IZH Baikal IZH 46M Match Pistol Reviews

I shoot this downstairs just about every day. It is great, smooth, and very, very accurate. It will outshoot you every time. It will shoot almost any pellet with accuracy beyond belief.

If there is something I would change I haven't found it yet, and I have been shooting this one for about 4 years

Buy it, you can't go wrong with this gun.

This is an extremely accurate target pistol. I have not chronographed any pellets yet, but around 500 fps seems reasonable. I've tried several pellets ranging from Daisy wadcutters through RWS R10's light and heavy. Best accuracy so far has been with RWS Diablo Basics followed by Champions Choice Competition (4.50 mm head). I've shot a few of the lighter JSB and H&N match pellets, and Crosman HP and Crosman pointed pellets. The Crosman pointed hunting pellets do very well for the price. I installed an Air Venturi scope mount and a Bushnell TRS25 red dot sight to see what the gun can do. Shooting off a bag at 50 feet, even with my 60 year old eyes, I'm shooting 3/8" five shot groups with the RWS Diablo Basics and a little larger with the Champions Choice Competition. Even the Crosman pointed hunting shoot 5 in less than a 1/2" at 50 ft. At 75 feet, the RWS Diablo Basics are shooting 5 shot groups around 1/2" but print 3/4" low for a 50 foot zero. I have the trigger set at 4 oz's.

Nothing on the gun. It would be nice if extra grips were available as I would like to fit a set to my hand, but don't want to carve on the only set I have.

Gun comes with a spare set of seals, cleaning rod, combo disassembly tool, pin punch, and varying width front sights. Schematic and disassembly instructions are a little sparse in the documentation. Two sets of instructions are provided (one from IZH and the second from Air Venturi). No safety on the gun either. Trigger is canted to the right for a right-handed shooter. Pyramid offers a trigger upgrade that will help left- handed guys. It would be vary easy to accidentally discharge the gun as the trigger can be set so light, so would not advise handing it loaded to another shooter. It can be dry fired too. Mine came with beech grips and appear to be oil finished. Rear sight can be removed and flipped over to get a more narrow rear notch.

Very accurate. It is pretty easy to pump, comparing to Beeman P-17. Th grip is big, but when shooting single-handed, it is very stable. The trigger is very light and crisp. The sights are good too, easy to adjust.

There is something loose on grip. When I grasp the grip and shake the pistol, you can feel the frame is loose somehow, not attached to the grip tightly. I tried to tight the screws on the grip, but they are tight indeed, so I don't know where to adjust.

This is the replacement pistol from PyramydAir. The first one came leaking air. I could shoot around 8-10 rounds normally, then next 2-3 rounds after I pumped, I could hear hissing noise from the little hole behind the barrel, obviously the air was leaking out, then the speed of the pellet was much lower. Then everything would back to normal for another 8-10 rounds, and the circle again. So even this pistol has overall good quality, there is still possibility to get a lemon. But PyramydAir has a very good customer service, I received the shipping label to send the leaking one back and got the replacement one back within several days. Overall it was a good purchase.

1st time I ever had a factory trigger setting, I did not want to improve. Awsome trig with all typical match grade adjustments.

nada

I tried it @ 10M of a rest, just one ragged hole centered to ring without touching sights! Barrel not even broken in yet! Recommend when storing to NOT lock down bolt, so you do not unnecessarily keep 0 ring compressed. Wipe off outside with a little Synthetic oil just a drop on 0 ring, don't clean barrel, maybe after 5,000 shots, then only pull thru with a dab of synthetic Hoppes to not damage seals, DO NOT DAMAGE this hammer forged, lapped barrel. Bargain Bargain Bargain. A Lifetime Keeper, with the pox on IZH now, there will be no more.

Everything! There is no pistol in this price range, that is purely for target shooting that compares. Oh, free air!!!!!

The grips are easy to work on, I've carved finger grooves to fit my hand, then stippled entire right grip using a wood burning tool w/ pointed brass insert.

First, modified a Crosman 2240 butt-stock to make this baby into a short barreled carbine, it worked so well I made up a stock out of wood. Now it's the cat's pajamas! Spent Memorial Day with my bud shootin' acorns, pinecones and the wife's Beenie-Baby collection---his wife's collection!

Once the sights are adjusted, the accuracy is outstanding. It is also very adaptable to adding a red dot optic. I really enjoy shooting this air pistol.

Nothing! It already has a number of outstanding features and functionality.

It is a great air pistol to shoot.

