The appearance of such a rifle as the TOZ-16 became possible due to the creation in 1842 in France of a specific weapon intended for recreational shooting. This weapon was used for firing, the so-called Flaubert cartridges, which served as the basis for the creation of rimfire ammunition. Soon, this type of ammunition gained immense popularity around the world.
The most common rimfire ammunition was 5.6mm cartridges. They were used for the following tasks:
- For entertaining shooting;
- For professional sports shooting;
- For hunting small game and birds, both waterfowl and upland birds.
The TOZ-16 shotgun gained popularity among professional hunters who hunted fur-bearing animals. But since this rifle was single-shot, it was bought only by those who were accustomed to the TOZ-8. Most professional hunters soon preferred the multi-shot version of this rifle, which was called TOZ-17.
The history of the appearance of “small things” from TOZ
The TOZ-8 small-caliber rifle, which became the base model for all other “small rifles” in this series, was created in 1932. This rifle was created for sport shooting. Soon, on its basis, a lightweight hunting carbine was created, called TOZ-8M. The models in this series had the following advantages:
- The simplest design ensured that the carbine would not break unless specifically broken;
- The weapon remained operational in any conditions;
- The accuracy of the rifle was very high.
This weapon turned out to be so popular that its production continued until 1957. Despite the simplicity of the design and small caliber, the weight of the TOZ-8 was 3.2 kg.
In 1957, a group of design engineers at the Tula Arms Plant developed a new line of small-caliber weapons chambered for the 5.6 mm caliber cartridge. This line includes the following models:
- TOZ-16. This carbine was single-shot;
- TOZ-17. Five-shot version;
- TOZ-18. Multi-charge version, which was additionally equipped with an optical sight.
A year later, this line was replenished with another carbine with improved characteristics - TOZ-21, which had a magazine for 10 rounds.
My first gun - TOZ-BM
My hunting life began with this gun, full of vivid impressions, annoying mistakes and joyful moments. The BM was purchased back in 1969, having served faithfully for several decades, it was sent to a well-deserved rest due to its replacement with a more modern IZH-27.
Somewhere in the 9th grade, when the craving for nature grew so much that I spent all weekends in the vicinity of my village watching with interest the life of animals and birds, I was solemnly handed over a stored TOZ-BM 16 cal. In addition to it, an old cartridge belt for 8 rounds and a dozen brass cartridges were allocated. Having received comprehensive recommendations and strictly following them, I began to master hunting with a gun.
The gun, of course, had seen a lot in its lifetime, which is why it had a thoroughly shabby appearance and a slightly loose barrel. Their outer surface was smooth, without any swellings or irregularities, but the barrel channels bore the imprint of time in the form of numerous, though not deep, shells. The wooden elements of the gun, although they were pretty shabby with a whole scattering of scratches, were original. Despite its age, the gun still had a good action, and the bullets were especially accurate on target.
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Having cleaned the oxidized cartridges, under the watchful supervision of his father he loaded the cartridges with small shot. Of the capsules there was only “.
The gun could not be called comfortable, the external triggers were tight, the relatively large weight and size did not quite correspond to my age, but the realization that you had a real gun of your own negated all its disadvantages. I hunted with him for about 5 years, not to say that I shot a lot of game, but the few trophies that were taken at that time are still memorable. Of course, there were many failures, but aren’t they the ones that teach us young hunters how to gain experience?
Over the years of hunting with it, it never broke, always showed good shot action, and used both self-loaded and factory-made cartridges with a standard load of gunpowder. Due to the presence of shells in the trunk, it was necessary to clean them very carefully. From time to time, as a preventative measure, I poured kerosene into the trunks; after this procedure, they became almost mirror-like.
In general, the gun was decent for its time and was very popular; nowadays it is becoming increasingly rare and is very rarely used for hunting. The main reason is the great age of the gun, as a consequence the small number of well-preserved specimens and inconvenient (and also dangerous) external triggers.
The BM, as well as its subsequent modifications, gained great popularity in the middle of the last century because it was distinguished by its strength, convenience, relatively low weight and ability to operate reliably in any climatic and weather conditions. The literature provides information that the popular tulka was produced in more than 3 million copies.
Main characteristics
Model - TOZ BM-16 of ordinary execution (this model was produced from 1957 to 1969). Caliber - 16, barrels are located in a horizontal plane, channels are not chrome-plated. The choke constrictions are cylinder and recess. The chamber is 70 mm, designed for the use of both brass and paper sleeves. The forend is detachable, the stock is with a pistol neck, the material is birch. The weight of the gun is 3.1 kg.
The given characteristics refer specifically to this model of gun. Over almost 70 years, seven (and according to some sources eight) modifications of this model were produced, which differed from each other in a small number of design changes.
In addition to the BM, TOZ-63, TOZ-66 and TOZ-54 were popular. Externally, these guns are very similar, the model can be identified by the year of manufacture, it should be indicated on the left or right barrel pad.
