In recent years, there has been a genuine renaissance of the popularity of Soviet guns, produced 40-50 years ago. "Veterans" win in quality and efficiency in modern domestic and foreign trunks. In particular, the classical IL-58 hunting rifle is today respected by hunters.
It is about him and will be discussed.
general information
IL-58 - double-barreled classic layout with a horizontal barrel. In its production, high-quality materials were used, including the unique weapon steel of the IZHMASH plant. To impart high strength, the company metal was processed on specialized equipment with subsequent heat treatment.
The history of this weapon begins in 1958. Then a team of experienced engineers, led by L. Pugachev, began designing inexpensive shotguns for a wide range of people - hunters, trappers, peoples of the North, shepherds, etc. The task of the group was to minimize the cost of a new smoothbolt, developed on the basis of IL-54. To do this, they decided to simplify the designs of Izh-54 and partially use other materials. The 58th gun turned out to be more technological, and its design became easier to manufacture and maintain, which made it possible to reduce the cost of producing a gun.
This does not mean that a new weapon has become better than its counterpart. As it is lost. If earlier it took a long time to create some parts (which required large financial expenditures), now parts were given out hundreds at a time, while the quality declined. Despite this, a group of engineers and L. Pugachev managed to create an affordable weapon, the design of which did not require specific knowledge from the owner.
Modifications IL-58:
- IL-58MA-20M - made on the basis of the classic IL-58 weapons for powerful Magnum ammunition;
- IL-58-16 - standard rifle for charges of 16 gauge;
- IL-58-12 - standard rifle chambered for 12 gauge;
- IL-58MA is an advanced rifle that allows the use of 12 and 16 caliber cartridges. To increase safety, an automatic fuse was installed;
- IL-58MAE - a modification similar to the previous version. The difference lies in the presence of the ejector.
Conveyor with IL-58 stopped in 1986. In the same year, at the Leipzig Fair, the double barrels received a gold medal. She received this award for construction solutions, high reliability and a large supply of working resources. In total, about 850 thousand guns were produced, taking into account different versions and modifications. Many lovers of weapons in their collections have IL-58. Abroad, it is considered a luxury to have such a shotgun in its possession.
Technical characteristics of IL-58
Izhevsk gun is considered a classic weapon of its class, which has an excellent structure. It can be effectively used while hunting for a different animal or at a sports ground. The caliber IL-58 was 16 and 20. It was simple, did not have any unnecessary nodes, balancing.
In the production of trunks and couplings used unique Izhevsk weapon steel 50A. Particular attention was paid to the production of pads: it was tested on various machines, and then subjected to high temperature processing to bring to high strength. This approach to the creation and use of weapon steel did not require the use of additional brand tubes.
The use of innovative materials has simplified production. There was no need to use multiple additional details, as was the case with IL-54. This approach reduced the cost of a gun, which was demanded by the company’s management team of engineers.
The use of the brand tubes in the IL-54 forced the use of additional specialists to work: it required fine manual work to install all the details. In IL-58, the strikers were placed in the trigger, which simplified the assembly of the rifle and extended their service life. This approach had its minus: the new position of the strikers required the creation of additional holes in the box, which could lead to partial deformation of the butt and damage to the health of the shooter during the penetration through the cap. In fact, such situations were rare.
The cheapening of the gun was achieved by revising the mounting system. The screws were replaced by pins, the butt fastening to the block was simplified, the leaf springs were replaced with simple, coil springs, which were cheaper and more reliable.
The technology of manufacturing trunks did not change, since it depends on the strength of IL-58. They were made from hot rolled products by deep drilling. The connection of the trunks is different from the IL-54: chose the barrel tube, pressed into the barrel coupling. In the analogue, brass solders were used in breeders for bracing. This approach is inferior in strength.
In 1957, IL-54 switched to the same technology of fastening trunks. Now such a construction decision is criticized, but it makes the trunks stronger. The stem coupling is intended not only for fastening the trunks: there are under-grip hooks and a stepped rear ledge, which are used for locking.
Aim levels are used to fasten the barrel unit. It includes a two-tube coupling, aiming slats and pivot posts. To eliminate the torque, the top of the convergence of the trunks was set at a certain distance from the choke. The upper sighting plate is attached to the coupling and trunks. The bottom is located on the posts of the hinge.
Muzzle narrowing has been performed traditionally: the left barrel, the right barrel of pay-off, have a parabolic drill. To protect against corrosion, the bore trunks and chamber are chrome plated. Outside, the barrels of IZH-58 are coated with a protective varnish, the pads are painted using a chemical method. The expensive protective varnish on IZHMASH managed to be replaced at the end of the 80s by a cheaper option. It was replaced by oxidation, which did not have a high resistance to mechanical shocks (like "rust lacquer"), but had good resistance to chemical attack (which cannot be said about lacquer).
Two barrel-mounted hooks and a shutter lever are responsible for triple locking. The trigger mechanism is made on the type of the trigger. Martial springs are made helical cylindrical. They cocked in the process of opening weapons. For this answer hinge forearm and pushers. For shots there are two triggers - one hook is responsible for a shot from one barrel.