Extremely accurate, fully adjustable everything. very good trigger. shoots a 7 grain pellet @ 471-475fps every shot. very easy to cock and load. I like the idea of fileing my own grip "which I did" and I really like it. no plastic. nothing cheap on this thing. I can consistently hit soda cans @36 yards with a domed pellet. its not particular about what you feed it either, but the higher end pellet will shoot better,"no flyers". at 10 meters I can shoot most all of my shots "inside" the 9 ring of a B40 10meter target with the heavy the 8.2 meisterkuglens, and it does really well with the 8.64 h&n field target trophy. I am basically an offhand paper shooter, "paper doesn't lie" and it will shoot better than in can hold it. I have yet to shoot a single pellet off a rest.

the gun itself is excellent as is, but it was really hard for me to shell out 560 dollars for this, but everything is way too expensive now days anyway. I think I will get $560 worth of enjoyment out of it. outside the price being a bit high I would not change anything so far.

I just did some more chrony testing. As mentioned above the 7 grain meisterkuglen shoots 471 to 475 fps and groups very well. the 8.2 grain meisterkuglen shoots 419-420 fps EVERY time and will shoot in one hole. and last the H&N F T Trophy shoots 406 to 421. I found that to be a bit odd because they still shoot really well at 36 yards. Ive still have about 10 more pellet types/brands to work with but the above info should help you decide what to start with. Also I HAVE to mention PYRAMID AIR and give them 2 thumbs up for the service and the effort they put forth in keeping me happy. I am considering starting an air gun club here in MO to help kids get started into air gunning and hunting and I will recommend everyone to go with PYRAMID AIR FOR PURCHASES. These guys are second to none with their prices, knowledge of product and professionalism. One more thing don't be discouraged if the gun shoots a "loose" group right out of the box. Clean the barrel, give it about 200 shots and it will drive nails.

Wow! This is my first air pistol and is everything I thought it would be. It shoots a variety of pellets well and if the pellet doesn't go where you want it to, It's not the gun's fault, Great accuracy, trigger

Maybe make the literature that accompanies the gun a little more helpful.

I have put a scope on it and shoot it two handed. It's more fun than should be allowed, It's a quality pistol and super value for those that want trigger time at an affordable price.

I've had my izh46m for about a year now and I am only just beginning to really appreciate what a fine AP this is. Yes you can bench rest, two hand hold, sit and rest your elbow and shoot this at nickels and beer cans and have plinking fun. There's even a rail mount to put a red dot sight on this platform. I did all that : ) But you can also man (or lady) up and try and shoot real 10 meter. It's not so easy to stand up, take a deep breath and hold a pistol at arms length in one hand and try and hit 10's. If you are prepared to put in the time and effort the 46m is capable of placing a 10 shot string in a tight group. I have had to work out with some (5-8#) weights and do exercises strengthening shoulders and wrist. You should also do some internet searching to find information on a iron sight pictures, natural wrist alignment, stance, and infinite (well tens off) other variables that will increase your ability to hit the 7 and above black center target area. Buy some of PA's specific 10m pistol targets. Then there's the trigger... It's only been the last few weeks that I've started adjusting the various first and second stages. Definitely adjust the position on the bar if you have a smaller hand. WOW! At my level of shooting, the RWS Diablo Basics shoot as good as the three times as expensive R10 Match pellets. The solid mechanical single pumping action and the smooth release of the compressed air charge each shot continues to be strangely satisfying each and every shot.

It is what it is- a heavily engineered, solid and reliable AP. It needs to go on a diet. Some titanium parts maybe- haha. The weight distribution is front heavy.

When you've decided that you aren't going to ever return or trade this beauty in it's time to get the tools out... Start carving the grip to conform to your hand size- tung oil is a nice sealant for the dremeled and sanded grip. The front sight can be cut down. The forward barrel support can be replaced with hot glue and the more neutral alignment has improved the accuracy. Even the cocking lever can be trimmed to save a few grams. Be very careful- this could be a 'gateway gun' to even more expensive PCP match pistols. However, they probably aren't any better until you are shooting well over 500. Enjoy!!!

WOW! Super accurate at an affordable price! Value should have six or more stars! Finally available with LH grips. Previously I had shot for some 30 years or so a tuned Daisy 717 with great success. I now put the Airventuri mount and a Walther sight on the 717 so both the IZZy and 717 have the same sights.

Description should be changed to indicate optical sights can be added using the AirVenturi mount. I added a Walther sight and it works great for this older shooter.

Somewhat heavy but practice will cure that. Older guys will need to add optical sights with minimum weight or get it too heavy.