Production periods:
1945-1956 - model TOZ-B, 1957-1969 - model TOZ-BM, mid-60s - mid-70s TOZ-63, TOZ-66, 1974-1990 - model TOZ-54, 1988 to present time - model TOZ-80.
Performance characteristics of TOZ-16
The single-shot hunting carbine of the Tula Arms Plant had the following characteristics:
- The carbine has become significantly lighter than the TOZ-8. His weight dropped to 2.6 kg;
- The main purpose of the weapon is to hunt small animals and birds of various sizes;
- Ammunition is 5.6 mm rimfire cartridges;
- The length of the weapon is 1,020 mm, with a barrel length of 536 mm;
- Sighting line – 485 mm.
When shooting from a carbine at a distance of 50 meters, the dispersion does not exceed 55 mm, which is a fairly good indicator. For do-it-yourself carbines, this figure may be half as much.
IZH-58
One of the best domestic horizontal weapons for a novice hunter. The gun has internal trigger locks with safety locks that prevent accidental shooting, as well as a triple bolt - the barrels are locked using two lower hooks and one upper one. The modified variation IZH-58 MA is distinguished by an automatic fuse, and the IZH-58 MAE is equipped with an ejector that can be easily removed if necessary. The length of the IZH-58 16 gauge barrel is 710 millimeters. The weight of the weapon is 3.3 kilograms.
TOZ-16 carbine: main parameters and design features
The weapon has a barrel with four screw grooves, which is rigidly connected to the receiver. A feature of the barrel is the presence of a thickening on its muzzle, which is intended to impart strength. A special recess, which is located at the end of the barrel, is designed to protect the barrel channel from various types of damage.
The carbine has a classic bolt action that securely locks the barrel. The bolt of the carbine contains a striking mechanism. The firing pin is cocked during manipulation of the bolt, when it is moved to the forward position. The weapon is equipped with a safety lock that, when activated, blocks the sear. To remove a spent cartridge case or unused ammunition, you need to manipulate the bolt. In this case, the cartridges will be thrown out through the receiver window while the bolt is retracted to the rearmost position.
IZH-18
Perhaps the best 16 gauge shotgun of all single-barreled guns. Has an internal trigger position. On the narrow barrel there is a front sight that does not have an aiming bar. IZH-18 is quite convenient to use and very easily disassembles into three components - the barrel, the fore-end and the neck of the stock, which is usually a pistol stock. The fuse is not automatic, but a push-button one.
If the gun is not completely closed, the locking device will prevent an accidental shot. If the weapon is dropped or hit, the trigger will automatically engage. The barrel length is 7300 millimeters. Weight - about 2.8 kilograms.
Improvements to TOZ-16
The main disadvantages of a hunting rifle are its single-shot nature and the lack of an optical sight, which makes accurate shooting at long distances difficult. Since mounting an optical sight requires a suitable bracket, this poses some difficulties, especially in this day and age. The most suitable mounting device for this weapon is the bracket from the Mosin rifle, which fits perfectly on the TOZ-16.
Each hunter solves the problem with the single-shot capacity of this carbine in his own way. The most popular method is to make special rubber or plastic strips that have holes for cartridges. They are attached with self-tapping screws to the wooden stock of the carabiner.
Flaws
There are also disadvantages. So many hunters abandoned the sixteenth caliber for a long time in favor of the twelfth due to supply shortages. This problem was solved relatively recently, so most shooters simply haven’t had time to switch yet, while others are too used to 12 and have gotten used to it.
Fishermen are often indignant because 16 gauge is suitable for a very narrow range of game. With good accuracy and extensive hunting experience, you can catch a large animal from a distance of 35 meters, but you need to try hard to do this.
The design of the guns themselves is much more complex, especially when compared with the design of 12-gauge carbines (which is much simpler and more traditional). This may make cleaning difficult, but you can get used to it.
If you like to hunt at long distances, then you can forget about 16 gauge, since it is not suitable for this. As mentioned above, at around 100 meters the accuracy becomes too great.
16-gauge shotguns are used only at close range.
These, in general, are all the shortcomings that deserve the attention of shooters. Having dealt with all the features of 16 gauge, we move on to a review of the most striking models of domestic production.
Modification TOZ-16-01
Beginning in 1977, the Tula Arms Plant began producing a modernized version of the small-caliber carbine, called TOZ-16-01. Carbines 17 and 18 modifications also underwent modernization. The modernized model received some changes related to the unification of the barrel, receiver and bolt with parts of the TOZ-8M sports rifle.
Now the TOZ-16-01 carbine has become more accurate, the receiver has received improved protection against accidental dirt. In addition, an important innovation was the replacement of the outdated fuse with a more reliable flag type.
The TOZ-16 carbine and its multi-shot modifications were produced until the end of the 1980s, but did not receive recognition on the international market. The main reason for this was the design of the weapon, which was not intended for the use of reinforced 5.6 mm ammunition. Currently, these carbines are very rarely found among hunters, and it is almost impossible to buy them.
