton).

The trigger trigger
is borrowed from the time-tested MP-27

USM of an experimental fitting
based on MR-234

Conclusion

At this stage (October 2013)

In the conditions of experimental workshop 28, the first commercial batch of MP-234 shotguns was manufactured, all tests were passed and certificates were received. The actual weight of the first two guns in the batch, according to measurements, is 3.18 kg. The plant is preparing for mass production. At the initial stage, it is planned to produce in small batches. Next, it is planned to gradually, over the course of several years, replace guns of the MP-27 family (complete or not, a decision has not yet been made).

Judging

Due to not always constructive criticism of a gun that has not yet appeared on sale and the somewhat hysterical reaction of hunters on Internet forums, people have understandable fears that the new product may turn out to be uncompetitive, lowering the already shaken authority of the domestic manufacturer of hunting smoothbore weapons.

Nevertheless,

the majority of hunters, who do not suffer from excessive snobbery and hope for the revival of our weapons industry, are actively interested in the new product. If the plant (now part of the Kalashnikov concern) can maintain a decent level of quality for the new model in mass production, it has a good chance of taking its rightful place in the niche of an inexpensive working gun.

Makes sense here

go into a little more detail. Judge for yourself: the weight of the gun is 3.2 kg. It is unlikely that now you can find a modern “over-and-under” with a steel receiver with less weight than the Izhevsk new product.

Retail price

for serial MP-234 shotguns in Izhevsk it is expected to be 20 thousand rubles.
Not a single “Turk” in the price segment from 20 to 30-35 thousand rubles can simply compete with the MP-234 in terms of overall manufacturing quality (and the quality of the materials used). It can be assumed that the serial MP-234 will lose to more or less decent “Turks” only in one thing - in external gloss. Looking at the “234” stock, I want to believe that it will go into production the same way: elegant and comfortable

For

This may be important for some hunters. But they can be advised to remove wood from some Turkish “masterpiece” like SARSILMAZ SP-300 or something similar (including a higher price range) to make sure that so beloved by many (although they incomprehensible), the term “production culture” acquired a practical connotation.

In the meantime, we are waiting for the first commercial batch of MP-234 to appear.

Then there will be a good reason to substantively discuss the already sensational gun, and at the same time, assessing the state of the market at the moment, talk about the prospects of the Izhevsk new product.

The lower part of the receiver of the MP-234 is visually no different from the MP-27.
The strict polished surface of the metal is attractive, a sort of “black widow”

The article was published in the magazine “Hunting”,
December 2013

Gun maintenance

When choosing a weapon, an important factor is how often the owner will have to clean and lubricate the barrels. In this regard, manufacturers agree: weapon maintenance should be carried out after each use. Moreover, it does not matter at all how many shots were fired - 10 or 100. In any case, carbon deposits form on the barrel, which will have to be gotten rid of. To do this you will need the following tools:

1. Brush for cleaning carbon deposits. Such a tool can be made of three materials, differing in different levels of rigidity - plastic, bronze and steel. The latter is recommended to be used only in case of severe contamination, as it scratches the barrel.
2. Rags and cleaning rod. The first is a soft matter that absorbs liquid well, so it is used to degrease the barrel (wetted in kerosene) or lubricate it (treated with oil). The second tool is probably known to everyone.
3. Gun oil. It is best to give preference to professional gun oil from an imported manufacturer. This product is usually equipped with a special sprayer that simplifies the oil application procedure.

Before cleaning and lubricating, you will have to first disconnect the barrels from the stock. With IZH-27 this happens without any effort - we simply separate the forend and start cleaning. But with TOZ-34 you will have to tinker a little, since the designers have gone too far with the locking system, introducing various flags and pins. Although an experienced hunter will not see any problems with disassembly in both cases.

TOZ-34 disassembled

Price

Now let’s talk about the price for which you can buy a used IZH-27 or TOZ-34 shotgun. Much depends on the quality of the model and the year of its manufacture, but on average the cost is within the following limits:

1. You can find a used TOZ-34 gun on various forums and websites selling weapons for 12-15 thousand rubles. Moreover, the state of such a model, if not considered ideal, is as close as possible to it.
2. The cost of IZH-27 varies from 15 to 18 thousand rubles. Although many hunters note that they had to buy the perfect example for 14-15 thousand. It all depends on the conscience of the seller and how urgently he needs to sell the weapon.

As for buying models in gun stores, the price is approximately the same - from 18 to 22 thousand rubles. Custom or modified guns are much more expensive. Much depends on the configuration.

Advantages and disadvantages of IZH-27 (MR-27)

The wide popularity and demand for the IZH-27 to this day gives us the right to talk about it as a reliable and simple weapon that is suitable not only for experienced hunters, but also for beginners. The main advantages of the MP-27 include:

• reliable locking system using a locking bar;
• the presence of sighting devices with a front sight and a ventilated rib;
• chrome-plated chambers and bores;
• almost any model of IZH-27 is available for repair; gun parts can always be found in a gun store;
• wide choice of designs and calibers;
• reasonable price.

Experienced hunters note some disadvantages of the IZH-27, which are visible upon careful study and use of the gun:

• low quality of soldering of the barrel and sighting rib, but since the gun is a shotgun, many turn a blind eye to this defect;
• the locking strips are too tight, which is designed to work out and fit;
• insufficient impact force of the striker, which can be eliminated during operation;
• significant weight and low versatility of the gun stock.

Note! Many hunters believe that it is better to purchase guns that were manufactured before 1991, or to select one yourself directly from the manufacturer.

