Soviet smoothbore shotgun IZH-27: double-barreled over-and-under shotgun, history of creation, design and technical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

The Izhevsk plant began producing hunting rifles back in 1949. At the same time, the company launched the production of smooth-bore rifles, which later, along with the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle, brought it wide fame. One of the popular modifications of the double-barreled hunting rifle was the IZH-27; the relevance of this weapon remains to this day.

History of creation and design features of the gun

Initially, over-and-under shotguns were developed for skeet shooting by athletes, but gradually began to be used in hunting. The peculiarity of aiming at a target in a vertical position was more convenient than aiming horizontally between two barrels. This series is in demand by several generations of hunters in the USSR due to its characteristics.

The first version of the weapon was the IZH-59 Sputnik, which was created by A.A. Klimov and was produced in the period 1960-64. At that time, products were marked by year of manufacture, for example IZH-49 or IZH-59. Later the markings changed, and the guns began to be marked with a project number. Work on improving the weapon continued, and in 1962 the production of IZH-12 was launched, which became the first Soviet hunting rifle with the addition of an interceptor to the design.

The development of the IZH-27 gun began in 1971, when it was decided to modernize the IZH-12 produced by the arms factory. This model became the third in the series developed by A.A. Klimov, and in 1973 it was put into production. This model made a great impression on the population, and the initial batch of 10,000 copies was sold out in a couple of days.

Here are the changes made to its design:

• stock, forend, boxes, their shape has become more ergonomic;
• for effective cooling in hot weather, a ventilated aiming rib was added to the design;
• instead of a manual fuse, an automatic one was developed;
• The design now includes an ejector for used cartridges.

The layout of the barrels remained unchanged - vertical, the channels and chamber were finished in chrome, the butt pads and shock absorbers were preserved, as in the previous version of the gun.

The gun became popular abroad; this circumstance led to the abandonment of the traditional name, which was difficult to pronounce in a foreign language and did not sound noble enough. It was necessary to choose a designation that would retain the markings and have the same appearance and sound. As a result, the weapon received the marking MP - Mechanic Plant (translated as Mechanical Plant), which began to replace the old name in the 1990s. The old markings remained until 2008.

The tremendous success of the IZH-27 was the reason that a US arms company became interested in the weapon and decided to buy a license for its production. Although at first IZHMEH refused to sell it, after some time he finally agreed. In the United States, the gun was called the Remington Spartan 310, but did not gain widespread popularity compared to previous models. Many foreign fans of commercial hunting continue to purchase the legendary IZH-27, produced in Russia.

Characteristics of the hunting rifle IZH-27 (MR-27)

The IZH-27 shotgun is a leader in surveys among hunters due to its technical characteristics, reasonable price and reliability. With it you can successfully hunt ducks, and where you need to use cartridges with different shot. It is intended for shooting hunting cartridges in commercial and amateur hunting conditions. To date, more than 2 million copies of this model have been produced, which gives the right to call it a truly people's weapon.

The length of the gun can be 1095–1195 mm, barrel length – 660-670 mm, and weight from 3.1 to 3.6 kg. The most common calibers are 12/70, 16/70, 20/70, 20/76 and 410/76. Piece copies also have their own characteristics that differ from those indicated.

As already noted, 2 IZH-27 barrels are combined into a vertical block, which includes 3 slats - 2 side and 1 sighting, hinge posts, couplings, mounting axles and swivels. The lower part of the barrel is sealed for ease of use.

USM

The trigger mechanism (trigger mechanism) of the gun is hammer-operated, with hammer release, screw mainsprings and separate firing pins. The trigger looks like a flat piece and has 4 holes:

1. The lower one is for the trigger axis.
2. Pin for the stop of the transfer rod.
3. Hole for a pin connected to the interceptor.
4. To make descent easier.

Pushers in the sockets of the bolt box allow the hammer to be cocked, then the barrels are opened, and through the cockers the force is transmitted to the hammers. Then the trigger guide rods compress the springs and a shot is fired. After this, the barrels are closed, and the inclined bevels ensure that the trigger returns to its original position.

