Russian "Baikal" shotguns... any one have one? Opinions?

[Hankster]

Russian "Baikal" shotguns... any one have one? Opinions? Good, bad ? The 12 ga SxS I'm primarily interested in...

[Blaine]

I've had one for several years.....a 12 sxs. I used it for clays and I thought it was a neat gun.

[gamekeeper]

I have had a couple, still have a 16GA Hammergun that I won't part with.
Their shotguns are solid and well built but not fancy, very good value for money.

[M. M. Wright]

My wife has one. It is the one that is marketed by Remington. 12 gauge, sxs with short barrels for SASS shooting. She picked it out and likes it very much. Good solid gun that doubles for home defense, or as we say, "repelling boarders".

M. M.

[txpete]

I bought one and loved it 12 ga SXS with the screw in chokes.I killed a mess of pheasant up in kansas with it.I ended up giving it to my SIL when his browning auto gave up the ghost.he loves it.back then cdnn was selling then for $218.00 + shipping to the ffl.wish I would have bought several.
pete

[RIHMFIRE]

buy a real remington...made here

[wm]

I have a SXS 'coach Gun'. It is my go to home defense shotgun. I don't believe I can give it a higher recommendation than that.

Wm

[rjohns94]

I have a Savage, Baikal side by side receiver in 12 bore, that I have restocked and added a set of regulated fully rifled barrels making it a side by side 12 bore double rifle. it is regulated for brenneke dangerous game 1 3/8 oz slug at 75 yards, holding 2 inch groups all day. Barrels have sling swivels, gold beed front, flip up/down regulated 50 and 100 yard rear sights, with ejectors. Beavertail fore grip, leather recoil pad on fitted stock to rear. If I were to grab one hunting gun from my cabinet, this would be the one I would go to. Anything I will ever want to hunt, in any location I will ever hunt, can be taken with this one shotgun/rifle.

[jlchucker]

I've owned several, both OU and Sideby. I now own a 12 sideby with interchangeable choketubes that I've used pretty much weekly for trap at my club for going on 10 years now. A 16 sideby sits in my cabinet for use during grouse season. I've bought two as gifts--a 24 inch 12 ga sideby for my brother, and a 26 incher for his daughter (my niece). All have operated trouble-free. The only quirky thing I have ever found about any of the Baikals that I've owned is that all stocks are cast for a right-hand shooter, and I'm a lefty. There's meat enough on those stocks, though, to take a bit off the opposite side and regulate them to useable for us lefties. The Russians appear to have used some nicely grained wood under all of that stain on some of these. As others have said, these are (were) very rugged and reliable guns. I wish they still imported them under their own name--especially that little 24 inch 12 like I gave my brother. Although I've never had any trouble with their selective triggers, I'd prefer double triggers on a sideby double, of any brand.

[B-lever]

I have one for hunting Sharptail grouse and pheasant in western Canada. It's a 70's 12ga sxs 2-3/4" that's very well made. Regulation is perfect. Fixed chokes, full and modified. Cocked indicators, double triggers, extractors. I found winchester hunting loads in 5's and 6's pattern very well at 16 and 40 yards from both barrels. However it is a heavy gun at 7.5 lbs.

A good used one is an excellent value.

[Nath]

Owned a 410 OU, 12g sxs and quite a few singles. They don't break. Quite a few freinds use them with no issues what so ever. I use to use their ammo (record) years ago too.

Nath.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I've owned several, both OU and Sideby. I now own a 12 sideby with interchangeable choketubes that I've used pretty much weekly for trap at my club for going on 10 years now. A 16 sideby sits in my cabinet for use during grouse season. I've bought two as gifts--a 24 inch 12 ga sideby for my brother, and a 26 incher for his daughter (my niece). All have operated trouble-free. The only quirky thing I have ever found about any of the Baikals that I've owned is that all stocks are cast for a right-hand shooter, and I'm a lefty. There's meat enough on those stocks, though, to take a bit off the opposite side and regulate them to useable for us lefties. The Russians appear to have used some nicely grained wood under all of that stain on some of these. As others have said, these are (were) very rugged and reliable guns. I wish they still imported them under their own name--especially that little 24 inch 12 like I gave my brother. Although I've never had any trouble with their selective triggers, I'd prefer double triggers on a sideby double, of any brand.

Besides my 92's many of the CAS folks know my action work for these Russian Baikal made SXS's . For an entry level SXS coach gun they are hard to beat. Unfortunately they haven't been available for the last couple years. But, I just got word from the importer EAA, they will be available again probably nest month.

[JB]

I've owned a few and feel they'd probably last the average person for years. I wouldn't count on one for serious use in sporting clays, trap, or skeet. Many of those guns shoot fire more rounds in a year than most hunters would ever shoot in a lifetime. I've watched a couple of the Russian guns die on the skeet range. They just wouldn't hold up with the better made guns.

