The IZH 18 hunting rifle is produced mainly in the usual versions of 12, 16, 20, 28, 32 and 410 calibers, the most popular of which is the sixteenth. The series has been launched since 1964, and today it is represented by different models. IZH 18 is considered a single-shot smoothbore shotgun, which is produced in Izhevsk in a large series.
The IZH 18 shotgun is popular in Russia
History of IZH-18
After the end of the Great Patriotic War, hammerless single-barreled shotguns with a folding barrel of the IZHB and ZKB models were designed and put into mass production at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. These gun models were intended primarily for commercial hunting. It was on the basis of these guns that in 1964 the updated IZH-18 gun was designed and put into production.
The IZH-18 shotgun retained all the positive design solutions and technical characteristics of previous models of Izhevsk single-shot single-barreled hammerless shotguns, but at the same time the gun was significantly modernized: the reliability of the trigger mechanism was increased, the weight of the gun was reduced and the balance of the gun was improved, the gun received a more attractive appearance, steel more comfortable forend and butt.
In 1970, the Izhevsk plant released a new modification of the gun with a switchable ejector, which became designated as IZH-18E.
Since 1983, the plant began producing a modernized version of the gun, designated IZH-18M. The changes affected the strengthening of the attachment of the barrel to the receiver, the strengthening of the butt neck and forend.
Since 1991, IZH-18M and IZH-18EM shotguns have been manufactured by the plant with a modified firing pin design. Now the firing pin with the spring is inserted not from the side of the mirror, but from the inside of the receiver block, the fire tube is missing, and the firing pin is fixed with a pin.
Since 1992, the plant has been producing shotguns of the IZH-18M-M and IZH-18EM-M modifications; they have barrels with chambers 76.2 mm long and are designed to fire Magnum cartridges.
The IZH-18 shotgun has been produced since 1964 to this day, remaining the same simple in design, reliable and safe, for which it is popular among hunters, especially fishermen.
History of the appearance of MR-18M-M
The first single-shot “perelokki”, which is the MP-18M-M, appeared at the end of the 19th century. These were special hunting rifles designed for hunting pigeons and other small birds.
After the First World War, hunting weapons began to be made from unnecessary and obsolete military weapons. In Russia, these were conversions from Berdan rifles, which were stored in abundance in military warehouses.
After the civil war, all military weapons kept by the civilian population of the USSR were subject to immediate surrender. Hunting berdanks were equated to military weapons, and everyone had to hand them over without fail.
Later, in Izhevsk and Tula, starting in the 20s of the 20th century, they began to produce simple single-barreled hunting rifles intended for Soviet hunters.
The gun, called IZH-5, was produced until the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. After the end of the Second World War, the Izhevsk plant developed modern models of single-barreled light guns for its time:
- IZHK, which was a traditional single-barreled trigger gun;
- IZHB is a hammerless gun, where the hammers were cocked when the gun was closed.
In the 50s, production at the Izhevsk plant received modernized equipment, after which IZHK was modernized into IZH-17. In the early 60s, a new hammerless single-barrel gun was created, which combined the advantages of IZH-17 and IZHB in one model. This model was called IZH-18 and is still produced today under the name MR-18.
Work on improving this gun is ongoing, although there have been no major design changes since the 1960s. In the modern MP-18 line, there are even modifications in plastic, which have a modern appearance and are lighter in weight compared to the basic model, which is only available in wood. It is worth noting that hunters do not like modifications with a plastic stock, since such a gun immediately loses the charm inherent in a single-shot elegant gun.
Technical characteristics of IZH-18 (MR-18)
Caliber:
12, 16, 20, 28, 32, .410, as well as various rifle calibers
Barrel length:
620, 625, 660, 675, 710, 725, 750
Chamber length:
70 mm, 76.2 mm
Bore diameter:
- 18.4 mm (for 12 gauge)
- 16.8 mm (for 16 gauge)
- 15.7 mm (for 20 gauge)
- 14.0 mm (for 28 gauge)
- 12.5 mm (for 32 caliber)
- 10.3 mm (for .410 caliber)
Muzzle constriction:
0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, or interchangeable chokes
Butt and fore-end material:
birch, walnut, beech, plastic
Gun weight:
- no more than 2.8 kg (for 12 and 16 gauges)
- no more than 2.6 kg (for 20, 28, 32 calibers)
- no more than 2.7 kg (for .410 caliber)
Modifications
Over more than half a century of production history, the gun has been and continues to be produced in various modifications:
- IZH-18 is a basic modification of the gun produced from 1964 to 1983.
