Air rifle MP-512-36 - the legendary “Murka” in a new guise

Review of the MP-512-36 air pistol

Rifle of spring-piston design with a breakable barrel, caliber 4.5 mm.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Baikal MP-512-36 rifle is simple, reliable and very cheap; it is often the first step towards mastering the silent weapons market by a novice pneumatic enthusiast. In the new design, the rifle looks very attractive, and light gray rubber inserts in the stock (fore-end, front part and top of the grip neck) make the grip more secure.

The stock is made with a cheek pad for the shooter (Monte Carlo type), and there is a rubber butt pad. It can be removed and access to the internal cavity.

The standard sighting pair of rear sight and front sight is complemented by a dovetail rail with a width of 11 mm. The strip is a full-fledged one, and not just cutouts in the compressor housing. The rear sight is adjustable in two positions. Unfortunately, there are no fiber optic threads on the front and rear sights.

The disadvantage is that the entire stock is assembled from pieces, like a children's construction set. This is so that rubber inserts can be installed. Screw recesses don't make the rifle look any better, and the numerous joints weaken the stock. Because of this, “Murka” in the new dress is inferior to its predecessors in unpretentiousness.

Another disappointment is the plastic receiver. Early release rifles with a wooden stock had this steel part.

The trigger of the rifle remained the same - with an automatic safety under the guard and an unregulated trigger stroke. It's pretty tough because it whispered one thing.

In the basic configuration it is supplied weakened, with a narrowed bypass. Disassembling the rifle is extremely simple, it can be upgraded without any problems.

Photo of the air rifle Baikal MP-512-36

Application area

This is a classic rifle for shooting at a shooting range at distances up to 20 meters. With the MP-512-36 you can have fun shooting at cans and bottles; it is a good visual aid for training beginners. After modernization, the rifle is suitable for knocking down icicles and scaring away crows.

Features and Specifications

The air rifle, named "Murka", is classified as a turning point type. The structure breaks along its length, so a prone sniper will have to change position to reload. The model is suitable for shooting enthusiasts and professionals with a high level of training.

Rifles are made from high quality materials. Depending on the modification, the following is used:

• tree;
• weapon plastic;
• steel.

The combination of different materials provides an attractive appearance of the weapon and a pleasant tactile sensation. The design of the rifle is ergonomic and provides ease of use. The technical characteristics of the model deserve special attention:

• rifle type – spring-piston pneumatic;
• charging - single-shot system, cocking occurs by breaking the barrel;
• caliber – 4.5 mm;
• bullet speed – 174 m/s;
• type of ammunition - lead bullets;
• maximum muzzle energy – 7.5 J;
• length of steel rifled barrel – 450 mm;
• fuse - available;
• stock manufacturing materials – wood, plastic;
• weight – 2.8 kg.

The main purpose of the rifle is to fire shots at distances of no more than 20 meters. “Murka” is great for recreational shooting at bottles or cans; with the help of improved modifications you can scare away crows or knock icicles off the roof. The model will be an excellent visual aid for novice shooters. “Vozdushka” has become widespread in hardball clubs.

The air rifle variant under consideration has become a replacement for the popular IZH-38 model, which can be found in almost any park shooting range in Russia.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of pneumatic MP-512-36:

Design

Classic spring-mechanical “fracture”. The barrel is steel, with trapezoidal rifling. Slightly behind the front muzzle there is a tall triangular plastic bracket with a front sight attached to it in a protective casing. The outside of the barrel is filled with plastic up to the middle for easy grip when the barrel is broken.

In the new design, the MP-512-36 has a plastic stock with rubber inserts. The compressor housing is completely covered with it; only a full-fledged dovetail strip with a width of 11 mm sticks out on the surface. The stock is all assembled from pieces (the butt is attached to the handle with four screws). The butt plate has a shock-absorbing pad and can be removed. The butt is hollow. If desired, it can be filled with epoxy resin or used as a compartment for storing spare parts.

The rifle comes factory equipped with a Nitro coiled metal spring and a narrower bypass. Two types of gas springs are available for it - 140 and 180 atmospheres.

They are supplied by online stores that have their own workshops. Such rifles are sold under the designation “Magnum Nitro”; they do not have a manufacturer’s certificate.

A trigger with an automatic safety, the lever of which is located under the trigger guard. The travel of the trigger is not adjustable, there is only one sear and therefore the force on the trigger is quite large, but not excessive.

