The MP-155 is an ideological development of the legendary MP-153 gun, which, in turn, was a creative rethinking of Beretta’s reliable gas-operated automatics on the successful chassis of another popular gun - the IZH-81 pump.
It was originally designed for the American market with its dominance of supermagnums, and was very much loved by Americans for its price and reliability. The gun has found great popularity in hunting, sports, and even appeared in several computer games.
MP-153 has become one of the most popular shotguns for IPSC in the “standard” class due to the low cost of spare parts and ease of maintenance
.
Well, in its homeland it became the most popular “goose” and the most widespread semi-automatic among hunters.
The design is based on a wedge-locking bolt and an annular gas piston located around the magazine tube. The system was extremely simple, reliable and had an excessive resource, for which you had to pay with weight - the gun in plastic weighed 3.5 kg. The gas block is equipped with an automatic valve, so it accepts all weights from supermagnum to sports 24 grams, although on the latter the automation can be capricious and will need to be adjusted.
Of course, the MP-153 also had its drawbacks, taking into account which Izhmekh created the current iteration of this gun - the MP-155.
Differences between MP-153 and MP-155
The most serious changes affected the size and weight of the receiver: the chamber was reduced to 76mm (in the basic version) and the removal of metal in non-critical places made it possible to lighten and shorten the receiver.
The next important feature is the transfer of gas exhaust mechanisms to the gas chamber, changing the piston and thrust. This significantly affected the weight and balance of the gun, now the weight did not exceed 3.25 kg. Due to the change in the recoil vector, the gun began to kick less, and the accuracy during tempo shooting increased.
External differences between MP-155 and MP-153 (above)
Changes also affected the trigger: there are fewer parts in it, and it has become lighter due to the use of polyamide in the base. The descent became shorter and drier.
All control units have become larger and more convenient, making it possible to easily operate the gun with gloves. A cut-off device has been added to the units: it allows you to block the feed to the tray and quickly send the desired cartridge through the ejection window.
The high sight rail became much more convenient - there was no longer a need to aim low, the gun became more versatile. A dovetail was added - it became possible to install additional sighting devices directly on the receiver, without fiddling with spacers at the base of the butt.
The design of the gun also changed - it began to look much nicer and more modern.
Cost and reviews
The price is not very high, it can vary from 23 to 28 thousand rubles.
According to buyers, the MP-155 has excellent and high-quality combat. There is a slight recoil when fired.
Quite often you come across low-quality models; when the gun is assembled, it is difficult to understand.
Or there are weapons with a broken handle, which cannot but upset buyers. During a hunt, the handle can be held quite loosely, so stocking up on extra ones won’t hurt.
It is recommended to supply cartridges that are loaded with an asterisk. The length of the gun is standard 1140-1280 mm, it fits nicely in the hand. The shot range is approximately 3 m.
What is the MP-155 shotgun suitable for?
As we mentioned above, first of all, the gun attracted the attention of goose hunters. The long barrel and cartridges with large loads are perfect for catching a goose on the fly: a good, dense sheaf reliably hits a goose that is tough to wound, even at a relatively high altitude. Of course, the gun is good not only for him, but also for all other flight hunting.
The gun is also suitable for driving: thanks to the omnivorous nature of the automation and reliable reloading, it allows you not to miss the animal’s exit to the number.
For running hunting, the gun may seem a little heavy, although there are quite a lot of fans of this use.
In addition to hunting, the MP-155 is also used in sports, including practical shooting in the standard class. Cheap spare parts and ease of maintenance during colossal sports shootings are a very significant argument.
Device, principle of operation and purpose
The MP 155 shotgun has a classic reloading scheme with a side-mounted gas engine. The energy of the muzzle gases is spent on reloading the gun and ejecting the spent cartridge case. The gun is equipped with a muzzle gas pressure regulator. To work with light ammunition, you can increase the reload speed by tightening the valve spring using the adjusting nut. When firing powerful, heavy cartridges, it is necessary, on the contrary, to weaken the spring, thereby reducing the gas pressure.