- IZH-18E is a modification of the gun, equipped with an ejector designed for automatic ejection of cartridges, produced from 1970 to 1983.
- IZH-18M is a modernized version of the gun, produced since 1983.
- IZH-18EM is a modernized version of the gun, equipped with an ejector, produced since 1983.
- IZH 18 MA - a shotgun with automatic safety
- IZH 18 MAE - a modification of the gun with a dual-mode ejector, which can be turned off in both single and permanent modes
- IZH 18 MAX - a modification of the gun with improved finishing and engraving, intended mainly for export
- IZH-18M-M (MR-18M-M) - a modern version of the gun, can be with either permanent or replaceable choke constrictions, can be of a variety of calibers and vary in barrel and chamber length
- IZH-18EM-M (MR-18EM-M) - a modern version of the gun, equipped with an ejector designed for automatic ejection of cartridges
- IZH-18MK (MR-18MK-M) - a modification of the gun with external triggers, triggers with a release and safety cocking
- MR-18M-M “Junior” - a modification characterized by low weight and dimensions of the butt and forearm, intended for women and teenagers, caliber 20, 410
- MP-18EM-M “Sporting” - intended for sport shooting, the gun has an aiming bar, two front sights, and a Monte Carlo type stock.
- IZH-18MN (MR-18MN) - a modification of a shotgun with a rifled barrel, mass-produced in calibers: .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win, 7.62*39, 7.62*51 (308 Win), 7, 62*54 R, .30-06 Spring.
- In a piece version it can be produced for calibers 5.6*39 R, 7.62*53 R, 9*53 R, 9.3*74 R, .270 Win, 45-70 Govt.
General description of MR-18M-M
The MP-18M-M single-shot hunting rifle is a direct descendant of the IZH-18, which appeared back in 1964 and works stably in any conditions. Most models are equipped with an aiming bar, which makes shooting more convenient for a novice hunter. For experienced shooters who can shoot offhand, the presence of an aiming bar is an optional condition.
The MP-18M-M should not be considered as the first gun, which is only suitable for teaching initial shooting skills. This model is considered a sniper among smooth-bore weapons and has unsurpassed accuracy. Even experienced hunters often use the MP-18M-M to hone their sniper shooting skills. Naturally, any rifled carbine is superior in accuracy to a smoothbore gun, but if a hunter does not have access to a rifled weapon, the MP-18M-M is the best option for training.
The MP-18M-M is available in various calibers, but the most popular caliber among Russian hunters is 12/76 mm. MR-18M-M is available in both standard and junior versions. In addition, there is a special sports modification called MP-18M-M “Sporting”.
Design
All modifications of the MP-18M-M line consist of two structural parts - a box with a butt and a detachable barrel with a forend.
Trunk
The barrel of the IZH-18 (MR-18) gun is connected to the receiver block using an under-barrel hook and hinge. Most gun modifications have a barrel that does not have a sighting rib. There is a front sight at the muzzle end of the barrel. The barrel length can be: 620, 625, 660, 675, 710, 725, 750 mm, depending on the caliber and modification of the gun.
For shotguns with a constant choke, it can be 0.5 or 1.0 mm for shotguns of 12 and 16 calibers and 0.5 mm for all other calibers. There are modifications of shotguns with replaceable choke constrictions; such shotguns are marked “Var” in the breech of the barrel, the size of the choke constriction is indicated on the nozzle itself. When using choke constrictions, you must make sure that it is completely screwed into the barrel of the gun, and the choke constriction should be either flush or slightly recessed relative to the muzzle of the barrel. You need to check the tightness of the choke every 50-100 shots.
IZH-18 (MR-18) shotguns, which allow firing with steel shot, are marked in the form of a “steel shot” stamp on the breech of the barrel. It is prohibited to use cartridges filled with steel shot in guns that do not have this marking. Replacement chokes for steel shot are designated “STEEL”.
The bore and chamber are chrome plated. The chamber length for most modifications is 70 mm.
