Tula semi-automatic TOZ-87 - original design and ugly execution

The designers of the Tula Arms Plant (manufacturer of the well-known Arkhar, TOZ-BM, etc.) are adherents of the inertial reloading principle. It was used to create both the semi-automatic MTs 21-12, which has a long barrel stroke, and its subsequent modification TOZ-87, in which the magazine tube was made movable.

The gun is extremely ambiguous when comparing its consumer and shooting qualities. Possessing better combat, it is more capricious in terms of the quality of ammunition and less reliable than, for example, the MP-155, in which the powder gases act directly on the bolt frame.

Description of the gun TOZ-87

Self-loading 12-gauge smoothbore shotgun with a tubular under-barrel mechanism. Reloading is carried out by a short stroke of the gas piston, which is combined with the magazine.

Below is a video review of the TOZ-87-02 gun:

Advantages and disadvantages

• Thanks to the short stroke of the piston, a smaller volume of gases is taken from the barrel bore, so the firing of the gun is sharper and more compact. This is especially noticeable when shooting bullets.
• The same short stroke complicates the mechanism (for example, it has two return springs), so it is a priori less reliable. As the cartridges are used up, the weight of the piston changes, so its inertia decreases, which may cause the gun to refuse to reload.
• A design feature of the TOZ-87 is the burnout of the forend in places where powder gases break through. This is noticeable on high-volume shotguns.
• The gun is very picky about the quality of cartridges. It prefers the factory ones, twisted with an asterisk. The passport states that the best type is plastic sleeves.
• Unfortunately, the quality of production of Tula guns in the last years of the USSR and the first democratic Russia fell to a critical level. The weapon needs finishing and adjustment. It gets to the point that the drilling of the gas outlet holes is not cleaned, which is why when using plastic containers, melted chips are found in the barrel.
• Equally disappointing for hunters is that the chamber is exclusively 70mm long, making the gun a highly specialized gun, mostly designed for shooting waterfowl.
• The presence of a second return spring, which is located in the neck of the butt, makes it impossible to change the design of the stock.
• The gun is quite difficult to load: when feeding cartridges into the magazine, you also have to contrive to press the feeder lock button.

The location of the safety button on the front branch of the trigger guard is unusual for many hunters, but it is quite convenient to use.

Photos of TOZ 87-01 and TOZ 87-06 shotguns

Purpose

This is a hunting weapon, used mostly for hunting waterfowl. When installing (optional) the Paradox barrel muzzle attachment, you can hunt medium-sized ungulates.

Varieties

The gun was produced only in 12 gauge with a chamber length of 70 mm. The basic TOZ-87 model does not have a sighting bar and is the most difficult to disassemble. The presence of the letter “M” in the model index indicates that the disassembly process is simplified.

• 01 – model with a ventilated aiming bar.
• 02 – without a bar, but with interchangeable choke tubes: with rifling, for a heavy Paradox bullet and a full choke, the length of which is 125 mm.
• 03 – sighting bar and interchangeable muzzle nozzles.
• 04 - shortened barrel.
• 05 – short barrel, includes replaceable choke tubes.

Constant choke models were available with either a cylinder bore or a semi- or full choke.

Advantages and disadvantages

The undeniable advantages of the TOZ 87 shotgun are:

• sharpness and accuracy of combat, especially when firing bullets;
• short piston stroke ensures minimal gas extraction;
• The box is high quality and beautifully decorated. The TOZ 87 shotgun fits comfortably in your hands;
• the forend harmonizes well with the stock;
• the stock does not need any modifications;
• disassembling the TOZ 87 shotgun does not take much time.

Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages:

• the quality of some parts is low;
• scratches appear on the chrome coating;
• metal scuffs form chips from cartridge containers, which sometimes causes automatic failure, and cartridge cases have to be removed manually;
• the missing gas regulator reduces the service life of the TOZ 87 gun.

Specifications

Modifications

This version for hunting is still produced today and has a sufficient number of modifications that differ in components. Popular options are:

• TOZ 87 01M. Model 01 has a ventilated bar and is characterized by faster disassembly. The choke in 01 is a regular choke;
• sample 87 02. It differs from modification 01 in the missing strap, but the choke changes to a choke, choke or cylinder;
• TOZ 87 03M. Version 03 combines the advantages of 01 and 02 models. Modification 03 is distinguished by the presence of a rail, replaceable muzzle constrictions and an improved disassembly option;
• TOZ 87 06M. This is practically an analogue of the 03 version, stylized as a rifled sample. Unlike 01 and 03, this one has an open rifle aiming device. Another difference from the 01 and 03 models is the bracket with which the optical sight and the replaceable “paradox” type attachment are attached. Looking at such a sample, it immediately becomes clear that, unlike the 01 and 03 models, it is intended mainly for firing bullets.

