Hunting rifle IZH 27 (MP 27): review of modifications and selection tips

IZhi have their own attractiveness. These are unconditionally reliable guns, with their own impressive history. The article will focus on the representative of the Izhevsk arms production - IZH 27. IZH 27 is a weapon that has firmly established itself in the ranks of hunting. Perhaps this is the most popular model ever produced by the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant.

In the article we will talk about the history of this gun, reveal its features, talk about the pros and cons, learn how to choose the best MP 27 and what cartridges to use.

History of the IZH-27 (MR-27) gun

IZH-27 is a double-barreled hunting rifle with a vertical barrel arrangement, intended for both commercial and amateur hunting.
The IZH-27 shotgun has been mass-produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant since 1973 and is the most popular shotgun in Russia among hunters. Taking into account all possible modifications of the IZH-27 (MR-27), more than 1.6 million units were produced and sold.

In the 90s of the last century, the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant decided to enter the international weapons market and new weapon models began to be designated by the abbreviation in Latin letters MP, which stands for Mechanical Plant. Since 2008, the plant decided to completely bring the weapon designation system to a single form and all models began to have the MP designation in their name. Thus, the IZH-18, IZH-43 and IZH-27 guns began to be designated MP-18, MP-43 and MP-27.

The IZH-27 (MR-27) shotgun was created on the basis of the IZH-12 shotgun, one of the first models of shotguns from the Izhevsk plant with a vertical barrel arrangement. Many changes were made to the design of the IZH-27: the shape of the stock and forend was changed, a rubber shock absorber appeared on the stock , a ventilated sighting rail began to be installed on the gun, an automatic safety, interceptors, an ejector appeared on the gun, and the shape of the receiver at the junction with the gun stock was also significantly changed.

Currently, the IZH-27 (MR-27) gun is produced in various modifications, different calibers, with different barrel lengths, and different artistic designs. Each hunter can choose a gun according to his needs, budget and taste.

Barrels with permanent drilling without replaceable chokes

Depending on the model and configuration, the Izh-27 can have barrels with both permanent drilling and replaceable choke constrictions. Modifications with permanent drilling, as a rule, have a “chok” drilling of the upper barrel, and a “poluchok” drilling of the lower barrel. The taper values ​​are usually indicated on the barrel block, under the forend.

Models with replaceable choke constrictions use replaceable universal attachments for shotguns from the Izhevsk plant - for example, the constriction from the MP-155 is also installed on the MP 27 M shotgun.

Description of the gun IZH-27 (MR-27)

IZH-27 shotguns are commercially produced in 12, 16, 20 and 28 calibers. The weight of the guns ranges from 3 to 3.6 kg and depends on the caliber of the gun and the length of the barrels.

A gun can have both permanent and replaceable choke constrictions, permanent choke constrictions: as a rule, a choke in the upper barrel and a choke in the lower. Replaceable choke tubes are preferable as they give the gun greater versatility.

The barrels have a ventilated rib, the bores and chambers are chrome-plated, and the outer surfaces of the gun are anodized or oxidized.

The connection of the barrels with the block is carried out due to the under-barrel hooks and the hinge axis. The barrels are connected to the block by means of under-barrel hooks and a hinge.

Locking occurs using a locking bar that fits into the groove of the rear grenade hook. The barrels are locked by a movable locking bar on the rear hook of the barrel coupling.

When the barrels are opened, the hammers are cocked. The hammers are cocked when the barrels are opened.

The trigger mechanism allows for a smooth release of the hammers from cocking when closing the barrels. The trigger mechanism smoothly releases the triggers when the receiver is closed.

The cartridges are removed from the chamber using an extractor. Technical characteristics of IZH-27E: it is distinguished by the fact that it is equipped with a spent cartridge ejector and is switchable. In the gun, the cartridges are pulled out by a common extractor, and in the IZH-27E model, an ejector mechanism is introduced, which can be turned off by the owner in a simple way, without the use of any special tool (only a screwdriver is required).

USM

The trigger mechanism of the gun has internal triggers, mounted partly in the gun box, partly on a separate lower base. The mechanism of the gun has interceptors that intercept the triggers in the event of an accidental fall of the gun; this feature makes the IZH-27 safer compared to other guns. The mainsprings are twisted cylindrical. The gun also has an inertial disconnector in the design of its mechanism, which eliminates the possibility of a double shot, which also makes using the gun safer.