Diagram of the MP 155 shotgun
The gun has a wide range of uses. First of all, this is amateur and commercial hunting, self-defense and shooting practice. The model gained enormous popularity as a weapon for sport shooting.
Advantages and disadvantages of the MP-155 shotgun
Now the gun has to compete with Turkish manufacturers, who have filled the market with similar semi-automatic guns at a comparable price. But still, the MP-155 has advantages over imported guns:
- Simple design of automation and shutter with wedge locking. The simpler the better, especially when it comes to weapons that must be reliable;
- A huge number of cheap and accessible spare parts, simple and quick repairs. For those who shoot often and a lot, this is important;
- Excess resource. With careful care, the gun will most likely go to your children, and maybe even grandchildren;
- Simplicity and accessibility of modifications. A huge number of accessories, additional equipment and body kits have been produced for the gun. If desired, you can use it to assemble both a sports “blaster” and a menacing-looking tactical shotgun.
Of course, there are also disadvantages, but they are rather typical for all domestic weapons in general.
- Low quality of finishing and fitting of parts. The jokes about the “file included” didn’t just appear out of the box; the gun needed some work out of the box;
- The need for “break-in” for the normal development of automation components; the gun begins to reliably reload after 150-200 shots;
- Poor coating of metal parts; oxidized steel quickly becomes covered with saffron milk caps, especially if care is neglected.
Varieties
The MP-155 hunting weapon comes in two types of calibration, 12 and 20. The handle is made of high-quality wood or any shockproof plastic.
The 12-gauge MP-155 may have a folding version, or it may come with a pistol grip, it all depends on desires and financial capabilities.
There are several barrel options, some of them equipped with a front sight.
Not all models have the ability to intercept cartridges. There are also weapons with several types of handles, to suit every taste.
Tips for buying MP-155
If the Murka is your first gun, then you should choose the plastic version, in caliber 12x76 with a barrel length of 710. This option will allow you to try absolutely all types of hunting, as well as achieve your first results in the sport.
How to choose the best gun from several offered in the store? There are some tips:
This is what concentric circles look like on a straight trunk
And here the alignment is broken
- Check the alignment of the muzzle device with the bore. There should be no scoring or irregularities at the transition of the barrel to the choke; you need to check on both sides;
- Chamber transition cone. When viewed from both sides there should be no sharp distortions or deviations; the shadow ring should be round and symmetrical;
- Checking with a sleeve without a primer. Concentric rings will help identify irregularities in the trunk, if any;
- Sighting bar. Check the soldering points, they should be smooth, without voids or drips. The bar should be visually level;
- Gas chamber soldering area. The same thing - no voids or drips.
Defects in the soldering of the sighting bar - loose seam, cavities and voids
Be prepared for the fact that you will have to work a little with your hands - these guns don’t always shoot the way you want out of the box. Here are some tips for depreservation and initial “peeling”:
- After purchase, before leaving for the shooting range, disassemble and remove excess lubricant - Izhmekh generously pours preservative into its products, and it can ruin clothes;
- Apply dry lubricant to the shutter guides and rod - this will improve the stability of the automation and significantly increase the service life of the parts;
- If possible, polish the surface of the rod with a mirror - this also affects the stability of operation;
- After purchasing a gun and before going hunting, you should “break in” it. To do this, you need to fire 100-150 shots with magnum-mounted cartridges so that all the parts get used to it and “work together.”
The rod needs to be ground from the ends, otherwise it may bite and refuse to reload cartridges with low impulse
MAKSIMOV.SU
In the previous article, we started talking about the new Izhevsk semi-automatic machine - MP-155.
The article turned out to be quite large; it was inappropriate to shorten the material, so it had to be divided into 2 parts.
Today we
We are finishing the story about domestic self-loading, which has already gained popularity among Russian hunters.
Hunting with an MP-155 shotgun
MP-155
Design features
Automation MP-155
Powered by a side-mounted gas engine. The unit for regulating the pressure of powder gases in the engine, which ensures reliable operation of the gun with a wide range of ammunition, is located in the piston.
Transfer
an adjustment unit from the barrel post (as was the case in its predecessor) into the piston made it possible to reduce the weight of the barrel, while the weight of the piston remained the same.
