MTs 21-12
Tula Arms Plant · Shotgun · In Production · 1965
Also known as: МЦ 21-12, MC 21-12
Overview
The MTs 21-12 is a Soviet long-recoil operated semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun designed by V. A. Nikolaev at the TsKIB SOO design bureau and produced at the Tula Arms Plant. Chambered for 12/70 shells and fed from a four-round tubular magazine, it was the first mass-produced Soviet self-loading shotgun and remains a popular civilian hunting arm across the former Soviet states. It features a detachable chrome-plated barrel with a fixed 1mm choke and walnut furniture.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1280 mm (50.39") |
| Barrel Length | 750 mm (29.53") |
| Action Type | Long Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tube |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2560 J (1888 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 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, 12/70
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Detachable Chrome Plated Barrel, Walnut Stock, Tubular Magazine, Iron Sights, 1mm Fixed Choke
Variants
- MTs 21-12R - Recoil Pad
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Union · adopted 1965 · as МЦ 21-12
- Russia
- Belarus
- Moldova
Production
Estimated total produced: 300,000 · Production years: 1965-present
Over 300,000 units manufactured; designed 1956-1958, serial production from 1965
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: V. A. Nikolaev
Notes
The long-recoil action follows the Browning Auto-5 operating principle, in which the barrel and bolt recoil rearward together the full length of the shell before separating. Numerous factory variants exist, including versions with rubber recoil pads and cheekpieces.
Background
The MTs 21-12 was the Soviet Union's first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun and won a gold medal at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1965, becoming a staple of Soviet and post-Soviet hunters for decades.