Since 1972, the gun has been produced with two triggers; in 1977, a mechanism with one trigger was developed, which has the ability to switch the shot order. Initially, the trigger mechanism of the IZH-27-1S (IZH-27E-1S) shotgun with one trigger was developed for the IZH-25 sporting shotgun; it is also used in the IZH-39 shotgun. After loading the gun, the order of shots is standard: lower-upper barrel; to switch the order, you need to pull the trigger forward; after the next reloading, the previous order of shots will be restored. The gun's firing pins are made separate from the hammers, have a fairly large output (up to 2.2 mm), and have return springs. In general, the IZH-27 USM is very reliable and, as a rule, does not raise any questions among hunters.

Butt

The stock on IZH-27 guns can be made of either walnut or beech; on serial guns the butt has a pistol-type neck; on piece guns and guns made to order it can be of any shape. The forend is detachable; when using the gun, especially when assembling and disassembling, you need to be careful and careful to avoid cracks on it.

Note

IZH-12 shotguns with non-automatic safety:

“The safety is non-automatic , it locks directly on the sear only when the hammers are cocked.”

“To disassemble the locking mechanism, you must first remove the strikers, then unscrew the screw connecting the locking spring stop (20) to the lever axis, and remove the stop and spring.”

List of parts shown in the diagrams.

1 - trigger; 2 — mainspring rod; 3 - pusher; 4 — mainspring; 5 — lower striker; 6 — upper striker; 7 - block; 8 — safety button; 9— fuse base; 10 — fuse base spring; 11 - fuse; 12— fuse spring; 13 — locking bar; 14 — spring of the locking lever; 15 — axis of the locking lever; 16— locking plate delay; 17 — interceptor; 18 — interceptor spring; 19 — locking lever; 20 — lever spring wiring; 21 — fore-end; 22 — hinge; 23-axis hinge; 24 - cocker; 25 — whispered; 26 — extractor; 27 — descent rod; 28 — descent right; 29 - left descent.

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Details of the IZH-12 gun:

1 - cockers; 2 — screw of the locking lever; 3 — locking lever; 4 — safety button with a spring; 5 — striker pin; 6 — lower striker with a spring; 7 — upper striker with a spring; 8 — fuse spring washer; 9 — washer pin; 10 — fuse assembly; 11 — tail rotor; 12 — block; 13 — spring of the locking lever with a leash; 14 — driver screw; 15— jumper; 16 — locking plate; 17 — axis of the locking lever; 18 — sear axis; 19 — interceptor axis; 20 — right sear with a spring; 21 — left sear with a spring; 22 — trigger rods; 23 — interceptor (interceptor) right with a spring; 24 — interceptor (interceptor) left with a spring; 25 — right pusher; 26 — left pusher; 27 — left trigger; 28 — right trigger; 29 — hammer axis; 30 — rods with mainsprings; 31 — base of the trigger mechanism (cylinder) with a locking bar delay; 32 — cylinder screw; 33 — trigger guard screw; 34 — trigger guard; 35 — right trigger; 36 — trigger axis; 37 - trigger.

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Modifications

Over the many years that the IZH-27 gun has been produced, the plant has mastered the mass production of several modifications of this gun.

• MR-27M (IZH-27M) - a gun without an ejector, with two triggers
• MP-27M “Junior” is a light and compact modification, created on the basis of the basic model of the gun, for teaching shooting to women and teenagers; the dimensions of the butt are reduced so that the gun fits shooters of this size. The gun has a lightweight bolt box, its dimensions are adapted to small calibers and shortened barrels.
• MP-27EM (IZH-27EM) - the gun is equipped with an ejector with a selective mechanism that ejects only spent cartridges, which can be turned off. The ejector mechanism is especially convenient for hunting, where quick reloading of the gun is required.
• MR-27M-1S ( IZH-27M-1S ) - a gun with one trigger; the sequence of shots is changed by pressing the trigger forward, with a slight click.
• MR-27EM-1S (IZH-27EM-1s) – the gun is equipped with an ejector and a firing mechanism with one trigger.

The IZH-27 shotgun can be of various designs: serial, export, piece and souvenir.

