Baikal, worth it?

[Chase.]

Hello again,

I posted here a few days ago after purchasing a Stoeger O/U for my brothers 14th birthday present. I have been taking him out to the skeet range and we've been having a lot of fun.

I have been looking into getting a slightly larger 12ga that would fit me better, but I don't want to spend to much. I am only around a skeet range in the summer as my college has no nearby range I am aware of. Perhaps in a couple years after I graduate I will get something like a Beretta I really like. Recently I found a Baikal O/U 12ga for sale that fits me decently (the balance is a bit funny, but workable) for $200. Does anyone have real experience with these Russian guns? I am not sure what model it is, it has essentially no recoil pad ( tiny sliver of a plastic/rubber) ... and looks perhaps 1980s vintage. My understanding is that they are built like tanks, but how do they shoot? Are they on par with say the Stoeger Condor I got for my brother?

Thanks,

Chase

 

[6x6pinz]

I have the Baikal O/U in 410, 20 and 12, all have been exceptional hunting shotguns. Like most russian stuff, built like a tank just not real refined. My 410 and 12 see a considerable amount of use during bird season. I use the 12 as my backup to one of my autos for waterfowl and the 410 is a great dove gun.

 

[kozak6]

Most report them to be workable shotguns.

Remington imports them as their "Spartan" line.

 

[RX-178]

Remington stopped importing them, and EAA snapped them up again. Just like old times.

The Baikal line have been among my favorite doubles ever since I first learned of them and got to try them out, although I haven't added any to my personal collection yet. They're rough, cheap, and don't try to come across as some kind of precision instrument, and I just love that.

 

[oneounceload]

They're rough, cheap, and don't try to come across as some kind of precision instrument, and I just love that.

I guess I would wonder why you would "just love that"

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I have a SXS Baikal 28 ga that has been very serviceable for a couple thousand rounds. Not a bad looking gun either, with a nickle finish receiver and some engraving. The action is stiff, and doesn't seem to be getting any better.

But for $350 (used) it's been a fun gun. My wife loves it, and I've managed to kill quite a few doves with it. Nice balance too. Almost everybody seems to be able to hit with it, including my 6'4" friend.

 

[rule303]

I think the Baikals are the best of the budget O/U's. It will never be a Beretta or Browning, but if it fits you OK, go for it.

 

[jmr40]

I've had one and sold it. Like the others have said they are rough, but work. At $200 I might think about it, but would not spend the money for a new one.

To me the whole point of buying a double is for the superior balance you get when compared to most semi's and pumps. I think they will go bang every time you pull the trigger, but they handle like a fence post. At the price they are asking for new ones, I'd just pass and save up a little longer, or buy a pump for the same money if I had to have a gun.

 

[AKElroy]

I would snap it up for $200. I've had one since they first started importing them, and after roughly 3,000 rounds it has been trouble free. Like Larry said, they are stiff. My 12 O/U has loosened some, but it will never fall gracefuly open like a Beretta. The selective ejectors are a bit crude but they work, as does pushing forward on the trigger to switch barrels. Odd, but functional. I beat the crap out of mine, and use it as a loaner for friends and backup to my 1100.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have a Baikal (marked Remington Spartan) outside-hammer coach gun. It's OK, considering that it was fairly inexpensive, but I'm bothered by the fact that the hammers aren't "real," but are simply cocking levers. The Chinese-made coach guns have recently been improving their quality tremendously, they have real hammers, and they sell for even less than the Baikals.

 

[silence of the lambs]

Baikal o/u

I have two baikals a single with a 30inch barrel and full choke great gun for foxs when we beat cover,the second is a s/s my phesant and woodcock gun both very good reliabe guns. You said the o/u fits you decently which is important also All there guns look like the 80s built as working guns for cold climate.You never know you might be very lucky with it and grow to like it.

 

[denster]

I own several Baikals SXS, O/U and combo guns. They are an excellent utilitarian gun. For $200 you can use it for a few years and probably make money on it. Just go for it.

 

[MCgunner]

I've tried the O/U Remington Spartan and it just didn't fit well, lacked drop. But, my SxS Spartan fits pretty well since I lengthened the pull with a recoil pad. It's a 20 gauge coach gun length and I use it for dove hunting. It is DEADLY on the little beggers. I LOVE that thing on doves and it fits in MC saddle bags, luggage, my internal frame back pack, about anywhere when traveling. It has become my number one bird hunting tool choked I-C/mod. 20 gauge ain't enough for steel shot on waterfowl, but that ain't the gun's fault. I have 3 12s for that sort of thing, anyway. My fav for ducks is a Mossberg 500 and geese is a 10 guage H&R.

I'd say if that Baikal fits you, go for it, because it's a well made gun. It ain't purty, but what to ya expect for the price? It's a great field implement and that's what I use mine for. I'll get a Browning Cynergy someday, but not 'til my income goes up a tad.

 

[Red Cent]

Very popular SXS with the SASS crowd. The old Baikal had the the half extractors and the Spartan (and latermodels) has full extractors that is like a figure 8 in between the barrels. Cowboys desire the older one 'cause it doesn't get in the way when you reload.
If you don't want it, show it to a cowboy. Probably be gone in a flash.

 

[oneounceload]

There are some very inexpensive AyA Matadors, originally sold through Sears, dating from the 50's and 60's that also fit your budget. Check GunsInternational.com and GunBroker

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Chase, I have had 2 O/U Baikals, that worked just fine, one of my friends wife, has one in 20 gauge, thats ported. All have been fine. If your a guy that
worrys about what others think, more than what you like, get a gun thats more expensive used. If your like most guys, and you get the oportunity to use it once a month, and the rest of the time it sets in the closet. Or could use the difference in money for rent, to buy groceries or diapers. I think the Baikal will work just fine for you.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

RX178, I agree. Some guys never figure the dollar spent/enjoyment satisfaction equation, when they rate a guns worth. They have no frame of reference for it, and no amount of explaining will make them see different. One of lifes simple pleasures is to do just as well with something at half the cost.

 

[chas08]

I've no experience with the o/u's but I do own a couple of their SxS's a 20ga that is my wifes, and a 28ga that is mine. They are rough, and built like a tank, but they are scaled to gauge, and the barrels are regulated very well for a gun in their price range. I use mine almost exclusively for dove until they get too smart for the fixed I/C-Mod barrels. At this point I can only speak good of them. For the price you stated, I say go for it.