IZh-34
Baikal (Izhevsk Mechanical Plant) · Pistol · Discontinued · 1979
Also known as: IZh-34M, Iz-34
Overview
The IZh-34 is a Soviet single-action, blowback-operated .22 Short target pistol developed at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. Designed from 1973 to 1978, its prototypes underwent state trials in 1976 and it entered serial production around 1979, replacing earlier Soviet sport pistols in the national shooting team's inventory. It feeds from a detachable box magazine housed in the grip and uses a fixed barrel with adjustable target sights and a tuned single-action trigger, making it a purpose-built precision competition handgun rather than a defensive sidearm. It is a sibling of the .22 Long Rifle IZh-35.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1200 g (42.3 oz) |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 329 m/s (1079 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 102 J (75 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Short · primary — also known as .22 Short
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Barrel, Adjustable Target Sights, Adjustable Trigger, Anatomical Target Grip
Variants
- IZh-34M - Modernized
Production
Production years: 1979-present
Soviet and Russian competition target pistol produced in IZh-34 and modernized IZh-34M forms.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Notes
Chambered in .22 Short, distinguishing it from the .22 Long Rifle IZh-35. A modernized IZh-34M variant was later produced. Exact dimensional specifications for the IZh-34 are not well documented in accessible sources.
Background
The IZh-34 and its .22 Long Rifle sibling the IZh-35 armed the Soviet national shooting team for years, letting Izhevsk - better known for the AK and Makarov - quietly dominate Olympic-style precision pistol events from behind the Iron Curtain.