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Russian hunting weapons: review, description, device, photos and reviews

  • April 24, 2019
  • Weapons and ammunition
  • Natali Michaelis

Russian hunting weapons have always been famous for their high reliability and good technical characteristics. In addition, most samples have a very reasonable price, which allows almost any hunter to purchase them. For our guns, you can use any cartridges, unlike their American counterparts, which must be “fed” with branded ammunition. In this article you will find descriptions and reviews from hunters about the most popular models of smoothbore weapons in Russia.

Types of smoothbore weapons

As a rule, for most people, Russian smooth-bore weapons are associated with classic double-barreled shotguns, which were used by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. The main design feature of such guns is the presence of two barrels at once, which allows you to use two types of ammunition at once during hunting: in one barrel you can have a cartridge loaded with shot, and in the other - a lead bullet. This allows for effective shooting at various distances.

Double-barreled shotguns can also be classified according to the location of the barrels: horizontal and vertical. As a rule, this does not affect combat characteristics in any way, however, each variety has its own pros and cons. “Verticals” provide good sighting, but have a large windage, which does not allow them to be used in strong winds. “Horizontal sights” do not have this drawback, but a front sight that is too wide sometimes obscures the silhouette of prey at long distances.

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Classification by recharging method

Have you decided to purchase a Russian hunting rifle? You should know that this type of weapon is usually classified not only by the location of the barrels. Depending on the reloading method, weapons are divided into four main types:

  • semi-automatic;
  • automatic;
  • turning point;
  • shutter

A double-barreled shotgun with a breaking mechanism is considered a kind of ideal among hunters. There may be several reasons for this: convenient design, high build quality, the possibility of self-service, durability, and so on.

Models with automatic and semi-automatic reloading, as a rule, have a special container (magazine) from which ammunition is supplied. Such options have a more complex design and have an additional channel for the removal of powder gases - it is due to them that the automation works.

Bolt-action models are distinguished by the presence of a special mechanism called a bolt, which is used to eject the spent cartridge case and feed a new cartridge into the chamber. These are semi-automatic reloading models that have a magazine, however, unlike automatic, the hunter will have to put in some effort to reload the gun.

The best breaking high-end hunting rifles

Beretta 486 Parallelo shotgun


(cal. 12x76, barrels 710 mm, English stock)
An excellent combination of absolutely classic style with modern technology involuntarily asks you to change your pouches to a leather bag, and your camouflage cap to a hat with a feather. While maintaining the traditional quality of finishing and maintaining style, Beretta simultaneously offers us a cold-forged block of barrels, soldered using Triblock technology, which ensures high joint rigidity, an easily removable trigger with upgraded V-shaped springs, and a special safety design eliminates shots during falls and in “non-standard” positions - for example, if you get caught on the trigger when carrying a gun while chasing over your shoulder. The chokes are replaceable, Optimachoke HP standard, capable of working with large-number steel shot without risk. For Russia, fortunately, lead is more relevant, but an extra margin of safety won’t hurt, right?

The Italians' hunting rifle turned out to be undoubtedly worthy, and at the same time not quite terrifying in price, like the top models from the same Beretta, which have already crossed the million-ruble mark.
So, adding a little to the rating from connoisseurs of the classic style, we will confidently give it first place. Main advantages
:

  • Excellent build quality and finish
  • Resource
  • Design and ergonomics

Minuses
:

  • Price

Shotgun Sauer Apollon


(cal. 12x76, barrels 760 mm)
Perhaps the Sauer brand in our country will be known longer and better than many, and captured Sauers, especially with “eagles” (stamps placed on guns from 1933 to 1945) are the dream of many collectors . The modern side flint perfectly continues the old traditions of the company - truly German solidity and reliability, which is worth only with the proprietary four-point locking system. The gun's steel weight is 3.45 kg, largely due to the solid box. At the same time, the balance of the gun is set at the correct point, although, of course, for running hunting it makes sense to look at an easier option. And there it is – Sauer Artemis, the “female” version of Apollon.

The USM is single-trigger, with the ability to select the order of shots.
It is possible to adjust the trigger force from 1.8 to 2.2 kg, the mechanism itself works flawlessly. Main advantages
:

  • Adjustable trigger
  • Rigid barrel locking system

Minuses
:

  • Quite cheap wood on par with Turkish rifles

IZH-59/MR-59

IZH-59 “Sputnik” is one of the oldest models of hunting weapons in Russia, which has established itself as a reliable companion for hunters. More than 50 years have passed since the release of this model, but it is still very popular among hunters. This vertical double-barreled shotgun has excellent technical characteristics that allow it to be used by a hunter of almost any size and build.

The design feature of the IZH-59 is the presence of two trigger mechanisms, which can be quickly removed into the receiver and, if necessary, the weapon can be cleaned. The model has a non-automatic fuse, which is closed with a sear. And a fairly convenient sighting bar allows you to use the weapon both for clay pigeon shooting and for hunting.

