Hunting rifle IL-54: features and reviews

Gun, which became a legend in the production years. The first domestic double-barreled weapon types that were sold abroad. IL-54 - a gun that, despite the exclusivity and high cost, once bought a lot of customers and fans, and in the history of the production were produced and sold an incredible number of models - more than seven hundred thousand units.

It really was a good weapon. With him it was possible to hunt any game animal and even a bear. Initially the gun was created as a specialized sporting weapons for Trap, but has found other uses. It is this gun brought the Soviet Union to the world market smoothbore sporting and hunting guns.

This legend has gone as spontaneously as it had come - IL-54 was replaced by a cheaper option, which was designed based on it.

History

After the Second World War, IMZ, who specialized in the creation of weapons, decided to replace the already outdated shotguns rifles with more modern versions. The victory of the USSR in the war provided an opportunity to take out a German arms factory all the drawings of the German guns "Sauer", that it was the most successful project of German Engineers. With the use of their equipment and technologies Izhevsk plant has created a copy of the German arms, which interrupted all unsuccessful projects domestic producers.

Thus began the history of the IL-49 rifle, which was analogous to the German "Sauer-8." The first weapon of this brand appeared in 1949, the same year it was decided to reformat the plant for the production of exclusive hunting and sporting weapons.

Over time, the designer LI Pugach completely reworked already obsolete weapons IL-49, created on its base completely new hunting rifle IL-54. It was the first Soviet model shotgun without the hammer.

What has changed

The main external features of guns inherited from an ancestor, but all the internal characteristics have been radically changed:

mechanism "Anson Delay," which is based on IL-49, has been thoroughly revised. He received the more modern lower sear, which subsequently allowed to make tight shoe.
also been changed and chrome hammers pointers that moved laterally pads on the upper part, moreover, they are lighter and visibly distinguishable in the twilight finger sensation.
Pins were separated from hammers and moved to chrome brandtrubki.
Automatic fuse has become more reliable and easy to use.

If you look at the gun IZH Model 1954 as a whole, it grew out of the outdated "Sauer" in current and functional gun, entered the history as completely new weapons and at the same time retaining all the positive qualities of the German ancestors.

Number in its name received the gun from 1954, which began its production. Weapons were produced 15 years, until 1969.

IL-54: characteristics of

Throughout the time of production of the products of the Izhevsk factory has a high quality, which over the years only get better. This was the cause of exports, which started in the early 60s. Shotgun model 54 is the first weapon that was sold abroad, as previously worthy was not simple.

It should list what characteristics distinguish the IL-54:

12 gauge, horizontal twin-shaft, which is ideal for this type of weapon;
barrel length of 730 mm or 750 (depending on the year of production);
a nominal stem diameter - 18.5 mm;
the actual diameter of the barrel is from 18.25 to 18.9 mm;
weight barrels on average 1600 grams;
butt on IL-54 is made from walnut, birch or beech wood, it has a straight shape;
charging cartridges 20.6h70 mm;
the maximum pressure in the chamber should not exceed the mark 700 kg per 1 cm ²;
the total gun length is 1170 mm;
arms weight does not exceed the mark of 3.6 kg;
Butt design: "rifle" or "pistol", the neck straight;
claimed to IL-54 accuracy: FER - 55-65%, poluchok - 45-55%;
Warranty "vitality" - up to 7500 shots (at 3750 per barrel).

The evolution of weapons

In 1957, he also created a new Pugachev gun IL-57. However, this did not lead to the closure of the old model. Quite the contrary! The new rifle was issued in small editions (a total of 20 thousand units), but it was an experimental weapon, which establishes various new developments. Once these innovations to customers liked, they immediately set to the IL-54.

Also, throughout the entire production was added many new features that have been developed specifically for IL-57. These innovations include the mechanism of rebound hammers, which was moved from one gun to the second almost immediately after the introduction of the 57th into operation.

Also in connection with the production of IL-57 by 54 models set new, more modern guns and brandtrubki.

In early models of IL-54 was adjusted strikers that sticking pads from the continuous mirror with the hammer released. It was believed that without the hammers rebound impede gun system after opening shots. The system has been replaced by a more modern version of the model 1957. Features a gun design:

trunks triple locking;
durable steel box;
red-hot parts of the mechanism;
thick trunks that were given the opportunity to apply for firing a powerful charge;
both barrels common extractor;
the trigger quickly and goes down smoothly;
fast assembly and disassembly of weapons.

experiments

The main advantages of the new system has been the reliability and quality of execution. After brandtrubki been made from durable chrome coating, which is not amenable to deformation and corrosion. However, the new system was minus: very difficult turning away, which required the use of special tools.

With the development of technology attempts to address this shortcoming. The weapon was produced under the name of IL-26 and IL-26E. These guns in their construction took all the best from the IL-54 and 57 models, but the main difference from the old versions in a significant reduction in the weight of the gun.

