Many different models of shooting units have been created for firearms lovers. Therefore, many are interested in what kind of gun should a novice hunter buy? The fact is that each weapon option has both strengths and weaknesses, which are difficult for a beginner to understand. Judging by numerous consumer reviews, the TOZ-200 shotgun is in great demand. This model is suitable for both commercial hunters and sports shooting enthusiasts. Information about the design and tactical and technical characteristics of the TOZ-200 rifle unit is contained in this article.
Introduction to weapons
You will be interested in: Tula gun TOZ-200: description, characteristics, reviews
TOZ-200 is a double-barreled hunting rifle, in which the barrels are located vertically. Produced at a weapons factory in the city of Tula.
This model is considered an atypical hunting weapon. Unlike other shooting units, the over-and-under shotgun is equipped with 76 mm cartridges. According to experts, other models of hunting rifles are not able to withstand their increased charges. To become the owner of TOZ-200, you will have to shell out up to 15 thousand rubles. The weapon is sold with a passport and instructions. Judging by the reviews, the TOZ-200 is not equipped with replaceable choke tubes, maintenance tools and other accessories.
History of creation
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According to experts, the main reason why they began to design this shooting model was that many hunters switched to guns that use ammunition with an enhanced charge. The use of Magnum class cartridges is only possible in shotguns with a reinforced overall design. This, in turn, led to an increase in the weight of the weapon and the length of the barrel. Often, owners of hunting rifles, especially TOZ-34, experienced difficulty disassembling the weapon.
It was technically difficult to make the front trigger function as a special key, with which it would be possible to disconnect the stock from the barrels. Over time, later models began to be equipped with a special flag, which was used as a lever for disconnection. However, with the advent of this separate part, disassembly did not become any easier. It happened that the shooter could accidentally move the flag, as a result of which the gun broke into two halves at the most crucial moment. The basis for the TOZ-200 was the Tula rifle model No. 34. In the new weapon, the designers combined all the strengths of the TOZ-34 with new original solutions.
Tula gun TOZ 200
The Tula TOZ 200 gun has recently appeared on store shelves across the country. The wary attitude of hunters towards the new gun can be explained. In recent years, the products of Russian gunsmiths have caused a lot of criticism, including the popular TOZ 34 shotgun. And many technical solutions of this model have been included in the new model practically unchanged. And yet, the engineers managed to combine already known advantages, proven designs and new original solutions. The TOZ 200 shotgun will still have to pass the difficult test of time in the field.
Older hunters are well aware of how difficult it was to disassemble the TOZ 34 gun from the first batches of production. The good idea that the front trigger could also serve as a key to disconnect the barrels from the stock turned out to be difficult to implement in practice. As a result, a later model appeared with a special flag serving this purpose. And this separate part did not ensure ideal operation of the mechanism during disassembly. There are known cases when a hunter accidentally moved the flag, and the gun fell into two parts in his hands at the most inopportune moment.
Now, the owners of the new TOZ 200 shotgun, created on the basis of the “old-timer,” note that it is very easy to disassemble it. This is facilitated by the barrel coupling element, which serves to lock the gun, borrowed from the MC series sporting shotguns. The designers claim that it also protects the cocking levers from damage.
Perhaps the main reason for the creation of this gun can be called the increasingly widespread use of weapons chambered for cartridges with reinforced charges. In the TOZ 200-12M model, the last letter indicates that the chamber length is 76 mm. It was necessary to strengthen the overall design of the gun, designed for magnum cartridges, which entailed a slight increase in weight - up to 3.6 kg. This was also facilitated by the barrel length of 750 mm.
Compared to the base model, the Tula TOZ 200 gun uses more durable plate-like single-feather mainsprings. In other parts the trigger mechanism is approximately the same.
In the TOZ 200 shotgun, the system for connecting the barrel block to the receiver is also borrowed from the MC series shotguns. It is based on a hinge, which is replaceable. This ensures not only a reliable connection, but also allows you to eliminate the resulting transverse shackle of the trunks. Just like the TOZ 34 shotgun, the new model allows you to adjust the thickness of the frontal plate of the receiver and thereby eliminate the longitudinal shackle. All this is especially true when using a more powerful cartridge: the additional loads that arise “break” the connections of the parts.