Here
It must be clarified that in the MP-153 the piston was made massive in order to provide a good supply of kinetic energy in the moving parts. This is necessary for trouble-free operation in difficult conditions (dirt, frost, ice).
Shotgun MP-155
On the piston
There is an adjusting nut that tightens the valve spring. The valve spring presses on the valve, which, when a certain gas pressure is reached, moves, compressing the valve spring, and releases some of the gases from the engine into the atmosphere.
Technologically
It is difficult and expensive to make valve springs exactly the same, so their parameters may differ slightly.
Depending
Depending on the spring performance, they are marked in different colors. When assembling the piston in accordance with the color marking, rotating the adjusting nut achieves the same spring preload force.
After
When the gun is running in after 100-200 shots, it is recommended to unscrew the nut 1-2 turns (to loosen the spring preload and thereby reduce the rollback speed of the moving parts).
MP-155 shotgun, barrel removed
Besides,
The adjusting nut can be used for troubleshooting or additional adjustment. For example, athletes use cartridges for shooting exclusively with small loads of shot and can tighten the nut all the way and tighten the spring, which maximizes the shutter speed.
Using
powerful ammunition, due to significantly increased speeds, delays may occur, for example, a cartridge not leaving the magazine. In this case, on the contrary, it may be necessary to weaken the valve spring preload, which will reduce the gas pressure in the chamber and the rollback speed.
Piston
It is not recommended to disassemble it at home, since the valve spring has a very high preload force, and the front nut is tightened with a retaining sealant. To twist it, it is necessary to heat the nut to the depolymerization temperature of the sealant.
Mobile system
of the MP-155 shotgun , disassembled
Receiver
Made from high-strength aircraft grade B95 aluminum. Analogues of this material are used by most manufacturers in the world.
Above
The box has grooves for installing optics or adapter strips. Initially, these were two pairs of grooves, one on one with what was in some versions of the MP-153.
But later
To increase versatility and simplify the selection of a bracket or optics, a flat was introduced on the top of the box, this made it possible to reduce the required height of the bracket supports, and the separate grooves were combined into single ones.
The bolt
of the MP-155 shotgun
Gate
generally similar to that in MP-153. Longitudinal valleys have appeared that serve a decorative function; the gun number and brand are placed on them, and they also help reduce weight.
Is different
extractor; to simplify it, it has become axleless. Sometimes the question arises: what is the extractor for, since most models do without it?
Shutter MP-155
Gun
can work without a extractor, but provided that it is a high-quality cartridge with a rigid edge of an ideal shape. Cartridges of poor quality sometimes have a sloping rim.
She also
can swell greatly and change its shape during the firing process. Then the ejector simply slides off it. The extractor allows you to increase the reliability of the gun.
Shutter MP-155
In MP-155
new functions have appeared. The first is a mechanism for cutting off the supply of cartridges from the magazine, located on the left side of the receiver and designed for the convenience of replacing a cartridge from the chamber.
For example,
you have cartridges with a certain shot number in the chamber and magazine. It was necessary to fire a cartridge from another equipment.
Procedure
will be as follows: turn on the cut-off by turning the cut-off flag back, press the holder button, jerk the bolt, and the cartridge will be thrown out of the box, and the bolt will engage the bolt stop.
Invested
the required cartridge through the window to eject the spent cartridge case, press the interceptor button - the bolt will send the cartridge into the chamber and block the barrel.
You can shoot. MP-155. Mechanism for cutting off the supply of cartridges from the magazine
At first sight
the procedure is not much simpler than on guns without a cut-off mechanism. The benefit becomes noticeable when you need to fire several shots in a row with other cartridges: after each shot, the bolt will engage in a slide stop. You need to insert another cartridge, press the interceptor button - and you can shoot.
If
There is no need to cut off cartridges in the magazine; you just need to push the cut-off flag forward with your thumb. In this case, the cartridge will automatically come out of the magazine, the bolt will send it into the chamber and block the barrel. The gun is ready to fire. Only when turning off, you should never hold down the cut-off flag - this can lead to a cartridge not being released from the magazine.
