What information is available on Baikal shotguns?

Answer I have had good luck with the newer O/U models. From what I have read, the O/U Browning knock-off is one of the hottest selling shotguns going right now. I've looked for one of the S/S models but have not been able to find one -- in most cases dealers are sold out.

Check out European American Armory, Corp. At eaacorp.com Answer You can go to Baikal's website at baikalinc.ru. Be sure to click English version when the page pops up unless you can read Russian!

Has lots of information and you can even contact the company via email Answer Baikal shotguns have been around in the UK for a long time now. They are very simple and honest hardworking guns that will give many years of service. I own two Baikal shotguns (both singles) and I often choose them intead of my Beretta 391 semiauto.

Prices in the UK for new baikal guns are about: single all guages �89 side by side �260 over/under �340 You can choose to have fixed or multichokes Answer I recently purchased a Baikal 12 g. SXS with the 28 inch barrel. I have used it about 4 times shooting clays at the farm.My first impression was that it was LOUD.

Since I use ear protection, this was really not a problem. Second thing: it kicks pretty well. Even though it had a kick pad already, I just bought a slip-on one at Wal-Mart.

Initially, I felt that the gun was a little stiff, it didn't break open easily. Since I have used and cleaned it now about four times, it is loosening up nicely. I can hit with it.

I do plan to change the sights. The ones on it are too small. For the money, I am thrilled with the result Answer I looked long and hard for an O/U IZH-27 in 16 guage and finally was able to purchase one.

I have run about 7 boxes throught it now and really do like it. It shoots really well and I can connect pretty good with it.It was really stiff at first but has now limbered up quite well. I would certainly recommend these guns for the price Answer I recently purchased a Baikal IZH43KH Bounty Hunter 2 SXS 12g.

With a 20 in.Barrel. First impressions is very tight to open it up, but getting broke in better. Very noisy to shoot also, will need ear protection if target practicing or shooting for long periods.

Also needs a better kick plate, will bruise your shoulder after awhile of shooting even with light load ammo. Would recommend this gun to anyone however, very fun to shoot Answer I have had a model 27 O/U for ten years now. I just got home from trap shooting,some calculations with my buddies and we figure 10,000 rounds through it.

It had to go in once for a minor repair. Less than 100 dollars. I located the parts on the net easily.

It has chrome moly barrells so I can use steel shot in it. Truly a fun and reliable shotgun Answer Purchased a 20ga. Baikal SxS with 26 in.

Barrels, single selective triggers, choke tubes. Love it. For $330.00 Answer I recently purchased a Baikal 12 ga SxS with selectable trigger, screw in chokes and the ejector option.

I paid $335.00, and it is one heckuva nice gun. I own a Beretta semi-auto, as well as a Browning Belgian A5 light twelve, and can't think of a better value than the Baikal. I'm thinking about picking up a 20 ga too!

Answer Baikal shotguns Have been discribed perfectly in all the previous answers they are a great low investment utilitarian shotgun, that you won't be afraid to use.It will not gain any value except sentimental. Memories afield or that first 25 straight Answer I am not a gun collector and my eyes do not glaze over at gunshows ( which I rarely frequent) I have been an avid hunter since I was ten years of age. I am now 63.

I do appreciate a good firearm. My criteria is both functional and aesthetic. I know guns.

Like many of you who live on limited salary, it is difficult to cough up the shekels for a high quality gun. People, I am convinced Baikals are junk.Period. I too am occasionally deluded into thinking that I might find a gun which is high quality for a low price.

I bought a Baikal o/u. It was so stiff upon opening the action that you practically had to break it over your knee. The seller at Sheels assured me that it would loosen up with use.It never did.

The lock was extremely poorly designed and was wedge shaped keep the action tight. It would jam in so tight that I had to take my gloves off to exert enough pressure to open the gun. The safety quit working within three weeks.

I tell you people that the lock designs and machining of the two Baikals I have owned would never be considered or tolerated by a gunmaker who had an inkling. Fooled once, your fault; fooled twice, my fault. I was stupid enough to try another Baikal.

I know good design and craftsmanship and something in my gut kept saying - "there is no free lunch" but, not wanting to spend what it takes to buy surefire quality, I suckered again. As I have aged my hands really freeze up if I don't wear good insulated gloves. I have always hunted with a pump 870 but can't get insulated gloves into the trigger guard or feel the safety very well.

