Baikal Single Shot 12 Gauge

Liamthedevastator

Liamthedevastator

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I went out shooting with some friends yesterday and we decided to stop at a Gunsmith's called Pullen's just before the highway out to our shooting grounds. This place was totally awesome, every type of gun you could want ranging from 2 spinning racks of Moisin Nagants to racks of SKSs and Kar98s.

I own a .22 and was thinking about getting something center-fire but didn't want to break the bank so I asked the guys for their opinions. SKS was a popular recommendation, followed by the Moisin. In the end though I settled on a brand new Baikal 12 gauge single shot break action shotty, a case, and 50 rounds for about $250. It's got a 22" barrel but I was amazed by how light it is! At about 2.6lbs it is way lighter than the double barrel break action my buddy has.

Out at our shooting spot I loaded up a round and scared the poop out of my friends who didn't know what to expect (only 3 of my 8 friends who like guns have our PALS and some firearms). Needless to say, we went through those 50 rounds pretty damn quick. I really like the break action because it means you can't just spam ammo, which is what I prefer to use my .22 for, though at $7 for 25 rounds of shotty ammo it's not too bad on the wallet!

Here is it resting on my Cariboo lawn chair. Great gun so far, and a 3 piece takedown!

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Also, here is an M14 that a fellow named Tim showed up with and let us shoot. He's a great guy and helped my other friend sight-in his .22. Once again, I am amazed by the firearm community's friendliness and willingness to share experience. One of my other friends got a bit too close to the scope and took it in the face. Nice little cut on his forehead that we laughed about for the rest of the day :p

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Thoughts on the Baikal? I'll try to post some more photos and videos soon!
 
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You're right, the firearms community is incredibly positive and friendly, (sure there is an oddball here and there like everything), but try to explain that to an anti.

The Bakail isn't a bad purchase, I'm sure it will serve you well for decades, I hope you enjoy it. I would suggest that you try to find a local shop that sells used guns, or try to pick some off the EE. You can find older single shots for around $100 with better fit and finish and a little character if you wish.

Again, the Bakail is fine, but you can buy more if you buy used. :)
 
Buddy of mine has one of the older USSR marked Baikals, same configuration as yours.
Neat little gun, has a nice Old-world design to it.

Kicks pretty good though, being such a light gun.
 
2.6 lbs. is awfully light! I'm thinking you meant 6.2 lbs.? The action itself weighs about 3 lbs. Those Baikals are amazingly strong. I have seen and owned quite a few Baikal shotguns that were converted into rifles.
 
I've got two of those, both USSR made, one in 12 gauge and the other in 20. There was a guy in Kingston tryi g to sell a 20g model for $250 claiming they are very rare... Doubt he ever sold it.
 
Gah, 2.6kg is not the same as 2.6lbs! Read the site wrong, that makes much more sense. I love it, so much fun for such a little out-of-the-box price. It isn't a show stopping target shotty but it's fun as hell anyway! The guys at Pullens told me I'd have to pay extra for english instructions ;)

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I've put in a request for access to the EE forum, hoping that will help me up my quiver. I'm looking into side by sides now, and maybe a pump? I want to add a .410 to my collection so that my girlfriend can shoot a shotgun with me, any recommendations? Mossberg makes a neat bolt action apparently, seems kind of strange!
 
Liamthedevastator - (decent moniker by the way) .410 shotguns are fun, but the ammo tends to be pricey.
If you're looking for a light-kicking shotgun the girlfriend can use (without spending all your money), check out some 20 gauge guns.

20 gauge ammo is right around the same price as 12 gauge, and is a very nice compromise between recoil and power. You'll also have your choice of pumps, sxs, o/u, semi's, you name it.
I have an old 20 gauge Cooey 840 I got from my grandfather, and it's a lot of fun.

Oh, and those .410 mossberg bolt actions? be careful when buying one of those.
My friend has one, and it has a strange tendency to spontaneously eject all of the shells in the magazine at once, when the action is cycled. Definitely not zombie-apocalypse appropriate.

Have fun!
 
Thanks, I made up this handle a while ago and people seem to like it hehe. I think the top reasons for buying the Baikal were #1 price point was right where I like it, #2 the "old-world design" as you said was right up my alley, and #3 ammo is pretty cheap! It all came together as a really great deal, but ultimately my preference is for used firearms. I like character (albeit function too) so I'll be keeping my eye out for some less expensive (possibly fixer upper?) shotty's once I get access to the EE.
 
You will enjoy that single shot for years to come. I have had many shotguns, put I keep reaching for my single shot to drag in the woods.
 
Since you have a 12 gauge break open, you should look into 12 gauge chamber adapters. You can shoot, 22lr, 9mm, 38 special, 45ACP, 20 guage, 410 and whatnot out of your Baikal.

Watch some youtube videos and see if it's for you or not.
 
This exact shotgun was my dads only firearm that we had in the house until I was 12. It's the first gun I shot. I'm pretty sure I still have the bruise! A few years ago the same gun came up on the EE so I bought it out of nostalgia, I took it to the range once and remembered how much it kicked. I sold it shortly after! These shotguns will last forever and will always go bang when you pull the trigger, they just aren't the friendliest on the shoulder. Enjoy!
 
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