Interesting 12g SxS: TOZ-66 from Tula, USSR

[batex]

A buddy of mine has an interesting double barrel that I can get from him for $200. It's a 12 gauge TOZ-66 side-by-side with exposed hammers with 28" barrels and it's stamped made in Tula, USSR. Obviously, this is an older gun but it's in nice condition - blue with what looks like birch wood. It's a pretty basic gun, but looks very sturdy. Anyone know know much about this one?

It's also stamped I guess with the importer name of "Univeral SPGD GDS Hialeah, Fla"

I think it's pretty cool looking and given it's USSR manufacture, shouldn't it be built pretty solid? How do you think it would compare to some of the chinese import stuff?

Thanks,

 

[Gordon]

Uh I've had the TOZ 66 since the middle 70s. It is one super duper sturdy gun! The barrels are chrome lined, nothing seems to break, but could easily be fixed. The side plates are detachable! The stocks seem strong and well fitted to! The TOZ 66 is way better than the recent Russian imports IMHO. $200 is a steal!

 

[heviarti]

Yeah. See the post on chinese coach guns. TOZ is a nice shotgun, I'd go for one if I had the chance. Does that have standard chokes, Or the Tula chokes that arsenal is famous for?

 

[batex]

The barrels are also stamped with M/F which I take to be modified and full chokes which makes sense given the 28" barrels. In doing more research on the internet, the 20" coach gun version of the TOZ-66 seems more common and is found with more open chokes.

 

[Gordon]

My TOZ 66 does have 20" barrels of IMP Cyl and Mod. These guns in no way compare to the Chinese guns, and yes I've had Chinese guns (and got rid of them).

 

[lonesome pine]

I just got my hands on a Tula TOZ 66, with 28" barrels and exterior hammers. This gun has hardly been shot, mirror bores, tight as a vault, don't care for the finish on the stock, it is either lacquer or some form of synthetic lacquer.....don't know what type of wood this is, want to strip the lacquer and do an oil finish.......can't complain though, it is practically in new condition and only cost me $250.00

 

[chas08]

My guess would be that it's the predecessor to the Baikal line imported from Russia by EAA, which became Remington Spartan which has since disolved into something else. I seem to recall reading that on this or another forum at one time. I have three Baikal IZH-43's in 16, 20, & 28 ga with internal hammers. They are a sturdily built gun and I've had no problems with any of the three. The 28 ga is my favorite and the 20 is my wifes. I paid about $250 for each in 2000. I'd say jump on it for $200. They aren't a polished classy gun, but they are a lot of gun for the money.

Does it look a lot like this;
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=179020751