baikal

[jack russel]

evening all i would like some information on a baikal air rifle its 177 nice stock metal work is ok made ussr thats all i no

[Hsing-ee]

The Baikal company is still making air-rifles and other commercial firearms, but as you can imagine due to the recent unpleasantness, sanctions mean no-one will be getting any of them soon.

The little Baikal IJ-38 and I think there was an earlier one as well were imported to the UK during the Soviet period and came with a spare spring. They were rather cheap as the USSR often sold things just to get Western currency rather than for making a profit.

They are sturdily made and will last a very long time if looked after, they are all steel and have a birchwood stock. I think they were copies of pre-WW2 Haenal designs as the Soviets got hold of the factory at the end of the war. My one had a small breech latch although later ones don't.

The trigger is a bit creepy but you can get used to it and they are accurate little plinkers. I think a cut-down Meteor spring will fit although there is a Titan that can be fitted with modification as well. They do about 7 fpe in .177, so think of it as a Russian HW30. Worth between £40-£70 depending on condition.


This bloke made a video about one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INT1cDuSoNk

[jack russel]

thanks very much nice video aswell

[Hsing-ee]

thanks very much nice video aswell

I can't remember what the issue was with the trigger but apart from lubricating it, leave well alone. Some people reprofile them or something like that, maybe they reduce the trigger spring pressure.. don't do it, it becomes unsafe. Just develop a strong trigger technique.

[norris]

I have an IJ 38 with barrel lock and it's a brilliant little airgun!

[ggggr]

I can't remember what the issue was with the trigger but apart from lubricating it, leave well alone. Some people reprofile them or something like that, maybe they reduce the trigger spring pressure.. don't do it, it becomes unsafe. Just develop a strong trigger technique.

The problem is that the trigger is very long and pivots off the cylinder end pin, so will always have a long pull. You can tinker with the sear a bit and fit weaker springs , but you will still have a long pull.

[norris]

I carefully polished my trigger and removed the burs, which has made a difference.

It doesn't suffer from galling like a HW99!

[deejayuu]

Nice touch, for me, is the breech seal. A flexy tube easily removable which also forms the transfer port. Enables easy tinkering with TP dia.