There are modifications IZH-18M-M (MR-18M-M) and IZH-18EM-M (MR-18EM-M) with a chamber length of 76.2 mm, designed for firing Magnum cartridges. According to the experience of hunters and shooters who have IZH-18 shotguns with a 76.2 mm chamber, when shooting standard cartridges with a case length of 70 mm from shotguns with a 76.2 mm chamber, accuracy decreases by 6-10%.
When firing bullets from IZH-18 (MR-18) shotguns, you can only use bullets whose diameter is 0.2-0.3 mm less than the size of the barrel muzzle. It is prohibited to use caliber bullets made of steel or brass for shooting from a gun.
A forend is attached to the bottom of the barrel. The handguard is attached to the barrel using a lever-type latch.
Locking mechanism
The IZH-18 (MR-18) gun has a single barrel locking with an under-barrel hook. The locking mechanism of the gun has a lock, which eliminates the possibility of firing when the barrel is not completely locked. The release lever is located at the bottom of the shoe, behind the safety clip. When the lever moves upward, the gun opens, and at the same time, under the action of the lever, the trigger is cocked. A special feature of the gun is that if it misfires, you can cock the hammer without opening the gun, simply by moving the release lever up and down.
Trigger mechanism
The trigger mechanism of the IZH-18 (MR-18) shotgun is located in the receiver block. The firing pin is made separately from the trigger. The trigger is internal. Under the action of the spring, after the shot, the hammer rebounds and the firing pin moves back.
The gun has a smooth trigger release. In order to smoothly pull the trigger, you need to put the safety in the “Fire” position, move the unlocking lever up, pull the trigger and smoothly release the unlocking lever. On top of the gun block there is a hammer cocking indicator, which, when the hammer is cocked, moves up; during the day it is clearly visible to the eye, and in the dark it can be easily felt with a finger.
In shotguns produced since 1991 and later, the design of the firing pin has been modified. The firing pin with the spring is not inserted into the socket from the mirror side of the receiver block, but is installed on the inside of the block. There is no fire tube, and the firing pin is fixed with a pin.
Fuse
The safety of the IZH-18 (MR-18) shotgun is push-button, non-automatic. When you move the safety to the right, the gun goes into safety mode; when you move the safety to the left, the gun goes into firing mode, and a red mark becomes visible on the left side of the safety. The safety locks the trigger with the sear. When the gun is put on safety, when the gun is hit or dropped, no shot occurs, since the trigger, which has been released from the cocking position, stands on the safety ledge of the trigger without hitting the firing pin. In addition to the safety lock, the safety of the gun is ensured by a locking mechanism that prevents a shot from being fired when the gun is not completely closed.
Butt
The stock of the IZH-18 (MR-18) gun can be made of birch, beech or walnut. Most guns have a pistol stock neck, but some guns may have a straight neck. The end of the butt neck of many guns is decorated with a plastic rosette. The butt end is often equipped with a plastic or rubber butt pad. Some modifications of the gun may be equipped with a plastic butt.
Peculiarities
The IZH-18 shotgun and all its modifications are perfectly balanced. Thanks to this, aiming is quite fast. The reliability of this domestically produced smooth-bore weapon is increased due to the fact that the trigger mechanism is structurally placed in a box. IZH-18 opens by pressing the locking lever upward. The latter is located below the block behind the safety bracket. At the moment when the hunter raises the lever, the barrel of the gun, unlocking, goes down. And at this time the trigger is cocked.
IZH-18 is guaranteed to have a “survivability” of at least eight thousand rounds. Moreover, if the operational requirements are properly met, this parameter almost doubles. Currently, the basic model for single-barrel hunting models or fittings, which are produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, is this particular gun.
Disassembling the IZH-18 (MR-18) gun
Disassembly of a gun can be complete or incomplete. Complete disassembly can be carried out in special cases when complete cleaning of all mechanisms and parts of the gun or repair with replacement of parts and adjustment of mechanisms is required. Incomplete disassembly is usually associated with transporting the gun or storing it.
Incomplete disassembly
To clean and lubricate the mechanisms of the gun and carry out simple maintenance of the gun, it is enough to partially disassemble it; this is also done to transport the gun and store it in a gun safe.
When the IZH-18 (MR-18) gun is not completely disassembled, it is disassembled into three parts: the barrel, the forend and the stock with the receiver block.
