Shotgun IZH-17

The IZH-17 single-barreled shotgun can be confidently considered a classic immortal weapon. Created back in the 60s of the last century, it is still used in hunting by professionals and amateurs. According to hunters, such a high popularity of the IZH-17 is explained by the opportunity to feel and feel how the real mechanics of a weapon work.

The single-barreled shotgun IZH-17 was produced in the post-war years at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. In this article we will try to talk in detail about this gun, describe its strengths and weaknesses, tactical and technical characteristics.

Historical reference

The IZH gun model was first produced at IZHMEKH in the first years after the war, and was produced until 1970. There is an opinion that IZH-17 and IZH-49 were made according to Sauer drawings brought from Germany.

But even so, Pugachev (chief engineer of Izhmash) managed to change them so much that the weapon ceased to resemble the prototype and acquired a number of design features. In the very first months after its release, the gun began to be in great demand among ordinary people.

Subsequently, the manufacturer supported the released model by developing various modifications. For almost 27 years after its release, the company was able to produce models of almost all known calibers, as well as equip the barrel with a locking mechanism. Piece versions were also produced, distinguished by carved frescoes and gold or silver inserts.

The gun was produced until the 70s, until it was replaced by other models. Over the entire period, about 70 thousand copies were produced.

General description of IZH-17

The IZH-17 shotgun with 16 gauge is the most popular version, while its predecessors: IZH-12, 15 and 16 did not find such popularity due to their technical shortcomings. If we go deeper into history, the initial model for subsequent IZ lines was the 3K Zlatoust Kazantsev model, but it is worth noting that the differences between them are actually minimal. IZH added: a rear sight on the box, improved fastening of the forend, and, on the contrary, they decided to replace the bolt with a lever latch.

The model was mass produced from 1963 to 1970, which allowed about 500 models to be released onto the market. IZH has a fairly wide range of uses: it is used for professional and amateur hunting, and the single-shot manual loading system allows the weapon to be used flexibly in different scenarios.

As for cartridges, they can be used with both paper and metal casings.

IZH-17 with 16 gauge stock is made of beech or birch, and all metal parts are chemically painted black. Regarding the planes of the box, they are located on the sides and are decorated with engraving. Such meticulous execution allows not only to make IL wear-resistant under various climatic conditions, but also to work on the design. Among other things, the IZh has good combat accuracy, high-quality design of mechanisms and parts, as well as high ergonomics: the weapon is light and handy, which allows beginners to easily master it.

Despite the fact that the design of the IZH-17 is in many ways similar to the ZK prototype, the engineers still managed to surprise their customers with some features that had not previously been seen in other guns. Here are just the most interesting points that deserve attention:

The barrel locking mechanism is presented in the form of a folding hook and hinge. The system is made in such a way that the hunter cannot make an accidental shot with an unlocked weapon - the bump stop simply will not hit the cartridge. But what if you have to remove a whole cartridge case from the chamber? For this purpose, a special lever is provided that disables the security system.
Chrome plating of the chamber and barrel channel. IZH-17 was the first Russian weapon to use this system. Such a coating can significantly increase the service life of the gun, as well as reduce friction. Also, thanks to this technology, the weapon no longer requires frequent maintenance, including cleaning. Although it should be noted that the chrome coating slightly increased the weight of the barrel.
Buttstock quick release system. There are times when hunting when it is necessary to disconnect a wooden part in order to eliminate some defect in the chamber. However, most guns produced before 1943 had a problem with this: they had to be completely disassembled. IZH-17 had no such hiccups. It was enough to simply unscrew the cylindrical screw using a universal key, and the stock was quickly removed.

It should also be noted that 50A steel was used for the production of metal parts. This metal alloy not only has a high carbon content, but also undergoes a cold hardening procedure. Thanks to this, the gun is able to withstand enormous loads and also has a long service life (up to 5 years or 5000 shots).

