Baikal IZH-46M Review

Overall Rating

It will always hit a nickle when clamped in a vice. Quality machined metals. Powerful, quiet, doesn't kick, mechanically durable, low stress in repetition, replaceable seals, life expectancy, genius mechanicals, downloadable seals replacement.

Way too heavy, watchmaker mechanicals, sharp edges everywhere, bulky, too long, grip play, can rust, dents, dust gets inside, lacks sufficient power, could easily be a 2 (or micro adjust) speed but isn't, could be much quieter, and worst of all it is designed to be shot at the end of your arm, which is the worst way to be accurate with a pistol.

I was very disappointed when I received my Baikal IZH. It is a Stone age gun. Had shot around 500 rounds total with a BB gun prior, so I am a beginner. If you had ever studied obsidian arrowheads you will find many things to be impressed about, but today's razors seem to have put those out of business. So off to the workshop to rebuild my Izzy. This is the best pistol in the world all things considered, and now that I have redesigned it, I am reasonably satisfied with it. Again technology could EASILY match all the improvements I listed as needing to occur, with regards to this pneumatic, while still keeping it a pneumatic-action. It is (pneumatics) a tried and true concept (I have found), but really should and could be a 2 speed. Get with it! It has been 2 years, and I have only shot around 100 rounds with my IZH-46MS. S for superlite. My Izzy is now 908 grams, 356 mm in length, 114 mm high, has eight hand positions right or/and left, (depending on which fingers you insert where, and if at all), tool compartment, and the nose can be held up with the hand open, much more so with it gripping. White pine, aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium will be used when I get around to finishing it. Only the titanium has not been put in yet. The titanium will be for the pivot pins. It will get down to around 800 grams. The gun will be 50mm shorter than what I have already done, but just in the metal and not overall, and this in addition to the lite pins will reduce weight. Siting is done differently now, so they have been re-designed, but if I elaborate then there will not be any sparrows left, but people aren't about to change there siting methods. Any way my Izzy is already around 600 grams less in weight than it was. A picture would have said it all I guess. I think a 500 gram Izzy could easily be achieved, and rust proofed with cheap 7003 aluminum with stainless steel liners, sealed mechanics, and even ball bearing pivots, and rounded edges for crying out loud. With a gun like that in my head, no wonder I'm disappointed! As it is, the gun is much more fun to shoot at 900 grams. The foundation is there with the Izzy. Get one and then go to the garage and shave some weight off. And don't feel like you have to shoot it like everyone else. Obviously I am not interested in bowing to any one, including the mind of competition and it's rules. I bought the gun for the field, and in the field this gun felt like a disaster waiting to happen with rust, dust, bulk, sharp edges, friction, slop, weight and exposed teeny tiny parts. You have to babysit it excessively in the field, and many of these disadvantages translate to the competition. I am willing to bet if a competition person tried this gun now, they might toss stock Izzy! I am giving the gun 10's across the board since it was the best I found in the world as a foundation for my re-designs. I will try to post a picture somewhere eventually of this 46mS. Any advice on what will happen to THIS particular gun if I shorten the barrel 35 mm? I have not decided if I will do that or not yet.

Members' Comments onTopmostpop's Review

• 0mike10330 on 8th Nov 2005

  EXPERT??, yeah...right. What will you do next, re-invent chess?

• WoodyKoa on 16th Jan 2006

  The IZH-46 was not designed to be a "field gun" but a single shot competition pistol. You do fire this style of gun arm fully extended, almost to the point of sighting down your arm. Many match pistols are heavy, to reduce movement. I've had mine for over three years, and the first time I fired 10 pellets through it, I found it hard to get out of the black! Shooting this type of arm requires discipline and training and lots and lots of pellets. It is a great gun, worthy of going against other single shot pistols, such as the Tau 7 and the superb Styr LP2.

• Coganator on 20th Apr 2006

  Why are you crying about 2 speeds?.. You payed $250 for this when it's better than most $500 pistols.

• streak on 3rd May 2007

  The guy ia an admitted beginner. He's used to shooting bb guns for godsake! Let him have his fun & finish mutilating the great target match pistol he -had- at one time. I wonder how much his newly named "46M/S" will be worth when he is done *fixing* it? LOL.......S

• newgunsmell on 19th Aug 2007

  I own this pistol and it is outstanding given its price point. The author of this review obviously wants a pistol to use in the field. Hello! This is a 10 meter target pistol.
  
  It's like buying a 2 wheel drive sports car and complaining that it doesn't handle well in off-road situations. There are plenty of other low end pistols for this guy to complain about. Leave my IZZY alone.

• Brettl on 20th Apr 2008

  The poster could not be more wrong. This is a wonderful pistol for its intended purpose and pricerange.