by Tom Gaylord, a.k.a. B.B. Pelletier
The IZH 60 now comes with target sights.
This report has a lot riding on it. First, I was specifically asked to do this by Pyramyd AIR after I made some remarks about the new IZH rifles with their plastic receivers. I tested both the IZH 60 and the IZH 61 a couple years back and found they did not have the same accuracy as they did a decade ago when the receivers were made of metal. I found the plastic clips for the IZH 61 did not seem to index as well as the older metal clips.
But Pyramyd AIR has brought out the IZH 60 Target Pro and the IZH 61 Target Pro air rifles as viable substitutes for lower-end target rifles. I was challenged to test one my usual way; and if the rifle I tested can’t keep 10 rounds in a quarter-inch at 10 meters, well — somebody is going to eat his hat!
Now, I enjoy a slice of hat every so often, nicely broiled with garlic and onions, but I won’t throw this test just to see someone else eat one. Because the second thing that’s hanging on the outcome is a lot of purchase decisions. There’s something about these Russian sidelever springers that attracts people; and when target sights are added, it gets serious!
Back when I wrote the Airgun Revue publications, a lot of airgunners in my area were buying these guns as fast as they could. My buddy, Mac, bought at least 23 of them. Every time he got one, he would show it to someone who would then buy it from him — forcing him to buy another.
One local guy took an IZH 60 and added Anschütz target sights and a custom-made laminated stock to it. He spent less than a hundred dollars for the rifle and then put over $500 into it. People thought he was crazy until he started doing well in local 10-meter target matches. Then they realized that this rifle has the capability to be a lot more than the price seems to indicate. [Note from Edith: I remember this man, as he’d brought his gun to an airgun show. He was accompanied by his wife and their infant. I recall seeing the gun reclining ever so tenderly in the stroller, while his wife had to carry the baby around the show!]
But what about today? Now that the receiver has been changed to plastic, does the gun still shoot? That’s the question this report will answer — and just in time for the holidays for those inclined to add a target rifle to their collections. If this rifle can shoot, then Pyramyd AIR has done what it took over $600 to do back in the 1990s, and they’ve done it for less than $200.
Cost and serial number
Both the IZH 60 and 61 basic rifles cost $120. The Target Pro versions like the model 60 I’m testing are both priced at $180. The rifle I’m testing is serial number 126001228.
General description
The IZH 60 is a single-shot sidelever spring-piston air rifle. It has a futuristic stock with an adjustable butt that changes the pull length from 12-inches to 13.25-inches. There are no detents, so the stock can be set anywhere within these limits.
Loosen the thumbscrew under the buttstock and position it where you want.
Loading
The power is low, producing just under 500 f.p.s. So, the rifle cocks easy. That and the light weight of the little rifle make it a good one for smaller children, except for seating the pellet. On the 60, the pellet has to be manually seated by pushing forward on a thin steel bolt handle, while on the 61 the pellet is automatically seated when the cocking handle is returned home. Sometimes, manually seating the pellet takes a lot of effort. Therefore, the 61 makes a better youth target rifle if you don’t want to load every shot for them.
When the sidelever is retracted, the bolt opens automatically, exposing the loading trough. Bolt handle is the thin silver rod under the rear sight thumbscrew.
Sights
While the rifle comes with good adjustable sporting sights, the Target Pro guns have an adjustable target peep rear sight and front sight inserts. Daisy supplies the rear sight, and it is all-metal. It’s a lot better-looking than the plastic Daisy aperture rear sight they used to offer on some of their target rifles.
I tried both adjustments on the rear sight and they feel crisp and seem to be repeatable, without backlash. The older Daisy plastic peep sight had a problem with backlash, but this one seems fine. I will test the sight for adjustability after we know how accurate the rifle is.
The front sight has interchangeable inserts, and three of them are apertures, which are the preferred front sight for precision today. When I unpacked the rifle, the entire front sight assembly was canted several degrees to the right; and I was about to fire off an email to get the hat ready. But I discovered that when the sight is disassembled for insert replacement, you can adjust the assembly wherever you want it. So — crisis averted. I only wish my 1917 American Enfield had the same capability! Its front sight assembly was rotated to the right permanently during an arsenal refinish, and was so disagreeable to look at that I sold the rifle.
Unscrew the muzzle cap and the entire front sight assembly comes off, allowing the inserts to be changed. You can also center the front globe upright and lock it in place.
