Wookie Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Ok, honest advice needed. I'm after a first gun. Something that is going to last and I can use for both game and trap, but I'm low on funds and, whilst I would love to go for a new trap version of the Lanber (multi-choke), my budget is only going to run to about150 to 200. I saw a couple of Bailkals in my local shop and they looked solid guns that would do good service for a couple of years. Is it worth going for one and then keeping it as a "crappy weather" gun for the future when I get a bit more budget in a year or so, or should I just wait and get something a bit more expensive. Also, how reliable are they? Are spares easy to source? Would you want a friend/family member using one? Would you be ashamed to turn up to a shoot/clay event with one? Cheers, Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I have had one in the past which my cousin now has. They are very reliable guns and I found it a pleasure to shoot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Firstly I've never owned one, so any advice I give will only be my opinions based on what I've heard/read/been told. In my view they are very good budget guns, they don't often break. They have a good importer, which should mean it's easy to get hold of spares. They're seen as the lada of the gun world by most people, but in my opinion this is just a snobbish view and wouldn't get you that much grief from fellow shooters! If I was working to your budget, I'd certainly buy one as a first choice. They've been around for years, and everyone has heard of them. If you see an old farmer in his field with a battered example of a gun, it's normally a baikal! It still works after having a hard life, that's the important bit really isn't it :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I pickup one of these in my local gun shop. Very barrel heavy. Horrible to hold/swing/pickup etc. I put it straight back down and didn't give it a second thought. I'm talking about the real agricultural jobbie, the one with a single trigger that you push forward for the barrel select. If that was my choice for £150 then i'd wait and get more funds. Just my 2p. :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 In most magazine articles, you will see them quoted as being "the agricultural gun". this was so you could knock a fence post in with it in the morning and shoot your tea in the afternoon. These guns have a reputation of having a fair kick in terms of recoil, but to be honest £100-£200 for one is good. They last long, are reliable, cheap spares, and at the end of the day they do what it says on the tin, they go bang when you pull the trigger!!!! If you are looking for a first gun, then you can do no worst than one of these, especially if you are on a tight budget. Don't expect tons of engraving or lovely grained wood, but you will get years of enjoyment, whilst you save for your Purdey or Holland & Holland. Cheers SS :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Had the IZH27 i beleive it was it was a great work horse :look: Shot my first comp with it and came 6th. I have heard of a few people having small probs. Gun gets tight when it gets warm and both ejectors ejecting even after just 1 shot was taken. (Teething probs really) Other than that they seem to be fine. If you can get a USED one in good nick then buy it as the resale value won't change much. Buy a new one and you can lose £100 resale pretty quick. LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Fox Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 A good servicible gun in my opinion, the best shot on the driven days i have been on this season uses one, and his opinion (which he always reminds us of!) .... why spend thousands of pounds on a gun, when he shoots so well with his £60 baikal ! Cant really argue with it, its the person behind the gun that counts! I wouldnt hesitate if i needed a budget gun to buy one, but as mentioned, 2nd hand is the way to go :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Wookie, I have a 12g Baikal, non ejector, two trigger, fixed choke sitting in my cabinet doing SFA. Let me know if you are interested. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baikal boy Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 there virtually indestructable mate ive used one for a number of years now its the only gun ive got and in my opinion its the only gun ile ever need i use it for game and clays and i aint ashamed of getting it out and using it at clay grounds if you clean it every time its used it should last you for a good many years mine still looks like new because of this treatment and have had no probs with it.all the best wookie. cheers paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Nothing up with them. Lot of snobbery about guns. I've known people look doown on Baikal owners. They are solid, a bit basic, but will do the job. Lauronas sometimes go for that money - better gun. You could also get a Remington 1100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young gun Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I 've got a O/U baikal and its all i shoot with and the only problems i've ever had is the saftey broke as a tiny pin that held it on snapped and a warn ejector it was easy to get fixed. Mine also dosn't weigh much and i've even had people coment on it being a light gun even when compared to more expensive guns so they don't all weigh a ton. I managed to pick mine up for £200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted January 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Seems like the general consensus is for me to get out there and try one on for size... Looks like this weekend is going to be a busy one for me then. LB, you got photos of yours? Oh yes, measurements too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Seems like the general consensus is for me to get out there and try one on for size... Looks like this weekend is going to be a busy one for me then. LB, you got photos of yours? Oh yes, measurements too... They will be taken on a mobile phone Wookie and I will measure it up for you tomorrow. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claybreaker88 Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Seems like the general consensus is for me to get out there and try one on for size... Looks like this weekend is going to be a busy one for me then. LB, you got photos of yours? Oh yes, measurements too... Wookie by the time you get a gun it will be history from what i see all you do is tallllk about getting a gun get a plastic one in Woolworths in Huntingdon I am getting board of the posts sorry. Paul St Ives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronan nee Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 have had a baikal for years and up graded to a multi choke last year. never had any problems with them an they where always reliable. anyone starting out in shooting my opinion should get one. they can take some abuse regards ronan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted January 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Woolworths is for the ****** in Huntingdon Claybreaker! I know I keep talkingabout getting a gun, but I don't have that much spare cash and the last thging I want to do is end up with a lemon or something that won't let me enjoy something I really like doing, hence the asking for advice and the dithering. If I wanted to load my credit cards, I'd be away to Fenlands and buying something new there, but it's taken me ages to get the credit cards down and I don't want to get them back up again! Anyway, I'm guessing you shoot at High Hartley. _When_ I get a gun, you fancy meeting up for a session? LB cheers for that mate. I think my e-mail address in in my profile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoggieman Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Hi There I have owned many shotguns and at one time was the proud owner of a very expensive British side by side About 2 years ago I was in York guns looking for a cheap o/u that I could use in all weather on the shoot that I am an unpaid keeper on. I was shown one of the new Baikals the one with ported barrels and interchangable chokes. It fitted like no other gun I have owned I bought it and consider it to be the best all round gun that I have ever owned. Though slightly heavy I know that the gun will last me a life time. If you get chance of one you will not regret buying it they are so universal I use mine for driven game ,pest control, wildfowl and clays. The first time out with the gun was after wildfowl I had 3 shots and came home with 3 geese. They are very good value and will not let you down regardless of any weather conditions. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 iv had 3 baikals years ago, and find them good guns and hard hitting guns, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 My brother in law shoots one of the new baikals (the IZH-27EM) and its a cracking gun. My first shotgun was a double trigger baikal ou non ejector, and while it was horribly choked for what I wanted to do (3/4 and full), it was extremely robust and not a bad gun in any way. Remember that a good shot will be a good shot with a £150 baikal ou or a £75,000 Boss or H&H. A bad shot will be a bad shot with just the same guns. The only caveat I would place is that you should make sure you know what the choking is before you buy. ZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff 69 Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 My brother in law shoots one of the new baikals (the IZH-27EM) and its a cracking gun. My first shotgun was a double trigger baikal ou non ejector, and while it was horribly choked for what I wanted to do (3/4 and full), it was extremely robust and not a bad gun in any way. Remember that a good shot will be a good shot with a £150 baikal ou or a £75,000 Boss or H&H. A bad shot will be a bad shot with just the same guns. The only caveat I would place is that you should make sure you know what the choking is before you buy. ZB i have had single over an unders side by sides you name it theyre great everyday guns.i bought a laurona a few years ago co i was told it would last a lifetime.2yrs and it was loose as can be.then a firing pin went.i was then told they dont make spares anymore.i would have been as well with another baikal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbruno Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 although i have never had one i have friends that do and although not the pretty gun you get with a browning or berreta they are well priced and if we can learn anything from russian products they just work the ak47 is the cheepest and most succesful asault rifle in the world . and if people snub you than **** them they should be thankful for any new shooters to the sport so we can keep it going I hope you buy your shotgun and have years of fun with it thats what matters, other ideas for a budget gun rem870 pump,mossberg and if you can aford a little more get a browning bps you would probably keep it forever even if you got something fancier latter regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted January 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Well, poppped into my local gunshop on Saturday and saw two Baikals. One had a split in the forestock and so was marked down to 100 notes, but the shop was a bit unwilling to do anything with it. The action was a bit "loose" too, so was not too keen on it. The other was lovelt though. Choked at 1/2 and full, but looked almost new and felt tight and crisp. Single trigger ejector too. Price tag said 250, I asked them to phone the guy and offer 200, so all I have to do now is wait for them to get hold of the guy and get back to me. If he'll take 200, I'm having it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 ive had one for the last ten years and if the weather is bad or i know im going to get my gun knocked about its the first gun out of the cabinet.mine came with two sets of barrels,26 and 28 inches.for a general knock about gun i cant fault it,ive put thousands of shots through it with no problems at all.its nice to have a shovel of a gun,one that does the job and i dont have to worry about scratches on the woodwork because within six months they have worn away.nice to take to the clay ground too,where the badged up snobs with a 2k gun look down their beretta sponsored noses at a gun without ported chokes or fancy engraving. its no different from a purdey or a churchill,it performs the same task and does the same despite being frowned upon. buy one and i promise you wont regret it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Well, poppped into my local gunshop on Saturday and saw two Baikals. One had a split in the forestock and so was marked down to 100 notes, but the shop was a bit unwilling to do anything with it. The action was a bit "loose" too, so was not too keen on it. The other was lovelt though. Choked at 1/2 and full, but looked almost new and felt tight and crisp. Single trigger ejector too. Price tag said 250, I asked them to phone the guy and offer 200, so all I have to do now is wait for them to get hold of the guy and get back to me. If he'll take 200, I'm having it! Marked at WHAT :o And i sold MINE in as new cond for £100 Oh well you live and learn LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryhawk Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Don't knock em. I've still got a 26" single trigger o/u that i had when i was keepering. It fell of the quad, butt down and split the stock down from the action. A bit of castermite and left clamped over night and there is no sign of it splitting again and that was 14 years ago. I'm loathe to get rid,. It's done me well and only 26" barrels its very pointable lamping off the pickup or a bit of walked up shooting. Got a Browning now. Go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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