IZh-58M
Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (Baikal) · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1970
Also known as: IJ-58M, Baikal IZh-58M
Overview
The IZh-58M is a Soviet side-by-side double-barreled break-action hunting shotgun, the first modernization of the IZh-58 family produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. Introduced in 1970, the M variant retains the hammerless boxlock action, two horizontally arranged smoothbore barrels and double triggers of the original design, while replacing the earlier leaf springs of the firing mechanism with more durable coil (helical) springs.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1145 mm (45.08") |
| Barrel Length | 720 mm (28.35") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2560 J (1888 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12GA, 12 Bore
- 16 Gauge — also known as 16GA, 16 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Open 2 Round
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Side By Side Barrels, Boxlock Action, Double Trigger, Extractor, Fixed Chokes, Chrome Lined Bores, Coil Hammer Springs
Variants
- IZh-58MA - Safety Upgrade
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Soviet civilian hunters · adopted 1970
Production
Estimated total produced: 235,000 · Production years: 1970-1976
About 235,000 IZh-58M units were made; part of the wider IZh-58 family, which exceeded 1.36 million units across all standard variants.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: L. I. Pugachev
Discontinued: 1976
Notes
Chambered in 12 and 16 gauge with 70 mm chambers and chrome-lined bores; fixed half (left) and full (right) chokes are typical. Uses a simple extractor rather than an ejector. Roughly 235,000 IZh-58M guns were produced between 1970 and 1976 before the IZh-58MA introduced an automatic tang safety.
Background
The unassuming IZh-58M put the switch from leaf to coil hammer springs into mass production, a small durability tweak that let the design survive decades of hard use by rural Soviet hunters and paved the way for the auto-safety IZh-58MA that followed.