Baikal MP-151

Baikal (Izhevsk Mechanical Plant) · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1998

Also known as: IZH MP-151, MP-151

Overview

The Baikal MP-151 is a Russian gas-operated semi-automatic 12 gauge shotgun developed in 1998 by the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. Built on the base of the IZH-81 platform, it featured a manually adjustable gas system intended to let the shooter tune cycling for different loads. Produced only in small numbers around 1999, the manual gas regulation proved unnecessary and the design was quickly superseded by the self-regulating Baikal MP-153 in 2000.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3500 g (123.5 oz)
Overall Length1180 mm (46.46")
Barrel Length680 mm (26.77")
Action TypeGas Operated
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity4 rounds
Magazine TypeTubular
Muzzle Velocity400 m/s (1312 fps)
Muzzle Energy2560 J (1888 ft·lbf)
Effective Range40 m (44 yd)
Maximum Range100 m (109 yd)
Barrel RiflingSmoothbore
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Production

Estimated total produced: 100 · Production years: 1998-2000

Only about 100 units produced around 1999 before being replaced by the self-regulating MP-153.

Origin

Country of origin: Russia

Designer: Izhevsk Mechanical Plant

Discontinued: 2000

Notes

A short-lived prototype/limited-production model; its self-adjusting successor, the MP-153, became Baikal's mainstream gas semi-auto shotgun.

Background

The MP-151 represents the experimental step between Baikal's IZH-81 pump-action lineage and the company's first successful gas-operated self-loader. Its hand-tuned gas valve was an engineering dead end; the self-regulating MP-153 that followed in 2000 became one of the most widely exported Russian sporting shotguns.