Barrel
The barrel is what made the IZH 60 and 61 stand apart from most other spring rifles in the same price range. It’s hammer-forged, which is known to give a more consistent bore if done correctly; and the Russians have always been noted for the accuracy of their barrels. But as I said, we shall see by testing. After all, there’s a tasty hat at stake.
Trigger
The rifle’s trigger adjusts for the pull length, which means where the let-off point is. It’s a single-stage trigger that’s very light but also very vague. It’s not a target trigger, but it’s much better than the trigger on a Daisy 953.
My plan
I plan to test the heck out of this rifle. If it’s as good as I’ve been told, I’ll shout it from the bell tower. But if not, there better be a hat ready!
This looks like it could be a serious competitor to the Bronco Target Rifle, IF it is accurate.
Same price range and power. Totally different appearance.
I like the funky appearance of this gun. If it can perform, I may have to get one to go with my Bronco.
I’m beginning to think the Bronco just might be the gun to try on the short-range FT course. A scope would not be needed at those distances, and the Bronco is light enough for offhand shooting.
Les
I have a Bronco and an IZH 61. I mounted a Williams peep sight on the Bronco to help my old eyes, but before I did I tried it out on the 61. Both guns shot equally well if I did my part, but I found that the greater weight and shorter amount of travel with trigger on the Bronco kept me on target more easily. Concentrating on my sight picture more easily with the peep sight, I realized that I was jerking the trigger on the 61 more often than I’d like to admit. The Bronco trigger required less focus on my part to get good results, so I am more consistently accurate with it. Both guns are accurate and great fun to shoot, it will be interesting to see if the 60 does well in the next part of the test.
This might have my attention. Hope it’s accurate!
I bought a 61 from Pyramyd AIR a few months ago and it has proven to be surprising accurate at 10 yards.
I’ve tried at least 8 or 10 different pellets in it and found it not to be very picky with regards to accuracy but some certainly worked better in the magazine. I finally settled on the inexpensive Crosman Competition wadcutters which feed well and group well in my rifle.
It loves H&N Match Pistol and RWS Meisterkugeln Pistol as well but the Crosman’s are half the price and that’s important since this rifle has proven to be very popular with friends and family. More so than any of my other airguns including an HW30S, R7, IZH-46M, and a few others. The IZH-61 is a heck of a lot of fun. Mine is currently sporting an inexpensive red dot sight but I still use the stock open sights from time to time.
I don’t consistently shoot 1/4″ groups at 10 yards. I probably average 3/8″ to 1/2″ with the cheap red dot but I have shot much smaller groups occasionly, which leads me to believe with the better target sights you’re using and with higher quality pellets this should prove to be very interesting report.
G’day BB
Sorry off subject. Do you Ballistol as a cleaner, preservative or lubricant. What is its best application?
Cheers Bob
Bob,
I use Ballistol for everything. The more I use it the more uses I seem to find. After shooting firearms I spray the bores and let them marinate for several days. The burned powder dissolves easily that way.
Perhaps the best use is removing rust. I now wipe all my guns with it — wood stocks and all. It really rejuvinates the wood!
B.B.
It is a shame Six Sigma has arrived in Russia, but I guess with capitalism it is inevitable. I guess they figured if Glock can do it, so can they and with the right polymer it will not matter. I just hope they leave the barrel alone.
I have toyed with the idea of one of these for many years now and now that PA offers it with peep sights it has tempted me once again. I want you to really put this one through the wringer and see how it comes out on the other side. Like you said, with a little garlic and onions and maybe some sauteed mushrooms, it is not so bad.
RR,
Six Sigma? I thought I was the only person who still remembered Motorola’s employment of Japanese Management!
As far as the 61 goes, I intend putting it through its paces. There has been a lot of talk about this little rifle recently and I want to qualify it once and for all.
B.B.
Tom,
Caterpillar Inc. is the most sucessful heavy equipment manufacturer in the world. They have been employing Six Sigma for roughly a decade and a half. I certainly works for them. I retired from Cat before I advanced out of the Green Belt stage.
BTW, I take exception to your 1.25″ difference in length of pull on the IZH-61. On mine it is 1.5″. I slid the stock as far forward as it would go and put a mark at its front edge, then slid it as far back as it wolud go and measured the distance from the front edge to the mark I previously made. It was slightly over 1.5″. This might make a difference to someone.
-Chuck
Chuck,
Motorola reinvented their company in the 1970s with Six Sigma. It saved the company
B.B.
GE (General Electric) is also a major proponent of Six Sigma. They are absolutely committed to it as respects their combustion turbine generators and locomotives.
