Izh-27 - the “people's choice” of hunters

IZH 27-1S have been manufactured since 1977

without an ejector and
IZH 27E-1S
- with an ejector with one trigger, ensuring alternate firing of shots from both barrels in any sequence. The guns are designed for all types of hunting in various climatic conditions and can be successfully used for sport shooting on a bench.

History of creation and design features of the model

At the end of the 60s, specialists from IMZ (Izhevsk Mechanical Plant) decided on the need to modernize the double-barreled shotgun IZH-12, which was then produced, due to the presence of certain shortcomings.

This task was entrusted to a group of designers under the leadership of the famous gunsmith Anatoly Andreevich Klimov.

The result of this was a modified model he provided in 1971, which later received the designation IZH-27 (in the modern classification MP-27). Production of the gun on a serial basis began in 1973.

The location of the trunks in the vertical plane remained unchanged. The first to be affected by the changes were the stock and forearm. Their shape has become more comfortable and ergonomic.

The sighting bar received ventilation holes, which reduced the difficulty of aiming after a shot, especially in hot weather, due to more efficient cooling. The manual safety was replaced by an automatic one. In addition, the designers installed interceptors (devices for intercepting triggers).

For the first time in the history of the plant, the gun received an ejector for cartridges. For ease of use and maintenance, the box has also undergone changes - the place where it connects to the stock has been modified. The butt pad, made of rubber and mounted on the butt, made the gun even more convenient.

Description and performance characteristics

The number of IZH-27 units produced to date since the beginning of its production is more than 1.6 million.

There are both serial models and souvenir ones, made in a single copy. Among the first are guns of common calibers - 12 and 16. The weight of such models is up to 3.4 kg and 3.3 kg, respectively.

Limited edition, custom or souvenir shotguns may be 20 gauge or use the .410 cartridge in addition to these values. The remaining parameters are presented in the following list:

• ​ Barrel length - from 675mm to 750mm;
• Chamber length - 76mm or 70mm;
• ​ Choke (narrowing) - 0.5mm and 1mm, lower and upper barrel, respectively.

The inside of the barrels is coated with regular chrome, the outside is black (oxidation is also used).

The barrels themselves began to be made from weapons-grade steel. The barrels are attached to the gun body using a hinge mechanism and special hooks.

The increased length of the firing pins allows the use of hunting ammunition with a recessed primer.

The locking frame fits into a special groove, which is how the locking itself is carried out. When the barrels are opened, the triggers self-cock. The design features of the trigger mechanism, after closing the barrels, ensure a smooth and soft release of the triggers.

The automatic fuse installed in the IZH-27 prevents the possibility of an unplanned shot by blocking the sear. This is especially important if the weapon is dropped or, for example, is subject to strong shaking. The gun is equipped with a standard cartridge case extractor.

In some of the models, it is replaced with a selective type ejector, that is, only spent cartridges are ejected, and if only one barrel is fired, the entire cartridge remains in place.

This system has a positive effect on the reloading speed of the gun. If desired, the ejector is turned off. Initially, the design of the IZH-27 included two triggers.

4 years after the start of production of the standard model, a modification with one was released. In this case, shots are fired in turn, and the gun is equipped with a switch that changes the order of the barrels. When such weapons leave the factory, they first use the lower barrel, then the upper.

However, using the switch takes some time and creates unnecessary noise (clicking), which can scare away the animal. For these reasons, hunters have an ambiguous attitude towards the system of changing the order of trunks.

The material used for the stock is either beech or walnut.

Any of the models supports the use of Magnum cartridges (case length 76 mm, versus 70 for a regular one) of the appropriate caliber. Considering the power of these ammunition, the IZH-27 design has an increased safety margin.

Recently, all produced variations of 12- and 20-gauge shotguns are designed specifically for the use of powerful cartridges.

The .410 version was originally designed to be reinforced. This model is very rare - it can be found mainly only among collectors and special hunting enthusiasts.

[edit] Shot sequence

The basic sequence is lower trunk, then upper trunk. To reverse this sequence, press the trigger forward until it clicks. However, such a switch only affects one pair of shots, and the first time the gun is opened, the main sequence is restored.

If, after changing the usual sequence, it suddenly becomes necessary to change the reverse sequence to direct again, you need to turn the barrel locking lever to the right and, without opening the barrels, return it to its previous position.

