[Tman]

Was thinking about getting a shotgun, something for sporting or HD. I saw some of the IZH guns (over and under mostly). What do you think about cost, quality, parts availability, accuracy, etc.? Is it a worthwhile purchase? Thanks.

[Sir Galahad]

Russian shotguns are great bargains. You cannot beat them for the price. The over-and-under is a nice piece. I've handled it and it's pretty solid. But I would not suggest an over-and-under for home defense. For that, I would suggest the Russian Saiga 12 gauge home defense model. It's an AK shotgun. While a double gun will certainly settle a baddies hash, if you need more than 2 shots, you've had it. The Saiga gives you and it's a semi-auto. It has a detachable mag, so you could have an extra mag loaded and ready to go.

[P95Carry]

I sold my delightful Citori Hunter early this year .. seemed like too much money tied up. When I went to collect check (it was on consignment) .. promptly blew $400 of it on my replacement M27-2!!!

That's incidental .. but, I still enjoy some trap and skeet and my only O/U is a beat up ol Spanish that don't fit. Other day looked at brand new Baikal .. with interchangeable chokes ... somewhere around $450 .... amazing. Felt good, tho would need small butt extension .. but overall .... very impressed. I think when funds allow I shall go get one!!:) Very good value.

[stevelyn]

A tricked out short barreled Moss for HD, and a sexy IZH-27 for fast moving feathered creatures.:D

[Grayrock]

I have the Baikal IZH-27 12 ga O/U. I love it. I have quite a few shells thru it and no problems. Great value for a tool. It ain't as purdy as a "B" gun, but it gets the job done for a whole lot less.

[TooTaxed]

Finally got a chance to look over the Baikals at a gun show. They look like a good deal for the money, and I hear nothing but good about their functioning, shooting, and reliability. They are a bit rough...check out the safeties...but I plan to get one or two for hunting and sporting clays.:D

[P95Carry]

That is true Too Taxed re the safeties .... tad crude and ... pity they don't make em selectives too .. guess my Citori spoiled me ... otherwise tho . i sure am considering getting one when i can.

[igor]

Out here you'll hear a lot of good said about the Baikals. Good bang for the buck.

[Nightcrawler]

You don't find hammer-forged, chrome lined barrels on American guns. The Russians put them on everything.

May or may not be advantageous, but it sure can't hurt.

[HS/LD]

Spend $200 buy a brand new Winchester Defender...

the money you have now saved you can spend on ammo.

You could scratch CCCP in the receiver if that would help

HS/LD

[Andrew Wyatt]

a winchester defender isn't a double barrel scattergun, doesn't have a chrome lined, hammerforged barrel, and no external hammers.



The baikul has more panache.

[HS/LD]

and yet with al these important features missing the 1300 or 870 shoot the same or better...

hammerforged barrel...?? My Gosh let me grab my credit card.....



HS/LD

Trying hard to spend more money on ammo than on guns....

[Andrew Wyatt]

the 1300 and the baikul do different things.


counseling someone to get a 1300 over a baikul is like telling someone who wants a good, accurate target gun to get a glock.

[HS/LD]

Question was: "What do you think about russian made shotguns.

Was thinking about getting a shotgun, something for sporting or HD. I saw some of the IZH guns (over and under mostly). What do you think about cost, quality, parts availability, accuracy, etc.? Is it a worthwhile purchase? Thanks."

Where is the reference to a baikul?

Question is?
Was thinking about getting a shotgun, something for sporting or HD... Is it a worthwhile purchase?

Answer: 1300 seems like a more worthwhile purchase. IMHO

HS/LD

Spending the money others send to Russia, on AMMO made in the US of A.

[Nightcrawler]

You DO know that Winchester is owned by by the Herstal Group, a Belgian concern, yes? :p

[Tman]

I'm probably going up to the Big Town Show in Mesquite or Dallas Market Show the week after (or maybe both). Going to eyeball some of the russian and winchester, etc., products. Any advantages to hard chroming a barrel?

[Andrew Wyatt]

it'll last longer, be easier to clean.

[HS/LD]

Nightcrawler You DO know that Winchester is owned by by the Herstal Group, a Belgian concern, yes?

Yes. Herstal owns US Repeating Arms Co.

But the guns are made by Americans who get paid with the money I spent on the gun and take it home to their American families and buy stuff from other Americans who...

Hey and I am a foreigner.

God Bless America

HD/LD

[Bonker]

Saiga 12 is awesome for HD. I've never seen one at a gun show here in Dallas. We have to order them.

I am praying that if the AWB sunsets that we can get a bigger than 5 rd magazine.

I will buy a Saiga 12 for HD in a second if I can get a 20+ rd drum/magazine. :)

[BigG]

Baikal built most of the Makarovs during the Cold War. They converted to sporting arms and I haven't owned the shotgun but I bought a double rifle and it's hell for strong and shoots accurately with both bbls to point of aim. I would have no problem buying more of their products.

[Cooter Brown]

Get 'em while you can. Great bargains. MP-153 shotgun, 3.5" automatic 12 gauge for about $400 or less. I have a $1200 Benelli SBE, and can't say its that much better a gun than the Baikal. (correction due to poor spelling)

[adamsbomb]

I hear they are great (as noted here above), I thought they were a little heavy and a bit rough, but perhaps they will lbreak in and be a bit smoother. Anyway, you can actually find them online for 229.00 Another inexpensive O/U to look at is the lanber. I have also heard excellent things about these guns, apparently very popular in the UK and trying to get into the US market. Reasonably priced and good looking. You all may want to check cdnninvestments.com, they have the Baikels for 239 and I believe the lanbers for 279 or 299 No affiliation with them, but I am a happy customer with the H&K USP I got for 399.00

[Bruce626]

Well, I only have one shotgun (sorry, guys... that's all!) and it is a member of Dave's Big Four. Best I can tell (and it is not always clear these days) it is American Made with all wages and profits going to Americans or investors in Mossberg.

The origin of the gun was not, in all honesty, the criteria for buying, but the utter dependabilty was. Can you say that about your Russki gun? Reputation in non-shotguns doesn't count.

I'd buy American even if the gun was number 5 on the list. I wish I could say the same about home electronics or cars... sheeesh, sometimes it is just HARD to buy from USA companies, even if you can figure out where their suppliers are.

[Tman]

Bruce:
Sorry to ask, but what are Dave's Big Four?

[Bruce626]

Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, Ithica

[gun-fucious]

one thing about the Russian shotguns, due to their cavalier attitude about copyright, many of the russians are clones of standard designs