The accuracy obtained for a relatively low price. Mine is new to me but the performance is great. At my age I need to add optical sights to do better as I already have Ultra Dots on my BE guns for NRA competition. The Pyramid description should be changed to indicate that the pistol can be equipped with optical sights. Previously I had been using a Daisy 717 that was tuned up some 20 years ago which had served me well. The IZZY will help me raise my averge score now that it can be had with LH grips!!!!!

Improve the instructions a bit for us novices

My grips are LH and are oversize as are the RH grips so I have some Dremel and Rat Tail file work to do to adjust the grips to better fit my hand.

This is A Great gun Very accurate Shoots better than any thing else I have had No CO2 to worry about I did have to modify the grips to fit my hand With a match dot its like shooting a laser I have increased my scoreS at the local contest Very nice and well made ait gun

The grips need to be modified to fit your hand So be prepared to this when you buy it

Shoots just about all pellets with accuracy Seems to like 7.56g the best

I own a HW 75 which I love and would not part with, but I bought my wife a IZH-46M. What a mistake! I had to buy a second one for me! It pumps easier, shoots harder, sights adjust easier,and is more accurate. It is well worth the extra $100.

nothing

If you are looking for a high end target pistol don't waste your money on anything less.

This gun is very accurate. The grip is way oversized. I have large hands and its too big. But this is good. There is plenty of meat to work with when customizing the grip. Its also very quiet. I'd say it is about the perfect gun for a basement shooter who values accuracy above all else.

Nothing really. See below for issues for left handed shooters

I am left handed and purchased the left handed gun. I failed to see in the description that it still had a trigger that is canted to the right. My original thoughts were to not get the gun with the upgraded (adjustable for position and cant) trigger. Once I got the gun, I realized I should have spent the extra $30 for the upgraded trigger. This would have allowed me to cant the trigger towards my finger, not away from it. In summary. If you are left handed, get the gun with the upgraded trigger. If you are right handed, I don't think its necessary. Remember, the trigger pull is no different. Its just a replacement of the trigger shoe.

reliable,accurate and economical. No worry about psi cylinder,refilling.

I should opted for optional trigger. Old trigger clunky like old Harley davidson mc clunky but it gets you there.Sights bottom out and group stillbhigh. Rear sight needs more adjustment down for center hold.

Grouped various pellets gamo groups ten ring and is cheapest. Tried rws 10 7 grain,h & n 7.56 bee man and daisey.

This is my first air pistol and I'm very happy with it. The trigger is everything everyone has been saying about it, wish I could have this trigger on my rimfire pistols. This pistol is a lot of fun to shoot and is much more accurate than I'll ever be.

My hands are small so it would have been nice if I could have selected a smaller grip, but, with a dremel, the grip fits much better.

I usually shoot .22LR target pistols; I bought this on a lark because it looked so technical. When it arrived I tried out the grip . . . too big and some sharp edges. After an enjoyable hour with my shaping files, sand paper, and steel wool the grip fit my hand perfectly. I was very impressed with the 46's accuracy and I'm still fooling around with the various sight options that come with the pistol.

. . . nothing. This is a well made, very well priced, shooting tool.

The oversized grip might annoy some buyers but they should remember every hand is different and customizing your guns grip to your hand should be part of the enjoyment of bullseye shooting.

Pistol is very accurate, easy to operate, and allows for customization of grip to meet owner's feel.

I like the product as is

This pistol is easy to cock, easy to load, and has a balanced feel when holding and aiming it. The pistol allows mounting of a scope rather easily, and has a balanced feel with our without a scope.

Amazing accuracy. Shoots even the inexpensive pellets very well. Can't beat the price. Shoots as well as guns costing $1000 or more. Wow, what a great trigger.

Nothing. Be aware the gun is heavy for 1 handed shooting.

The grips are large for small hands. With a dremel tool or some sand paper you can customize them to fit your hand perfectly.

I like everything about this air gun. It is really enjoyable to shoot. I have not been able to target or competition shoot for twenty years at least for what ever reasons. I can set up in the house or garage or back yard and not bother anyone. It is very easy to cock. Extremely accurate. Off a simple rest anyone should be able to shoot one hole groups all day long. The trigger is worth the price of the gun alone. Plenty of room to load the little pellets in the barrel. I added some finger grooves to the grips with simple tools and sandpaper. I got some 1/10 scale metallic silhouette targets for knock down fun.

It is not a toy pistol. It will sink a wadcutter into a 2x4. As always practice safety with any gun.