IZH-12
This gun includes an internal hammer and two barrels, which are paired. They are designed for two calibers: twelfth and sixteenth. The old model was produced in significant volumes for more than ten years, which indicates the high-quality execution of the modification.
Characteristics of IZH-12:
- two welded barrels;
- length is up to 730 millimeters millimeters;
- diameter of the stem canal – 18.2 millimeters;
- an interceptor is used.
Models from the late 1960s boast an automatic fuse.
IZH-49
This 16-gauge shotgun was produced on the basis of a 2-barreled Sauer shotgun in serial and piece versions. The model had suboptimal balance and was very heavy. In most cases, the weight of the 16-caliber version reached 3.25 kilograms, but sometimes you could find a modification weighing up to 3.5 kilograms.
In addition, the following variants of the IZH-49 were proposed:
- 12 gauge - from three and a half kilograms;
- 20 gauge - from three kilograms.
As you might guess, using the gun was not too easy or convenient.
Description
The IZH-17 shotgun with 16 gauge is the most popular version, while its predecessors: IZH-12 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 model, but it is worth noting that the differences between them are actually minimal. So, IZH added: a rear sight on the box, a new forend fastener, 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.
Single-barreled shotgun IZH 17
IZH-26
This double-barreled shotgun is a 12-gauge shotgun. Both trunks were located horizontally. The gun was actively used for amateur and commercial hunting. It is important to note that serial production was carried out in 1970 - 1975. Before the start of mass production, the IZH-26 successfully proved itself in special tests, which proved a high level of reliability and functionality. As a result, the gun was produced in mass and piece versions. Users noted that the technical data corresponded to the best foreign gun models, due to which the demand for the model was very high.
Izhmekh never created a reliable and beautiful gun
Photo by Anton Zhuravkov.
Once during a spring hunt in 1962, I carelessly broke the right firing pin of an IZH-54.
I went to Leningrad and in Gostiny Dvor I found a new 16-caliber IZH-58 shotgun, which replaced the IZH-26.
There was nothing else from the horizontal lines.
I bought it and continued my spring hunt.
Model IZH-58 is a shotgun with horizontal barrels. The barrels and fore-end are detachable. The Anson-Dealey type lock is mounted in a block.
The barrels are locked in three ways - with a Perde locking bar on two under-barrel hooks and a control lever on the upper (small) hook. Mainsprings are spiral, cylindrical.
They are pumped when the gun is opened. The big news for hunters is that the triggers and firing pins are one and the same. After the firing pin broke in the IZH-54, I considered this a good design decision.
IZH-58 was produced in 16 gauge with barrel length (mm) - 720–730, chamber length - 70; choke constrictions: right barrel 0.5 mm, left 1 mm. The fuse is non-automatic and locks the sear.
The stock is pistol, semi-pistol, straight, made of birch, beech and walnut, the weight of the gun is 3.2–3.3 kg. The trigger mechanism is mounted on a separate base, with two triggers.
In 1970, production of the IZH-58M 12-gauge shotgun with a non-automatic safety was launched. In 1977, the IZH-58M model was modernized and they began to produce IZH-58MA shotguns with an automatic fuse, and then IZH-58MAE with an automatic fuse and an ejector mechanism.
Read the material “Educational program: who can’t afford imported guns”
It should be noted that the guns of these models were the latest double-barreled shotguns from Izhmekh with a triple locking mechanism, decent external shapes and reliable in operation.
I know many hunters who still hunt with IZH-58 rifles today and have no intention of changing them. After IZH-54 it didn’t get through to me. The first thing I did was test the gun. Indicators of accuracy and sharpness of combat turned out to be close to the passport values. This satisfied me completely.
Shooting on the bench with the 16-caliber IZH-58, I easily fulfilled the 3rd category standard, which, unfortunately, I was not always able to do with the IZH-54. And on the hunt I almost never made mistakes. I got used to this handy and lightweight gun and completely abandoned the IZH-54.
By that time I had become completely interested in clay pigeon shooting. I sold IZH-54 and IZH-58 and bought an IZH-12 gun with barrels located in a vertical plane. At the end of the 1970s. The IZH-58MA gun was modernized and was replaced by the IZH-43.
