IZh-58
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| IZh-58 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Double-barreled shotgun |
| Place of origin | USSR |
| Production history | |
| Designer | L. I. Pugachev[1] |
| Manufacturer | Izhevsk Mechanical Plant[1] |
| Produced | 1958[1] - 1987[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.7 - 3.2 kg[1] |
| Barrel length | 675, 720, 730 mm[1][3] |
| Caliber | 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge[1][3] |
| Action | Break-action[1][3] |
| Rate of fire | Variable |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The IZh-58 (ИЖ-58) is a Soviet double-barreled shotgun.[1]
IZh-58 was designed by L. I. Pugachev (Л. И. Пугачев), in the last months of 1958, the first shotguns were made.[1]
Since 1961, a new varnish with improved characteristics has been used to protect the wooden parts of the gun.[4] As a result, since January 1961, the price of one standard IZh-58 was 60 roubles.[5]
More than 1.36 million IZh-58 hunting shotguns were produced in all four standard variants.[6] In addition, one experimental sample of lightweight IZh-58 shotgun was made with aluminium alloy details.[7]
It was replaced by IZh-43 model in late 1980s.[1] The last IZh-58MAE shotgun was made in 1987.[2]
Design
IZh-58 is a side by side smoothbore shotgun. The detachable barrels are made from heat-treated 50RA steel (сталь 50PA)[3]
The barrels have chokes at the muzzle end.[1][3]
It has a walnut, birch or beech shoulder stock and fore-end[1][3]
Variants
- IZh-58 (ИЖ-58) - first model[1] In total, 642,000 IZh-58 shotguns were made in 1958-1971 and 73 thousands of them were sold to other countries[8]
- IZh-58M (ИЖ-58М) - second model, since 1970[1] In total, 235,000 IZh-58M shotguns were made in 1970-1976 and 115 thousands of them were sold to other countries[8]
- IZh-58MA (ИЖ-58МА) - third model, since 1975. It is equipped with new safety mechanism[1]
- IZh-58MAE (ИЖ-58МАЕ) - last model, since 1977. It is equipped with new safety mechanism and ejector[1]
- IZh-58MA-20M (ИЖ-58MA-20М) - export variant (IZh-58MA with 670-680mm barrels chambered in 20/76 mm Magnum shotgun shells)[9]
