Baikal Shotgun from Hell

[Thad]

I purchased this gun nine months ago. Shot well for a field gun, was cheap ($800 CND), looked ok. Three months in the top ejector worked 40%. Sent the gun back, Baikal put in new ejectors. Great. Not even a month later it stops working again, the finish on the stock starts to lift in spots, a lubed choke tube gets seized in a barrel, and the filler between barrels starts to fall out, and you guessed it the top ejector not working every time again. It goes back again, this time I ask for a new gun. The dealer agrees but has to ask the supplier. The gunsmith agrees, Baikal does not. They put on brand new barrels and refinish the stock and forend( very shotty job sanding marks, and dry spots). Still I try to be good about it and just accept it. The first outing with it and the top ejector fails 100% of the time. I take it apart and oil it liberally. No go. Then the top barrel fails to fire sporadically. All the guys at the gun range knew the history and just shook their heads. I take it back again, and let my dealer know that this is the last time I want to touch this shotgun ever. He agrees and is calling Baikal and says the client does not want this gun after it has failed the third time, not to mention all the other problems. He says ok but wants to talk to the gunsmith first. They have told me I will get a brand new gun in a box. Good, because when I get it I will sell it to the dealer. Stay away from this gun.

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Update on this situation. Baikal called the gunsmith and asked what the hell happened. The gunsmith replied by calling my dealer and telling him it was flawless the 150 times he shot it at sporting clays after installing the barrels. I doubt that, who would spend that much time and ammo money to test a gun. I could see 5 to 10 shots, but 150 no way. So now the gunsmith wants my dealer to take it to the range and shoot it and get back to him. Even though you can put in snap caps fire them and see the failure. This is the time you kick yourself for going with a cheap product. I learned my lesson and just picked up a Citori XT Trap.

 

[spooky_t]

Thanks for the warning. Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I had a Baikal MP-153 and promptly sold after firing 75 shells. You get what you pay for.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Aren't the Remington Spartan guns formerly Baikal?

 

[trueblue1776]

Yeah they are, I passed up a new Rem Spartan SXS for $229 the other day, it just seemed too good of a deal. I knew it was a Baikal and not a Rem manufactured gun, glad I passed on it.

 

[Dave McCracken]

When it comes to double barrel shotguns of either orientation, few cheap ones are good, few good ones are cheap.

With used Red Labels starting at $700 or so and used Citoris for not much more,
it pays to save up for quality.....

 

[stolivar]

love mine

enough said


steve

 

[Onmilo]

I have a fixed choke O/U Baikal that I have owned for ten years or better.
I only use it for hunting but haven't had any issues with it.

Biggest complaint I have had about Baikals is they are extremely tight when new and internals are rougher than higher priced guns, go figure,,,,

Your gun may be a fluke in an otherwise decent low priced shotgun line.

I have made repairs on Citori, Ruger Red Label guns, and several Italian and Turkish made O/U guns over the years.

Nothing is perfect.

 

[Kingcreek]

Anybody can build a lemon, but some mfgr's seem to build a much higher percentage than others. With all the choices out there, and all the good used guns available, I would not risk the odds of buying junk.
I recently picked up a somewhat cosmetically-scarred Browning Citori 20g in good mechanical condition for $600. It will still serve my grandkids well years from now.

 

[Onmilo]

And I do have to admit of all the choices in Over Under guns available the Browning Citori and the Berettas of any type are my all time favorites.

Cynergi Brownings are gaining a lemon status in my neck of those rural Illinois areas.

 

[Thad]

It is just like a situation with your mechanic, "honest it would not start". You are yelling this while he is reving it at about 3000 RPMs. My dealer took it out yesterday, and fired 25 rounds without a burp, go figure. I am still a little pissed and will still sell it. In light of having the Citori and three other shotguns. I did not think it would be fair if I did not follow up and let you all know it did end up working.