IZh-58MA

Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (Baikal) · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1977

Also known as: IZh-58MA, IJ-58MA, Baikal IZh-58MA

Overview

The IZh-58MA is a Soviet side-by-side double-barreled break-action hunting shotgun, a modernized member of the IZh-58 family produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. Introduced in 1977, the MA variant retains the hammerless boxlock action, two horizontally arranged smoothbore barrels and double triggers of the original design, while adding an automatic tang safety that engages whenever the barrels are broken open for loading.

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, Automatic Tang Safety
Features: Side By Side Barrels, Boxlock Action, Double Trigger, Extractor, Fixed Chokes, Chrome Lined Bores

Variants

IZh-58MAE - Ejector

Base model

Baikal-Iz-58

Service history

Operators

Soviet civilian hunters · adopted 1977

Production

Production years: 1977-1990

Part of the IZh-58 family, which exceeded 1.36 million units across all standard variants; a large share of MA production was exported to Eastern European markets.

Origin

Country of origin: Soviet Union

Designer: L. I. Pugachev

Discontinued: 1990

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 an extractor rather than an ejector - the later IZh-58MAE added a selective automatic ejector.

Background

The MA suffix marks the safety upgrade that defined this variant: unlike earlier IZh-58 guns, the IZh-58MA's tang safety snaps back to 'safe' automatically every time the shooter breaks the action open, a feature aimed at reducing accidents among the millions of rural Soviet hunters who relied on the gun.