Advantages

So we come to the most interesting thing - the list of the main advantages that the TOZ-34 and IZH-27 shotguns can boast of. For ease of comparison, the information has been placed in a table:

Thus, both models have approximately the same number of positive aspects. However, for the TOZ-34 they affect more the appearance and ergonomics of the weapon, while for the IZH-27 they affect the technical characteristics.

Description of IZH-27

The gun went into mass production in 1973 at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. It is considered one of the popular guns in the market. The model became very safe, since the design was equipped with an automatic fuse, which prevented it from firing when falling. IZH-27 shows good performance in terms of accuracy and accuracy of fire.

The design of the gun, in principle, repeats the standard design of those times. Among the differences from its competitors, it featured a rubberized butt, a different shape of the forend, and a chrome coating of the barrel bore.

The gun had many modifications, and one of them replaced a decent extractor with an ejector. This speeded up and facilitated the reloading process, since when the barrel was broken off, only the spent cartridge case popped out.

In the first years of production, the gun had 2 trigger mechanisms . This allowed the hunter to choose the order of shots himself. Later they began to install one trigger, with options for shooting settings.

The stock is made of walnut and has a pistol-type neck. This makes it easier to have a secure grip on the gun.

The weapon fires reinforced Magnum cartridges with a caliber of 12 to 20 .

Currently, it comes complete with interchangeable mechanisms that serve to change the shooting process regardless of the environment. Thanks to this, the service life of the gun increases.

When choosing a gun, you need to pay attention to the quality of the chrome plating. If it is uneven, then this instance will not last long. There should also be no rattling or wobbling. Assembly and disassembly should be simple, without much effort.

Due to the chrome plating of the barrel channels, you need to carefully care for the weapon. The deposits after shooting should be cleaned off with a copper brush, which is included in the package. For a longer service life, you should not fire without ammunition.

IZH-27 gained universal fame. It is ideal for hunting birds and animals, thanks to its high accuracy and accuracy. It has a simple design and great reliability. The only negative is the poor build quality. With intensive use, problems arise that, in principle, can be solved by yourself.

Flaws

Despite the fact that the IZH-27 and TOZ-34 guns are considered one of the best for hunting, it is unlikely that any of the owners would dare say that their weapons are free of shortcomings. Below is a table with the disadvantages of the models:

In all other respects, the guns have no complaints. Both of them are equally effective for hunting, and also serve faithfully to their owner if he carries out regular maintenance of the barrels.

Advantages and disadvantages of MP-27M and TOZ-34E

Both presented hunting bowflints have a lot of advantages that it makes no sense to list; suffice it to say that they have been produced since the 70s. years of the last century, practically unchanged, that is, their design is time-tested. The cost is about the same, well, maybe TOZ-34 is a little more expensive. In any case, these are quite affordable models among smooth-bore guns. No shortcomings were noticed.

Conclusions - which is better

So which weapon is best suited for hunting - TOZ-34 or IZH-27? To answer this question, it is necessary to understand for what purpose the weapon will be used. It’s worth deciding what is more important to you – beautiful appearance or quality. Here is a list of the main points to consider, as well as brief conclusions to them:

1. Appearance. There are no comrades in taste and color, but most connoisseurs agree that the TOZ-34 is much more beautiful than the IZH-27. It will be especially nice to purchase a one-piece model with detailed engraving and an expensive stock. If you do not have the funds to purchase this version of the Tula gun, then the standard model will also have something to please you with - a high-quality metal connection with the butt, a chrome-plated chamber and barrels. IZH-27 can only be called an aesthetic weapon with a stretch.
2. Accuracy of battle. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a gun. It cannot be said that TOZ-34 has any serious problems with this. However, if you plan to shoot predators or large animals using shot number 2 and higher, then it is still recommended to give preference to the model from IZHMEKHA. At long distances, the IZH-27 behaves much more confidently, which increases the chances of hitting a target from a distance above 50 meters.
3. Durability. Both models of the guns reviewed are considered to be quite durable and have a good warranty. But IZH-27 is still slightly ahead of TOZ-34 in this regard. But such a statement is relevant only if the shooting is carried out with cartridges with a standard load of “Falcon” gunpowder (3-4 grams). When using a large amount of combustible mixture, the power of the shot may increase so much that the clutch cannot withstand it. So for such experiments it is better to choose TOZ-34.

1. Ergonomics. Even ardent fans of products from the Izhevsk plant are unlikely to have any doubts that the TOZ-34 is a much more preferable model in terms of ease of use. And the point is not only in the ergonomic butt, which often comes with a rubber butt, but also in the much lighter weight of the weapon (up to 3.3 kg). Thanks to this, moving around the forest with a gun becomes much more convenient, and the hunter’s mobility at the moment of shooting increases.
2. Versatility. Do you need a gun that can go after both ducks and bears? The IZH-27 is suitable for this, since it performs equally and effectively when using various ammunition with different loads. The TOZ-34 weapon is considered less universal and is suitable for shooting large game birds, as well as medium-sized animals. A beginner is recommended to pay attention to the IZH-27 gun, since it is suitable for shooting game of different sizes.

Thus, each of the reviewed models can be considered ideal, provided that it fully meets the individual requirements of the hunter. Therefore, the debate around which gun is better is unlikely to ever subside. Some people prefer appearance and ergonomics, while for others it is more important to acquire a more reliable, albeit bulky, model. Whatever category of hunter you belong to, we hope our comparison was useful.