MP-443 Grach/Baikal 446C Viking Pistols?

Travis Bickle

Travis Bickle

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Been wondering as of late what became of the Grach MP-443/Baikal 446C clones that were being imported?
Is there anyone still in position to bring these it?

How many were brought in?
What were they selling for price-wise?
What was the consensus on fit, finish and reliability and accuracy?

I was very interested when I heard they were coming in years back and then just radio silence.
Google shows little on this.
 
It was definitely interammo (Teapot2 on here).

They brought in the Vikings and the new production Makarovs. I think the latter sold better, but I haven't seen them bring any of either gun in years now.

If I remember, the Vikings were in the $550-600 range.
 
Claven2 said:
It was definitely interammo (Teapot2 on here).

They brought in the Vikings and the new production Makarovs. I think the latter sold better, but I haven't seen them bring any of either gun in years now.

If I remember, the Vikings were in the $550-600 range.
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I guess they no longer import them eh?
I was always curious about trying one out. Is there noone else that can bring them in? Maybe it's off the table because of the recent "troubles" with Russia in Syria.
Seemed like a damned solid pistol by design and for a very agreeable price. Unless it was a flop?
 
Travis Bickle said:
I guess they no longer import them eh?
I was always curious about trying one out. Is there noone else that can bring them in? Maybe it's off the table because of the recent "troubles" with Russia in Syria.
Seemed like a damned solid pistol by design and for a very agreeable price. Unless it was a flop?
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I think ppl were turned off because the Russians purposefully weakened the chambers to prevent using the ++P ammo they were designed for, for our civilian models.

You're basically stuck with the EE. Personally, I thought the civvy versions were neutered cr@p, but don't let that dissuade you.
 
I have a Baikal 446C Viking that I bought from Interammo. Retailed for $550 with 6 mags. I believe they were the sole importer and based on my last correspondence with them a few months ago regarding some additional spares, they do not plan to bring any more or bring in any spares.

It's a solid pistol - built like a tank with a steel frame and slide. Weighs almost as much as a steel 1911. Every component on it is overbuilt - military grade perhaps ? The only detraction that I have is that the frame is painted which starts to chip off after a while. Slide is anodized.

It is a mild recoiling, reliable and accurate shooter that fits well in the hand. Shoots just as well as my other service pistols. The big plus is that is feeds almost anything!

If you can find one, I suggest you buy it. A friend recently picked up one for $500 used with 2 mags in fair condition.
 
redivivus said:
I have a Baikal 446C Viking that I bought from Interammo. Retailed for $550 with 6 mags. I believe they were the sole importer and based on my last correspondence with them a few months ago regarding some additional spares, they do not plan to bring any more or bring in any spares.

It's a solid pistol - built like a tank with a steel frame and slide. Weighs almost as much as a steel 1911. Every component on it is overbuilt - military grade perhaps ? The only detraction that I have is that the frame is painted which starts to chip off after a while. Slide is anodized.

It is a mild recoiling, reliable and accurate shooter that fits well in the hand. Shoots just as well as my other service pistols. The big plus is that is feeds almost anything!

If you can find one, I suggest you buy it. A friend recently picked up one for $500 used with 2 mags in fair condition.
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Yeah I have read nothing but positive on them from what I can find on the webs.
I would be hesitant to own any firearm I can't get spare parts for but really at $500 for a tank of handgun that shoots 9mm I figure why not right?

I would assume now that they are "rare" in these parts though, I would only find them used for retarded price tags or nearly shot out guns and owner looking to dump it or both....
 
redivivus said:
I have a Baikal 446C Viking that I bought from Interammo. Retailed for $550 with 6 mags. I believe they were the sole importer and based on my last correspondence with them a few months ago regarding some additional spares, they do not plan to bring any more or bring in any spares.

It's a solid pistol - built like a tank with a steel frame and slide. Weighs almost as much as a steel 1911. Every component on it is overbuilt - military grade perhaps ? The only detraction that I have is that the frame is painted which starts to chip off after a while. Slide is anodized.

It is a mild recoiling, reliable and accurate shooter that fits well in the hand. Shoots just as well as my other service pistols. The big plus is that is feeds almost anything!

If you can find one, I suggest you buy it. A friend recently picked up one for $500 used with 2 mags in fair condition.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry that I sold mine a while back...just had too many 9mm pistols....In retrospect I should have sold the Beretta
 
Travis Bickle said:
Yeah I have read nothing but positive on them from what I can find on the webs.
I would be hesitant to own any firearm I can't get spare parts for but really at $500 for a tank of handgun that shoots 9mm I figure why not right?