Reviews from hunters who managed to shoot from the new gun dispel the mistrust of skeptics in the relatively new Tula hunting model. According to a good half of hunters, among Russian sideflint guns, the TOZ 200 gun is one of the best among ordinary products. The Tula gun has a sharp action and good accuracy of fire. It is believed that TOZ 200 is well suited for hunting geese and animals, including hares. At the same time, the Tula gun, like many others, prefers the traditional removable forend. By the way, disassembling and reassembling guns with a removable forend is more convenient in any conditions.
Other comments made by TOZ 200 owners are also interesting. The standard set of technical characteristics (12 k, 76 mm, choke, semi-choke) gives the TOZ 200 gun the necessary versatility. The workmanship is of good quality. TOZ 200 is actually stronger than the previous model TOZ 34, even in appearance. If you have a good Izhevsk model in your hunting arsenal with gun barrels 750 mm long, there is little point in replacing it with the same type TOZ 200. For walking hunting, the Tula TOZ 200 is a bit heavy, but a lot depends on the shooter’s build and his hiking habits. Among the advantages, the neatness of execution, high-quality walnut, 76 mm chamber, two triggers are especially noticeable. Of the minuses: the gun is quite heavy, there is no ejector, and the butt is too short for many.
The modification of the TOZ-120-20M-1E shotgun leaves a particularly pleasant impression. In this gun, after significant processing of individual components and the design as a whole (mainly through the use of time-tested technical solutions), Tula engineers managed to increase reliability and obtain a good “weight distribution” of the gun.
Based on the Tula TOZ 200 model, a good gun is obtained for beginning hunters in all hunting and sporting disciplines. This especially applies to the survivability of the TOZ 200 model. This gun can be fully repaired, which will eliminate the transverse and longitudinal shank of the barrel block after long-term use of the gun. A combined weapon is being developed on the basis of the TOZ 200 model.
In order for the owner to like the gun, you need to wander a lot with it in the field, sit in hiding, and most importantly, make more successful shots. And when evaluating this rather complex mechanism, we should not forget that the advantages of any gun will manifest themselves if it works in skillful, caring hands. And the cartridges will not only be of high quality, but also match the specific product.
Specifications:
— caliber of the upper and lower barrel 12/76;
— muzzle constriction of the upper barrel: 0, 0/ Cylinder Skeet; 0.5/Modified; 0.75/ Improved Modified; 1, 0/Full;
— muzzle constriction of the lower barrel: 0, 0/ Cylinder Skeet; 0.25/ Improved Cylinder; 0.5/Modified;
— barrel length 750 mm;
— gun length 1180 mm;
— gun weight is about 3.5 kg.
About the design
As a result of frequent firing of cartridges with reinforced charges, the gun mechanism quickly becomes unusable. As a result, the barrel block becomes noticeably looser. To extend the service life of the TOZ-200, Tula developers equipped it with a hinge mechanism.
This device was borrowed from the MC sports model. Thus, thanks to the presence of a hinge and the ability to adjust the thickness of the front plate in the receiver, longitudinal and lateral rolling of the barrels is eliminated. In addition, the connection between the receiver and the receiver block turned out to be stronger. Aiming is carried out using a ventilated bar and a bronze front sight. A shotgun with a fixed fore-end and a semi-pistol-type stock. The buttstock, which the designers borrowed from the TOZ-34, is equipped with a shock-absorbing butt plate. The barrels are unlocked using a standard lever, which is presented in the form of a metal rotating plate. Its location was the top edge of the receiver. The trunks are blocked by a lower latch, which is also called the Perdet bar.
How is the TOZ-200 fundamentally different from other double-barreled guns?
Since it was planned to shoot with Magnum cartridges, the gunsmiths were faced with the task of creating a reliable and durable locking unit that could withstand heavy loads.
As a result of their work, a hinge was created that could be replaced after wear, and the thickness of the front plate was adjusted.
