Baikal IZH 18mh

SeamusMac

SeamusMac

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Hey guys,

I thought I saw a thread on the IZH a few months ago but I did a search and nothing turned up so my apologies if I'm beating a dead horse.

Anyways, dropped by the local shop here in Wellington today and I saw one of these beauties on the shelf in .308 with a sizeable suppressor and variable scope (brand name was Swift??? Sounds like a POS...) for 400 clams, second hand of course. I have an MP153 in Canada and have really enjoyed it over the last 4 or 5 years that I've owned it. I haven't delved into the IZH range so I'm interested to hear some opinions on it. I'm sure it's accurate enough to shoot pigs, goats or whatever else is crawling about in the brush but how does it perform in adverse conditions, is the finish durable, is the combination of a dovetail mount and .308 recoil going to be a PITA in the long run?

The Stirling P14 is going up onto the market in the next few days to free up cash for this beast if the reviews are favourable so bring em on! Pics to follow if it's a success.
 
I picked up an IZH 18mh in 7.62x39. The rifle is fairly rugged and from what I've heard from other owners it holds up well in adverse conditions. Being built in Russia, I would expect no less, as they build using the k.i.s.s. principle.

I like the finish on the wood plus the blueing is pretty tough as well. I accidently dropped mine on cement and the damage wasn't noticable.

I bought mine on sale brand new, for $200.00 dollars here in Canada.

I mounted a scope on mine with no issues, and I don't forsee any issues with the recoil of the .308. They don't boot that hard.

If you don't mind the price you will pay for that one where you are, I don't think you'll be dissapointed. :)

I may add here that some don't like the trigger. Personally, I think it's fine.
 
Thanks for the reply mkrainc! I recently watched GunGeeks review of this rifle and he mentioned that the newer models have cross-cuts along the top of the receiver to hold the bases in place. Does your rifle have these cuts? The one I'm looking at doesn't and I tend to agree with the idea that even 308 may have enough kick to move to optics around. Well, that or a big tree branch ha ha.

The second issue relates to the firing pin and ejector. He mentioned that the ejector doesn't always work especially well with rimless cases and that the firing pin will sometimes stick out and keep the rifle from opening. Have any of these issues with yours?
 
SeamusMac said:
Thanks for the reply mkrainc! I recently watched GunGeeks review of this rifle and he mentioned that the newer models have cross-cuts along the top of the receiver to hold the bases in place. Does your rifle have these cuts? The one I'm looking at doesn't and I tend to agree with the idea that even 308 may have enough kick to move to optics around. Well, that or a big tree branch ha ha.

The second issue relates to the firing pin and ejector. He mentioned that the ejector doesn't always work especially well with rimless cases and that the firing pin will sometimes stick out and keep the rifle from opening. Have any of these issues with yours?
Click to expand...

Firing pin sounds like it needs to be cleaned or have the return spring replaced. These have an extractor on them(ejectors launch the case) and I've had no issues with the one I have in 7.62x39. The sticking cases may be from a rough chamber, overpressure, or once again cleaning of the extractor as it uses a spring on rimless cases(little pin that goes into the grove on the case head). I do know that some people have had issues with burrs and such catching on fired casings that cause a few issues. Once again a fit and finish thing and I'd gather most of the issues these guns have are from that. If you have a Dremel and polishing wheel you can take care of pretty much all these issues. Or just run a few thousand rounds through it.. :p

Overall though these guns are stereotypical Russian. Not pretty or smooth, but it is bombproof. I actually quite like mine even though I don't shoot it that often.
 
About the rail for optics I have a 4570 with the same rail and I used a tactical mount from airgun source in peterborough and it is rock solid. $24 or something and it holds up very well. Just something to think about
 
Thanks for the input Freyr, it's always good to have these terms sorted ha ha. I'll speak with the guys at the shop about the possibility of using some of their tools from time to time if necessary as I don't have access to very much while I'm here. The only concern regarding this rifle now is the scope, and from what I've read the owners of Swift optics love em or hate em. Hopefully I'll get one of their sturdier units but in the event of absolute failure Bushnells are only roughly twice what they cost in Canada :(
 
FYI. I discovered you can lighten the trigger easily by unscrewing the trigger spring, and placing a washer or two under it. Can't do much about the creep, but the lighter trigger is quite nice! I have one in X39, and really like it. Very accurate with irons or scope.
 
Thanks for the tip red herring! I haven't handled it much yet so I'm not sure if the previous owner(s) have done anything about the trigger but I don't mind creep as long as it breaks nicely and without too much effort. Can anyone confirm that the action lever also acts as a decocker?
 
SeamusMac said:
Thanks for the reply mkrainc! I recently watched GunGeeks review of this rifle and he mentioned that the newer models have cross-cuts along the top of the receiver to hold the bases in place. Does your rifle have these cuts? The one I'm looking at doesn't and I tend to agree with the idea that even 308 may have enough kick to move to optics around. Well, that or a big tree branch ha ha.

The second issue relates to the firing pin and ejector. He mentioned that the ejector doesn't always work especially well with rimless cases and that the firing pin will sometimes stick out and keep the rifle from opening. Have any of these issues with yours?
Click to expand...

Sorry about taking so long to answer your questions.

Your first one about the "cuts", I assume your talking about cross channels machined for the ring cross bolts to set in. My rifle didn't have them, but because it had the "European" style dovetails, I needed to use a riser style mount that uses a set screw to hold it firmly in place. The top of the mount I bought, uses the Weaver 7/8 dovetail with the channels machined in them. That scope does not move.

The "extractor" doesn't seem too user friendly with the rimless cases, but I'm a patient type, and it doesn't bother me that much. If I were being charged by a pissed off animal, getting off a fast second shot could be an issue. Fortunately for me, metal targets don't charge.

I hold the action lever in, pull the trigger and slowly release the lever to decock mine. works just fine

I don't mind the trigger at all. I've heard complaints, but I guess I'm not that fussy with this rifle.

I take it you bought the rifle? If you did, you won't be sorry. I like mine alot.

Cheers :)
 
Thanks again mkrainc, I haven't purchased the Baikal yet so I'm eager to hear all about it. I have my .22 on NZ's version of kijiji but the gypsies steal $15 + 4.5% of your profit over $200 so my starting price isn't all that attractive and may result in a wait... As for the extractor, I'm pretty patient myself and since I'll be shooting goats with it 90% of the time I'm not too worried about being charged ha ha. I'm heading out tomorrow to survey the hunting grounds with a friend and I'll post some pics up.
 
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