| IZh-18 | |
|---|---|
| Type | single-shot shotgun[1] |
| Place of origin | USSR |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1964 - Present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Izhevsk Mechanical Plant[2][3] |
| Produced | since 1964[4] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.4 - 2.7 kg[2] |
| Barrel length | 675 or 730mm[5][2] |
| Caliber | 12, 16, 20, 28 and 32 gauge[5] later .410 bore[2] and .366 TKM[6] |
| Action | Break-action[5] |
| Rate of fire | variable |
| Sights | iron sights[4] |
The IZh-18 (ИЖ-18) is a single-shot, break-action shotgun.[1]
IZh-18 was designed in 1962-1963 as a successor to the IZhK,[7] since 1964 began its serial production.[5][4]
In November 1964, the price of one standard IZh-18 was 28 rubles.[5]
Since January 1979[8] began the production of IZh-18E-20M and IZh-18-410M variants[2][4]
In May 1981, the price of one standard IZh-18 was 22 rubles and 50 kopecks, the price of one standard IZh-18E was 37 rubles and 50 kopecks.[9]
In 1985, the IZh-18EM shotgun was awarded the golden medal of the International Fair Plovdiv.[10]
Since March 2018 ZAO『Техкрим』began to produce a detachable 520mm barrel ТК600 for IZh-18 shotguns. With TK600 barrel this gun can shoot .366 TKM cartridges.[6]
Unknown number of IZh-18 shotguns were sold in foreign countries.[3]
IZh-18 is a single-shot hammerless takedown shotgun.[5][4]
The barrelischrome-plated and has choke at the muzzle end.[4] The detachable barrel is made from 50A steel (сталь 50A).[9]
Soviet shotguns had a walnut, birch or beech stock and fore-end.[11][4]
Soviet Union - 1600 IZh-18 shotguns were bought for zoological gardens, animal parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the Soviet Union as auxiliary firearm for employees.[3] Also, these shotguns were allowed as civilian hunting weapon[5][2][4]
Belarus - they were on the territory of BSSR in Soviet times, now they are allowed as civilian hunting weapon[16]
Bulgaria[17]
Czech Republic[18]
Kazakhstan - they were on the territory of Kazakh SSR in Soviet times, now they are allowed as civilian hunting weapon[19]
Latvia - they were on the territory of Latvian SSR in Soviet times, now they are allowed as civilian hunting weapon[20]
Moldova - they were on the territory of Moldavian SSR in Soviet times, now they are allowed as civilian hunting weapon[21]
Russian Federation - they were on the territory of RSFSR in Soviet times, now they are allowed as civilian hunting weapon[15]
Ukraine - they were on the territory of Ukrainian SSR in Soviet times, now they are allowed as civilian hunting weapon[22][23]
United Kingdom - unknown number of shotguns were sold as civilian hunting weapon[24]
USA - European American Armory began importing IZh-18 shotguns from Russia in 1998.[1] In January 2004, a contract was signed between the Remington Arms (Madison, North Carolina) and the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant.[25] In 2005 Remington Arms began import of IZh-18 shotguns from Russia, they were marketed and distributed by Remington Arms as Remington Spartan 100[25] and IZh-18MN were sold as Remington SPR 18[25]