To disassemble the gun, follow these steps:
- Using your index finger, pull the latch located in the center of the forend and, turning the forend from the barrel, separate it
- Move the barrel release lever to the upper position, turn the barrel down so that it is disconnected from the receiver block
- Attach the forend back to the barrel
- When storing a gun for a long time, it is desirable that the springs of the gun's mechanisms are released from compression; to do this, release the trigger smoothly: press the release lever delay, press the trigger and smoothly release the release lever. As a result: the gun's trigger was released, the mainspring, the locking lever spring and the cocking indicator spring began to be in a relaxed state.
Complete disassembly
Complete disassembly of the gun is carried out only in cases of extreme necessity, when repairing or the need for serious maintenance of the gun. It is recommended to completely disassemble the gun in a gun workshop.
In order to completely disassemble the gun, follow these steps:
- Perform partial disassembly of the gun
- Unscrew the two screws of the butt plate and remove it
- Unscrew the stock screw and shake the connection between the receiver block and the butt, disconnect the butt
- Unscrew the screw of the safety bracket and, turning it to the side, separate it from the receiver block
- Press the release lever, cock the hammer, insert a wire with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm into the hole in the pusher stem, pull the trigger and separate the pusher with the mainspring
- Knock out the trigger axis, carefully so that the trigger insertion indicator with the spring does not fall out, remove it from the box downwards
- Remove the sear spring by unscrewing the screw securing it
- Knock out the trigger axis and separate it along with the sear
- Knock out the fuse base pin and separate it together with the fuse
- Unscrew the screw of the firing pin bushing, use a wrench to unscrew the bushing, remove the firing pin with the spring
- Knock out the spring pin of the locking lever and carefully remove it
- Unscrew the screw of the box cover, lightly tap the drift, move the cover forward 5-7 mm, lift it up and separate it from the box, holding the locking lever handle
- Remove the locking lever latch, knock out its shaft and carefully separate it
- Disassemble the forend, to do this, unscrew three screws, separate the latch and hinge, knock out the spring from the groove, knocking out the axis, separate the latch
- Knock out the pin and remove the ejector
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
The undoubted advantages of the IZH-18 (MR-18) gun include its following qualities:
- The affordable cost of the gun, with good technical characteristics, is the main advantage of the IZH-18 (MR-18).
- The simplicity of the design of the gun, and what gun could be simpler in design than a single-barreled breaker. Hence the high reliability of the gun.
- The barrel is made of high quality steel and has a wall thickness at the muzzle of about 2.5 mm. Thanks to this, the barrel can withstand high pressure of powder gases. There are modifications of the gun designed to fire Magnum cartridges.
- The light weight of the gun, which depending on the caliber ranges from 2.6 to 2.8 kg, makes the gun convenient for hunting on the go. It’s not for nothing that the IZH-18 (MR-18) gun is so popular among commercial hunters.
- Good balance and good grip of the gun.
- Large selection of a wide variety of smoothbore and rifled bore calibers. Everyone will be able to choose a gun to suit their needs or to their taste.
- A wide selection of calibers allows you to use the gun when hunting almost any game, from elk and bear to quail and snipe.
- A single-barreled shotgun is perfect for novice hunters who want to practice high-quality, high-precision shooting skills.
Flaws
The gun also has its disadvantages:
- For many hunters, the main disadvantage of a single-barreled shotgun is the fact that it allows the hunter to fire only one shot at the game. Currently, the most popular guns among modern hunters are self-loading semi-automatic devices; the IZH-18 (MR-18) is an anachronism in the eyes of such hunters.
- Many gun owners point to the fact that the quality of guns produced is very inconsistent. There are both perfectly made and perfectly assembled guns, and guns whose quality leaves much to be desired.
- Most modifications of mass-produced guns do not have the ability to install optical or callimator sights.
- IZH-18 (MR-18) shotguns of some less common calibers are manufactured only individually; a hunter who wants to buy them has to wait quite a long time for such an opportunity.
Purpose of MR-18M-M
Since the MP-18M-M is offered in various calibers, each hunter can choose the most suitable gun for his purposes. If we take the most popular modification of the 12/70 or 76 mm caliber, then you can hunt almost any game:
- Bird hunting;
- Hunting for small animals, including fur-bearing animals;
- Hunting a large animal, although in this case you need to be 100% sure that you will be able to hit it with the first shot.
In addition, the single-barrel MP-18 is excellent for sport shooting. The special sports modification is especially good for this.
