I stumbled into this sight the other day, and the gun has a MSRP of $629. Posted this at some other sites, and got a whole bunch of "it won't/can't work", however, I have yet to here from anybody who has actually seen/handled/shot this rifle. So at the "risk" of stirring up a bunch of you-know-what, take a look, and post your thoughts.

http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/rifles/sidebyside/izhmp221d.shtml

Mad Dog

I have an EAA O/U in 12ga. I bought it for use while dog training. In the end, I have used it for quail, pheasant and goose. A good solid performer.

The products that I am seeing in the states are good, solid guns. From all accounts, they have good customer service as well.

I looked long and hard at that gun. It has the same quality as their other products I have seen.

I think most people who spend $4,000 - $50,000 on a double rifle would get a little upset with a $600 gun. However, from people I have spoken with in the states and in Russia, it performs well.

Pete

I hadn't seen these, but the answer is that it will work. It is actually not a new system. I have seen it mentioned several times over the years by people who build double conversions on shotgun actions. It looks odd since the barrels are separated.

I was surprised that the gun was available in several high intensity rounds, so the action must be reasonably strong. If you could use stiff 45/70 loads, that would be a great bear/elk rifle in the woods.

Also noticed they chambered in 7.62/39. Wished they made a Hornet/Bee instead of the .223.

If they made it in 450 nitro, it would be a more interesting rig.

It weighs 7.5 pounds. I bet it's interesting enough in 45/70!!

Serously, I wonder how the barrels are manufactured. I suspect it is monoblock, as are most mast produced doubles. If so, you have to be careful of cartridge length. If they are separate barrels, the 45/70 could be opened up to 45/90 or 45/120. I knew a gunsmith who did this(45/120) to a Kodiak several years ago(he used my reamer) and it was pretty impressive, even at moderate pressures. The 45/120 has a really big case capacity, so performance can be really pumped up safely.

Art S, what is it the monobloc that makes it sensitive to cartridge length?

Thanks,
Lucs

Update about these rifles. I emailed EAA about them, and they said they hoped to have some by this summer. Seems they haven't even been in this country yet.

Mad Dog

What you have to watch about monoblocks is that the barrel is shrunk into the block, so they act as one and the block contributes a lot of strength to the chamber. The barrel is quite thin in the chamber area and is stepped at the end of the monoblock. This area is contoured and then often a line of engraving used to cover the joint. If you try to chambe a longer cartridge, the chamber may extend int the area of this step. At that point, you probably have the lowest strength area of the entire barrel assembly. This was a problem with a lot of shotguns when the 3-1/2" 12 guage came along. Most monoblocks weren't long enough to allow the manufacturers to chamber a model with the longer case. They were slow to bring the chambering to market and had to redesign their barrel assemblies slightly to accomodate this. I have a late production Beretta 625 20ga which is a European spec gun. The factory chambering is 2-3/4" and the monoblock is so short on it that it can't be chambered to 3".

I'm anxiously awiting the arrival of these on the market. I'm not holding my breath anymore as EAA responded saying late 2003. I asked for a combo gun in 45-70/30-06/20ga. No responce on that yet.

I e-mailed EAA and they said late summer.

The Baikal web site doesn't list the side by side rifle. Baikal

Lar45 by the look of the web site only 20ga with rimfire.

[ 03-17-2003, 03:23: Message edited by: 416SW ]

It's on the EAA website,

http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/rifles/sidebyside/index.shtml

I think this is the correct addy.
The 20ga / rimfire is a combo over/under gun. What I asked them for is a double side by side in 45-70 with some extra bbls fit to the same frame in 30-06 and another one in 20ga. I don't know if they'll do a special order after the guns are availible. But Mom always said it doesn't hurt to ask.

Lar45
Yes saw it on the EAA site was just making the comment that it wasn't on the Baikal site as EAA list them as the manufacturer.
Sorry misunderstood about combo, yes would be good to have interchangeable barrels.

416,

can we get these double 45/70's in Australia ?? I reckon they would be a pretty cool Motorbike gun.

I am pretty sure that they had one of these at a gunshop here in MN in October. I think it was Russian-made, and looks a lot like the one on the website. I think the price was about $650.
Now that the company says they won't be importing them until the summer I don't know what I saw. The name Baikal sounds familiar, and I know it was a 45-70. The sights, however, were different-the ones on the rifle in the link are nicer.
Are there any other 45-70 doubles on the market? (besides Kodiak)

PC
I Would be very interested in one if they sell them here. As EAA says they wont be in the USA untill later this year and they are not on the Baikal web site yet I wouldn't hold your breath. I sent Baikal an email couple of days ago asking if they had an importer in Aus but have not had an answer. I asked Mike375 in another thread if he knew anyone bringing them in but got no answer. So will have to wait/drool and see.

416,

rumour has it at my local gun store that a under & over baikal 30/06 rifle is available, hopefully the 45.70 will get here soon

Now if Ruger would put together a double rifle on that nice new roundbodied SxS shotgun frame. Sigh..