It is fair to note that models 01, 03, 02 and 06 are not free from the shortcomings noted in the series.

Design

Self-loading shotgun with an under-barrel tubular magazine.

• The bore and chamber are chrome plated. Threads for replaceable choke constrictions are located on the outside of the barrel.
• The reloading mechanism uses the so-called short-stroke principle, although in fact the magazine moves, simultaneously acting as a piston rod.
• The return mechanism has two springs: on the magazine and on the shank of the bolt frame (installed in the neck of the butt).
• The barrel is combined with the receiver cover into an integral unit. The bolt is longitudinally sliding, with a swinging lever having a tooth for engagement with the hole in the breech shank when locking the barrel bore.
• The trigger mechanism has a complex operating algorithm, which includes a firing pin release cycle when the bolt frame moves backward, which eliminates inertial pinching of the cartridge primer.
• Mechanical safety, blocking the trigger. The button is located on the front branch of the trigger guard. To turn it off (the “Fire” position), it must be moved to the left until the red ring mark appears.
• After the last cartridge is fired, the gun locks onto the bolt stop. The release button is located on the right side of the receiver, above the magazine hopper window.
• In the basic version, the gun does not have a sighting bar, only a front sight.
• The stock is semi-pistol, the comb of the butt is straight, inclined to the axis of the barrel. The butt plate is shock-absorbing.

Ammunition

Due to the fact that the automation of this hunting rifle was tested with Sokol gunpowder, as the owners say, it is with this brand that TOZ-87 functions best. Judging by numerous reviews, these rifle units can be loaded with Taiga ammunition if they are equipped with Italian-made gunpowder MV-36, G-300, F2x28.

The guns also work well with “Joker” and “Nitrogen” cartridges with “Sunar” gunpowder from KNIIHP. They will work a little worse with the domestic P-125 and Sunar-SF. With the first brand, reliable operation of the automation is not ensured, with the second, the cartridge case flange is too inflated, as a result of which the extraction of spent ammunition from the chamber is significantly difficult.

Some hunters buy Sunar-Magnum gunpowder for TOZ-87. According to experts, when loading cartridges, the acceptable weight of shot is considered to be 42 g.

However, this should not be practiced regularly, since this gun does not have a gas regulator. Otherwise, the bolt will recoil much faster, resulting in increased recoil, which can negatively impact combat accuracy.

In addition, the shock load on the receiver, namely on its rear part, will increase. As a result, the operational life of the rifle unit will be significantly reduced. For those who want to increase the effective combat range, experienced hunters advise mixing a 34 g shot shell with starch.

The use of high-quality ammunition for operating the TOZ-87 self-loading shotgun is a guarantee that the model will work properly for many years. However, choosing the right ammunition may not be so easy, since the weapon is extremely whimsical in this regard. If you are wondering which cartridges are better, we recommend following these principles:

1. Choose ammunition only from trusted manufacturers.
2. Pay close attention to ensure that the powder charge does not exceed the norm.
3. Do not use used cartridges and various “roll-your-own” cigarettes.
4. Choose only plastic or folder cartridges for shooting.
5. Give preference to ammunition that is twisted with an asterisk.

If all the requirements for the quality of factory cartridges are met, then the weapon “out of the box” will work properly both in winter and in summer. The use of ammunition of dubious quality practically guarantees that during operation various problems will arise that cannot always be eliminated with one’s own hands.

Operating principle

During a shot, the piston, together with the magazine, makes a short movement back, as a result of which the bolt cylinder tooth lowers and unlocks the barrel bore. After this, the piston returns back, and the bolt frame continues to move towards the butt by inertia. As it moves, it cocks the hammer, which hooks onto the sear with a disengaging tooth (to prevent hitting the firing pin).

After the bolt frame reaches its rearmost position, the cartridge is fed from the magazine into the hopper and raised by the elevator to the feed line. A spring in the stock neck pushes the frame back, which returns and feeds a round into the chamber. The larval tooth rises and locks the bore. You can then pull the trigger and repeat the firing cycle.

To load a cartridge into the chamber, put the weapon on safety - slide the button on the front branch of the bracket to the right, move the bolt frame back and place the ammunition on the feed elevator through the cartridge ejector window.

The magazine is loaded through the bottom window of the bunker. In order for the feed elevator to move down and open access to the pipe, you must press the release button from the bolt stop.