Fred DPRoNJ
I learned SS at GE myself. All I ever saw it do was reduce quality.
RR,
Then is wasn’t done right. Six Sigma requires a total commitment from management, to the point of fanaticism. Without that you get the Abilene Paradox — a problem most large organizations suffer from.
B.B.
Crow’s not bad that way either….
B.B.
Just looking at the picture, it looks like the peep is going to be way too high for the front sight. Hope it is just an illusion, or you will end up measuring your groups on the cieling.
twotalon
TT,
I don’t think so. PA has built many of these and they all seem to hit the target. But we shall find out!
B.B.
If they have not changed the trigger adjust it….will be light and crisp if done right and safe. I have had a 61 for many years and used it for shooting in the basement, couldn’t hear it upstairs as it was so quiet.
Mike,
People have very different opinions of triggers. I have owned and shot two dozen IZH 60/61s and there wasn’t a good trigger in the batch. But I am a target shooter, so that’s where I am coming from.
B.B.
I managed to get a hold of a metal receiver 61 (still had spare spring and seal do they ship with that now?). It’s the old trigger and I really like it for such a modest gun, a little crude in feel but serviceable. What causes me to pause and think when shooting it is the follow through, its so slow with under 500fps, if your sloppy on follow through you blow your shot. This one has not been pellet fussy but I mainly shoot AA 7.33 (JSB)’s though it did fine with Crosman Premiers tinned and boxed. I seldom shoot wadcutters and look forward to your results should you try them.
Shouldering the gun reminds me of my Marauder pistol/carbine stock, but despite the Darth Vader looks the forearm helps point well.
Mark,
Think the IZH is slow? Try shooting 10-meter target pistols. They are even slower. All target airguns are slow and follow-through is of paramount importance.
B.B.
I bought a 61 a couple years ago from PA. Like so many others have written about, I’ve found that the clip is iffy at properly indexing the pellet. I use H&N Finale Match Pistol in mine, which seem to be what the rifle likes best. But I get too many fliers which may be the result of the clip not properly aligning with the breech. I’ve tried different clips, and some do “seem” to do better than others. My rifle is one of the plastic receiver models that did not come with the extra spring and seals.
I’ve put a 3X9 Bugbuster on it (older version with the thick reticules), fits the gun well and looks good too. After B.B. finishes this report I may just go for the 60 single-shot model.
A question though B.B., these Target Pro models are no different than the standard models? Only difference being is that PA puts the Daisy sights on them?
Oh, one more suggestion, make sure you advise everyone to clean the barrel really well, mine came with a years supply of cosmoline-type gunk in it.
chasblock,
Yes, the only difference in the rifle is the sights.
As for the Cosmoline, that may have changed. Back when EAA was bringing them in, and Golden Toller before that, these guns were rather loosely controlled by the importer. Pyramyd AIR has been selling a lot more of them than before and I think they get better response from the factory.
I will check my barrel and report on whether it has Cosmoline.
B.B.
A target shooter on the Canadian Airgun Forum bought one and did exactly the same thing, he just put target sights on it and it gave amasing results, he posted some groups and had no problem selling the rifle. Now he WAS already an excellent shooter and had a lot of experience and knew his basics so “your results may vary” LOL but I’m sure this one can give excellent results.
I just put a gas ram in mine and I’m not done breaking it in yet but so far there no spring buzz (duh) and the recoil is a little bit more harsh, I hope it will calm down otherwise mine will get it’s spring back with the patented Milan beer can tune.
The Bronco still is more enjoyable to shoot IMHO, the smooth wood stock, ease of use, trigger, accuracy, smooooooth shooting cycle. Everything is there but I think the IZH will be more accurate.
J-F
J-F…. MY patent – I don’t think so ,I don’t see any money 😉 !Be free to use my patent buddy 🙂 😉 !
Hi J-F, saw your post on the IZH . I’m in the process of installing a gas spring in my IZH 61. Have everything apart and cleaning it up. Any suggestions while it’s in pieces and during the rebuild?
What lube did you use and how difficult was it getting it back together?
Thanks!
Les
I didn’t do anything special. Putting it back together isn’t harder than taking it apart, you just have to be careful with the small piece of metal that goes at the end of the lever. If I’m not mistaken its the anti bear trap… could be useful 😉
The first few shots will be HARD compared to the spring but it will tone down with use.
The firing behavior will be a lot more direct, no buzz, no twist, it’s like a strong straight slap.
You feel everything because the rifle is such a light weight.