Based on the IZH-27 shotgun, many different models of hunting and sports weapons were created: the IZH-39 (MR-39) sports shotgun was created for athletes, and a series of combined IZH-94 (MR-94) shotguns was created for hunters.

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MP-27 piece shotguns

In addition to mass-produced shotguns, the Izhevsk plant produces piece shotguns for individual orders of hunters.
The quality of assembly and fitting of parts of these guns is much higher than that of serially assembled models. Piece shotguns have improved barrel quality, and since each piece shotgun is assembled by one craftsman, such shotguns have better and more careful fitting of parts and mechanisms, which ensures higher reliability of such shotguns.

The big advantage of piece shotguns is the ability, when ordering a shotgun individually, to tailor the stock to the anthropometric data of a specific customer. The stock of such a gun will ideally fit the shooter, which will ensure more accurate shooting from such a gun.

Many customers order the production of a piece shotgun IZH-27 with two pairs of barrels, for example: one pair of barrels can have a length of 720 mm, and it will have choke and choke choke points, the second pair of barrels can have a length of 650 mm, with choke points at both barrels can have cylinders. The combination of two pairs of trunks can be anything and depends only on the hunter’s imagination. A shotgun with two pairs of barrels becomes much more versatile, and can better suit different types and conditions of hunting.

IZH-27 piece guns differ from serial ones in that they have a more serious artistic design of the gun. On custom guns, hand engraving, incision with precious metals, and artistic painting are used. The metal parts of the gun can be plated with silver, nickel, or titanium nitride. The wooden parts of the gun can be covered with decorative carvings, and a beautiful notch can be made on them.

A serious disadvantage of piece guns produced by the Izhevsk plant is their price, which is 2-3 times, sometimes more, higher than for mass-produced guns. For this amount, a hunter can purchase a high-quality foreign-made gun, but in favor of the custom IZH-27 is its exclusivity; a hunter purchasing such a gun can be warmed by the thought that there is no other gun like his.

Cartridge Recipe

First of all, you need to firmly understand that there is no ideal universal cartridge for all guns. When making your choice, you need to take into account the individual characteristics of your model, namely the barrel bore and choke. Therefore, the weight of gunpowder and shot during manual production of cartridges will depend on the design features of the gun itself. Even guns of the same markings that have the same characteristics can perform differently with the same ammunition. Everything is very individual.

First of all, decide what kind of cartridge you want to get:

• idle;
• traumatic;
• signal;
• grapeshot;
• bullet;
• shotgun

Shot, buckshot and slug cartridges vary in charge weight (hence the amount and type of powder will also differ):

• half-charges;
• lightweight;
• standard;
• semi-magnum;
• magnum.

Hunters recommend experimenting with the filling of the cartridge, constantly monitoring the fire of the gun. Let's consider one of the homemade recipes for loading a cartridge for IZH-27:

• sleeve KV209 (new or used);
• gunpowder "Falcon" - 2.25 g;
• cardboard spacer - 3 mm;
• felt wad;
• gasket from a thick bag;
• Fiberboard;
• 34 g of shot;
• pad.

Many craftsmen assemble the inside of cartridges using the most common materials at hand, which are used as intermediate elements between gunpowder and the projectile.

Choice between TOZ-34 and IZH-27 (MR-27)

These two guns, IZH-27 (MR-27) and TOZ-34, have been competing with each other in the minds of our hunters for many years.

Both of these shotguns are double-barreled shotguns with vertical barrels, both are domestically produced, both have been produced for many years, have approximately the same cost, both are equally popular with our hunters, but at the same time they also have serious differences.

According to many hunters, the most serious difference between these guns is the quality of the barrels; it is traditionally believed that the barrels of the TOZ-34 are better than those of the IZH-27. In IZH-27, the side strip of the barrels comes off more often, which indicates a worse quality of barrel soldering.

