doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com baikal sxs's

have recently had the opportunity to evaluate a collection of six different models of baikal made sxs's. all are 12 gauge guns and appear to be field grade. some are marked ussr and the others russia. all appear to be well made and finished. the ussr marked guns are more classic in design and show more attention to detail than do the russia marked guns. has anyone had any experience with baikal made guns that they wish to share?

I have a Remington/Baikal double rifle. Utilitarian SXS rifle that needs a little (a lot maybe) of trigger work. The triggers probably are ok for a shotgun, but not for a rifle. Great value for the money.

Baikal guns can range from the sublime to, well not perhaps the ridiculous but certainly agricultural. One thing they all have in common is that they are very strongly built using excellent steel. I'm sure that Geno, if he picks up on this thread, will be able to add a lot more. I'm looking at an old catalogue now and the side by sides listed there are the Model G544 boxlock non-ejector and the G545 ejector. 28" barrels were standard on both models. There is a sidelock Model G621 MC11-01 which intercepting sears and V springs. Then there is a non-ejector sidelock with chiselled engraving.

At the top end I have a friend who has an over/under that is one of the finest I have ever come across that didn't bear the name Purdey, Boss or Woodward. On the bottom end of the scale I have a single barrel 12 bore in virtually new condidtion that I had to buy in order to finalise a deal on an English boxlock ejector. I literally can't give that single away here in England. One thing, you will not wear them out. Lagopus.....

I had one made in the 60s; model 54; one well made gun choked tight and tighter but shot to POA.. There was a guy over on SW from Russia that said the 54 is the one most sought after buy the average guy in Russia because of the quality

I pick up on this thread with pleasure, but there is one little problem. Baikal is a trademark of Trade House in Izhevsk and all guns this House exports got a name Baikal, but there must be prefix IZH or MP and model number for example IZH-27 or MP-153 etc.
It seems some foreign dealers call all Russian guns as Baikal. The difference between IZH trademark and MC trademark for instance like difference between Moon and Sun. There are several more prefix, that mean different brands or models. MP is the same as IZH, TOZ stands for Tula Gun Factory, guns with prefix MC are the best Russian guns.

Lagopus, unfortunatly I have no idea what is G544 or G545, but I know very well what is MC-11 (discontinued long time ago), but before MC-11 there was the best Russian gun ever TC-2 (TC means Tula Pigeon Gun). Your friend's gun probably is MC-9.

Have one in a double rifle in 45-70, after doing a trigger job very nice rifle for the money. Haven't heard of many problems with either the O/Us or SxSs, shotguns are on the heavy side, most are used in the duck blinds here.

I have a catalog from Tula around here somewhere, in Russian. It was sent by a kind friend from Europe. When I find it, I will post some pictures. Really impressive guns. And yes I also have one of the low grade imports. As stated, it will shoot forever and never stop. Really well made in that regard. The pheasants and ducks done seem to mind that it is a boat oar.

Pete

Geno, that catalogue was from back in the 1970's so those may have been model numbers to identify them on the British market.

This is the gun in question if you can identify it:



I can post other views of the action if it would help. Lagopus.....

Here are some pics.I had a link to better guns and customs but my computer gave out and had to buy a new one. I don't care for this Windows 7, maybe in time. regards Rich

Had some were wonderful and have the look and feel of a pre war Sauer, others have the look and feel of a rusty 10lb hammer. Buy the gun not the name.