The design of the trigger allows for a smooth release of the trigger. To do this, you need to unload the weapon and put it on the slide stop. Press the release button and smoothly bring the bolt frame, holding it by the handle, to the level of the button. After that, pull the trigger.

To empty the magazine, turn the gun with the hopper window up, press the delay release button, push the elevator deep and press the magazine stop lever located on the inside, on the right.

This video shows shooting from TOZ-87-02:

History of creation

The first hunting weapon, which was reloaded according to the same scheme as the TOZ-87, appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The most famous hunting shotgun from this series was the Browning Auto 5. This weapon was owned by some wealthy hunters of the Russian Empire, but the arms industry of both Tsarist Russia and the USSR did not begin to develop this type of weapon, considering it too complex and costly to produce.

Only in 1956 did TsKIB SOO design engineers rework the Auto-52 design and develop the MTs-21-12 smoothbore hunting rifle. This weapon used 12-gauge cartridges and until 1987 was the only weapon of this type that was mass-produced.

While the USSR produced the MTs-21-12 semi-automatic gun, which operated on the principle of a long barrel stroke, in the foreign arms world this system was considered obsolete. The system for removing powder gases was gaining momentum, so the designers of the Tula Arms Plant developed a new model of a semi-automatic machine that worked on the principle of removing powder gases.

The new model was called TOZ-24-12, but since the previous TOZ model was not particularly popular, the MTs-24-12 project was postponed for 8 years. In 1987, MTs-24-12 was modernized in preparation for mass production. The main role in this was played by the talented Soviet designer V.N. Babanin. However, since perestroika began in the country, the Tula arms plant again failed to launch mass production of MTs-24-12.

Only in 1993, TOZ management managed to launch the production of MTs-24-12, although its name changed to TOZ-87. Since in those years it was the only gas-operated semi-automatic machine sold at a low price, there was a stable, albeit small, demand for it. Currently, many people prefer to hunt with such semi-automatic weapons, but the demand for TOZ-87 has dropped significantly as better quality semi-automatic devices have become available.

Disassembly

1. Unload your weapon.
2. Unscrew the shaped nut on the forend.
3. Using a needle on the nut, press out the trigger pin (from left to right), remove it from the receiver.
4. Remove the forend.
5. Rest the butt against the table and move the magazine tube down 1-2 cm, remove it from its interface with the gas chamber ring and remove it.
6. Separate the magazine return spring, magazine tube, piston and gas engine cylinder.
7. Remove the magazine spring and cartridge feeder.
8. Grasp the barrel with your hand and, moving forward and downward, separate it from the base of the trigger with the butt.
9. Pull the bolt carrier back, remove the handle, and remove the bolt from the receiver cover.
10. Press the shutter cylinder tooth down, sliding it forward along the frame.
11. Turn the bolt frame over with the tooth window facing down and remove the cylinder from it.

Features of hunting

The main purpose of the TOZ-87 12 gauge is hunting. The gun will be especially effective when hunting waterfowl, since the accuracy of the shot and the reloading speed are truly enviable. However, don't rush to the store if you like to hunt ducks. First of all, professionals recommend familiarizing yourself with the following features of hunting with the TOZ-87 and its modifications:

• In order for the gun to maintain its high accuracy, it will have to be regularly cleaned and lubricated. At the same time, it is important to remove even the smallest particles of plaque, especially on the bolt carrier and barrel (it is necessary to disassemble the rifle).
• Installation of additional choke constrictions is possible only on modified versions of the TOZ-87. The original does not have a thread on the muzzle, so even a sound moderator cannot be installed on it.
• Using low-quality ammunition is the same as “killing” a weapon with your own hands. Also, TOZ-87 cannot tolerate cartridges with an increased powder charge, since this causes the forend to burn out.
• The trigger mechanism should not be over-lubricated. Otherwise, the thick liquid may cause small parts of the trigger to stick and break. Trigger failure is one of the most common problems associated with improper maintenance.

The TOZ-87 hunting rifle has excellent accuracy and reload speed.

Self-loading TOZ-87 is not the most successful project from the Tula Arms Plant, requiring huge improvements. The weapon is not of the best build quality, requires care and quality of ammunition, and also has design flaws.

However, the gun can be used for some purposes provided all maintenance recommendations are followed. After all, not every semi-automatic model on the Russian market costs only 15 thousand rubles.

The TOZ-87 smoothbore shotgun is a fairly versatile 12-gauge weapon. If you modify it and constantly monitor the cleanliness of the mechanisms, you can safely go hunting. It is highly not recommended to go hunting for wild boar or bear with an unfinished gun.