Baikal IJ-58-M, Side by Side - QUESTIONS

fishbum_adam

fishbum_adam

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Good Afternoon,

First off.... don't laugh, but I just acquired my first shotgun (from my old man). Its a Baikal IJ-58-M side by side that he bought around the 1970 time frame. Apparently he NEVER used it. Pretty much brand new. He gave it to me to go duck hunting (also first time), with some experienced duck hunters.

Time for my questions! First off, should I even bother using it for duck hunting? And if so, will steel shot be ok to fire though it (I was told it MAY not be good). Also, would there be any value with it? Hell, he still has the original box for it in pretty good condition! Lastly, while its never been fired, would it be worth having a gunsmith give it a quick look over?

Thanks in Advance,
Adam

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(I had posted this in the "General Firearms" forum, but was told I may have more luck in this forum.. sorry for the double post!)
 
The gun will have chrome lined bores and likely at least one barrel full choke. It will be fine for steel if it does not have full chokes. If the chokes are full, they should be opened up to at least modified and then have at er will steel. It is a fine USSR made gun. Nothing fancy but a working man's gun that will go bang for a long time.
As a quick test (but not super accurate), will a dime fit in the muzzles. If not, it is full choke. That is if it is a 12 gauge.
 
If going to shoot steel the left barrel should be opened up. Actually, the right barrel should also be checked as some of these European guns had tighter choking than North American guns. Often you will have a modified choke that is closer to full by our standards and a full that is closer to extra full.
 
That is a nice gun would ot shoot steel though it. Your can purchase a cheap pump shotgun for 300 for waterfowl
 
Amelio said:
That is a nice gun would ot shoot steel though it. Your can purchase a cheap pump shotgun for 300 for waterfowl
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If the chokes are opened up why would you not shoot steel through it? The gun is certainly built strong enough and the barrels have plenty of thickness. Sure you can buy a pump gun for around $300.00 but the value of this gun is only around $400.00.
 
Mine is closer to xfull and full however it's supposed to be full and mod. They are great guns. I have over 50000 rounds thru mine. The forearm is just starting to get loose. In mint condition with box $400 is decent. They're a $275-300 gun all day. Very reliable. I don't shoot steel out of mine. Chrome lined barrels cost more to open up too
 
I followed what gunsmiths do to Baikal shotguns in Australia. (lots of Baikals there) All they do to make it useful for steel shot is cut 1/2" to 3/4' off of the muzzles. True them up and add a bead. It will open both chokes to about IMP MOD and MOD. (that is if the barrels are originally FULL and MOD. I have done both a sxs and an o/u with no issues and very good hunting patterns with steel shot. The more you cut the more you open. 1/2" to 3/4" will not adversely effect the regulation of the barrels for hunting.

Darryl
 
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