• The mainsprings of the IZH-27 are spiral and are considered more reliable than the mainsprings of the TOZ-34, which are figured and have both less reliability and a shorter service life.
• A disadvantage of the TOZ-34, especially for models of early years of production, is the quality of manufacture of the striker cocking levers, which often broke and bent, which led to the need to replace them.
• These two guns differ in their forends, the IZH-27 gun has a removable forend, frequent removal of it leads to breakages and cracks in the wood, while the TOZ-34 has a non-removable forend, it is devoid of these shortcomings.
• IZH-27 is usually much heavier than TOZ-34. The greater weight of the IZH-27 can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on what kind of hunting you prefer.
• For walking hunting, where you have to walk a lot, a lighter weight gun is better suited; the TOZ-34 would be more appropriate here. If you prefer hunting that does not require too much walking, for example woodcock hunting in the spring or duck hunting on flights, the IZH-27 shotgun will be more preferable. Due to the greater weight of the IZH-27 gun, it is possible to shoot more powerful cartridges without experiencing strong recoil due to the greater weight of the gun; shots from a gun with greater weight tire the shooter less.
• The locking mechanisms of both guns are approximately the same in quality and reliability, and they work great for many years.

To summarize, it should be noted that both of these guns are approximately the same, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, it is no coincidence that they are both equally popular among our hunters. Choosing whether to buy an IZH-27 or a TOZ-34 should depend on your personal preferences and how useful the gun will be for you.

Complete disassembly and storage of weapons

Disassembling the gun is not difficult, it is important to be able to restore everything after cleaning

Disassembling a hunting rifle is carried out according to the following procedure:

carry out a general incomplete disassembly of the main parts - remove the barrels, the forend with a hinge, the box with the butt; unscrew the screws, remove the back of the butt; unscrew the screw securing the safety bracket to the butt, separate the bracket from its cylinder; unscrew the screw passing through the butt to the back of its head, loosen the connection and remove the butt, if necessary, light blows on wood are allowed; cock the trigger mechanism, insert a nail or wire into the hole in each mainspring rod, release the hammers and remove the rods and springs; Using a drift, knock out the axes of the hammers and sears, remove them; knock out the pin supporting the spring and remove the fuse parts; unscrew the rear tail and bottom screw of the cylinder, remove the jumper; light blows of a hammer on a brass or copper rod separate the larva, displacing it back; knock out the pins of the strikers, remove them and the springs, unscrew the screw connecting the locking lever to the axle; by hitting a brass or copper rod with a hammer, knock out the axis of the locking lever with the return spring, and remove the locking bar; knock out the cocking axis and remove them, use a screwdriver or drift to remove the disconnector and the retainer with the spring; separate the ejector by pressing its front away from the barrels and hold it against the spring outlet to avoid loss.

The rest of the gun is intuitive. Assembly is carried out in reverse order. At the same time, pay attention to the need for correct seating of screws and fasteners. Do not confuse the details of the left and right sides. If there is a lack of experience, the disassembly process is photographed, which makes restoring the gun easier.

Storing weapons also implies several rules:

the gun should be cleaned and lightly lubricated; cleaning materials should not contain sand or dust; For cleaning use soft rags, tow, flax tows, cotton ends; cleaning is done after shooting; in winter, the weapon is left in a warm room for several hours beforehand; opening and closing the gun is done smoothly with both hands; Dry firing should not be carried out, this reduces the service life of all involved parts; empty spent cartridges are inserted to simulate a shot; Gun barrels should be protected from impacts and dents.

During long-term storage, it is recommended to remove the barrels and pull the triggers. This will prevent springs from sagging. The weapon should be stored in a dry place.

Bullets for the IZH-27 gun

When firing a bullet from an IZH-27 gun, be careful when using round bullets; the diameter of round bullets should be 0.2-0.3 mm less than the muzzle of the barrels. The easiest way to test such a bullet is to simply pass it through the barrel; it should pass through it freely.

When using bullets with belts, the diameter of the bullet body should be 0.8-1 mm smaller than the muzzle, and the diameter of the belts can be slightly larger than the muzzle by 0.5-1 mm.

You can also check such a bullet by passing it through the barrel; when such a bullet passes through the barrel, it should stop 1-2 cm from the muzzle of the barrel.

Instructions for safe use

During storage, the gun is partially disassembled

For the safe use of IZH-27, several simple rules are taken into account:

the gun must always be considered loaded and ready to fire; before manipulating the mechanisms of the gun, you should make sure that it is unloaded; It is not allowed to fire cartridges with a larger charge than recommended by the operating rules; do not use cartridges and gunpowder that have been stored for more than four years; the use of any non-hunting powder is prohibited, as this can damage the barrels; It is not allowed to fire bullets whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the bore in the constriction zone; do not apply much effort to the trigger; if the trigger is delayed, they are cocked by opening the barrels; Before loading, the barrels are inspected for contamination.