Hunting rifle IZH-17

In this article we will talk about the IZH-17 hunting weapon, which is still popular among hunters and ordinary hobbyists. And the level of popularity is not reflected in any way by the fact that this model was produced back in Soviet times. The first model of this hunting rifle was produced in the first years after the war at a mechanical plant in Izhevsk, some time after the end of production of old-style double-barrels. Currently, there is information that the IZH-49 and IZH-17 models were produced according to drawing samples taken from German territory. Thanks to the IZH-49 model, it was possible to complete the production of double-barreled guns from the pre-war period, which were not popular, and this fact made it possible to begin production of the IZH-17. There is information that the 3K model was the ancestor of the entire IZH-K model range. Experts include IZH-12, IZH-15, and IZH-16 as the predecessors of IZH-17. The IZH-K model does not have any special differences from the 3K. The main difference is the installation of the rear sight on the box and the replacement of the forend fasteners. This model was equipped with a lever latch. Model 3K, as well as IZH-k, was produced for metal and paper sleeves. The 3K modification has several variants - ZKM-1 and 3KM-2, which do not have significant differences in characteristics from each other. Hunting rifles of the 3K model were produced in 20, 24, 16, 32 and 28 calibers, but after a while they stopped producing 24 calibers. The barrel has a length from 720 to 780 millimeters. At the end of the 40s. last century and until the mid-50s, the 3K model was produced at two factories: Izhevsk Mechanical and Zlatoust Machine-Building. The IZH-17 model was produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant from the mid-60s. last century until the early 70s. During this time, the release amounted to more than 500 thousand copies. Izh-17 has the following technical characteristics. The model is a single-barreled weapon with a trigger mechanism; the IZH-K model was taken as its basis. Most gun enthusiasts classify this model as a broad-range weapon. It is used for hunting. IZH-17 has a non-automatic type of single-shot loading system. Cartridges with a metal or paper sleeve are well suited for use in this model of weapon. The muzzle constriction is located on the barrel bore, and the cylinder acts as a drill. The bore and chamber were made of chrome. The barrel has a length from 720 to 780 millimeters, the chamber is 70 millimeters. The barrel is locked using a folding lever. It is impossible to fire a shot from the IZH-17 model if the barrel is not closed. This possibility is present thanks to the external trigger, which contains a safety cock and release. The trigger plays the role of a special sear. In this model of weapon, the manufacturers made the firing pin separately from the trigger. When opening the barrel, the cartridge case moves in advance, thanks to the extractor. Also, the IZH-17 model does not have a fuse. IZHK weapons had several variations. IZHK-1 was produced with a chamber and a barrel that contained a chrome-plated channel. The IZHK-2 model had two replaceable muzzles with different choke constrictions. In both models, the muzzles had a manual winding method. For the IZHK-4 model, which has a caliber of 16, a plug-in rifled barrel was produced, which had a length of 150 millimeters and a caliber of 5.6 millimeters for cartridges with a ring ignition type. All parts of the IZH-17 model, which were made of metal, were painted black. Birch or beech was used for the semi-pistol-shaped stock. The IZH-17 model was decorated with special engraving on the sides. The release of this model was serial in nature, so it had different calibers, on which the weight and length of the weapon depended. For example, the IZH-17 model of 32 caliber had a weight of 2.4 kilograms and a length of 6756 millimeters, and the IZH-17 model with 20 caliber weighed 2.6 kilograms and 675 millimeters, the 16 caliber model weighed 2.6 kilograms and was 730 millimeters in length. . The updated model IZH-17 had less weight, and the manufacturer increased the level of reliability and quality of the trigger mechanism; in addition, the appearance and balance were changed to improve it. In addition, the service life of the weapon and the accuracy of the battle have undergone changes. Now the number of shots has increased to 8000. The IZH-17 hunting weapon model has a fairly simple design, which provides a high degree of reliability for operation in different climatic conditions. If we consider a single version of the IZH-17 model, then it provided a fairly high level of combat accuracy, and also had an artistic finish to its component parts. Single models were produced more carefully and had a high level of quality. In this design, walnut or beech was used to produce the stock. Hunters, both amateurs and professionals, say that the IZH-17 weapon model has a fairly successful experience due to its ease of operation. The weapon is quite light and