Yup.

 

I have not shot it yet. Which side would be the full choke? (Assuming they make them all the same) Also, which trigger fires which side? I am guessing the forward trigger fires the right side.

 

Mod. (0.5 mm of constriction) is the right-hand barrel, fired by the front trigger.
Full (1.0 mm of constriction) is the left-hand barrel, fired by the rear trigger.
That is, unless someone messed with the gun.

 

The guns itself is strong enough....but the chokes will be far to tight...the old baikals like yours had very tight choking (and quite tight bores to),you would probably find if you put a choke gauge into the muzzles it is more like full and fuller,it is on mine anyway.And if you modify the chokes it will not be as useful with lead shot.

 

Thank you, fellas. You have been most helpful to me in getting to know this new gun.

 

The guns itself is strong enough....but the chokes will be far to tight...the old baikals like yours had very tight choking (and quite tight bores to),you would probably find if you put a choke gauge into the muzzles it is more like full and fuller,it is on mine anyway.And if you modify the chokes it will not be as useful with lead shot.

You need steel shot for waterfowl nowadays so what would be wrong having the chokes opened to modified? If using lead for upland game, there is nothing wrong with modified chokes.

 

The value in these older baikals is in their tight chokes...which are excellent for lead but not for steel of course.It would be more cost effective to just buy a cheap pump that is set up for modern steel shells from the get-go.

 

The guns itself is strong enough....but the chokes will be far to tight...the old baikals like yours had very tight choking (and quite tight bores to),you would probably find if you put a choke gauge into the muzzles it is more like full and fuller,it is on mine anyway.And if you modify the chokes it will not be as useful with lead shot.

I concur. Have an IJ-58MA in 20ga built on a 12 frame. The chokes are Extra Full and Full.

 

The guns itself is strong enough....but the chokes will be far to tight...the old baikals like yours had very tight choking (and quite tight bores to),you would probably find if you put a choke gauge into the muzzles it is more like full and fuller,it is on mine anyway.And if you modify the chokes it will not be as useful with lead shot.

I concur. Have an IJ-58MA in 20ga built on a 12 frame. The chokes are Extra Full and Full.

hi guys i have an ij-58MA in 12 ga my chokes are extra full and full to it has nice wood i have been told that it is around a 1965 make.it shoots real good patterns with both barrels shoots oo buck shot real good great for wild pigs here in western australia.
Bernie

 

The guns itself is strong enough....but the chokes will be far to tight...the old baikals like yours had very tight choking (and quite tight bores to),you would probably find if you put a choke gauge into the muzzles it is more like full and fuller,it is on mine anyway.And if you modify the chokes it will not be as useful with lead shot.

I concur. Have an IJ-58MA in 20ga built on a 12 frame. The chokes are Extra Full and Full.

i have a ij-58 MA in 12 ga it has extra full and full chokes, i have been told the it is 1965 to 1970 vintage.
Bernie

 

I have one as well. Got it from my father-in-law. So, no steel shot? At all?

Also, anyone have any idea what they are worth? Thanks.

 

Another aussie here with a wonderful 58! I'd also be quite keen to find out if we can use steel shot on this if we got the chokes opened up?

I'm actually half tempted to search around for another one, and have 2 - one for lead, and one opened up for steel shot (when duck season comes around in vic).

Thoughts?

Kind Regards,

JF

 

I dunno. I would've tried, if the gun had no sentimental value - with the chokes opened up, that is. They're strong guns, and besides, the worst steel shot can do is bulge the barrels, which is not dangerous for the shooter, so if it happens you can just saw off the barrels to 25 to 26" and have a quail gun or a slug/buckshot gun for pigs. You don't risk much in terms of money, and hardly anything else.

And speaking of strength, o/t but it's a good idea to check if the crossbolt that holds the stock in place is tight, every couple of seasons.

 

Duck season has just been declared here in Victoria, Australia for 2014 - so I've decided to take the 58 to the gunsmith tomorrow to have both barrels opened up to modified seeing we have to use non-toxic (steel) shot. Hate to do it, but can't afford a new gun just yet.

Have put around 400 odd rounds through it and after installing a kick-eez butt pad, it's a fantastic gun to shoot.

How is everyone else going with their 58s?

Kind Regards,

Zako

 

The focus of this thread seems to be on hunting guns. I don't hunt, so I should probably just sit this one out. I can't resist, though . . .

I have an IZH-54. It came with full and fuller chokes. I had it opened to Improved/Modified (thanks Mike Orlen) and am really happy with the results. I only take it to the skeet field, but it shoots and handles great.

Guns of this era were created with fiber wads in mind. Their idea of full choke equates to REALLY full today, due to the increased performance of the modern plastic wads. Shells just group better/tighter today. I wouldn't hesitate at all to open up one of these old guns.

Again, I'm not a hunter, but I can't imagine using one of these as a waterfowl gun in the United States. I would think that something that will handle 3-inch steel shot would be better suited for shooting ducks and geese. These old guns are probably best reserved for upland game or the sporting clays/skeet range.