The main emphasis in safety measures is on the use of proven cartridges. If misfires or other failures occur, you should remember safety precautions and deal with the breakdown in accordance with its rules.

Reviews of the gun IZH-27M (MR-27M)

• The gun is quite heavy, on the one hand, it’s good: you feel less recoil, less loose, on the other hand, it’s a bit heavy for running hunting, especially compared to imported guns.
• There are many negative reviews about the quality of the chrome plating of the barrels, as well as the quality of the bluing; the guns become covered with rust too quickly and therefore require constant care.
• Many hunters note the poor quality of fit of the wooden and metal parts of the gun. When purchasing either a new or used gun, this is something you should pay special attention to.
• Many owners of the IZH-27 (MR-27) shotgun complain about the appearance of shatter after firing magnum cartridges with larger loads. It is better to use cartridges with standard loads with this gun, then the gun will last much longer.

How to choose: new or used

Exclusive model IZH-27 in a case
Hunters also often wonder which IZH-27 gun they should buy: used or new? One way or another, there are advantages and disadvantages for the buyer. For example, a used model costs less, but there is a risk of becoming the owner of a weapon with problems. Gun stores provide a guarantee on the goods they sell, but do so at a higher price. So here are some recommendations for you to buy IZH-27 at a low price:

1. When buying a weapon secondhand, look at its external condition. A gun that has been used sparingly and has been cleaned and oiled regularly will never have a loose stock or stock. If the wooden parts are wobbly, this is a sign that the weapon has been working at the limit all the time, so it may have problems with other parts, for example, the trigger.
2. When purchasing a weapon in a store, do not forget about your rights as a buyer. For example, any product can be returned within 2 weeks upon presentation of the receipt and box. This can be used if you don’t like the purchased IZH-27 based on some criteria. And if you come across a defective model, then it will be easy to return it to the store and get your money back.
3. Regardless of whether you buy a gun in a store or from hand, any conscientious seller will not refuse the buyer’s request to partially disassemble the weapon. This can be an excellent opportunity to take a look at the condition of all the mechanisms in the model. Particular attention should be paid to whether the springs in the trigger are stretched, and also look at the condition of the chamber.

It is recommended that you go gun shopping with a friend who has at least some knowledge of guns. Even if you both don’t notice any flaw, your friend will always be able to talk you out of a dubious deal. If you go shopping alone, you will always be tempted to buy a gun, even if it is not of the best quality, because this can lead to the fulfillment of your cherished desire.

Conclusion

The IZH-27 (MR-27) shotgun is intended for both commercial and amateur hunting and is suitable for hunting a wide variety of game, from birds to ungulates.

The IZH-27 (MR-27) shotgun is a reliable, time-tested and proven example of firearms by millions of hunters.

The IZH-27 (MR-27) gun has an excellent price-quality ratio; in terms of this parameter, there is no gun that could compete with it.

Unfortunately, according to the reviews of many hunters, the quality of the gun's manufacturing leaves much to be desired; in their opinion, the manufacturer allows too many defects in its manufacture. There is a widespread belief that the younger you are, the worse the quality of its workmanship and that the highest quality IZH-27 (MR-27) guns were produced before 1991, and if you are lucky enough to purchase such a gun, it will serve you for many, many years.

Safety regulations

Hunting accidents occur in most cases due to careless handling of weapons. There are strict rules that must be followed to ensure personal safety and the safety of others:

1. Do not give a loaded gun to another person.
2. Do not point the gun at a person, even if the safety is on.
3. Carefully inspect the area where you intend to shoot.
4. It is recommended to fire alternately, and not simultaneously from both barrels.
5. At the moment of aiming, your finger should be on the safety.
6. Shooting cartridges must be of good quality, visually inspect each of them before loading the weapon.
7. If a misfire occurs, the barrel can only be opened after 2-3 minutes, and a prolonged shot may occur. During this period of time, do not point the gun at people.
8. Do not operate a broken or damaged gun.
9. The gun and its components should be stored out of the reach of children, in a locked safe.
10. Use only compatible ammunition, otherwise the recoil from the shot may be so severe that you risk personal injury.

For novice hunters who have not yet used a gun, it is better to take with them on the hunt a knowledgeable and experienced person who will help and advise if necessary. This is very important, since improper handling of weapons can lead to very sad consequences.