I picked up an IZH-18 MAX earlier this year when they were still cheap. The popularity of this gun has increased and so has its MSRP and "street price". For $100-$150 I think it is a reasonable firearm. For $250 I find it hard to justify since CDNN was selling the plain-barreled version of this firearm for $49 recently and I think they were even giving them away free with purchases of $200 or more.

Mine shoots flat and has loosened up considerably after 1000 rounds or so--too much in fact as the fore end now rattles. I put a fiber front sight and a modified Morgan adjustable pad on it and it smokes clays just fine.

 

I'm going to assume you're talking about the sporting model, not the max that one of the other comments addressed. Ported barrel, two beads, Monte Carlo etc.
Been there; done that--my advice--save your money. The gun looks pretty good for the money (bought mine at $199; $20 off suggested retail at the time). The problem with the gun for trap shooting is simply not enough weight. I added lead to the forearm, drilled the stock and added shot,etc. Still beat me up, even with 7/8oz loads. Sold it to someone from trapshooters.com for $180 and paid the shipping! Last I saw he had it up for sale after about 3 months.

I found a used older 1100 trap gun for $400 and believe me it's a world of difference. I've bought two off brand guns and tried to turn them into trap guns and it just don't work out. Eventually you'll end up paying the money; save the frustration and buy something good now. I'd recommend either the 1100 if you're recoil-shy or the BT-99 used. Great gun for singles and handicaps. Just my opinion.

 

I agree with xpm95501 100%

 

I shot two rounds of trap today with my son's izh-18 MAX using 1 oz estate shells. I would call this a low recoil setup. My son weighs 105 lbs and shot three rounds and was ready for more if we had time. His younger brother--who is very recoil sensitive, and weighs 72 lbs--shot two rounds with it as well.

 

don't know why postings are being posted twice.

 

it weighs in a little more than 6lbs -- my BT-99 weighs around 9lbs. shoot a hundred or more rounds in a day and you will find that a gun that light kicks like a mule which will lead to all kinds of other problems including flinching. If these models have a 28" barrel, that's on the short side for trap. These guns also have a reputation for being stiff, and I have seen someone on the trap line using his knee as a fulcrum to break open his Baikal.

if you want an introductory trap gun, find a used Remington 870 or 1100 trap gun or a BT 99. if they're actually giving -18s away or selling plain versions for $50 bucks, you can safely pass on the Baikal and not be afraid of missing out on a steal. like anything else, you get what you pay for.

 

the izh-18 is light, just about the right weight for a junior shooter. No way could my young sons shoot 100 rounds with a 8-9 lb. gun! The action on our Baikal was quite stiff out of the box, about like a modern o/u (non-Ruger) would be out of the box. It loosened up quickly at the range. I fitted a Morgan pad this weekend and even my 10 year-old said the kick was no problem. Gun feels nicely fitted now. After feeling it with the Morgan I can't believe we were shooting with the stock recoil pad at all.

I would like to have the monte carlo stock. I wonder is a cheekeez comb would give me a parallel comb effect?

Regarding balance I think I may oversize the stck mounting screw hole and fill it with #8 shot. I'd like to add some balast to the fore end as well. What works well? I was thinking about drilling clean 1/2" holes with a spade bit then filling them with silicone/shot "jello". Comments?

What advantage would you expect to get from an '870 versus the Baikal single at trap?

 

well i just thought it would be a fun gun to have and shoot in local leagues. i have my trap guns so it's not for serious work. i'd always liked BT-99's but they're getting pricey and hard to find and i don't take my shooting THAT serious, but seeing this Baikal kinda caught my fancy, and the price seemed good.

 

I just bought a IZH-18 youth for my wife.Its 20ga,24.5" barrel.She really likes it and it cost only $89.00 at my local gun store.

 

I just bought a IZH-18 youth for my wife.Its 20ga,24.5" barrel.She really likes it and it cost only $89.00 at my local gun store.

Not bad. I wish there were other cheap "hammerless" single shots around. I've seen too many kids struggling to pull the hammer back on low end single shots. I know the Stevens 16ga that my father bought for me 30+ years ago is so hard to cock that I wonder how I ever did it when I was a boy. Not many singles have a safety either.

Is your IZH-18 action tight? Ours loosened up after a box or two of shells. I don't think the manual shows you how to convert from ejector to extractor. Do you know? We use the little lever under the receiver for extraction, but I am interested in making it extract all the time.

 

One more note: I fitted a Morgan #5 adjustable pad to the IZH-18 and it feels great. The factory recoil pad holes lined up with the Morgan and I spent about 15 minutes hand fitting the aluminum plate using a bench grinder. Total cost $31 including tax. Looks like a real trap gun now .

 

j beede

Sorry for getting back to you so late.My wife's gun extracts only as far as I know.Hers does not have that little lever under and forward of the receiver like yours....but I have seen others that do.

 

well i went and bought this gunand i'm very happy with it as the first time i shot it i broke a 23 with it using the full choke. it seemed to break them hard and clean. it did have a little more muzzle rise due to the shorter barrell [28 inch] and lightness in weight but over all i am glad i got it.

 

well i went and bought this gunand i'm very happy with it as the first time i shot it i broke a 23 with it using the full choke. it seemed to break them hard and clean. it did have a little more muzzle rise due to the shorter barrell [28 inch] and lightness in weight but over all i am glad i got it.

The Morgan #5 pad fit the factory recoil pad holes on on my son's IZH-18. Dropping the pad not only made the gun more comfortable but substantially reduced perceived recoil and muzzle jump.

If yours has 28" barrel it must not be the sporting model with monte carlo stock and ported barrel? I am looking at the sporting model--too bad Baikal charges about 2x for it over the IZH-18 MAX!

 

I must say I am surprised at some of the negative comments about the baikal IJ 18 single barrel.I have owned two,20 and 12 gauge,both really great guns in my view.Actually,I used the 20 gauge for trap for a long time as well as a bit of hunting,I have owned many shotguns over the years (Win 1200,1400,SKB side-by-side plus others) and of all the guns I have used,I liked that little single shot better than any of the others,so easy to carry around and I shot very well with it.Using light shells,and after having a recoil pad fitted,it had hardly any recoil at all.I can't believe they sell the things so cheap.Speaking of cheap,I saw yesterday a 20 and 12 gauge Max version of each (silver colour receiver,vent rib etc) in a gunshop in Raleigh,NC.Both new,they had $110 plus tax on them so they are stil around at cheap prices.I would gladly but another,too me they were really good inexpensive shotguns,better quality I think than other guns in their price bracket.