New Item report: TOZ-34ER o/u shotgun

[BlackJack]

This past weekend I bought a TOZ-34ER over and under shotgun with 28" barrels in IC and MOD for $250. The rifle is made by the Tula Arms Factory (Tula Oruzhyonnii Zavod or "TOZ") in Tula, Russia. It's a pretty crude manufacture--very definitely reminiscent of Soviet production style--but is a good solid well-built gun. It comes with fixed chokes, either IC and Mod or Mod and Full and was only available in 12ga from the dealer I bought mine from, although they're made in 20ga and perhaps others. It also takes only 2 3/4" shells. It has a ventrib sighting plane and a brass front sight. The metal finish is not highly polished but well blued. The wood is nicely shaped and checkered at the grip, but is not highly finished. The recoil pad looks adequate but not over thick. The shotgun comes with sling swivels installed. I haven't shot mine yet but I'll elaborate once I have. Perhaps others have experience with these?

 

[BlackJack]

By the way, although both guns are marketed as "Baikal" shotguns, the TOZ-34ER is a simpler and less expensive cousin to the Izh-27 which is made by the Mechanical Factory in Izhevsk, Russia, and runs $390-450.

 

[BlackJack]

Fired it today

I shot four rounds with this gun today and now REALLY like it. No problems at all. Barrels converge properly and the gun is light and quick to mount and lay on target. Breakdown for cleaning afterward is easy. The gun looks as solid as every and even nicer after handling it a bit. Strong recommendation for someone who wants an over and under but doesn't have $1000+ to lay out on it.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks for posting that. Nice to know folks wanting to get into O/Us don't have to spend 4 figures to get a serviceable shotgun....

 

[BlackJack]

Just got word from SSME that they have a new shipment of these guns in both in 12ga and 20ga. Check out their website (www.ssmedwi.com) if interested. Best to all.

 

[PI Rob]

Blackjack, thanks for the report. I've been looking at the Baikal IZH-27 O/U myself. They seem to be nice guns, very affordable, and get good reviews.

Did you shoot Trap, Skeet, or SC's?

Were the fixed chokes enough to get the job done or would screw-ins have been better? Did your gun have the single or double triggers? Which is better? I'm new at shooting clays and trying to decide between the two versions and just can't seem to pick one. I need more info.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Onmilo]

I have had a fixed choke Baikal IZH-27 for several years and it does just fine on squirrels, rabbits, and pheasants.
It is 12 guage, modified choke lower and full choke upper barrels.
The chambers are only 2 3/4" and the bores are hard chromed.
Overall finish is "Russian Service Grade" and the gun is built truck strong.
It hits where it is pointed and the chokes pattern as advertised.
It has small sling swivels attached and I use a Chinese SKS sling for toting it around.
I like it for what I use it for.

 

[PI Rob]

Thanks Onmilo.

BlackJack?

 

[BlackJack]

Sorry for the slow response Rob. I principally use the gun for shooting at clays. We no longer have a formal trap, skeet or sporting clays facility close by but we do have a couple of throwers we can get some good shots from. For clay shooting, and probably most hunting, I find the full and mod chokes fully adequate and I don't even like to shoot 3" shells much any more. The only use I ever made of them was shooting geese and don't do much of that these days.

If you're thinking about getting the better model with screw in chokes, 3" chamber and a bit nicer finishing, it's probably worth the $150 more give or take you'll have to pay. I come from a family where a single shot full choke shotgun was all most had for their whole lives and that on a game filled farm, so by comparison I have a wide selection today with two Russian over and unders, an 870 and a Beretta AL391. And I find I never take the time to change the chokes even though I have them, so for me I think I wouldn't bother with getting a gun that can change them out.

The TOZ has double triggers. My Izh-27 has a single trigger. I actually prefer the double triggers and am thinking of getting a TOZ in 20ga to replace my Izh-27. Part of my problem is my TOZ is double triggers and 12 ga and the Izh-27 is 20ga and single, so when we get to the range, switching back and forth confuses.

Hope that's helpful.

 

[PI Rob]

Thanks for the reply BlackJack. It did help and is appreciated.

Rob

 

[wakuar1]

Hi there,

I'm interested in TOZ-34ER o/u shotgun. I was wondering if you could shoot steel shots thru it? If you can't shoot steel, then can you shoot some other pallets thru it that are not lead. The reason I'm asking is because lead shots are banned in Canada for waterfowl.

Thanks.

 

[BlackJack]

Hey wakuar,

Neither of the manuals for my Russian shotguns mention steel shot or other compositions. I would check with the EAA or SSME sites and possibly contact the companies to make sure anything you buy from them will handle the shot types you have to use. Or you could just vote the communists out of office!

Jack

 

[Onmilo]

You can safely use Bismuth shot in the guns if you can find it.