This was done due to the complete processing Greener bolt mechanism, instead of which was mounted a locking strap. Tragically, on IL-26 is very noticeable savings in production. It was the first gun of the Izhevsk plant, which did not differ from its competitors quality and manufacturability. Due to the fact that the gun has not got such a high popularity as a precursor, it was replaced by IL-58.

Sunset stories

All three models of the Izhevsk plant - 54, 57, 26 - have been three versions of the gun, so they are considered to be one. And many of the details of their design simply were similar to each other.

However, IL-58 was a completely new rifle, revealing a different story Izhevsk producer. Initially, the 58 model, which could afford not rich hunters, designed as a cheaper version of the IL-54 rifles, for which the price was quite high. But the unexpected happened: the IL-58 completely ousted from the Model 54. The history of the great guns ended in 1969. I put an end to this great story cheaper model of IL-58.

The manufacturing processes

To date, the Izhevsk plant produces stems with the help of a vertically-forging machines, this technology is called the "hot forging". It is the most popular in today's mass-produced weapons. However, this technology does not provide a reliable manufacturing as early, for example, "deep drilling". Despite the fact that the latter is better than the "hot forging", she did not survive because of its high cost. By the way, the IL-54 - a gun, whose barrel was made of high-strength metal by means of drilling, which earned him the well-known quality and popularity.

If we talk about the connection of trunks, then initially it was done with the help of classical soldering, brazing system. Since 1961, this technology has been replaced by a more modern solution: it was a compound in the treasury of the receiver collar. Transition to a new spike Izhevsk plant immediately killed two birds with one stone: reduce the possibility of displacement of the barrel, which could cause a malfunction of the gun, and significantly reduce the cost of production of weapons. By the way, this technology is now used in the production of any modern guns.

Change undergone and the outer cover. Initially, it is available in three types: black chrome, black nickel-plated and coated with a chemical staining. The first two differ not only reliable, but also expensive. Therefore, in the early 60s only chemical coating was used. This innovation has destroyed the reliability of the IL-54. Reviews of the owners said that in order to make it rusted, it was enough to just leave it in a wet bag.

tests on the reliability of

gun production was very time-consuming process, which required performing for almost 70 percent of the work manually. Because of this, the gun turned out very strong, reliable and expensive.

Each weapon is individually tested, in which it has experienced enormous loads. For example, test cartridges that had a 35 gram charge hinged fraction pressured than 800 kg per square centimeter. The test cartridges of power superior to the serial three-fold.

The maximum pressure that is exerted on a test model, was 2000 kilograms per square centimeter. Patron shoots well, the only thing that was not the case - it's an easy deformation of the barrel after the third shot.

The passport was issued to each individual rifle, it recorded the characteristics that it showed during the tests. In some data sheets specify the name of the person who compiled and produced a gun. Each individual document stamped signature section chief, making each weapon more expensive and individual.

Weapons Modifications 54 models

In the entire history of production was produced many different models of guns, of which two are the main serial, while the rest - simply modified models:

The main gun model was ordinary performance weapon. It was made with a very small handmade with the application stamped pattern. The average cost of such a rifle was 90 rubles, and if it has been collected in a more meticulous workmanship, the price reached a level of 120 rubles.
There is a modification of the piece-gun with the letter "W" in the title, which has three types of ascending index accuracy of fire: SH1, W and R2. IL-54 - piece gun endowed with not only good mixing shafts and high accuracy of hits. It differs from other models exclusive finish and engraving. On his part also be applied to images of various plants, animals and birds. Moreover, parts of the trigger mechanism is chrome, and the fore-end and expensive bed made of walnut varieties.
The second major option would souvenir gun, which is known for quality and hand-built exclusivity. The cost of such a model at times was more than 200 rubles.
There was also an experimental model of IL-54, 16 caliber, which is now to be found. To it also applies a rare model of amazing beauty IZH-54 "Sport". She made only on special orders and had included two pairs of barrels of different lengths.
They also produced a model for export. She had no such exclusivity in the finish, but on the sides of pads inscribed wavy lettering Made in USSR.

The prestige and price

On the reliability of the guns really can compose legends. For now, this weapon is transferred to the third generation, and no one has any complaints about the quality operation of IL-54. Reviews of the owners, in some cases indicate that they never smeared his gun and followed him, but all the criteria do not see any failures.

It is no secret that the old weapons emits special, just magical attraction. Age-old hunting rifle standing performance, beautifully preserved, a much more attractive to collectors, and for the hunter than the modern weapons of fantastic shape, made on CNC machines from duralumin and plastics.

Today, among the people seriously keen on hunting, is a sign of good manners possession of a gun IL-54, the price of which varies from 7 to 250 thousand. Rub. and it depends on the following criteria:

state of weapons: a new or second-hand;
the presence of defects on the barrel and the butt: stains, scratches, chips and other things;
volume nastrela weapons;
the availability of documents;
type of choke barrel: choke, poluchok;
the presence of individual or exclusive (gift) finish;
option of manufacturing: export or for domestic consumption;
presence of native parts such as a cover;
model, year, design features.

The cost of rare specimens do not even have to talk, but right thing when a real connoisseur has the passion, the price does not matter.