Baikal IZH-46M Review

Overall Rating

Cannot think of one.

Trigger, grip, balance (muzzle heavy), accuracy.

I shot the Baikal IZH-46 and liked it, but since it is no longer made, I purchased the IZH-46M instead. I like the IZH-46 better than the 46M model, because it is not as muzzle heavy, and the cocking effort is easier. The IZH-46 is a joy to cock compare to the 46M. The trigger is a single stage, and it is not match quality. Trigger is OK, but I thought the Beeman P3 trigger is better. Even the Daisy 747 trigger is better. The grip is large and feels like a 2x4. The fit and finish is better than some of the Chinese made guns. But all this doesn't matter to me as much as the accuracy. The bottom line is "Can it shoot tight groups?" I was expecting a group size to be equal to or less than the Beeman P3 (Beeman Catalog advertise 0.20 inch group). After all, this gun does cost $100 more than the P3, and it is designed to be a 10-meter competition pistol. I didn't expect it to achieve one-hole group like the $1200 German pistols. I was disappointed.

Members' Comments ontenmeters's Review

• kd6wd1 on 2nd Jul 2004

  No offense, but I think you lack the physical strength to use this pistol. I have been shooting air pistols since the late seventies when I got my first sidelever FWB from Beemans when they were still in Richmond California. I have found this pistol just plain superb for under $300.00 You must have sand in yours because after having 16 (I had to make a list to get the number correct) pistol shooters try it, the common consensus was that the trigger was just plain excellent. These were unsolicited comments from each of them. In fact 6 of them purchased the izh-46m from several different internet dealers and in each case the guns were nearly identical and shot extremely well. They all chronograph above 500 fps which surprised even me and overall were within 10 fps. Instead of bowling, now we get together for about 4 hours per week of competitive shooting. I am now well over 6,000 rounds (probably closer to 8,000) and it still performs well. I did however,replace the factory chamber seals with USA 'O' rings. Sorry you are not happy, but one of my buddies is intrested in picking it up if you wish to sell it.

• tenmeters on 5th Jul 2004

  Thanks for your comment. I guess I am spoiled by all the 10-meters air pistols that I owned and tried. I have a Steyr LP-1 and a Walther LP-200. I shot other people's FWB P34, and FWB 103 and 102. These air pistols are SWEET. When you shot air pistols like this, you don't want anything less.
  
  With my 46M, I record about 450 fps with H&N wadcutters using my Beta chrony. Those Beta Chrony don't record any projectile smaller than a .22 cal very well.

• ricdoug on 9th Jul 2004

  I'm sure I can find a buyer also. We use many pistols at our airgun club. Everyone loves the trigger of the Baikal. If you want an Armory of those Beeman P3's, buy the Marksman Model 2004. It's the same pistol! Around $40 USD you can give them to new air pistol wannabes as quality match entry level shooters. Marksman is the parent company of Beeman. I use my Baikal for paper and silhouette. Take a little more time getting used to the pistol. The "M" version extended the barrel length and increased the air volume to get the pellet out of the barrel faster for less hold time. You are used to more expensive guns. Our club competes using Baikal, Avanti, Crossman and Marksman with FWB and other high end airgun and sometimes we take the top places (sometimes we don't). Give it more time!

• Ned Farinholt on 5th Nov 2008

  Can you please provide the part no. identification of the USA o rings for the IZH 46M that you used and where they can be found.