Starting my journey with potentially the cheapest (and ugliest?) double rifle around…the IZH94 O/U in 30-06

[WisconsinKen]

Hey everyone. I have had an IZH94 30-06 O/U tucked away NIB for over 20 years. Finally decided I am getting old and ugly enough I cannot fault this rifle for looking the way she does so it is time to shoot her and try to fall in love or trade her away.
For those of you unfamiliar with these rifles, Baikal made these O/Us in a variety of configurations. Most bring rifle/Shotgun combo with some being double rifle. These are based off their shotgun frames. Not sure how many they sold.
So, I need some help to see if this ugly duckling and I can make this work. I would like to mount something like a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 on there. Don’t figure I will be taking any shots where an 8x won’t work for me. The top of the barrel has a dovetail cut into it. I measured it with my calipers and sketched it out. It extends 2.95 inches in length.
Does anyone have any idea what Mount type matches those dimensions?
Once we get that problem solved, someone can give me guidance on how to not need a fence post nearby to get it to break open

 

[R eight]

Many years ago I had one in 308. There is at least one mount available for them as I found one for mine. It was a perfect match for the rifle, ugly as hell. I can’t remember what brand.

I could not get the rifle to regulate any where near good enough to use in the bush. I owned mine for less than 6 months.

Good luck .

 

[Tintin]

Hey Ken,

I'd have a chat to these guys - I reckon they will get you sorted.

https://www.optics-trade.eu/au/mounts/shopby/suitable_for_b-baikal_izh_94.html

https://www.optics-trade.eu/au/catalogsearch/result/?q=IZH+94

I found them responsive to emails considering the time difference.

Looks like the IZH 18 and the IZH 94 have the same rail (12mm).

Good luck with it.

 

[Safari Dave]

It may not the the prettiest thing on the planet, but at least it is chambered for the world's most versatile cartridge!

I wouldn't bother with a scope.

Use 220g round-nosed bullets and hunt the bush. Might be a great black bear stopper!

 

[WisconsinKen]

Thank you Tintin!!

 

[WisconsinKen]

It may not the the prettiest thing on the planet, but at least it is chambered for the world's most versatile cartridge!

I wouldn't bother with a scope.

Use 220g round-nosed bullets and hunt the bush. Might be a great black bear stopper!

Agreed. I love the O6. I was contemplating mounting a rail on it and being completely heretical and mount an Sig Romeo and Juliet combo I have laying around. But the 1-8 seemed a little more reasonable to me

 

[Safari Dave]

I think it's cool!


There is no reason not to outfit it anyway you like, if you can find mounts.

 

[Safari Dave]

When things get hairy, just adjust the Vortex down to 1X, take a knee, and pull both triggers at that 500 pound beast when he is bearing down on you at 20 yards away!

When he comes sliding in at you feet, send us a picture!

 

[WisconsinKen]

At 20 yards, there might be something else at my feet

 

[WisconsinKen]

To try it out, I found a 12mm to regular rail conversion rail. Will let me test fit it, see how and where each optic mounts. Then I can go with a specific scope Mount if I decide to go that way.
Looking at what people are asking for these IZH94s on GunBroker, I might be better off selling the second one I have stashed

 

[R eight]

I’d try it with the iron sights first. Not much point in buying a mount and then finding out that she doesn’t regulate.

I wasted my money by buying the mount first. I couldn’t get the rifle to regulate so then sold the rifle and mount for a loss.

However I have seen a few Baikals that do regulate pretty well. But I’ve heard plenty of stories very similar to mine.

Good luck.

 

[GuttormG]

The rail is same as for a .22, adding a stopperscrew is good idea.
Hard to open, you can do what we had to when we got our first shotgun (over here it would a Baikal)-go use it. Mine still requires some effort to open, but hey-have only had it for 35 years! Or take of the barrels, clean and lub and spend an evening watching TV while opening and closing the action.

Never had any of the doublerifles, but several shotguns and 2 singel shot rifles. They are what they are, solid guns intended to be used.
A friend who really has disappeared into the world of fine German break open guns do not like me pointing out that my less then 200dollsrcrusdian made rifles has no issues extracing a case

 

[GuttormG]

 

[WisconsinKen]

Funny their picture is upside down from the writing

 

[GuttormG]

Soviet QA

 

[Red Leg]

Funny their picture is upside down from the writing

I suspect a similar effort that went into the rifle.

 

[Red Leg]

Soviet QA

Beat me to it.

 

[WisconsinKen]

I have to admit my 12ga O/U is a Baikal and it has been flawless in it’s reliability. I think it is a matter of expectation management at a price point.
But, we’ll see how my ugly ducking 06 O/U works

 

[GuttormG]

I suspect a similar effort that went into the rifle.

The gun is very well made.
The USSR-era guns was well made, fitted and finnished. Wood varied from plain firewood to nice walnut.
"made in Russia" guns, fitting and finnish quality varies. But they are all mechanical strong/sound.

 

[Red Leg]

There are indeed some well made guns of the Soviet era. A gun that I would point to is the Tula MC6-03 OU as an example of superb Soviet era craftsmanship. Sadly they were unicorns at the time and far more so now. I almost purchased one at the Tulsa gun show over 20 years ago, but the seller wouldn't budge from his $3500 price. I have often regretted not stretching the bank account. The last one I have seen was at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show about twelve years ago. A two-barrel set, it was priced at $6500.

If you scroll down the link, you will see the Baikal MU 7 which is an even more elegant and sadly rarer gun.

soviet – Dogs and Doubles

www.dogsanddoubles.com

An exceptional rifle of the period in far plainer livery is the Izhmash-Biathlon 7-2-KO in 22lr. It has a birch stock and painted finish. But they were and are extremely accurate rifles with a wonderful adjustable trigger. A full size scope is easily mounted, and I use mine to cull squirrels out to a 70 yards from the guest house deck. They were available from the Russian Federation off and on for a while for around $400 - $500. You will be lucky to find one for much under $1,000 now.

https://truegunvalue.com/rifle/izhmash/biathlon/price-historical-value-581