The Izhevsk Mechanical Plant has produced and continues to produce high-quality weapons, on which entire generations of hunters are brought up. The IZH-43 shotgun is a double-barreled horizontal gun, which became the next stage in the activity of the plant for the production of mass smooth-bore weapons. The model was created on the basis of the IZH-58 gun, which, in turn, came off the assembly line as a cheapened version of the reliable but expensive IZH-54 double-barreled shotgun. Today we will discuss the history of the appearance of the IZH-43 rifle, characteristics, reviews and much more.
Production
The work of the designers of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant to develop the IZH-43 gun began in 1984. Literally two years later, the model has already entered mass production. The gunsmiths managed to make a cheaper, but technically more advanced model. Improvements affected mainly safety and ejector mechanisms. The issue was also resolved with the fit of the pad to the receiver.
The task of creating an inexpensive universal double-barreled shotgun was completed one hundred percent. In 1995, the number of issued IZH-43 rifles reached 300 thousand copies. Production of guns in different versions, for every taste and pocket, is carried out today. Only now the model is called MP-43. The model is bought not only by domestic hunters, but also by foreign connoisseurs of good weapons.
Design Features
The main trump card gun IZH-43 - characteristics. Reviews of experienced hunters indicate that the model is an excellent combination of price and quality. Now, first things first.
The IZH-43 shotgun is a double-barreled smooth-bore weapon, the receiver of which has a horizontal arrangement. In the breech, the trunks are fastened with a sleeve connection. And along the length of the trunks, their connection is provided by the lower and aim strips. The shotgun is intra-gun. Triggers are made in the form of a monoblock with strikers and lights out.
In the process of improving the gun, the trigger began to be produced separately from the strikers. On some modifications of the gun, external devices are installed for cocking and smooth descent of the springs. These devices are made in the form of false skins. In other versions with two triggers, the ability to smoothly pull the trigger from the cock is possible due to the fuse. In addition, there are also models on which only one trigger is installed.
The safety mechanism is automatically activated when cocking. He blocks the triggers and whispers. IZH-43 horizontals have twisted cylindrical combat springs. The gun can be with or without selective ejectors. The trunks of this model have a constant muzzle narrowing and interchangeable chokes. Trunks of the Magnum version with a chamber length of 76 mm can be with cylindrical drilling. To lock the receiver, you need to slide the locking bar on two underbarrel hooks.
Trigger mechanism Kalinin
The first copies of the model had an index of "43" or "43E." They installed a special trigger, which was developed by design engineer A. N. Kalinin. The main advantage of these guns was that they had two triggers, each of which could fire from two barrels. When you press the front descent, the right barrel fired, and then the left. From the rear descent, the trunks fired in the reverse order. If you wish, you could shoot in the usual way - by pressing the descents in turn.
Soon, the plant ceased to produce a double-barreled gun with such a trigger mechanism. Under the marking of IZH-43M and IZH-43EM, they began to produce guns with a standard-action trigger. However, the plant retained the ability to equip its rifles with the USM Kalinin. Such instances were made piece by piece, on order. A little later, the guns received the old markings. And from the 90s, the plant began producing shotguns with one trigger and the ability to switch the order of shots.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the gun are mainly associated with a combination of price and quality. Being relatively inexpensive, the IZH-43 double-barreled shotgun has a very good battle, gives decent accuracy and sharpness when working with shots, shows good results when shooting, and also has reliability and safe predictability in handling. The model has a good balance. USM design completely eliminates the possibility of an accidental shot. Without pulling the trigger, a shot is impossible.
As for the shortcomings, they, as befits an inexpensive mass production, manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the party and model. Experienced hunters who want to buy an IZH-43 shotgun carefully choose the best among several models. The owners who are not too lazy to work with a file also benefit, because the main number of shortcomings can be eliminated independently, at home. A few examples of such tuning are given below.
Home tuning
Often, IZH-43 double-barreled guns suffer from poor impregnation and processing of wooden parts. Self-impregnation and grinding (and in some cases even fitting) of these parts helps to solve the problem. The next problem is the failure of the ejector. This is where you need a file.
Sometimes, when shooting, the safety bracket of the descents injures the finger due to its unsuccessful shape. To get rid of this problem, you need to either redo it or cover it with a layer of protective material. The anti-corrosion coating in the guns of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant often leaves much to be desired. Therefore, many users additionally lubricate the gun with oil to prevent the occurrence of rust on long hunts.
Versions
To date, the gun is produced under the name MP-43 in such calibres:
- 12th (70 or 76 mm).
- 16th (70 mm).
- 20th (76 mm).
- 410th (76 mm).
The length of the chamber is shown in brackets.
The 410 caliber rifle version is made with drill holes in two versions: a cylinder with a pressure and a payday or a cylinder with a pressure and a choke. The barrel of the model IZH-43 (12 gauge) has a length of 750 mm. In versions of a smaller caliber, the length ranges from 510 to 710 mm. Now consider separately all additional modifications of the gun.
IL-43E
This is a basic model that has a selectable switchable ejector. When the ejector is turned on, when opening the barrels, only the used sleeve flies out, the whole cartridge remains in place. This is very convenient in cases where you need to quickly reload weapons.
IZH-43-1S
The model is different in that it has only one trigger. In its upper part is a switch that allows you to easily change the sequence of shots from the barrels. The IZH-43E-1C version differs from the previous one in that it, like the IZH-43E model, is equipped with an ejector mechanism.
IZH-43K
This 12-caliber shotgun is suitable for those who like to transport weapons in a charged state and quickly cock up springs without opening a gun. The highlight of the model is the presence of false skins. To the surprise of employees of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, the model aroused interest among American amateurs of historical weapons. There is even information that specially for this market models with raised brand tubes were produced.
IZH-43KN
Full external model. Available only in caliber 12. When cocked, the chance of a random shot is reduced to zero. Even if you hit the trigger of the trigger, nothing will happen.
Versions of the IZH-43 rifle can be called either as described above, or with the marking “MP” instead of “IZh”. In addition to the listed ordinary models, the Izhevsk factory also produces unit guns that are distinguished by excellent combat and beautiful finishes using precious metals. These are the characteristics of the IZH-43 rifle.
Reviews
Most users are very positive about the gun of this model. Someone may ask: "Well, what about the flaws?" The fact is that for the price category in which this product is located, it very well works. Therefore, speaking of its shortcomings, it is worth considering how many guns are worth that are devoid of these problems. Well, since most of the problems are solved at home (and Slavic men do not disdain repairing equipment and even really love it), the gun really managed to win the hearts of hunters.
Disassembling the gun, according to reviews, is very easy and fast. The weapon is unpretentious in operation and has a sufficient accuracy of fire for novice hunters. But experienced shooters speak quite well about him. Since the IZH-43 rifle works without problems with self-loading cartridges, it will become a real gift for those who like to equip cartridges themselves. In this case, the cartridges do not need to be calibrated too carefully. In cold weather, weapons work no worse than in summer heat. Special complaints in the reviews of the owners were not noticed.
Conclusion
Today we learned what the IZH-43 double-bar horizontal is. Characteristics, owner reviews and photos allowed us to get the most complete picture of the product. The shotgun really deserves attention, especially the first versions and models that were released piece by piece. Hunters treat them with special trepidation and respect. More than one generation of Soviet and then Russian boys grew up on the guns of the Izhevsk plant. And most likely, the IL models will more than once remind of themselves in our and foreign markets of high-quality, but inexpensive guns.