The main changes affected the trigger and safety mechanism. The gun has a bolt design with a Perde frame locking it onto two under-barrel hooks. The fuse is automatic. This model is distinguished by its simplicity, reliable design and high degree of safety, but, unfortunately, it is very unprepossessing.
This is how J. Berton, author of the book “Hunting Weapons of the World”, spoke about it: “IZH-43. An industrial double-barreled shotgun manufactured in Russia. The cheapest on the market and at the same time one of the most reliable: you can fire many shots from it without any problems. What a pity that it is so ugly and its external decoration is so bad!”
The IZH-43 shotgun served as the basis for the creation of a whole family: IZH-43E, IZH-43-1S, IZH-43E-1S, IZH-43K and IZH-43KN. I consider it necessary to dwell on the last two models in more detail.
Read the material “Don’t fill your safe with an arsenal of weapons”
IZH-43K is a shotgun with internal triggers. Their cocking and inflation of the mainsprings is carried out by external “cocking knots”, which at a quick glance can be mistaken for external triggers.
IZH-43K was imported to the USA. IZH-43-KN is a further improvement of the basic model and is a real hammer-fired double-barreled shotgun. Thanks to the side boards, the gun has the appearance of a classic gun with external triggers. But the appearance... Excuse me, gentlemen, designers.
Improving the IZH-43, the plant began producing shotguns of the MP-213 model, retaining all the positive developments of the prototype. In this model, you can quickly separate the trigger by pressing the latch located at the rear of it.
Further improvement led to the birth of such models as the MP-213A - a gun with a single-trigger detachable trigger and a push-button shot sequence switch located on the trigger; MP-213V is a shotgun with a universal trigger, which consists of two single-trigger mechanisms connected into one block, each with a different sequence of shots.
It can be replaced with a single-trigger trigger of the same type as the MP-213A; MP-213ES is a gun with an ejector and an additional trigger. In this gun, the main trigger is universal, and it was additionally supplied with a single-trigger mechanism with a variable sequence of shots.
A hunter grew up in the family. By this time, Izhmekh, having carried out the “modernization” of the IZH-12, which was loved by hunters, in 1970 launched the production of the IZH-27 sideflint. In 1978, I purchased a custom IZH-27. I'm lucky. The gun had a good action, but in appearance it was inferior to the IZH-12.
Read the material “Legendary folk gun: horizontal IZH-58”
It should be noted that the design thought continued the “modernization” of this gun. The IZH-27 model was intended not only for hunting; the engineers also took care of athletes.
To teach skeet shooting skills, the plant launched the production of IZH-27SK and IZH-27ESK (skeet), IZH-27ST and IZH-27EST (trap), and since the late 70s of the last century, IZH-27M-1S and IZH guns have been produced for them -27EM-1S and IZH-27EM-1S “Sporting”.
The IZH-27M shotgun with two blocks of barrels of caliber 12/76 725 mm long and 20/76 600 mm long with an oval-screw drill (Lancaster) aroused interest, with good accuracy of fire with a heavy expansive bullet at distances up to 100 m, and with shot quite satisfactory indicators at 20–25 m.
This unit was equipped with an open sight, adjustable horizontally and vertically. On the body of the box there is a device for installing an optical sight. Weight of the gun is 3.4 kg.
Subsequently, the IZH-27 gun was modernized. It was replaced by MP-233. A shotgun with two autonomous triggers, MP-233A with a single-trigger trigger, with shot sequence switching, MP-233B with a universal trigger with two triggers, each trigger works on both barrels and in a different sequence.
When you press the front trigger, a shot will fire from the lower barrel, when you press it again from the top, when you press the rear trigger for the first time, a shot will fire from the upper barrel, and when you press it again, from the bottom.
Read the material “High accuracy is not always needed”
MP-233ES is a model equipped with an ejector mechanism and an attached additional trigger. The main mechanism is universal, as in the MP-233B model, and the additional one is single-trigger with a variable sequence of shots.
MP-233EA "Sporting" caliber 12/76 with a barrel length of 750 mm with interchangeable muzzle devices and perforations at the muzzle of the barrels to reduce muzzle pressure.
Analyzing past hunts with different guns, I come to the conclusion that modern double-barreled guns with barrels located in horizontal and vertical planes were inferior to such guns as IZH-54, IZH-57, IZH-26, IZH-41, IZH-58 and IZH-12.