If there is a misfire when pressing the trigger, switching will occur regardless of whether the first shot occurred after the trigger or not.

Varieties of IZH-27

The gun has several modifications. Of these, the series included:

• MP-27 “Baikal” - the original version of the gun has been released under this designation since 2009. The changes affected the materials of manufacture and the quality of parts;
• IZH-27M (modern designation MR-27M) - the weapon is equipped with a conventional cartridge case extractor and a pair of triggers;
• IZH-27EM (modern designation MP-27EM) - in this case, the extractor is replaced with a selective ejector, a device that ejects spent cartridges when the barrels are opened. It is possible to disable it if not needed. Like the previous model, the gun has two triggers;

• IZH-27M-1S (modern designation MP-27M-1S) is a gun with a conventional cartridge extractor. It is equipped with only one trigger, allowing sequential fire from different barrels. The sequence is switched by pressing the trigger from the back;
• ​ IZH-27EM-1S (modern designation MP27-EM-1S) - the weapon is equipped with both a selective ejector and one trigger. Changing the order of the barrels used is identical to the model described above;
• ​ IZH-27M “Junior” (modern designation MR-27M “Junior”) is a lightweight version of the first modification. The caliber has been reduced, the length of the barrels and butt has been reduced. At the same time, the model has all the advantages of a “senior comrade”. Designed for use by short hunters, women and inexperienced hunting enthusiasts;
• IZH-27ST is a modification of the original gun, intended for sports clay pigeon shooting (trench). It differed in the design of the barrels - full and reinforced chokes (upper and lower barrels, respectively). The model had the longest barrels in the series - 760mm. Not currently in production;
• IZH-27SK is another sports modification, this time for a round stand. The length of the barrels in this model is 660mm (cylinder and cylinder with bell - upper and lower chokes, respectively);
• IZH-27 “Sporting” is one of the latest IZH-27 models. Its use is not limited to one type of activity. It can be used both for hunting and for sports.

In addition to these modifications, there are also exclusive models, for example “Rus”.

They are made by hand, which naturally affects their quality and price. The cost of such guns is approximately 3 times more expensive than production models.

An exclusive IZH-27 or its modification can be recognized by its silver trim and engraving.

The barrels are blued using a special technique that significantly increases both the aesthetic appearance of the gun and its service life.

In addition, more durable materials are used to manufacture the mechanism. One of the lucky owners of “Rus” is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, who was presented with this weapon during a visit to the plant.

[edit] Single trigger mechanism

Shotgun Izh 27E-1S

is the first model of a single-trigger hunting rifle mastered by the domestic industry in large-scale production. The mechanism itself with one trigger was developed in 1965 by E. Gubin and was first used by Izhevsk craftsmen in the Izh 25 sports and training shotgun. The mechanism is distinguished by its simplicity of design and high reliability in operation.

The advantages of single-trigger mechanisms in double-barreled shotguns are obvious, and therefore they are increasingly used not only in sports, but also in hunting shotguns (especially in the USA). The single-trigger mechanism allows you to fire two shots in a shorter period of time by successively pressing the trigger, without distracting attention to the second trigger. The latter helps maintain the stability of the gun during shooting and allows you to fully take advantage of the advantages of a stock with a pistol neck, on which the hand occupies the most comfortable and natural position.

Application of IZH-27 and its modifications

The main use of guns of the IZH-27 family is hunting. Depending on the caliber and type of cartridge used (bullets, shot, buckshot), it is effective against almost any animal or bird.

Hunters use the 27th IZH when hunting artiodactyls, foxes, hares, and waterfowl. It is also effective against bears or wolves.

Even sports modifications are often used as the main weapon. For example, IZH-27-ST is effective against foxes or hares, when lifting ducks or geese.

In the latter case, it is desirable that the distance does not exceed 50m. But with the SK model, you will need to approach the game at least 25 meters, which imposes some inconveniences.

The advantage of IZH-27 over foreign analogues is its unpretentiousness.

The gun is ideally suited to Russian climatic conditions and, importantly, roads - shaking and improper transportation have virtually no effect on the weapon.

It is also tolerant of cartridges, which is especially important when making (filling) them under field conditions (using used cartridges, inappropriate amounts of gunpowder, homemade shot or buckshot).