handy. IZH-17 In this article we will talk about the IZH-17 hunting weapon, which is still popular among hunters and ordinary amateurs. And the level of popularity is not reflected in any way by the fact that this model was produced back in Soviet times. The first model of this hunting rifle was produced in the first years after the war at a mechanical plant in Izhevsk, some time after the end of production of old-style double-barrels. Currently, there is information that the IZH-49 and IZH-17 models were produced according to drawing samples taken from German territory. Thanks to the IZH-49 model, it was possible to complete the production of double-barreled guns from the pre-war period, which were not popular, and this fact made it possible to begin production of the IZH-17. There is information that the 3K model was the ancestor of the entire IZH-K model range. Experts include IZH-12, IZH-15, and IZH-16 as the predecessors of IZH-17. The IZH-K model does not have any special differences from the 3K. The main difference is the installation of the rear sight on the box and the replacement of the forend fasteners. This model was equipped with a lever latch. Model 3K, as well as IZH-k, was produced for metal and paper sleeves. The 3K modification has several variants - ZKM-1 and 3KM-2, which do not have significant differences in characteristics from each other. Hunting rifles of the 3K model were produced in 20, 24, 16, 32 and 28 calibers, but after a while they stopped producing 24 calibers. The barrel has a length from 720 to 780 millimeters. At the end of the 40s. last century and until the mid-50s, the 3K model was produced at two factories: Izhevsk Mechanical and Zlatoust Machine-Building. The IZH-17 model was produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant from the mid-60s. last century until the early 70s. During this time, the release amounted to more than 500 thousand copies. Izh-17 has the following technical characteristics. The model is a single-barreled weapon with a trigger mechanism; the IZH-K model was taken as its basis. Most gun enthusiasts classify this model as a broad-range weapon. It is used for hunting. IZH-17 has a non-automatic type of single-shot loading system. Cartridges with a metal or paper sleeve are well suited for use in this model of weapon. The muzzle constriction is located on the barrel bore, and the cylinder acts as a drill. The bore and chamber were made of chrome. The barrel has a length from 720 to 780 millimeters, the chamber is 70 millimeters. The barrel is locked using a folding lever. It is impossible to fire a shot from the IZH-17 model if the barrel is not closed. This possibility is present thanks to the external trigger, which contains a safety cock and release. The trigger plays the role of a special sear. In this model of weapon, the manufacturers made the firing pin separately from the trigger. When opening the barrel, the cartridge case moves in advance, thanks to the extractor. Also, the IZH-17 model does not have a fuse. IZHK weapons had several variations. IZHK-1 was produced with a chamber and a barrel that contained a chrome-plated channel. The IZHK-2 model had two replaceable muzzles with different choke constrictions. In both models, the muzzles had a manual winding method. For the IZHK-4 model, which has a caliber of 16, a plug-in rifled barrel was produced, which had a length of 150 millimeters and a caliber of 5.6 millimeters for cartridges with a ring ignition type. All parts of the IZH-17 model, which were made of metal, were painted black. Birch or beech was used for the semi-pistol-shaped stock. The IZH-17 model was decorated with special engraving on the sides. The release of this model was serial in nature, so it had different calibers, on which the weight and length of the weapon depended. For example, the IZH-17 model of 32 caliber had a weight of 2.4 kilograms and a length of 6756 millimeters, and the IZH-17 model with 20 caliber weighed 2.6 kilograms and 675 millimeters, the 16 caliber model weighed 2.6 kilograms and was 730 millimeters in length. . The updated model IZH-17 had less weight, and the manufacturer increased the level of reliability and quality of the trigger mechanism; in addition, the appearance and balance were changed to improve it. In addition, the service life of the weapon and the accuracy of the battle have undergone changes. Now the number of shots has increased to 8000. The IZH-17 hunting weapon model has a fairly simple design, which provides a high degree of reliability for operation in different climatic conditions. If we consider a single version of the IZH-17 model, then it provided a fairly high level of combat accuracy, and also had an artistic finish to its component parts. Single models were produced more carefully and had a high level of quality. In this design, walnut or beech was used to produce the stock. Hunters, both amateurs and professionals, say that the IZH-17 weapon model has a fairly successful experience due to its ease of operation. The weapon is quite light and practical.