[jlchucker]

I've owned a few and feel they'd probably last the average person for years. I wouldn't count on one for serious use in sporting clays, trap, or skeet. Many of those guns shoot fire more rounds in a year than most hunters would ever shoot in a lifetime. I've watched a couple of the Russian guns die on the skeet range. They just wouldn't hold up with the better made guns.

Have you got any predictions on when my Baikal side-by-side 12 is going to fail? I've been using it at my club exclusively on trap (usually 3 or 4 rounds every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon) for about 6 or 7 years now. Odd you should say this because I've stood right next to one fellow club member who lost a bead from his Ruger over and under, and another who had problems with his Citori. Maybe these folks just had lemons and I got lucky, you think?

[Silent Sam]

Have a SxS "coach gun". Heavy, rough triggers but can be cleaned up pretty easy. Action was stiff and wouldn't "hang" all the way open, but this is easily fixed also. Finish is thin (spray on I believe). Had mine out and got caught in the rain and the grain lifted quickly. Refinished it myself and no further problems. They are solid guns but need some work which I don't think unreasonable considering the price. If you get one that has been used for CAS all the work has probably already been done. I don't worry about wearing it out.

[JB]

I've owned a few and feel they'd probably last the average person for years. I wouldn't count on one for serious use in sporting clays, trap, or skeet. Many of those guns shoot fire more rounds in a year than most hunters would ever shoot in a lifetime. I've watched a couple of the Russian guns die on the skeet range. They just wouldn't hold up with the better made guns.

Have you got any predictions on when my Baikal side-by-side 12 is going to fail? I've been using it at my club exclusively on trap (usually 3 or 4 rounds every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon) for about 6 or 7 years now. Odd you should say this because I've stood right next to one fellow club member who lost a bead from his Ruger over and under, and another who had problems with his Citori. Maybe these folks just had lemons and I got lucky, you think?

I was afraid someone would get their dander up. Your shotgun may very well shoot 10,000,000 rounds. Someone could make a post about RG handguns being junk and you'd find at least a few folks that sore their RG had shot 50,000 rounds in an ISPC match with zero problems.

All guns will eventually wear out if their shot enough. My father wore out a Beretta on the skeet range, but that was thousands and thousands of rounds. As a general rule, guns with less fit and polish of internal parts will wear down quicker. The Russian guns are not in the class with Beretta, Browning, Perazzi, etc. Of course you wouldn't expect them to be either. I'd have no problem using the Russian guns for hunting, but I wouldn't expect the same quality as a better made shotgun. I'm not a huge Ruger Red Label fan either, but that's for a different discussion.

[jlchucker]

I've owned a few and feel they'd probably last the average person for years. I wouldn't count on one for serious use in sporting clays, trap, or skeet. Many of those guns shoot fire more rounds in a year than most hunters would ever shoot in a lifetime. I've watched a couple of the Russian guns die on the skeet range. They just wouldn't hold up with the better made guns.

Have you got any predictions on when my Baikal side-by-side 12 is going to fail? I've been using it at my club exclusively on trap (usually 3 or 4 rounds every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon) for about 6 or 7 years now. Odd you should say this because I've stood right next to one fellow club member who lost a bead from his Ruger over and under, and another who had problems with his Citori. Maybe these folks just had lemons and I got lucky, you think?

I was afraid someone would get their dander up. Your shotgun may very well shoot 10,000,000 rounds. Someone could make a post about RG handguns being junk and you'd find at least a few folks that sore their RG had shot 50,000 rounds in an ISPC match with zero problems.

All guns will eventually wear out if their shot enough. My father wore out a Beretta on the skeet range, but that was thousands and thousands of rounds. As a general rule, guns with less fit and polish of internal parts will wear down quicker. The Russian guns are not in the class with Beretta, Browning, Perazzi, etc. Of course you wouldn't expect them to be either. I'd have no problem using the Russian guns for hunting, but I wouldn't expect the same quality as a better made shotgun. I'm not a huge Ruger Red Label fan either, but that's for a different discussion.

actually, my dander's not up. You stated that you'd seen these guns fail on the skeet range--I've been using mine for trap for quite a few years now, albeit not in competition. I was just looking for a prediction from you as to when you thought my 12 would stuff out. I use it for some hunting as well--although I prefer another Baikal (a 16) for hunting. While I probably could afford a Beretta, Browning, Perazzi, etc I've had a lot of fun at little expense with my Baikals--and the expense has never involved gunsmith repair--the exception being to whittle off a bit of stock to make it fit me, a lefty. These aren't pretty guns--but neither is a Moisin-Nagant rifle, and those have stood up to some pretty rough treatment. Plus, I've got change left over with which to buy a lot of ammo and components. By the way, as to a Baikal's durability, about 5 years or so ago, prior to the Savage and Remington importations, a publication called "Shooting Sportsman" tested one of these extensively, and ran some 20,000 consecutive rounds through one with no trouble at all. This publication caters to those who typically use far more expensive shotguns than I can afford. I was surprised to see them run a test on a Baikal in there. They tested a 20 ga as I recall. The usual guns that this magazine writes about are usually works of art that the average shooter can only drool over--and Beretta, Browning, Perazzi, etc are lowbrow compared to the handmade wonders that are typically featured in that mag.