Among hunters there are practically no complaints about the manufacture of metal parts. Problems occur mainly with wooden parts. Therefore, when purchasing, you should carefully inspect the weapon and pay attention to these details.

Effect on other weapons

In addition to the fact that the IZH-27 is the most purchased hunting weapon in the country, it also managed to influence other developments at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. The first were shotguns for sport shooting IZH-25 and IZH-29 (now no longer produced). They were developed on the basis of the 25th model.

In addition, the design solutions used in the design and modification of the 27th were used in the creation of the MP-221 Artemis rifle-fitting rifle.

Also based on “Baikal”, the MP-94 Taiga shotgun was created, which is a hammerless over-and-under with a smooth and rifled barrel included.

The latter weapon is considered universal due to the possibility of using a variety of barrels (smoothbore, rifled) for various types of cartridges from 12 rifle caliber to 7.62*54mm rifle.

Bottom line

It is not for nothing that the domestic double-barreled shotgun with vertical barrels IZH-27 is the most purchased gun.

Its impressive reliability and ease of use have made it a favorite among hunters.

In addition, the weapon has excellent accuracy and accuracy when firing shotgun and buckshot. Its versatility allows you to use the 27 when hunting a wide variety of animals.

The over-and-under, of course, has certain disadvantages, but proper care and compliance with safety precautions will allow this gun to serve its owner for many years.

Izh-27: excellent fight, but...

photo by Mikhail Semin
I read a lot of articles about domestic guns at ROG, and I wanted to tell you about my IZH-27. And not only good things. And not just about the gun.

I have had a special relationship with Izhevsk since my youth. At the age of sixteen, having tested a friend’s IZH-58 sixteenth caliber, I was delighted with the compact and sharp combat. But a school student could not afford to buy a good gun (I received a hunting license at the age of fifteen, giving myself, I confess, three years). And so, to begin with, I took a loose trigger tulka for a symbolic price.

She poured out shot like a handful. Then, three years later, with the construction brigade’s money, he purchased a new TOZ-54, which also did not perform well. Of course, holding a new double-barreled shotgun in my hands in the store, I forgot about a lot of things. But I think if the store had a shooting range, I would not have taken it, because at the age of nineteen I already knew something about the accuracy and sharpness of combat.

By the way, until now, when buying a new weapon, we take a pig in a poke. Yes, by wiping the oil in the barrels, you can see whether they are drilled correctly, whether the soldering is accurate, but the most experienced specialists are unlikely to say how the gun will fire.

They know well that there are no equally striking barrels made by the same craftsman using the same equipment. There are probably still no shooting ranges at any hunting store in the country. The situation is paradoxical: we buy, for example, a vacuum cleaner, a meat grinder or the same car in a store and be sure to check how they work. Why don’t we test the gun’s operation? And his job is combat.

Well, we bought a gun, tested it, and the combat performance is lower than the rated ones. Will the store take it back? I doubt. How does all of the above relate to the Consumer Protection Law?

Thinking in this way, I began to look for a more or less new, good-hitting gun, sold second-hand. I was lucky: a friend who lived nearby decided to replace the ordinary IZH-27, with which I had only been hunting for a year, with a similar one, but a one-piece production one. I knew what kind of fight it had, so I immediately gave the amount announced to me.

By varying the loads of gunpowder and shot, using containers and starch, I quickly achieved more than one hundred percent engagement with double zero shot from the top barrel, which suited me perfectly for hunting foxes from the approach. I hit her boldly in the side at 60–70 meters. I don’t encourage other hunters to do this, because for most rifles the limit is 45–50 meters.

Having paid tribute to the battle, I will dwell on the shortcomings of my gun, although for me they will never outweigh its main advantage, especially since I gradually got rid of them. But could every hunter be able to do this? And why should a person pay for an unfinished product?

Having acquired the gun, I began to look at it more meticulously and realized that, as well as its metal part was made, the wooden part was so poorly made. Apparently, the manufacturers forgot the proverb: “The barrels shoot, but the stock hits.”

How is the accuracy of a gun determined? Having closed his eyes, the hunter raises his gun, as if shooting, then opens them. And so on several times. The gun is usable if the sighting bar is neither open nor closed, but is a narrow horizontal line with a clearly visible front sight.