Modifications

Izhevsk Mechanical Plant has been producing the famous “Murka” since 1998. The manufacturer did not stop at the classic model, but offered the consumer improved modifications:

1. MR-212-08. Unlike the basic model, it has a bed made of good wood, most often birch. Thanks to this, the rifle has become much more comfortable to hold, however, the weight has increased. The trigger guard looks like a separate element.
2. MP-512-14 "Elegant". Experts consider this option the most successful. The forend and butt are made of reliable wood, complemented with polymer inclusions. The trigger guard has become an independent monolithic component. The design is equipped with a rubber shock absorber backplate. Thanks to the use of an additional weight, the muzzle energy increased to 7.5 J.
3. MP-512-11 “Updated design”. The main differences of the model are an updated stock made of polymer materials, a change in the shape of the coupling, and the use of a modified muzzle and weighting material. Another important feature of the rifle is the installation of a longer spring.
4. MP-512-22. The model is similar to the previous version. It is distinguished by a relatively weak spring and the absence of a bored back. However, the latter is sometimes installed in this modification.
5. MP-512-24. The main elements will be the same as those of model 22. The main difference is the use of a combination of wood and plastic when creating the butt. Experts say that the stock sometimes bursts during use.
6. MP-512-26. Exactly repeats modifications 22, 24. Due to user complaints, the stock is made entirely of wood.
7. MP-512-36. The simplest modification, has no global changes. The weapon is the same as Model 11, except for the color of the stock and rubber inserts.
8. MP-512S. The weakest model, which has a short shot range, muzzle energy of 3 J. This option is allowed for use without special permission, and is often purchased for a subsequent upgrade.
9. MP-512M. They belong to the Magnum class, the muzzle energy is 25 J, which makes the modification suitable for hunting.

A suitable modification of the rifle is selected taking into account the cost, purpose of use, and the possibility of improvement. First you need to study the features and characteristics of each option.

MR-512-11

MP-512-24

MR-512S-01

MP-512-36

Principle of operation

The first movement used to “break” the barrel when loading a rifle should be a little sharp. Further cocking of the mechanism must be carried out smoothly, until an audible click is heard.

Any bullets suitable for 4.5 mm caliber can be used. If the rifle is stock, then it is better that their weight does not exceed 0.75 grams.

When locking the barrel, a noticeable push should be felt, and the barrel itself should be fixed tightly, without play.

The safety is turned on automatically, immediately after the barrel fracture hinge lever cocks the piston. Its lever is located under the trigger guard. When turned off, it is sunk into the stock. If you make this move, shoot. It is impossible to uncock the rifle without firing a shot.

The position of the rear sight can be adjusted in two planes – horizontally and vertically. The front sight is in a protective casing and is firmly installed on the bracket.

The video shows a shooting test of the MP-512-36 air rifle:

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the MP-512 rifle are its affordable cost and wide potential for improving the design. “Vozdushki” have been produced for more than 20 years, so on specialized forums you can find a lot of information on improving the model. Other advantages of pneumatics include:

• high build quality;
• wide range of models;
• versatility of use;
• practicality, long service life;
• strength, careful thought out of every detail;
• ease of maintenance and care;
• comfortable butt;
• high accuracy of shots;
• possibility of adding a powerful optical sight to the design.

You can repair an air rifle from a domestic manufacturer MP-512 almost on your knees. The design is as simple as possible, so there is nothing to break in it. You can always sell unnecessary weapons even after an unsuccessful upgrade.

The “air” also has some disadvantages. The design needs careful fine-tuning, which will require appropriate experience. The new stock, consisting of 5 parts, negatively affects the accuracy of the rifle. To solve the problem, adjustments must be made.

If modification 512 cannot be improved with your own hands, it is better to immediately purchase a more expensive rifle that will meet the user’s requirements.

Disassembly

The plastic stock Baikal MP-512-36 somewhat complicated this process, since you will have to unscrew additional screws on the stock.

Disassembly of pneumatics must be carried out in the following order:

1. Unscrew the screws at the compressor level - two on each side.
2. Unscrew two screws (right and left) on the forend under the rear sight.
3. Unscrew the screws at the front branch of the trigger guard and remove the stock.
4. If the rifle is factory-made, then knock out the pin at the rear end of the compressor, remove the plug with the trigger, the spring with the guide and the weighting material.
5. Break the barrel, push out the piston and remove it.

The video shows the disassembly and assembly of the MP-512 air rifle:

Which optics to choose

The rifle is budget, and its sighting range is short. Therefore, when choosing optics, focus on budget models of red dot sights. For example, on the Chinese Yagnob HD101.

Yagnob HD101 is an open red dot sight with a 33x22 mm lens. You can change the color of the reticle (green or red), its brightness (five gradations). The overall length of the sight is 82 mm, the seat length is 57 mm. Weight 120 grams.

Photo of the Yagnob HD101 red dot sight