I'm encouraged by Nate's post that Baikals are going to be imported again. If mine craps out as you say, I'll quickly buy another, because I don't feel I've lost a thing given the number of rounds I've put through my 12. I just hope that all the previous barrel lengths will be offered. A 26 or 24 inch would be nice to have IMO.

[Blaine]

Russian stuff is ugly, but built like their T34s....almost impossible to break and very formidable.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I've owned a few and feel they'd probably last the average person for years. I wouldn't count on one for serious use in sporting clays, trap, or skeet. Many of those guns shoot fire more rounds in a year than most hunters would ever shoot in a lifetime. I've watched a couple of the Russian guns die on the skeet range. They just wouldn't hold up with the better made guns.

I have to disagree. I've built several for the CAS shooters and they are holding up just fine. I feel the CAS speed shooting game is much harder on guns than the other shotgun games. I have a world class CAS shooter that wrecked two of the stoegers before he started using one of my Baikal IZH 43's. 6 yearsand 1000's of rounds later and the gun is still going strong.


P.S. I would add, I don't much care for any of the low priced single trigger guns Russian or otherwise. I've seen too many of them FTF one side or worse fire both barrel at the same time.

[RKrodle]

Russian stuff is ugly, but built like their T34s....almost impossible to break and very formidable.

Blaine I have one of the 410 S X S's and I think it could take a T34. A load of 7 1/2's may not scratch the paint on it but I bet I could use the barrels to pry a track off it .

[txpete]

now thats funny.

[Blaine]

Russian stuff is ugly, but built like their T34s....almost impossible to break and very formidable.

Blaine I have one of the 410 S X S's and I think it could take a T34. A load of 7 1/2's may not scratch the paint on it but I bet I could use the barrels to pry a track off it .

[JB]

P.S. I would add, I don't much care for any of the low priced single trigger guns Russian or otherwise. I've seen too many of them FTF one side or worse fire both barrel at the same time.

I do have to admit the guns I've seen break were the single trigger guns. You don't see many folks using the short barreled double trigger "coach" guns on the skeet or trap ranges. I personally don't feel any of the cheap Russian guns are of the same quality as the guns in the higher dollar guns, or even the CZ's. But nobody would expect a $400 shotgun to be made to the same standards as a $1,400 shotgun.

[farmer44mag]

I have one of the single trigger SxS 12 ga's with 28 inch barrels. It's been a good gun so far for about 10 years now. not a huge amount of rounds through it though. I use it as my corner closet, quick response varmit gun. It's taken care of alot of skunks, woodchucks, and rabbits.

I have had two "problems" with it. On one solitary occassion a few years ago it fired both barrels with one trigger pull on a rabbit- he was very DEAD! I didn't realize both had been fired till i got no click or bang shooting at the second rabbit. the other problem is that it was EXTREAMELY stiff when new and is still more stiff than it should be to open, but for $200 i wasn't going to complain too much.

The wood on mine is VERY NICE!!!!

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

P.S. I would add, I don't much care for any of the low priced single trigger guns Russian or otherwise. I've seen too many of them FTF one side or worse fire both barrel at the same time.

I do have to admit the guns I've seen break were the single trigger guns. You don't see many folks using the short barreled double trigger "coach" guns on the skeet or trap ranges. I personally don't feel any of the cheap Russian guns are of the same quality as the guns in the higher dollar guns, or even the CZ's. But nobody would expect a $400 shotgun to be made to the same standards as a $1,400 shotgun.

That I agree with.
The CAS folks that shoot single trigger guns usually use Browning BSS's and SKB with barrels cut to 20" or so. I prefer the double trigger gun but I reverse the triggers. For the right handed shooter I can reverse the triggers so front trigger is on the left and the rear trigger is on the right. With the triggers setup like this once you pull the front left trigger the finger can easily slip straight back to the rear which is now on the right side. You don't have to reach around the front trigger to get to the back trigger. I personally think this is a faster setup than even the single trigger guns because you don't have to let up on the trigger to get a reset required of the single trigger gun. This setup can make it seem almost like both trigger were pulled at the same time.

Here’s one of my Color-case TTN hammer guns with the triggers switch.
.

Here's a short video of a 2.71 second 4 shot world record run with a Russian Baikal with the triggers switched.

Payden Kash, 2.71

BTW, The CZ's are mostly made by Huglu. I give them credit for a fantastic job of finishing the outside of those guns but the insides are terrible. In times of old when you found a finely finished gun you could expect it to be the same inside as well. Not with the CZ's. The first time I took one apart I felt cheated and it wasn't even my gun.

[JB]

The Huglu shotguns seem to vary depending upon the age and whom they were made for. I found the Huglu made Mossbergs to be poorly made inside and out. I've never had a CZ apart, but like the Russian guns they seem to hold up to average hunting use.