Every time my gun was raised up, which means the downward movement of the butt was small. Further. Two side protrusions running along the top of the butt neck were clearly superfluous, increasing its thickness and making it difficult to reach the trigger. I carefully cut them off, the neck became oval, like TOZ-34.

The forend was incredibly thick: if a person’s fingers are not long, then it would be impossible to grasp it. I removed a good centimeter of excess wood on the sander.

But what was to be done with the butt? I removed some wood from its comb, then began to insert shims under the butt plate, thereby changing the angle between it and the butt end. Having found what was necessary for himself personally, making the gun fit, he carefully trimmed the butt with a hacksaw. Now the gun in my hands became like a toy. However, I was happy early...

I won’t talk about how difficult the transition from “horizontal” to “vertical” was, but I made it through. But the automatic fuse has failed me more than once. A wounded duck swims away into the reeds, I, having reloaded the gun, press the trigger, but there is no shot. By the time I remember the reason, the duck is already in the reeds. But okay, a duck is not a big catch. What is it like when hunting a fox? What about the wild boar?

My godfather, who has a TOZ-34, did not have such a problem; the gun’s safety is not automatic. What to do? He took off the butt and began to study the “automatic” mechanism. The “fault” turned out to be a small engine, which, when closing the gun, puts it on safety.

Of course, if I started hunting with the IZH-27, I would get used to releasing the gun with my right thumb before firing. But is it easy to change after more than ten years of hunting practice? And I removed the engine. The hunt became more fun. But I was waiting for the opening of the fox season, hoping that now with such a gun I would significantly reduce their numbers.

The November day was beautiful: slight frost, light haze with dim sun, wind. While plowing in the remaining kopeck of straw, I noticed a sleeping fox and soon came close enough, even too close. She’s about thirty meters away, her heart is pounding loudly in her chest, her hands are shaking. From such a distance it’s not worth even raising her head, I decide, and shoot at the ball from the upper barrel.

But, apparently, at the last moment the hand trembled and strong accuracy played a negative role. The wounded fox rolled off the hill and started doing this... Somehow I aimed it again and pressed on the second descent. But instead of a shot I hear a quiet click. Misfire! I break the gun and... It misfires again. And the fox, having come to its senses and stood on its feet, slowly at first, then began to leave faster and faster.

I make a third attempt - and again it misfires. Following her with a sad look to a nearby log, I opened the gun and took out the cartridge. There is a slight dent on the capsule. I put a cartridge in the upper barrel, press the trigger - a shot thunders. What's the matter?

Returning home, I remove the stock and begin to study the operation of the striking mechanism. It turns out that if the trigger of the upper barrel hits the striker with its top, then the lower one hits the middle. This means that the impact force is less. In the cold, apparently, the oil froze and the blow turned out to be very weak. I cock the hammer and try to tighten the spring some more. There is free play, about three millimeters.

I make a ring out of wire of the required diameter and press the spring with it. Then I remove the existing lubricant and use a thinner one. Since then, the gun has not misfired for a quarter of a century. Maybe the developers should have included a stronger spring for this trigger?

The weight of my “Izhevka” is 3.4 kilograms. Of course, it’s a bit much for casual hunting. In search of foxes, walking around fields and ravines, you sometimes catch a brown hare, that’s why I carry a gun in my hands so that I’m always ready to shoot. And by the end of the day it’s worth a lot. It happens that in the evening you pick up a little little man, throw up your gun, and from fatigue you cannot catch up with him with your barrels.

But, on the other hand, I understand that a heavy gun is a plus; it allows the use of reinforced charges, which is important when shooting from long distances. And most often you have to shoot foxes in the fields this way. Therefore, I’m not going to change to a lighter one.

And a few critical words addressed to Izhmash workers. Just like a quarter of a century ago, so now, butts on guns do not stand up to criticism. A friend of mine recently purchased a twenty-caliber IZH-43; he couldn’t praise it enough for its action, and the gun’s appearance is unsightly because of the butt.

I think I could make it more beautiful and practical at home. Why don't Izhevsk residents adopt the experience of the same Tula or foreign gunsmiths and work on the shape of the butt?

Anatoly Gulyaev, Lokot village, Bryansk region August 27, 2012 at 00:00