This mechanism allows you to eliminate any looseness of the trunks in the transverse or longitudinal plane. This significantly increases the service life.
It is this design feature that can be considered the most important difference. Besides this, there are some other differences, which we will discuss below.
USM
The trigger mechanism is made as a separate assembly. It has two internal triggers and two triggers. Structurally, it is identical to the TOZ-34 USM. It differs only in the mainsprings. The new gun was equipped with single-leaf leaf springs. This measure was taken to reduce their breakdown. A shot is fired from the lower barrel channel through the front trigger, and from the upper barrel through the rear trigger. The hammers are cocked, and the mainsprings are pressed into position when the barrels are opened. This rifle model is equipped with indicators for platooning. Their location was the top of the box. To prevent accidental shooting, Tula designers equipped the triggers with special interceptors and a non-automatic safety lock that locks the sear. Spent cartridges are removed from the chamber using ejectors-extractors, which are located in the chamber. The hunter only needs to open the trunks.
Characteristics of a powerful double-barreled shotgun
- The barrel of this weapon has a length of 750 mm, which allows shooting at long distances. The chrome plating of the barrel channels and chambers is done to a high standard.
- The muzzle constrictions of a double-barreled shotgun cannot be changed, since they are permanent. At the lower trunk the narrowing is equal to the choke, and at the upper one it corresponds to the half.
- The sighting device is represented by a bronze front sight at the end of the muzzle and a ventilated bar.
- The chambers are 76mm long to accommodate Magnum rounds.
- The hinge can be replaced after wear, and the thickness of the front plate is easy to adjust.
- The gun has two triggers, where the first hook controls the shot from the lower barrel, and the second, accordingly, allows the shot to be fired from the upper barrel.
- Mainsprings have the shape of a plate, which is also called a feather. This type of spring significantly extends service life.
- The weapon has a mechanical safety and cocking indicators.
- The stock is made in the shape of a half-pistol from walnut, and the forend is non-removable.
- The weight of the smoothbore gun reaches 3.6 kg, which is very impressive.
How to use?
To unlock the receiver unit, you need to move the lever to the right side. At the same time, thanks to the hinge mechanism in the trigger mechanism, the triggers will be cocked, and the lever, which is responsible for extraction, will move forward and remove the spent cartridges.
To lock the block, the lever must be placed in its original place. Mostly this happens automatically. If the lever does not move, then the shooter will have to adjust it himself. Since the gun has a mechanical safety lever, if shooting is not planned in the near future, it must be turned down. To smoothly decock a gun, you need to open the case, remove the ammunition from the chambers, and then press the triggers. After completing these steps, the barrel block can be smoothly closed.
About the advantages
Judging by the reviews of the owners, the strengths of these guns are as follows:
- Since the rifle unit has a reinforced receiver and chrome-plated thickened walls, it can be fired with ammunition with an increased load of shot.
- Despite the fact that the TOZ-200 has a sharp and compact fire, it can be equipped with Magnum class ammunition.
- Many owners claim that the gun has high ergonomic properties that allow you to shoot offhand.
- The trigger mechanism with flat single-feather springs has a high service life. According to the owners, if the hinge in the receiver is periodically repaired and the frontal plate in the receiver is strengthened, almost a million shots can be fired from the gun.
The gun is mainly used by hunters. Using TOZ-200, large waterfowl are caught.
conclusions
The TOZ-200 shotgun is positioned as a weapon for hunting large waterfowl, as it has long barrels and a powerful powder charge.
For example, you can successfully hunt geese with it, which often have to be shot at extreme distances.
The upper barrel perfectly hits with a sub-caliber bullet, so hunting animals is also allowed. The hunting rifle is of particular interest to skeet shooters because it has a long service life with the ability to replace parts.
How to disassemble a sideflint?
In order for a rifle unit to serve for a long time, it needs to be properly cared for, namely, periodically cleaned. To do this, the gun must first be disassembled. This is done as follows. First you need to unload the gun. Next, disconnect the block with the barrels: press the lever in front of the trigger guard.
The locking metal plate is then folded back. After this, the unlocking lever is turned to the right and the receiver block is removed from the hinge.
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