I have always thought a nice side by side would be fun. Big trigger guard and thumb safety.So I bought a Baikal. This action is better designed in that the lock is smoother and not "wedge designed".

The first thing I noticed is that it is really loud and kicks more than it should. The varnish ( or whatever the wood was finished with) wore off down the wood on the grip in one season. I only used it for hunting so I could live with that.

The action problem is that the second barrel often does not go off. I hunt a lot of pheasants over a pair of German shorthairs and often get a chance at doubles. This is particularly disturbing.

Pick any one of a thousand Brownings, Rugers or Weatherbys and they will function flawlessly.It really irks me that the sales people will lie through their teeth when you ask them if people have problems with them - that is when you buy a Baikal. However, when you trade them in they will admit that the complaint rate is hign. I implore you not to be sucked in by trying to get quality for cheap.

Ain' no such thing. Look closely at the machining - see the grinder marks etc. What do you think it looks like on the inside of the action. A good double is polished where it needs to function flawlessly.

You might think that youre getting a Browning knock off, but Baikal does not posess the structural integrity that the Japenese knock offs do. Also, you won't by a super cheap Japenese knockoff. The problem is this.

A Baikal has that first impression eye appeal and I suckered for it. Closer examination is another thing. I now hunt with a Browning Answer I have owned a Baikal side by side in 12 guage and successfully hunted ducks for 25 years and because I have to use steel shot now I will have to change to a pump or auto loader.

My Baikal never malfuntioned during the quarter century of use. I abused it and used it for things that it was not made for such as disciplining the dog, paddling the boat after the paddle was stolen, I dropped it in the water and shot with it straight away and it never let me down. Other types have laughed at it but hey I am happy with it and it works for me SOME ADVICE FROM ONE WHO LEARNED THE HARD WAY: Based on owning two low cost Baikal double shotguns and follow up research at gunshops and on the net PREMISE; BUYER BEWARE WHEN BUYING A LOW COST SIDE BY SIDE OR OVER/UNDER SHOTGUN.

Double guns are spendy compared to other type action shotguns. True? The reason is that a double requires more labor and the parts are more sophisticated to produce - expecially for a single selective/automatic ejector double.

Anything less than perfect will give problems galore In recent years the cost of high quality double guns has gone through the roof. Yet, Mr. Joe average hunter who lives modestly on a working man's wage would sure like to own a double. The demand is there if the price is right In the wake of this, some foreign gunmakers and U.S. Companies have teamed up to fill the need.

Remington imports Baikal doubles under the Spartan name, Mossberg imports cheap Turkish doubles and so on I have a problem called Raynaud's Syndrome. It is the frosty finger phenomenon. If I get my hands cold, they lose circulation - a potentially dangerous situation.

As it progressed I could no longer get my heavily gloved finger in the triggergard of my shotguns. A double has a large guard and a thumb safety so that was the perfect solution. Besides, a good double is a beautiful thing to shoot and behold So, having no idea about the state of the contemporary double gun as to cost, quality source etc. , I went looking.

I was bowled over by the cost of doubles - even the cheap ones. I finally settled on a twenty gauge Baikal O/U. It seemed extremely stiff but the salesman assured me it would loosen up with use.

Wrong! It never did. A few weeks later the safety quit working I took it back under warranty and the salesman acted like I was the problem rather than the gun.

He finally agreed to refund my money. I thought this was probably a fluke lemon. I then purchased a Baikal side by side.

With field loads, it just sucked air on the second barrel. The finish wore off down to the wood in one season. I sent it in and had it fixed but haven't tried it out yet.

They replaced a sear lifter So, I began to research and read all of the information I could find on the cheap imported doubles. Here is what I found. I talked with gun salesmen and gunsmiths as well as reading many testimonies on gun forums on the net.

Even gun magazines are not reporting the facts because - guess how they make their money The hype on the web forums: This revealed the buyers psychology rather than standing up to the cold facts and objective research. When you talk to a guy who has recently purchased a car they always tell you how great a deal they got and how great the car is - right. Every time.

The guys on the web sites sang the same song. Great workhorse guns - even drive a truck over them. Great entry level ( whatever that means ) guns.

Read those reports and then carefully read between the lines. Reports like, "My Baikal really is great - although it is really hard to open when it gets hot when I shoot trap. Or, my Baikal is worth every dollar.

I do have one little problem - the solder on the rib gave way. Give me a break. I really like my Mossberg Wal-mart o/u but the fireing pin broke.

Give me a break! Here is the psychology as I see it.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.