Design Features

The design of the IZH-17 gun is quite simple, which allows for high reliability during use and a more variable repair system. In addition to the fact that the forend and barrel can be removed, a cylinder under pressure acts as a drill for the latter.

The barrel in the design is locked using a lever that folds back and a hook. The engineers also took a thorough approach to the design and practical use of the external trigger. It is made in such a way that it is impossible to fire when the barrel is unlocked - this limitation is ensured by the safety cocking and the use of a rebound action. If the hammer is cocked, then the barrel cannot be opened.

The consequence of this is that the trigger mechanism lacks a sear, which is replaced by a trigger. The firing pin is completely separate from the trigger, and the maximum trigger force is around 2 kg. In addition, the following improvements have also been made to the design: there is no fuse, an extractor has been added - necessary for pre-shifting the cartridge case when opening the barrel.

If we consider the features of previous generations, it should be noted that:

IZHK-1 had a chrome-plated chamber and bore;
IZHK-2 in its configuration included two interchangeable muzzles, which have different narrowing - the muzzles themselves are wound manually;
The IZHK-4 single-barreled shotgun is a classic 16-gauge single-barrel shotgun, for which a 150 mm long rifled barrel was created.

All this led to the fact that the weight of the weapon ultimately depended on the caliber used. If we consider the model with caliber 32, then its weight was about 2.4 kg, and the barrel length was 675 mm; 16 caliber had a weight of 2.6 kg and a barrel length of 720 mm. As a result, all this led to the fact that IZH-17 became the most advanced through:

less weight;
improved quality of the trigger mechanism, which made the gun reliable and very usable;
better look and balance, which directly reflected in the ergonomics.

All this gave the IZH-17 high combat accuracy and increased wear resistance.

Design and principle of operation

To separate the stock from the block and further disassemble it is necessary to remove the butt plate and unscrew the screw connecting the stock to the box.

When disassembling the trigger mechanism, it is necessary to remove the pusher with the mainspring. To do this, cock the trigger (6), compress the mainspring (8), and insert a nail or a piece of wire with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm into the hole that appears in the pusher (7).

After releasing the trigger, separate the pusher with the spring.

Further disassembly is simple and does not require much explanation. The gun is assembled in the reverse order of disassembly. The connection between the stock and the box must be strong, without the slightest movement. Due to the possible further drying of the wood of the stock, the tension screw during shooting, especially at the beginning of operation, must be periodically tightened so that the stock does not rock.

Read cyber fiction online on Phantom Worlds

Specifications

Let's take a closer look at the performance characteristics of the IZH-17 shotgun:

the barrel has a length depending on the caliber from 675 to 720-730 mm;
the gun is opened using the bolt lever;
the half-pistol stock is made of beech (natural);
the chamber, like the barrel, is made of chromed metal;
due to the safety cocking, the trigger of the gun is located outside;
it is impossible to fire a gun if all barrels are closed;
There are releases with different calibers: smoothbore shotguns 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20, as well as 28 and 32 gauge.

Taken together, such balanced characteristics make the IZH series of single-barreled shotguns one of the best offers on the market.

12 gauge:

Characteristic	Parameter
Barrel length	730 mm
Chuck diameter	18.6 mm
Shot power	80 J
Shot accuracy	65%
Weapon weight	2.8 kg

16 gauge:

Characteristic	Parameter
Barrel length	720 mm
Chuck diameter	16.5 mm
Shot power	75 J
Shot accuracy	60%
Weapon weight	2.6 kg

32 caliber:

Characteristic	Parameter
Barrel length	675 mm
Chuck diameter	13.55 mm
Shot power	60 J
Shot accuracy	45%
Weapon weight	2.3 kg

Perhaps it is precisely thanks to such balanced performance characteristics that the IZH-17 gun still remains a desirable acquisition for many hunters.

