Baikal MP-18

Baikal (Izhevsk Mechanical Plant) · Rifle · In Production · 1964

Also known as: IZh-18, MP-18, Baikal IZH-18, Remington SPR 18, Spartan 18

Overview

The Baikal MP-18 is a single-shot, break-action rifle produced by the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in Russia. Originally introduced as the IZh-18 and later marketed under the Baikal export brand, it is a simple, robust, and inexpensive hunting arm built around a milled steel receiver with an internal hammer and a break-open barrel. The platform is offered across a wide range of rimfire and centerfire rifle chamberings as well as smoothbore shotgun gauges; in its .22 Long Rifle rimfire form it serves as an economical small-game and training rifle.

Specifications

Weight (empty)2600 g (91.7 oz)
Overall Length1050 mm (41.34")
Barrel Length600 mm (23.62")
Action TypeBreak Action
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity330 m/s (1083 fps)
Muzzle Energy141 J (104 ft·lbf)
Effective Range100 m (109 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Production

Estimated total produced: 2,700,000 · Production years: 1964-present

Approximately 2.7 million units produced across all MP-18/IZh-18 modifications over roughly six decades of production.

Origin

Country of origin: Russia

Notes

The MP-18 (IZh-18) family is one of the longest-running single-barrel platforms in production. It has been exported to the United States rebranded by Remington as the SPR (Spartan) 18 and by EAA as the Baikal IZH-18.

Background

The single-barrel IZh-18 was developed at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in the 1960s as an affordable, durable hunting gun for the Soviet domestic market, and went on to become one of the plant's enduring bestsellers, remaining in production under the Baikal MP-18 designation for more than 60 years.