Baikal MP153
- Thread starter Don'tkillbill
- Start date
MusicianShooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Dont drop it in the lake, pal.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Great...you got it wet...now put it in a vat of hot honey and try that again
Are we discussing the attributes of a particular semi-auto shotgun model here or something else?
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
For a semi-auto shotgun within that price bracket the Baikal MP-153 (or the SPR-453....same gun but no longer being distributed by Remington) is a well built shotgun. There are plenty of very positive reviews on this particular model.
I had owned one of each MP-153 (wood) and the SPR-453 (synthetic) and shot those alongside a SBEII and M2s for some comparison......none presented problems and performed the same in terms of delivering their loads.
From a perspective of build quality, fit/finish, balance/handling etc any comparison obviously between a Baikal and Benelli will be like apples to oranges.
Having said that, the Baikal semi-auto will serve fine and take the abuse after that has satisfactorily ran the break-in procedure. The break-in experience itself may vary from semi to semi, many examples need to go through that "gauntlet," while some start to shoot light target loads without any trouble at the very onset. The same will apply in the case of Benellis or most other brands for that matter.
Ahsan's experience mirrors my own.
They are built pretty solidly (and a little on the heavy/bulky side as a result). The MP-153 is easy to dissasemble and clean, very reliable with hunting loads, and most of them are able to digest standard and heavy target loads reliably after break in. Aftermarket choke tubes are easily available, but I still don't find mine patterns as well as my beretta or ithaca.
A couple years ago when I bought mine they were selling in the $400-550 range, but prices seem to have gone up slightly. Overall, for a budget semi, I think they're as good or better than anything else in the price range. My intention was to use it as a beginners waterfowl/turkey gun and to use it as a loaner once I had the money for something better.
They are built pretty solidly (and a little on the heavy/bulky side as a result). The MP-153 is easy to dissasemble and clean, very reliable with hunting loads, and most of them are able to digest standard and heavy target loads reliably after break in. Aftermarket choke tubes are easily available, but I still don't find mine patterns as well as my beretta or ithaca.
A couple years ago when I bought mine they were selling in the $400-550 range, but prices seem to have gone up slightly. Overall, for a budget semi, I think they're as good or better than anything else in the price range. My intention was to use it as a beginners waterfowl/turkey gun and to use it as a loaner once I had the money for something better.
I echo what Ahsan & Diemaco said. I have an MP153 in synthetic & my Benelli Nova stays home now, neglected...
No issues with my MP153, great gun for the price. IIRC I got mine new from Dante's in Montreal.
Cheers
Jay
No issues with my MP153, great gun for the price. IIRC I got mine new from Dante's in Montreal.
Cheers
Jay
yea that came out all wrong.
Got my finger on one and I bought it. It seems to fit me nicely. Tomorrow I start the break in process
Judging from the 80 shells you fired this afternoon I would say you are well on the way.