Judging by reviews from owners, the gun is capable of firing more than 30 thousand shots before any breakdown occurs. This is an incredibly high figure for a double-barreled shotgun released in 1964. In addition, the gun has virtually no negative reviews, which indicates the incredible reliability of this model.

Best Assault Shotguns for Hunting

Carbine Vepr-12


(version VPO-205-03, barrel 305 mm)
Perhaps, only in this market segment do Russian gunsmiths have no serious competition and are not expected to - having combined the proven and reliable “Kalashnikov” design with smooth-bore calibers, Izhevsk designers in their time, as they say, created a trend. Well, the Vyatka-Polyansky “Hammer”, taking as a base not an AK, like the Izhevsk people with their “Saiga”, but a RPK, created the “Vepr” - the most reliable and high-quality assembled domestic “Kalashoid”, loved by both “self-defense fighters” and IPSC shooters .

The “pig” (as it is popularly called) is produced in several configurations - from the “shortened” 205-03 with a barrel as much as 305 mm long, which when fired due to the roar and muzzle flash resembles a pocket howitzer, to a monstrous “anti-aircraft gun” with a barrel 680 mm, to which is also added the considerable length of the receiver. Especially for IPSC shooters, a sports version of the Vepr-12 SP is produced with “factory tuning” - a telescopic butt, an effective DTK and other modifications.

“Veprey” has both, and not a very pleasant one.
We have already mentioned that the principles of Boris Razor at Hammer are honored and respected. That is why even the shortest-barreled “pig” weighs more than 4 kilograms with an empty magazine. Main advantages
:

  • Good in principle, and even excellent quality for Russia
  • An abundance of varied tuning
  • Durability and reliability

Minuses
:

  • Solid weight
  • There is no standard “Kalashnikov” side rail, instead there is a Picatinny rail on the loose receiver cover
  • Problems with reloading on small loads for short-barreled models

Saiga-12K carbine


(cal. 12x76, version 030 with a plastic butt)
Created as an exclusively hunting weapon (hence the name - a carbine was created back in the 1970s for shooting saigas), "Saiga" is moving more and more confidently into the niche of "tactical weapons": a choice of semi-automatic weapons for hunters is now huge, and “Kalashoids”, whatever one may say, have very specific ergonomics, and the target audience of buyers has made the word “saiga breeder” almost a dirty word among hunters.

The current Saigas are even structurally superior to their progenitor, the AK, in some ways - for example, they have a bolt delay that speeds up the reloading of the weapon.
However, alas, the traditional attitude of Izhevsk residents towards civilian products is taking its toll: any search engine for the request “saiga modification” will return a kilometer-long list of operations that cannot be performed on many guns, and even need to be done. In terms of quality, the Izhevsk “Kalashoids” are noticeably inferior to the Vyatka-Polyansky ones, and in favor of the “Saiga” is only a more affordable price and a number of design features that facilitate tuning - nevertheless, having an AK-like receiver at the base, the list of compatible body kit elements is larger, than the "Vepry" with a RPK barrel. Main advantages
:

  • A rich list of previously produced and current configurations in calibers from .410 to 12
  • Affordable tuning, whether for IPSC needs or “for fun”
  • “Chewed” instructions for “peeling” over many years

Minuses
:

  • Assembly flaws that are traditional for Izhevsk, making “finishing with a file” almost a folk custom of “saiga breeders”
  • To put it mildly, very controversial ergonomics of “hunting versions”

IZH-12

This Russian hunting weapon is a modernized version of the model described above. It would be pointless to repeatedly praise the gun or describe the design features, so let's immediately move on to the differences between these two samples:

  • higher quality silver solder between the stem channels;
  • reduced barrel length – 720 millimeters;
  • presence of an automatic fuse.

Many hunters still believe that this 12-gauge double-barreled shotgun is considered the standard of Russian hunting weapons and no model has yet surpassed it in technical characteristics. Perhaps this is true. However, we should not forget that any hunter chooses a weapon depending on his individual preferences, so the majority opinion does not mean that the IZH-12 is suitable for absolutely everyone.

IZH-27/MR-27

Modification of IZH-12, which was released in 1972. The length of the barrels of this double-barreled shotgun varies from 675 to 750 millimeters, depending on the caliber: 12, 16, 20 and 32. This weapon has an improved forearm shape so that the hunter can conduct targeted shooting at birds and small fur-bearing animals from a distance of more than 40 meters.

Also, the IZH-27's safety system was improved with a trigger interceptor. Now the possibility of an accidental shot is almost completely eliminated, even when the double-barreled gun falls to the ground. Judging by reviews on the Internet, the shooting life reaches 20 thousand shots or more.