Price for IZH-17

Finding a decent IZH-17 in acceptable condition on the modern market will not be an easy task, despite the huge number of barrels produced in the 60s and 70s. But nevertheless, worthwhile examples periodically pop up on thematic websites about the sale of weapons, which the potential future owner will have to regularly monitor.

The average cost of an IZH-17 at current prices for 2022 in satisfactory (working) condition is only 10,000 rubles, and this price is even higher than the average. We can definitely say that the IZH-17 is worth the money and if it is put in order, it will last for many more years.

When did they start producing the IZH-17 gun?

There is an opinion that this gun was born thanks to drawings from Sauer factories in Germany, which were brought to the Soviet Union in the post-war period.

The designers of the Izhevsk plant, after studying the drawings and their own thoughts, created their own hunting rifle, which won sympathy among hunters.

Thus, in the first half of the 60s of the twentieth century, and some argue that it was in 1963, the first single-barreled hunting rifle of this model was produced at the plant.

Production continued closer to the mid-70s. Over the entire period, about half a million units were made. Now the desire to purchase this product from Izhevsk designers has not disappeared from many hunters.

Advantages and disadvantages

The IZH-17 hunting weapon helps to perform many tasks at the request of the hunter. The thick-walled barrel promotes accuracy when shooting bullets. The gun is simply ideal for shotgun shooting at 45 m. The weapon is comfortable, agile, lightweight, with excellent balancing. The return is very small. In addition, a single shot disciplines.

The advantages of IZH-17 include:

Variety of calibers 12-32;
Simple design;
Simple and quick repair;
Good ergonomics;
Unconditional reliability;
Quick adaptation to operation.

Nowadays, some hunters are experimenting with the IZH 17 with a variety of cartridge loads, and it can withstand even terrible experiments, which indicates the high-quality performance of the model.

The disadvantages include the following:

Difficulty in purchasing today.
Worn-out models make a lot of misfires.
The IZH-17 single-barreled gun is an excellent option for a beginner, but only in decent condition.
Hunters have noted the fact that it is better to shoot with black powder, but the center shot is weaker with smokeless powder.

Care Tips

Like all weapons, this gun requires periodic lubrication and cleaning after firing. Since the age of any IZH-17 exceeds forty years, if stored improperly, various problems may arise due to time.

If the gun has not been used, the mechanism may rust, and cracks may appear in the wood of the stock and fore-end. Rust is usually removed using dehydrated or clean aviation kerosene. The USM is soaked in kerosene for at least a day, then cleaned with cotton wool.

Soot after shooting is also easily removed with kerosene. Places from which the rust could not be removed are advised to be covered.

Care

If a person was able to purchase a good weapon, this does not mean that it will serve him for several years. To ensure that the model does not break down and lose its performance characteristics, it will have to be properly looked after. To do this, you can use the following basic recommendations:

Cleaning trunks. Conducted after each use of a weapon. It is best to use a bronze brush for this purpose. If you need to remove lead coating, a steel tool can help.
Removing old oil. Applying a new lubricant without removing the remnants of the old one is not a very smart idea. To remove leaded deposits, use a steel (harder) tool. Do not forget to then remove any remaining degreaser using a soap solution.
Applying lubricant. It is best to give preference to high-quality gun oil from a foreign manufacturer. However, you should not overdo it with the layer. Smoke from the barrel is, of course, beautiful, but it is very harmful to the weapon.

IZH-17 is well suited for lovers of timeless classics. Thanks to a wide selection of calibers, a hunter can choose a model for a specific game. However, you should not use a single-barreled weapon to hunt a predator: there may not be a chance to reload.

Reviews about IZH-17

IZH-17 models, made to order, have the highest combat accuracy. The finishing of the parts is made in an improved way, the gun has artistic engraving.

For the stock they use mainly walnut, in more rare cases - beech. Debugging of mechanisms is carried out with greater accuracy than in serial production. IZH-17 individual sample fits nicely in the hand and looks very elegant. Experienced hunters note a certain hunting aesthetic in such guns.

If you want to practice with old-school weapons, then you can’t find a better option than the IZH-17 single-barreled hunting rifle. Since the middle of the last century, weapons have been so widespread that even now it will not be a big hassle to find the necessary spare parts for the required repairs.