And no matter how Izhevsk gunsmiths convince hunters that they are superior to their predecessors, it’s hard to believe. Although they use interchangeable muzzle “devices”, chambers have been enlarged to 76 mm, and easily detachable triggers with two triggers and one trigger have been introduced (which, by the way, is typical for high-class guns).
Double-barreled shotguns with horizontal barrels with external cockers and external hammers, but they remained unpresentable “shooters” and do not lead to a “revolution” in the arms business. The reason is simple - low consumer properties.
Read the material “Vertical gun IZH-12: a prominent representative of domestic hunting weapons”
Evaluating these modifications, we can say that Izhmekh’s designers “felt” their luck. They managed to launch the production of quite decent double-barreled shotguns with barrels connected in both horizontal and vertical planes, and various triggers.
It is also positive that Izhevsk residents offered hunters and novice athletes such a variety of hunting and sporting smooth-bore weapons that we did not have before.
But they failed to create a reliable gun worthy of admiration and pride for the Russian weapons school.
Victor Gurov August 2, 2022 at 05:24
IZH-27
The classic version is the IZH-27 gun. It gained popularity among those who tried to successfully engage in hunting activities. Over 30 years of serial production, more than one and a half million copies were produced. It should be noted that the manufacturer has successfully developed the design, guaranteeing a high level of reliability.
Advantages of IZH-27:
- optimal balance;
- stable manifestation of qualities in battle;
- ease of execution;
- high level of design reliability.
IZH-27 is one of the best guns in the high price segment.
Peculiarities. Advantages and disadvantages
The IZH-12 hunting rifle has a number of features regarding the type of cartridges used. Initially, gunsmiths designed product barrels for folder cartridges. When using the “correct” cartridge case, the highest combat efficiency is achieved. It is also possible to use plastic sleeves.
According to hunters, you should not use metal cartridges. Their use leads to an increase in shot fall. The combat decreases, the accuracy of the weapon when firing a bullet is lower than when using soft cartridges.
When the barrels are fired, there is a possibility of the cartridge case swelling and jamming in the chamber. But at the same time, metal sleeves are more economical than plastic. So here the choice is rather up to the hunter.
Advantages:
- unprecedented simplicity of the entire design. Gunsmiths managed to avoid the introduction of complex mechanical components, which led to ease of maintenance of the IZH-12;
- recommended for a novice hunter, low weight of the gun, low price and inexpensive ammunition, at the same time good response and reliability;
- high reliability and reliability. According to the official passport, the weapon is designed for 10,000 shots, but in practice this figure doubles;
- design. Despite its status as a consumer product, the weapon looks good. There is an engraving on metal parts. The wood is sanded to a medium level;
- low cost. Although the product has been discontinued, you can buy it at an affordable price;
Negative sides:
- tendency for cracks to form in the forend bath, due to the fact that the barrels are deeply recessed in it, the walls of the forend are quite thin;
- the triggers are located very close to each other, which prevents a quick second shot;
- wide aiming bar, which is inconvenient for aiming and requires getting used to.
In particular, the problem with a “fragile” forend can be solved by replacing it with plastic or wood with thicker walls, but this requires additional expenses.
Currently, there are a huge number of weapons workshops that can bring any weapon to the “Holland and Holland” level, so all minor problems can be solved.
The only question is to shoot the barrels of the remaining samples of these weapons.
Is it worth bringing the gun back to normal or is it easier to buy a new one?
IZH-58
This 2-barreled weapon is made in a horizontal form. It is possible to use the following caliber options:
- 12;
- 16;
- 20;
The model appeared thanks to L.I. Pugachev. From the very beginning, IZH-58 proved itself very well, which made it possible to guarantee its production for more than 30 years. These days you can find some versions of the legendary model. It should be noted that many copies were produced with twelve and sixteen calibers, but the model was originally conceived for 20 and 28. Shotguns with 28 caliber were not offered in series. In 1987, the model largely replaced the IZH-43.
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.
Combined shotgun IZH-94
This model is based on the IZH-27M. In this case, the gun is distinguished by the presence of vertical barrels. The lower rifled barrel guarantees the possibility of using powerful cartridges. A stable and stable position is guaranteed thanks to the robust design, which guarantees the ability to successfully withstand dynamic loads during shots.
IZH shotguns are legendary designs that are ready to delight with numerous advantages and optimal technical data.
