Question for owners of a Baikal MP-153 WALNUT
- Thread starter hunterhenderson
- Start date
X2 on the aluminum.
I bought this gun before I knew much about guns, or anything really for that matter. It was a semi and it was cheap. If I recall it was around $300 that I paid for it new.
Over the years I have put well over 10,000 round, no that it no joke, through it. I found that I always got the best pattern with the modify choke. I like how it is easy to take apart for cleaning as it tends to get very dirty after a couple hundred rounds. I found that under the piston in the gas chamber tended to hold onto carbon.
I can only remember 2 times when the gun jammed on me. The first time was after about 1000 rounds and I never cleaned it. I was then shown how to clean it and it never happened again. The second time it happened was because the main spring was so worn out that it bound it self. It was in the open position and on the last round.
When that happened I found a rock and hit the charging handle until it let go and I loaded it up and shot for the rest of the hunt. About another 20 rounds.
I have since bought a new main spring but have yet to shoot it. One feature I did like was the adjustable gas chamber. It let you shoot anything you wanted. It took some doing but I had mine set on the old spring so that it would shoot anything for light 2 3/4 to heavy 3 1/2. This might have caused it to wear out early.
One thing that is common with them is that the mag end cap is made of plastic and is heald in by little tabs. These tabs wear out quick and it will pop out the minute that you take the end cap of to remover the barrel for cleaning. You just learn to hold on when you taking it off.
I have crawled though many stubble fields so the finish on the receiver is scratched in manny places but the bluing on the barrel is still strong. I find that guns points really nice and with the wood stocks it doesn't feel cheap.
If I had to do it again knowing what I know now and only having enough money for the price of this gun I would buy it again. There are lots of better shotguns on the market but I thing that over all this gun is really good.
I would giver it a 9 out of 10 for function and a 7 out of 10 for finish. For the price you can't go wrong. But if you have the money. Buy a Beretta.
Also here is a link for a guy putting a mp-153 though it's paces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt1QV3DFUrQ
Cheers.
I bought this gun before I knew much about guns, or anything really for that matter. It was a semi and it was cheap. If I recall it was around $300 that I paid for it new.
Over the years I have put well over 10,000 round, no that it no joke, through it. I found that I always got the best pattern with the modify choke. I like how it is easy to take apart for cleaning as it tends to get very dirty after a couple hundred rounds. I found that under the piston in the gas chamber tended to hold onto carbon.
I can only remember 2 times when the gun jammed on me. The first time was after about 1000 rounds and I never cleaned it. I was then shown how to clean it and it never happened again. The second time it happened was because the main spring was so worn out that it bound it self. It was in the open position and on the last round.
When that happened I found a rock and hit the charging handle until it let go and I loaded it up and shot for the rest of the hunt. About another 20 rounds.
I have since bought a new main spring but have yet to shoot it. One feature I did like was the adjustable gas chamber. It let you shoot anything you wanted. It took some doing but I had mine set on the old spring so that it would shoot anything for light 2 3/4 to heavy 3 1/2. This might have caused it to wear out early.
One thing that is common with them is that the mag end cap is made of plastic and is heald in by little tabs. These tabs wear out quick and it will pop out the minute that you take the end cap of to remover the barrel for cleaning. You just learn to hold on when you taking it off.
I have crawled though many stubble fields so the finish on the receiver is scratched in manny places but the bluing on the barrel is still strong. I find that guns points really nice and with the wood stocks it doesn't feel cheap.
If I had to do it again knowing what I know now and only having enough money for the price of this gun I would buy it again. There are lots of better shotguns on the market but I thing that over all this gun is really good.
I would giver it a 9 out of 10 for function and a 7 out of 10 for finish. For the price you can't go wrong. But if you have the money. Buy a Beretta.
Also here is a link for a guy putting a mp-153 though it's paces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt1QV3DFUrQ
Cheers.
Last edited:
Excellent info & an actual field use review bobjoe! I really like the MP153, and have owned one walnut furnished version. I also found the finish on the wood to be serviceable, but certainly not beautiful... I moved to the synthetic version... Great gun for the money!
Anyone else have some reviews? I am especially interested in what parts may have broke & after how many rounds. So far, I have yet to have anything go wrong with any of the ones I have owned. Probably around 500 rounds through various versions. All hunting with 3.5 inch steel rounds, with the exception of one day at the skeet range.
Cheers
Jay
Anyone else have some reviews? I am especially interested in what parts may have broke & after how many rounds. So far, I have yet to have anything go wrong with any of the ones I have owned. Probably around 500 rounds through various versions. All hunting with 3.5 inch steel rounds, with the exception of one day at the skeet range.
Cheers
Jay
Your welcome for the review. One other thing I could say is that I bought a beretta a-400 to replace the mp-153 because at the time I couldn't find parts. If something was to happen and you gun breaks there is a gent on here that can get parts. He got me what I needed.
The mp-153 will always have a place in the field over the a-400 partly because if I get stuck somewhere I don't mind using it as a paddle or if for some reason it ended up getting full of mud because I fell ect I wouldn't mind washing it in a puddle. I wouldn't do anything of the above with the beretta. If I was going to hunt in another place when it was hard to get to or on a quad ect I would take the mp-153. Not because I think the beretta won't take it but because I know the mp-153 will.
As for the wood vs synthetic I like the looks of wood better. I also found that the wood stocks were a little more heavy and for me I like a heavier gun over a lighter one for recoil and when you get into the 3 1/2 shells this, IMO can make the difference.
If your around Spirit River AB let me know and you can come shoot mine to see what it is like.
The mp-153 will always have a place in the field over the a-400 partly because if I get stuck somewhere I don't mind using it as a paddle or if for some reason it ended up getting full of mud because I fell ect I wouldn't mind washing it in a puddle. I wouldn't do anything of the above with the beretta. If I was going to hunt in another place when it was hard to get to or on a quad ect I would take the mp-153. Not because I think the beretta won't take it but because I know the mp-153 will.
As for the wood vs synthetic I like the looks of wood better. I also found that the wood stocks were a little more heavy and for me I like a heavier gun over a lighter one for recoil and when you get into the 3 1/2 shells this, IMO can make the difference.
If your around Spirit River AB let me know and you can come shoot mine to see what it is like.
The main spring issue was due to the valve regulation. If set to light the 3.5" shells really beat on the gun. Its a baikal and built like a tank. Mine eats everything but seems to not like 2 oz hi velocity turkey loads. It works fine for me but everytime my dad takes it out he has a a jam with only the big turkey loads. Steel cycles fine
I agree with you re: Epps, I just helped a buddy buy two RFB's from them, smooth transaction & the rifles are on their way as we speak!
Now, when you get your MP153, POST PICS!
Cheers
Jay
