TOZ-63

Tula Arms Plant · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1964

Also known as: ТОЗ-63

Overview

The TOZ-63 is a Soviet side-by-side double-barrel hunting shotgun produced by the Tula Arms Plant from 1964 to 1978. It uses a break-open action with external (exposed) hammers, double triggers, and horizontally arranged 720 mm barrels chambered for 70 mm shells. Chambered primarily in 16 gauge (with a 20 gauge version also offered), it features chrome-lined bores, half-choke and full-choke constrictions, and a detachable forend. The design was an evolution of the earlier TOZ-BM, itself derived from the classic TOZ-B, adding chrome-plated bores and improved finishing.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	3100 g (109.3 oz)
Overall Length	1165 mm (45.87")
Barrel Length	720 mm (28.35")
Action Type	Break Action
Firing Mechanism	Hammer Fired
Trigger Type	Single Stage
Magazine Capacity	2 rounds
Effective Range	50 m (55 yd)
Maximum Range	300 m (328 yd)
Barrel Rifling	None
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Chrome Lined Bore

Calibers

16 Gauge · primary — also known as 16 ga, 16 bore, 16/70
20 Gauge — also known as 20GA, 20 Bore

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Break Open Manual
Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Hammer Intercepting Sears
Features: Side By Side Barrels, External Hammers, Double Triggers, Chrome Lined Bores, Detachable Forend, Greener Crossbolt Locking, Extractor

Variants

TOZ-63 20 Gauge - Chambering

Service history

Operators

Soviet civilian hunters · adopted 1964

Production

Production years: 1964-1978

Mass-produced civilian hunting shotgun; exact totals not published

Origin

Country of origin: Russia

Discontinued: 1978

Notes

The right barrel is bored to a half-choke (0.5 mm) constriction and the left barrel to a full choke (1.0 mm). Stocks were typically birch on standard grades, with beech or walnut on improved and premium versions. The 12 gauge development of the design was produced as the TOZ-66.

Background

A workhorse of Soviet hunters, the exposed-hammer TOZ-63 traced its lineage back to the pre-revolutionary TOZ-B design of the early 1900s, keeping the old-fashioned external cocking hammers long after most Western makers had moved to hammerless boxlocks.