In the 60s of the last century, IZH-17 was the standard of a hunting rifle.

Single-barreled 32 caliber. External trigger models IZHK - IZH-17

Photo 1. Photo by Andrey Chugin.
Beginning of the article : “Single-barreled guns of 32 caliber. External trigger models IZH-ZK - IZHK"

Based on single-barrel IZhK guns, the Izhmekh plant also produced more expensive models. The IZHK-Sh gun, a one-piece design, was decorated with metal engraving, usually quite modestly, and equipped with a stock made of beech wood and even walnut.

In 1956, the IZHK-Sh1 model with a barrel with a chrome-plated bore and a block decorated with engraving in the form of floral patterns and images of animals was valued at 490 rubles in the price scale of that time.

Such a sample cannot be called unpretentious; there is no space free from drawings on the side surfaces of the block.

In trade in 1963–1964, a simple 32-caliber IZHK-1 shotgun with a birch stock and a straight neck cost 21 rubles 50 kopecks—a quite affordable amount.

In the 1950s, IZHK external trigger single-barrel guns were produced primarily in 16-caliber, but for models of the IZHK-1 – IZHK-5 group, the range of possible calibers was expanded, and small-caliber samples appeared, in particular 28 and 32 calibers.

The barrel length of 720 mm is standardized, the chamber length is 70 mm on barrels of all calibers. Small caliber shotguns were also equipped with a shorter barrel. The permissible pressure was 700 kg/cm2. The guns were supplied with a spare firing pin with a spring.

The barrel is marked with the manufacturer's brand, caliber, year of manufacture, smokeless powder and inspector marks, and gun number.

The IZHK-1 32-caliber gun was equipped with a barrel no more than 720 mm long with a bore diameter of 12.5 mm with a “pressure cylinder” drill in the muzzle.

The accuracy of the shot was checked with cartridges equipped with a charge of black powder weighing 3.0 g and a shot shell No. 3 weighing 15.0 g. It was 50% based on the results of shooting at a target with a diameter of 750 mm at a distance of 35 m.

This is a very good indicator for a small small-caliber gun with a barrel with a “cylinder with pressure” drilling, for which commercial hunters appreciated the 32-caliber models of the IZhK group.

Tests of the IZHK-1 32-caliber shotgun are supported by data from the “Passport” of 1963, the last year of production of this model, from my archive. Its strength was tested with cartridges with a charge of smokeless powder “falcon” weighing 1.3 g and a shot shell weighing 15.0 g.

This procedure was considered an intensified test of a 32-caliber single-barreled gun with nitro powder, and a stamp in the form of the letter “H” in a circle was punched on the barrel. Undoubtedly, test cartridges develop much higher pressure than hunting cartridges.

According to the standards, 32-caliber hunting cartridges must be equipped with a charge of smokeless powder of the “falcon” brand weighing 0.80–0.85 g and a shot shell weighing 15 g.

In the first “Instructions on design and handling” attached to the IZhK gun, the 32-caliber column indicated the mass of a 20 g shot shell, but it does not correspond to the factory data and is clearly overestimated, which can lead to a significant excess of pressure when firing.

Somewhat later, since 1957, the “Memos” contain corrected values, and for a 32-caliber shotgun the standard shot shell of 15 g is indicated.

Photo 2. Photo by Evgeny Kopeiko.

It is worth mentioning other small-caliber trigger models created on the basis of the IZHK single-barreled shotgun, including the original bullet-shotgun - the hammer-operated twin IZH-56 “Belka”.

A model with a switch, the hammer must be cocked before each shot, whether from a smooth 32 or 28 caliber, or from a rifled .22LR rimfire cartridge.

Developed in 1956, the first model IZH-56-1 “Belka” is equipped with a barrel block in which the lower barrel is rifled and the upper is smooth.

A rifled barrel is shorter than a smooth one, so it is equipped with a smooth extension so that both barrels are connected by a muzzle coupling. It was not produced for long; between 1956 and 1958, a little more than 30,000 copies were produced.

