Baikal MP-153 & Remington SPR 453 Opinions?

blueflash

blueflash

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Heh guys, I just wanted to hear some input from any owners out there who own one of these Russian Tanks. I have heard quite alot of good stuff about them. I have heard that they are a no frills, strong, reliable performing semi-auto super mag.

Now that they have been out for a few years, how are they holding up? any problem getting parts? How do they Perform and swing while duck hunting? Can they fire 1 oz target loads once properly broken in?

I know they don't look as nice as a Browning or something from Italy, but I hear they are built for years of reliable work, and I have come across one at a good deal, so I am thinking about buying it.
 
I have no no problem reccomending a MP-153 to anybody.

I shoot 3 1/2" goose loads, 3" upland loads and 2 3/4" trap loads out of mine.... I don't even have to play with the gas system either.

I only got mine last summer, but I do have about 750 rnds of trap trough it and about 175 rnds while hunting, everything from Chickens, Pheasent, Ducks and Geese.

IMVHO the very best value for an auto-loading shotty out there right now.

Ellwood epps lists them for $779 in hardwoods HD camo, $645 in black Synthetic, $599 in Hardwood Green Camo.

When I got mine this summer I got the wood stock version as it was the cheapest @ $449, and I prefer wood any way. They don't seem to be offering it in that finish right now.

It also comes with 4 choke tubes. Mine came without a plug in the mag so I had to put one in to make it 'hunting' legal (a Primer Printer pencil is the perfect length btw), but it does hold 5 (4+1) in the factory config so it makes it real nice when shooting trap.

Cheers!
 
Bought mine from Bass Pro about a year ago for $400 ($473 after tax and shipping). Its not a pretty gun, but it works. Its really easy to strip and clean. I've shot ~3000 rounds through it. Mine isn't 100% with the cheap $56/flat winchesters, but works everytime with the federals from canadian tire (I think these are 1 1/8th loads though). Mine came with 4 chokes and a plug. The chokes are a little more open than stated. My sling swivel screw was loose when I first got it. Overall its a great value IMO. Never broken anything on mine, so no idea how parts are to get.

P.S. you can remove the plastic spring retainer to squeeze 5 2 3/4 rounds in the mag tube, and float an additional one supposedly.
 
I love mine and find the black Synthetic to be quite attractive.
I can shoot anything except cheap Winchester walmart ammo... the brass expands on them even most pumps struggle with them.
I can shoot 1-1/8 target loads up to most 3-1/2" shells with no adjustment. I have shot 1 oz but had to turn the gas adjustment back 1/4 turn (make sure you mark the ring so you can adjust it back)
For 3-1/2" Black Cloud or (as the manual says) heavy 3-1/2" lead shells also require an adjustment.

I know a lot of people who have them and as far as getting parts is concerned, I know of no one who has ever needed one. Many of them are well abused too.

I traded a Browning Gold for mine, even trade at Ellwood Epps, I do not regret it one bit. The gold was "too pretty to abuse" so I went with the synthetic Baikal and after all of the abuse it has taken, you can barely tell.
 
I have one and love it, i'm still breaking it in though. what kind of wrench do people use to adjust the gas?

Got a bear with it last season with 2 3/4 slugs, mine won't cycle the trap loads yet but have had no problem with anything else. like i said though still breaking it in.
 
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Paulusmaximus2 said:
I have one and love it, i'm still breaking it in though. what kind of wrench do people use to adjust the gas?

Got a bear with it last season with 2 3/4 slugs, mine won't cycle the trap loads yet but have had no problem with anything else. like i said though still breaking it in.
Click to expand...

Mine came with wrench that adjusts gas system and installs/removes the chokes. It's nice and small, fits in the MTM case I got to store the choke tubes in.
 
OH YES... a note on the gas system, make sure you oil it every time you clean your gun, also turn it back and forth once in awhile too. I had to use torches, a rubber mallet and lots of penetrating oil to get mine to move, but now it works great.
If you never intend to shoot 1 oz loads or heavy 3.5" this is not an issue. But if you have it it might as well work.
 
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