For safety, the design does not provide for the possibility of a shot with open trunks. In the event of the disruption of the Kurks from a combat platoon, a safety platoon is provided in the IL-58. Slider non-automatic fuse located on top of the tail pads, able to lock the sear.
IZH-58 20 caliber was equipped with a bracket with IZH-26. She was drowned. IZH-58 16 caliber had a milled aiming bar. Engineers offered to the management a rifle with a box made of aluminum, barrels without connecting straps, with an aiming bar made of wood, but "from above" was refused. Such a modification was easy and convenient, had excellent balancing.
To create a butt and forearm used beech and birch. In IL-58 for individual orders for the manufacture of the butt and handguard walnut was selected. Pistol type lodge. The length of the barrel IL-58 20 caliber is 675 millimeters, the weight of the unloaded weapon is 2.7-2.9 kilograms. The length of the barrel IL-58 16 caliber is 720 millimeters, and the weight of a discharged rifle is 3.2 kilograms.
Specifications:
- The company engaged in the production of IzhMech;
- The length of the rifle barrel is 675 or 720 millimeters;
- The weight of a discharged rifle is 2.7-2.9 or 3.2 kg;
- The bed was made of birch or beech, in single-piece versions, walnut was used;
- To create the main parts used unique steel 50A.
The manufacturer claims about 1.5-2.5 kilograms of effort on the descent. In fact, this figure is higher, but the value is easily corrected by simple fine-tuning of the gun. Shooting efficiency is high with bullet, shot and grape-shot. The power of the 16th caliber does not differ from the IZH-58 12 caliber, but the return is less and without a shock absorber.
We hold in the hands of IL-58
Exterior trim rifle is no different from the typical representatives of the time. This is a simple, cute weapon, which is convenient to hunt and improve their skills on the sports ground. The weight is less than that of 12 caliber rifles; this makes the IL-58 more comfortable.
The stock and handguard are made from pleasant to the touch wood. The neck of the butt is thin and comfortable, the forearm stands out with an unusual ending. A screw is used to fasten the butt and pad, and the forearm is fastened with a latch. The inaccuracy of the docking of the butt and pad is reflected in the condition of the wood: over the years of use, the bolt lever damages the bed.
There is an engraving as a decoration, but it was done manually during production, so shortcomings are immediately noticeable. On the block there is a text indicating the model of the instrument. Polishing pads are not made in all places with high quality: in hard-to-reach places, "less effort" is noticeable. Despite the desire to reduce costs, the build quality of IL-58 is at a high level. Assembly and disassembly is quick and easy. Conventionally, the 58th can be divided into three parts: trunks, forend, and block with butt.
We shoot from IL-58
For an objective assessment were taken several types of ammunition: bullets, shot and canister. Shooting was conducted from a distance of 20, 25 and 35 meters on the cards 10x15 centimeters and 50x50 centimeters wallpaper. At the landfill it was raining, sometimes with a strong wind, temperature +12 degrees Celsius.
The efforts of the descent on the first hook - 3 kilograms, on the second - 5 kilograms, the figures exceed those stated by the manufacturer. I had to get used to shooting at the second hook, which initially affected accuracy. Despite this, bullet shooting turned out to be acceptable, 80% of shots reached the goal.
The result of the whole test: heap shooting of good accuracy, low recoil, to which you can quickly get used. After a few hard training, you can easily hit the small and medium-sized animals at a distance of 50-100 meters. The fly is located well, it is convenient to aim at the target.
Storage and care of the gun
Under the storage of IL-58 it is necessary to allocate a clean, dry room. After each shooting, it is required to clean the barrel channels from carbon and lubricate. Also, attention should be paid to the seams of the connection parts of the rifle, if necessary, lubricate. Despite the protection of chrome, regular cleaning and lubrication is necessary.
Clean the barrel channels need soft materials. The use of abrasive rags and sponges is unacceptable, they can scratch the surface and reduce the reliability of the IZH-58 hunting rifle. The cloth or cloth used for cleaning should be clean. If cleaning is carried out after a "dense" shooting, it is recommended to wash the trunks with hot water and wipe dry.
The presence in the channels of the trunks of the glare of the lead indicates the presence of lead. To remove it, you will need a soft-wire brush coated with gun grease and wound on a cleaning rod.
What can be concluded?
IL-58 is a well-balanced gun, which does not have strong recoil and great weight. For effective shooting, you can use bullets, shot and canister. The appearance is stylish, there is nothing superfluous, the design is simple and reliable.
Manual fuse ensures a high level of security, minimizes the possibility of accidental firing. There is no automatic fuse. The downside is the high force when the hook is released, but this defect is eliminated by fine-tuning. The manufacturer claims a working resource of 6-7 thousand shots. With proper care, IL-58 works stably after 15 thousand shots. Price IL-58 varies from 3 000 p. up to 30 000 rub. depending on the state, you can buy it only if you have a weapon permit.
IL-58 is the best representative of its class, ahead of all other Izhevsk brainchilds in the aggregate of advantages. Released copies of the rifle were successfully sold not only in our country, but also in other countries of Europe and America.