The finally modified vertical twin IZH-56-3 "Belka", which appeared in 1958, is equipped with a block of barrels 650 mm long, in which the upper one is rifled for a .22LR caliber cartridge, and the lower one is smooth 32 or 28 caliber with a small muzzle narrowing.

The previous name “Belka” was retained, but a new model was obtained with a different arrangement of barrels in the block.

The trigger twin-vertical IZH-56-3 “Belka” was produced until 1964, almost 80,000 copies were manufactured. The surviving copy is still a desirable weapon for avid hunters.

In 1963, a trigger appeared, in which numbers indicate the model number according to updated in-plant markings.

One of the differences from the previous model is that the block from below is closed by the lower base and the under-barrel hook does not protrude outward.

The diagram is shown in photo 2, it is from the “Passport”, therefore it is fundamental and not detailed. Mass production began in 1964, it was produced in large quantities until 1970 inclusive, production reached half a million copies, including 32-caliber guns.

It is one of the most popular and affordable single-barrel guns; in 1967, a well-assembled sample cost 27 rubles.

The range of different calibers of the IZH-17 single-barreled gun, in contrast to previous hammer-fired single-barreled guns, has been expanded from 12 to 32. On specimens of small calibers, including 32, a barrel with a length of 675–680 mm was mounted, and on larger specimens of 12 and 16 gauge, a barrel with a length of 730–735 mm was installed.

Such an elegant 32-caliber gun weighed approximately 2.4 kg, which was not at all burdensome for hunting, which is especially important in the difficult conditions of the taiga. The muzzle constriction of the barrel of samples of different calibers is, as a rule, small, no more than half a dozen.

Photo 3. Photo by Evgeny Kopeiko.

In a number of details, the IZH-17 model is unified with previous IZHK models. These include the extractor pin, front sight, firing pin with spring, hammer and trigger axles, trigger screw and spring, lower locking lever axle and spring, fore-end latch screw and spring, screw connecting the stock to the block and others.

The combat spiral cylindrical spring is the same as on the internal hammer sample. Some of the parts are unified with the double-barreled shotgun IZH-54, produced at the same time, this applies to the swivels and forend.

I name the details in detail because someone may need them during repairs.

The basic model of IZH-17 is decorated modestly; a decorative edging is missing along the contour of the block, which matches the laconic design on its sides.

Photo 3 shows an image of the single-barrel IZH-17, first published in 1965 in the Vneshtorgizdat catalog “Sporting and hunting weapons and cartridges” and later included in all weapons publications.

The model was also produced as a piece, according to the plant's classification, category, which was distinguished by engraving with scenes and various ornaments, as well as individual fitting of parts and greater accuracy of shot firing.

For a small 32-caliber shot shell, increasing the accuracy of the shot even by 5% is very important, since one or two more pellets will hit the target.

You can ask your question to Evgeniy Kopeiko by email

Evgeniy Kopeiko October 25, 2022 at 03:57 pm

As a result

The IZH-17 single-barreled shotgun is a versatile option for those who want to try an old-school weapon, but with minimal effort in adaptation and repair. The fact that it is very common will also allow you to find all the necessary spare parts and cartridges without much effort. The simplicity and variability that the IZH-17 offers is the benchmark for a gun in the 1960s.

Until now, shooters often choose the IZH-17 hunting rifle. Price also plays a role for a beginner: these weapons can sometimes be bought for several thousand rubles. The gun is a weapon of wide use; it is used for both amateur and commercial hunting.

Hunters love the IZH-17 for its reliability and relative lightness. You can hear from many that the gun does not fail even in bad weather conditions, it serves excellently, exceeding the warranty range several times and, due to the simplicity of the device, is easy to repair.

IZH-17 has low recoil, which is important, especially for novice hunters. In view of this, the model can be used for training, as well as for shooting on a bench, because in one training session more than a hundred shots are fired, and after a couple of dozen the recoil becomes significant for the shooter. The gun can also withstand greater cartridge power, which allows it to increase the firing range. Until now, this model remains in service among hunters and is an excellent budget option for a beginner.