IZH-54/MR-54

Double-barreled 12-gauge horizontal rifle, produced from 1955 to 1970. The length of the barrels is 750 millimeters, which maintains the accuracy of the shot even at a distance of more than 50 meters. The predecessor of the model was the IZH-52 16-caliber shotgun, which was distinguished by good performance.

This type of hunting weapon is distinguished by the presence of a trigger trigger, which allows for a smoother shot. The trigger mechanism is located at the top of the block. Judging by the reviews, the gun has a fairly comfortable stock that absorbs recoil well, but the survivability of the model leaves much to be desired - only 6-7 thousand shots.

The best breaking hunting rifles

Shotgun MP-27M


(cal. 12x76, walnut, 725 mm barrels, replaceable chokes) Our rating of the best guns for hunting opens with the work of the Izhevsk masters MP-27M.
A double-barreled shotgun is usually purchased for a long time, and here a choice arises: overpay for reliability or choose a model with easily accessible spare parts. Considering that now even Turkish breakthrough guns are slowly but surely approaching the border of the budget class, and guns like the Ata Arms SP have actually gone into the “middle class”, the Izhevsk sideflint does not lose popularity: back in the days of the Soviet Union, when it was called Izh- 27, he became the record holder for the number of models produced - more than one and a half million. There are many modifications of the gun available - from budget versions in plastic to one-piece guns with rich decorative trim, approaching in price the well-known abbreviation BBB. There is a choice in calibers, trigger options, and barrel lengths. Recently, you can inexpensively turn a gun into an “almost combined” one within the framework of a “smoothbore” license by purchasing an insert barrel for the caliber. 366 - although it is called “under-rifled”, it showed itself well during the hunt. Well, let’s finish the list of assets with a well-studied (no wonder - the model is exactly 45 years old) construction.

True, traditionally for Izhevsk, mass-produced guns require attention when purchasing: there is a risk of encountering pulled barrels and crooked slats, and the difference in muzzle thickness is officially recognized by the factory as not being included in the list of defects.
Wood has been the same for almost half a century and has already been habitually called a “stick” and a “paddle” - it doesn’t fit well on generic guns, but ergonomically... Okay, let’s not talk about the bad stuff, fortunately the amount of “meat” on the stock allows you to adjust the gun “to your needs.” " Main advantages
:

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  • One of the most affordable side flints with a good margin of safety and available spare parts
  • A large number of execution options

Minuses
:

  • Mediocre ergonomics for most shooters
  • Average build quality (“refinement with a file” after purchase for Russian weapons, alas, the norm)

Shotgun CZ Mallard


(cal. 12x76, barrels 760 mm, replaceable chokes)
The CZ brand (Česká zbrojovka) has been well known in our country since Soviet times, but nostalgia in this case can result in disappointment: like most modern budget guns for hunting, CZ Mallard is produced in Turkey, and on the reverse side of the engraving “CZ-USA” you can find “Huglu, Made in Turkey”. Of course, recently the quality of Turkish weapons has increased significantly, but despising the Turks on weapons forums has become as obligatory as the Chinese on car forums.

In terms of build quality and fit, the gun is undoubtedly noticeably superior to Izhevsk gross guns. The fact is that the Turkish arms industry makes money on guns, and does not produce them as an “add-on” to the main profile, as has been our custom for a long time. Therefore, optimization of production, a modern machine park for Turkish gunsmiths are not empty words, and the CZ Mallard is pleasant to hold in your hands: the gun itself has a good weight distribution, the interchangeable chokes are installed conscientiously, and the mechanics work on most guns as expected without the obligatory purchase of a set of needle files. The “most” clause, alas, is inevitable – in the budget class, weapons should always be chosen with close attention.

I am pleased with the manufacturer’s attention to customer reviews: if initially the wood of the gun was covered with a soft and easily scratched varnish, now Mallard Gen.2 has already appeared in stores - their wood is impregnated with oil (which, in general, is typical for higher-class guns), and double-barreled shotguns got rid of the old problem radically.
Main advantages
:

  • Decent build quality and fit of parts
  • Good weight distribution even with long barrels
  • Five interchangeable Mobilchoke chokes

Minuses
:

  • Possible problems with repairs and finding spare parts

What to look for in reviews?

It’s no secret that Russian used hunting weapons are sold on the Internet on special websites. You can also read reviews from owners about a particular model on various forums, but many of them can be very contradictory. Which comments should you pay attention to, and which should you ignore?

Firstly, you should never listen to laudatory reviews that were written within a few days of purchasing Russian hunting weapons. The man has not yet had time to really use the new gun, but he is already writing about how “ideal” and “super quality” it is. Secondly, many owners begin to talk about the shortcomings of the gun, which are associated with their personal preferences: too much weight, too wide a front sight, a wooden butt instead of a plastic one, and so on. Still, it’s worth looking at the technical specifications in the weapons passport before buying a unit for hunting...

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