Butt

The butt of the gun is usually made of walnut or beech, equipped with a plastic butt plate and a rubber shock absorber.

Second step

Now the steel brush on the cleaning rod needs to be replaced with a visher, into which a rag is then inserted. When the cleaning rod is prepared, they should be passed inside the barrel channel several times. This is necessary so that the lead, which was previously scraped off with a metal brush, collects on the rags. When it becomes heavily leaded, replace it with a clean one. Judging by the reviews of the owners, rags have to be changed at least three times. It is possible that even after this, lead particles will remain on the rags. In this case, you may be advised to use the wire brush again. Pre-moisten it in kerosene. According to experts, turpentine is ideal for removing old lead from tree trunks.

Advantages and disadvantages of IZH-27 (MR-27)

The wide popularity and demand for the IZH-27 to this day gives us the right to talk about it as a reliable and simple weapon that is suitable not only for experienced hunters, but also for beginners. The main advantages of the MP-27 include:

• reliable locking system using a locking bar;
• the presence of sighting devices with a front sight and a ventilated rib;
• chrome-plated chambers and bores;
• almost any model of IZH-27 is available for repair; gun parts can always be found in a gun store;
• wide choice of designs and calibers;
• reasonable price.

Experienced hunters note some disadvantages of the IZH-27, which are visible upon careful study and use of the gun:

• low quality of soldering of the barrel and sighting rib, but since the gun is a shotgun, many turn a blind eye to this defect;
• the locking strips are too tight, which is designed to work out and fit;
• insufficient impact force of the striker, which can be eliminated during operation;
• significant weight and low versatility of the gun stock.

Note! Many hunters believe that it is better to purchase guns that were manufactured before 1991, or to select one yourself directly from the manufacturer.

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Options and modifications

After the successful release of IZH-27, manufacturers decided to start developing modifications. Improved versions of the model were the IZH-27M and IZH-27E (ejector) guns. In addition, IZHMASH constantly received requests for the production of individual models that would have a more expensive appearance. Thus, models IZH-27-Sh1 and IZH-27-Sh2 were produced, which had a butt made of noble wood, as well as engraving on the metal “classic”, “prestige”, “de-luxe”, “exclusive”, “collectible” ", and special silver or gold inserts on the stock.

For more than 40 years, a whole family of IZH-27 models was produced, among which there were export, souvenir and exclusive options. Today, the most popular modifications are:

With 2 triggers:

• MR-27M (IZH-27M) – a gun with 2 triggers without an ejector;
• MP-27EM (IZH-27EM) – a gun with 2 triggers and a selective ejector that can be turned off; produces automatic ejection of the spent cartridge case.

With 1 trigger:

• MR-27M-1S (IZH-27M-1S) – there is a trigger with 1 trigger and a firing sequence selector, which can be switched by pressing the back of the trigger;
• MR-27EM-1S (IZH-27EM-1S) – equipped with one trigger and a firing sequence selector; There is also a selective ejector that can be switched off.

If we do not take into account exclusive and rare samples, the following models were also available in the series:

• MR-27M "Junior" is a lightweight version of the IZH-27. It has shorter barrels and butts, and a changed caliber. This model is more suitable for beginners, women or short hunters;
• IZH-27 “Sporting” is considered a universal model for athletes and hunters;
• IZH-27ST is intended mainly for clay pigeon shooting, although hunters often also use it. No longer produced;
• IZH-27SK has a barrel length of 660 mm, is designed for shooting at a round target, and is considered a sports model.

What to look for when purchasing?