You just need
Move the flag slightly and it will return to the off state on its own. It is not recommended to disassemble the cut-off mechanism, since the screw securing the cut-off spring is tightened with a sealant lock and there is a risk of tearing off the screw slot.
MP-155.
Mechanism for cutting off the supply of cartridges from the magazine
At MP-155
it became possible to adjust the retraction of the butt, both vertical and horizontal. The butt itself does not have a horizontal outlet, it is symmetrical.
As delivered
An insert is installed on the gun between the butt and the receiver, which ensures that the butt is retracted to the right.
Plastic trigger housing and safety button
Can
turn this insert over, and then the outlet will be to the left - this is convenient for left-handed shooters. Two inserts are supplied with the gun, one increases the vertical offset by approximately 7 mm, the second reduces it by the same amount.
Initially
Inserts were made of metal, then switched to plastic.
Earbuds
can be installed together or separately. The gun is equipped with a butt plate of a new design, which can effectively dampen the recoil of a lightweight gun.
Eat
2 standard sizes of butt pads, differing in length by 1 cm. Thus, by replacing the butt pad, you can adjust the length of the butt.
Handguard
The new gun has also undergone transformation. It became conical in shape, tapering towards the muzzle. Now, in the hand-grip area, the fore-end has a thin cross-section, which makes it easier to hold. And to ensure strength, the fore-end thickens toward the rear.
The gun can be crafted
designed for left-handed shooters. Its difference: the operating order of the safety is reversed, the butt release is on the left, the window for ejecting the cartridge case and the handle are also located on the left.
During the design process
every detail, every element of the gun was worked out for manufacturability and weight minimization, without losing strength.
Gun
It turned out to be light, comfortable, with an original and recognizable design. The weight of a gun with a wood barrel and 12x76 caliber is on average 3.05 kg, and 3.15 kg in 12x89 caliber. In plastic the mass is 100 g higher.
Even during the production of MP-153
the question arose about the possibility of creating a 20-caliber self-loading rifle on its basis. But this idea was quickly abandoned, since in order to make a gun of acceptable weight and dimensions, the gun would have to be completely redesigned.
In the technical specifications
On the MP-155, a modification of the gun in 20 caliber was immediately agreed upon. Today, work on debugging the MP-155 version of 20x76 caliber is already in its final stage. The weight of this modification will be no more than 2.9 kg.
On the base
From the MP-155 self-loading shotgun, the MP-135 pump-action shotgun was created. The main difference between the MP-135 and the MP-133 pump-action shotgun is its unification with the MP-155.
As a result
and the weight of the new pump has become significantly lower, approximately 2.9 kg per tree. The versions of the MP-135 shotgun can be the same as the MP-155 with the following differences.
Added
options with barrel length 510 and 540 mm. The MP-133 shotgun had a bolt stop, i.e. After the cartridges were used up, the bolt and fore-end were locked in the rear position; to unlock it, you had to press the interceptor button.
Some consumers
expressed a desire to have a gun without a bolt stop, and the MP-135 has the possibility of manufacturing it in this version.
Currently
A pistol grip and a new folding stock are being developed. The folding stock used on the MP-153 was reliable and functional, using elements from the AK-74M.
But for
smoothbore gun, with significantly greater recoil than on a machine gun, it turned out to be not very convenient. It is planned that the new stock will become more convenient and suitable for use in a left-handed version.
Work in progress
and to create a modification of the gun for practical shooting. It turned out that the enlarged holder button, more convenient for hunter shooters, does not suit sports shooters at all: when quickly loading the button, you can accidentally press the button, which will cause a hitch and loss of time in the exercise. These and other requirements will be taken into account in the new modification.
While creating
The new gun could not avoid some childhood illnesses, but work to eliminate shortcomings and improve the model is carried out constantly and promptly. Models of self-loading shotguns from other manufacturers create serious competition, especially Turkish ones in the lower price range.
But
The undeniable advantage of our weapons remains: reliability, reliability and durability, ensured by a proven design and high-quality materials.