I would assume now that they are "rare" in these parts though, I would only find them used for retarded price tags or nearly shot out guns and owner looking to dump it or both....
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If you're looking, I suggest you get the all steel version over the polymer as,
- Per the wisdom on the internets, the all steel version is a rebadged Russian Military version MP-443 Grach with the as-intended military +P barrel (thicker barrel profile and a square-er top). The polymer framed ones were manufactured for export only and as such contain the slimmer barrel not recommended for +P use. There is a picture floating around with the differences in the barrel profiles but for the life of me I can’t seem to find it on my computer.
- The pre-2009 polymer frame pistols are prone to cracking around the trigger guard and were redesigned and reinforced in 2010. The polymer ones I handled at two dealers were both pre-2009 models so not sure if all the imported ones were pre-2009 or if there was a mix of redesigned ones in the batch. Just something to be aware of if you're looking.
- There is a definite difference in the machining quality between the military ones and the polymer ones with a lot more tool marks visible on the slide for the polymer ones. Not that the military ones are going to win any beauty competitions :p

They are certainly hard to find, but do crop up occasionally. I do recollect seeing them at Ellwood Epps in the not too distant past.

Would be interesting to find out exactly how may were imported.
 
Claven2 said:
One could argue invading crimea killed it for the Russians.
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I suppose one could argue...but what in the sanctions is good for us? Are we getting more diversified toys? Who do we punish really? The sanctions killed my business here in Canada. Concern Kalashnikov in Russia is prospering. They didn't even notice Canadian sanctions as our firearms market is way too insignificant for them. Most of firearms manufactured in Russia were already prohibited in Canada either by name or variant or classification. Canadians on the other hand, especially those who have kids in biathlon noticed the sanctions as we cannot offer Izhmash Biathlon rifles to them anymore. If they want they kids do biathlon they don't have other choice now but to buy Anschütz for triple the price.

Anyway this argument is for a political forum not this one...bottom line no new imports in the near future due to the sanctions.
 
I had the polymer version from ArmRus when they where here in Montreal. Really nice handgun but I wanted the full metal version and sold the polymer off. Still haven't got the metal one but I sure hope when the sanctions are gone they come back. For the price you really cannot go wrong.
 
redivivus said:
If you're looking, I suggest you get the all steel version over the polymer as,
- Per the wisdom on the internets, the all steel version is a rebadged Russian Military version MP-443 Grach with the as-intended military +P barrel (thicker barrel profile and a square-er top). The polymer framed ones were manufactured for export only and as such contain the slimmer barrel not recommended for +P use. There is a picture floating around with the differences in the barrel profiles but for the life of me I can’t seem to find it on my computer.
- The pre-2009 polymer frame pistols are prone to cracking around the trigger guard and were redesigned and reinforced in 2010. The polymer ones I handled at two dealers were both pre-2009 models so not sure if all the imported ones were pre-2009 or if there was a mix of redesigned ones in the batch. Just something to be aware of if you're looking.
- There is a definite difference in the machining quality between the military ones and the polymer ones with a lot more tool marks visible on the slide for the polymer ones. Not that the military ones are going to win any beauty competitions :p

They are certainly hard to find, but do crop up occasionally. I do recollect seeing them at Ellwood Epps in the not too distant past.

Would be interesting to find out exactly how may were imported.
Click to expand...

The all steel version is pin by pin and notch by notch copy of Yarigen Pya MP443 with the exception of front sight only . One can say that it is Grach MP443 just marked as Baikal Viking MP 446
 
zain said:
The all steel version is pin by pin and notch by notch copy of Yarigen Pya MP443 with the exception of front sight only . One can say that it is Grach MP443 just marked as Baikal Viking MP 446
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I want one so bad.
But I only want one so bad with parts support if that makes sense.
Every gun is just fired rounds away from a paperweight if you can't get spare parts for it. All mechanical parts fail eventually.
Will be waiting impatiently. Looked like an all around awesome pistol especially for the price. Very upset I missed the boat on the all steel MP443 version :(
 
Was one of the first pistols I bought. Interammo used to import it but like everybody has mentioned russian stuff is pretty much a no go nowadays. Had the all steel version which I got specifically because of the whole debate around weakened barrel but looking back I don't think it was as big a deal as it was made out to be. Built like a tank but awkward controls from what I recall, it was a cocked and locked gun only (no decocker or safe way to drop the hammer aside from manually lowering it on a loaded chamber). The magazines were interesting too double stack/dual feed+all steel, first and only gun I have seen or handled with double stack magazines (Magazines were serial #d to the gun as well). Sights were decent but again the front was fixed and part of the slide and the rear was only drift adjustable. Aftermarket support was and still is pretty much non existent but I doubt you are going to break anything on the viking in your lifetime and if it ever does break you can just use it as a club.
 
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when the hammer decocked manually on a loaded chamber it stays in "half" cocked position. it cannot go all the way to get in contact with the firing pin but one has to release the trigger as soon as the hammer disengaged.
 
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