Baikal IJ27E
- Thread starter kal1360
- Start date
I have the nickel hunter model O/U, I handled a variety of O/U shotguns before I made the decision, and researched the heck out of them prior to getting it. I've handled Brownings, Berrettas, Winchester 101, and the Savage Milano (Made by FAIR) before I laid hands on the Baikal. They are all superior in fit and finish, they are also superior in the # of digits in the pricetag.
I won't say I didn't consider saving up a bit more because they would have been worth it. In the end I found a new production Baikal that was very lightly used. The reason I went with the Russian is it will be a working gun, not some safe queen that is carried in a felt lined case and only sees time at the skeet club. My Baikal is used for birds, and informal clays with friends (and I do quite well with it, practice not the price-tag makes the shooter). Another good thing is since I didn't spend all that much, I won't have a fit if the stock gets a scratch or the bluing wears.
I never took a second glance at any of the Stoeger/Stevens or other Turkish made guns, I'm sure others have had positive experience with them but I never was impressed. I have a friend who had his Stoeger Condor double on him during our informal shoots more than once, it has since been sold, he got a Baikal SxS. I have read about problems other Baikal owners have had and I have yet to experience on issue with mine, I was so impressed with Baikal that I bought a used MP-153 off the EE which IMO is finished better and just as reliable but without the fun of being a double.
The Russians build a shotgun with a no-frills stock, minimal engraving, machining and edges can be rough (or sharp in the case of the trigger guard) but it will go boom when you tell it to.
Cheers
I won't say I didn't consider saving up a bit more because they would have been worth it. In the end I found a new production Baikal that was very lightly used. The reason I went with the Russian is it will be a working gun, not some safe queen that is carried in a felt lined case and only sees time at the skeet club. My Baikal is used for birds, and informal clays with friends (and I do quite well with it, practice not the price-tag makes the shooter). Another good thing is since I didn't spend all that much, I won't have a fit if the stock gets a scratch or the bluing wears.
I never took a second glance at any of the Stoeger/Stevens or other Turkish made guns, I'm sure others have had positive experience with them but I never was impressed. I have a friend who had his Stoeger Condor double on him during our informal shoots more than once, it has since been sold, he got a Baikal SxS. I have read about problems other Baikal owners have had and I have yet to experience on issue with mine, I was so impressed with Baikal that I bought a used MP-153 off the EE which IMO is finished better and just as reliable but without the fun of being a double.
The Russians build a shotgun with a no-frills stock, minimal engraving, machining and edges can be rough (or sharp in the case of the trigger guard) but it will go boom when you tell it to.
Cheers
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
The IJ 27E is a good over/under for the money, especially the older USSR made guns.