Sabirzyanov Marat Shamilevich, one of the developers of the MP-155 shotgun
Conclusion
Surely
The reader, especially the potential owner of the MP-155, will have a question about the comparative characteristics of the Murka. If you try to compare the MP-155 with its main Western-made competitors, you get the following.
Guns
Italian manufacturers, who today are called trendsetters in rifle fashion, have excellent ergonomics, excellent performance characteristics, and a high level of finishing.
This
is the result of an advanced design school, the most advanced technologies, and the powerful economy of weapons companies (which did not have a devastating period like our “troubled 90s”). When compared with Italian shotguns, the MP-155 is inferior primarily in the level of finishing and quality of surface treatment.
But in terms of
technical excellence, performance characteristics, reliability and options offered, the weapons of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant look very worthy and may be superior in some places.
But the price
for any gun made in Italy, start at about 50 and can exceed 100 thousand rubles. The MP-155 is several times cheaper and therefore is in a completely different price category, and it is not entirely correct to consider these “Italians” as competitors.
The situation is more complicated (for MP-155),
when compared to guns made in Turkey. The prices for them are already comparable to the price of MP-155. The level of finishing is very high, the quality is constantly improving.
Yet again
— the objective advantages of the MP-155 are high-quality materials, reliability and durability. Here our product is in conditions of fierce competition.
Certainly,
time and the market will show who is better and what best meets the needs of customers. But the new domestic “Murka” has every chance of becoming as popular a gun as the previous MP-153 model.
Technical meeting of MP-155 developers,
from left to right: Sabirzyanov Marat Shamilevich, Kalugin Alexander Igorevich, Zayats Oleg Yurievich.
The article was published
in the magazine “Hunting”, January 2014
Reactivation of weapons
After you have purchased this product from Izhevsk gunsmiths, you need to re-preserve it. Namely:
- Using white spirit or kerosene, you must thoroughly rinse the entire gun from dust, dirt and factory grease. There may also be particles of metal shavings - these also need to be carefully removed;
- check how tightly all the connecting pins fit, and if they are not securely fastened, place them on a thread locker or core them;
- Next, clean and lubricate the weapon and this is done simply: a cleaning rod, a brush and a cleaning cloth. We clean the weapon from the breech to the muzzle. Clean not to a “clean barrel”, but to a clean wiping cloth!
If you are going hunting or just shooting, leave the barrel dry; if the weapon is placed in a safe for an indefinite period, go through the barrel with a fluffy brush and oil.
Considering that the design system is the same with many semi-automatic devices from both Russian and foreign manufacturers, there are quite a lot of analogues.
In particular, the closest weapons are from the VPO plant - Bekas Auto and products from Turkish arms factories such as Hatsan, Stoeger, Khan Arms (Khan Arms) or ATA Arms. But as far as the “Turks” are concerned, the quality leaves much to be desired, and the spare parts are not exactly “camilleaux”.
As a result, we can say with confidence that the MP-155 is a fairly good (not without its drawbacks, of course) weapon, in the category of price/quality ratio. It is quite reliable and has good combat. This gun allows both a professional and a beginner just learning the basics of hunting to enjoy accurate shooting. It’s just a pity that anyway, due to the low build quality, you can’t use this weapon without a Russian “file and axe” and some kind of mother.
Gas engine
When compared with the MP-153, we can note a deeply modified unit, where the gas discharge system was moved from the barrel to the piston. The decision is quite correct, because the total mass of metal in such situations works much better and optimally. In addition, cleaning the unit, as well as adjusting or replacing it, becomes much easier. Some concerns may only cause a significant reduction in the soldering area to the gas chamber barrel, which is likely to greatly affect the durability of the parts. In general, a very controversial decision.
As for the choke tubes and the magazine nut, they remained the same, which is why the handguard from the 153rd will be like original on the 155th. The trigger mechanism (trigger mechanism) has become a little lighter, and the shape and location have changed quite noticeably. At the same time, they did not touch the kinematic scheme, leaving everything in its place. The trigger pull is 1.1 mm and 2 kg.
The magazine cutter deserves a special mention and is an excellent apprenticeship even for those who have never used one before. The butt plate has also been somewhat updated, becoming thicker and sporting a complex combination (plastic-rubber).