When purchasing a shotgun IZH-27, you must keep in mind the following features:

1. Adaptability is the most important criterion when choosing a weapon. Before purchasing a gun, you need to try it on and determine how it will fit while hunting.
2. The sighting bar is also subject to inspection upon purchase. To do this, you need to look at the bar towards the horizon.
3. Barrel length. It is better to choose a gun with a medium length, which is suitable for any type of hunting. Short barrels are designed for short-range shots or for hunting.
4. The sharpness of the battle. It can be tested by shooting at a regular board. The greater the penetration depth of the shot, the higher the sharpness.
5. Availability of replaceable choke tubes. This configuration is suitable for an experienced hunter. For beginners and less experienced hunters, it is better to choose barrels with permanent drilling, which can be used in all types of hunting.
6. If the gun is ejector, then you should check the quality of work, that is, how it pushes out spent cartridges.

Important! As with the purchase of any type of weapon, you should check the quality of the seams and soldering; to do this, you need to carefully examine the joints so that they are free of cracks and chips.

About removing rust from the outside

If the outer surface of the trunks or metal parts become the place for stains to form, then you need to do the following. Soak a cloth in dehydrated kerosene and place it on the problem area like a compress.

After a few hours it can be removed and the rust can be removed using a wooden stick. It is important not to do this with a metal object, as this will leave a lot of scratches on the surface.

Storage and care

Experienced users note that with proper care, the IZH-27 will last quite a long time. It is recommended to use a soft cloth to clean the weapon. To maintain performance, the gun should be stored in a dry place. Also, to prevent springs from sagging during long-term storage, it is necessary to remove the barrels and lower the triggers.

When storing a gun for an extended period, you should adhere to some general rules:

• the gun must be kept clean and lubricated;
• cleaning should be done immediately after shooting;
• the gun must be protected from dents and impacts;
• You should not make empty triggers, as this can reduce the service life of all parts of the gun.

Instructions for safe use

During storage, the gun is partially disassembled

For the safe use of IZH-27, several simple rules are taken into account:

• the gun must always be considered loaded and ready to fire;
• before manipulating the mechanisms of the gun, you should make sure that it is unloaded;
• It is not allowed to fire cartridges with a larger charge than recommended by the operating rules;
• do not use cartridges and gunpowder that have been stored for more than four years;
• the use of any non-hunting powder is prohibited, as this can damage the barrels;
• It is not allowed to fire bullets whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the bore in the constriction zone;
• do not apply much effort to the trigger; if the trigger is delayed, they are cocked by opening the barrels;
• Before loading, the barrels are inspected for contamination.

The main emphasis in safety measures is on the use of proven cartridges. If misfires or other failures occur, you should remember safety precautions and deal with the breakdown in accordance with its rules.

Hunter reviews

Alexey : “I have been using the IZH-27E with 16 gauge for several years now. At first I struggled a bit with it, since I purchased it with a plastic butt plate. Later I bought a rubber one, adjusted it properly, and now I use it with pleasure. It shoots as it should, almost always on target thanks to the scope, I don’t regret the money spent.”

Dmitry : “I have one of the modifications of the gun, IZH 27ME-1S, there are replaceable choke tubes and one trigger. The gun is simply excellent, shoots flawlessly, is easy to use, and the price matches the quality. I compared it with other good guns, the difference was only in weight and grip, but there was practically no difference in the accuracy of the action and sharpness.”

Nikolay : “I’ve been using IZH-27 for 15 years now, I have no complaints about its operation. True, sometimes in the cold season the lower firing pin can misfire. At normal hunting distances it works great and hits accurately. The gun will last a long time and without complaints if you store it carefully and take good care of it in a timely manner.”

Boris : “I think this is an excellent gun for all types of hunting, I have no complaints. Previously, I constantly carried it hunting in a variety of conditions, but after shooting I always lubricated and cleaned it properly. I believe that such a gun should only be purchased second hand and only old releases before 1991. My version is without an ejector, but this parameter is not so important for hunting. I recommend it to all hunting lovers."

Vadim : “A very comfortable weapon, easy to use, fits like a glove in your hands, has good accuracy, is made of high-quality materials, I have the IZH-27M version. You can hunt both in open areas in the field and in a wooded area. All joints are finished smoothly, without chips or cracks, the drilling of the barrel is also smooth, the channel is locked quite tightly. The weight is also quite liftable, bullets need to be selected, as for any smooth-bore weapon.”