Report back on how it wnet and how you like it!
You would get more info/comments/answers if you posted your question on the daily blog, only a handfull of us monitor the older ones.
J-F
Off-topic:
While perusing my Google daily alerts, I came upon this interesting tidbit:
http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/09/10/brad-pitt-defends-gun-laws/
Short version: Brad Pitt is a gun lover.
Edith
Los Angeles – Brad Pitt has splashed out on a £250 000 shooting range as a wedding present for Angelina Jolie.
The couple are set to tie the knot at their French estate Miraval later this year and Brad installed the range and an armoury on site as a gift for his bride-to-be.
He is an active shooter as well.
That’s good to hear. Most of Hollywood is way left of that position.
Mike
Everyone/anyone,
What is recommended for cleaning an airgun barrel? I bought a Gamo airgun cleaning kit, but I don’t know what the cleaning solution is, so I don’t know if there is something better?
Can anyone recommended something for cleaning an airgun barrel?
Thanks,
Victor
Victor,
Here are several reports on cleaning barrels:
/blog/2006/1/cleaning-airgun-barrels-the-stuff-you-need-to-know/
/blog/2006/2/should-you-clean-a-new-airgun-barrel/
/blog/2005/11/is-your-airgun-barrel-really-clean/
B.B.
B.B.,
Thanks! I was cleaning a few air-rifles with the stuff from Gamo and was surprised at how many patches were needed (and time). I don’t know if the solution is ineffective, or if Crosman pellets really are that dirty.
Victor
Victor,
It’s not dirt. It’s anti-oxydant. And yes, they are covered with it. That’s why your finger are black after handing pellets.
B.B.
I bought the IZH 61 Target Pro a few weeks ago and am thrilled with the purchase. Using Gamo Match wadcutters I am averaging slightly over an inch (1.032) for five shot groups off-hand with the best group coming in at .840 after 600 shots. While these not earth shaking results, they’re good enough for me to say that the inherent accuracy of the gun is excellent, I just have to discipline myself better to improve the results which I believe is doable. B.B. mentions that the rear sight is supplied by Daisy, not that it matters but I was told by PyramidAir that it is an Air Venturi sight, maybe Daisy owns Air Venturi? Also the price for either the 60 or 61 includes the rear sight, reticles and a mod by a PyramidAir’s tech which amounts to cutting a slot in the front sight to accomodate the reticle of choice. The gun comes with the front sight mounted while the rear sight is mounted by the purchaser. No complaints here, I love this gun!
Chuck,
The box my sight came in says Avanti on the outside. Avanti is a Daisy brand. Perhaps PA will rebrand the sight in the future — they didn’t discuss that with me. All I know is what I see.
B.B.
Could be that PA is mixing and matching rear sights as I was told when I ordered the gun that it had been a pre-order for quite a while due to a shortage of rear sights. PA is great and I’m sure that they are making the right component decisions as needed.
I was about to comment that, if the reports had been over typical voice grade phone line, one might have heard “air venturi” when the speaker said “avanti”…
But if subsequent reports are showing printed labels with both names… I can see the customization requests now — “check the box before shipping, I want one with xyz rear sight”.
This Chuck in the above comment is a new Chuck but not me. I used to go by cjr but changed to chuck years ago. To prevent confusion and allow Chuck to continue to use his name I will change to chuckj.
Good to have you on the blog, new Chuck. Welcome. How many chucks does a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
-Chuckj
Hi ChuckJ
I have been told that ” A woodchuck could chuck a chunk of wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood” but not sure!
Chuck,
Here’s how I remember it:
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood? He’d chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
Chuckj
I considered this family of rifles, but the positioning of the side lever in the stock looked uncomfortable for a left handed shooter. I’m assuming that the side lever and the related stock cut-out would be against the left handed shooter’s face. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Eric,
I am left-handed and have the IZH-61. The stock cut-out is not even an issue. You won’t notice it as your cheek weld will be above it. I moved the stock up to its shortest pull and shot it three times. I do not have a problem with it. The rifle is very easy to cock and the pistol grip helps tremendously. Just remember to keep your finger off the trigger when you cock it.
With the rifle stock set on the shortest pull length, if you can keep your cheek welded to the stock while cocking it the lever will most likely touch your face. However, your natural tendancy will be to swing the rifle to the left as you are cocking. This will keep the lever away from your face.
Bottom line, this is a good rifle for a left-handed shooter.
-Chuckj
Eric,
I forgot to mention that the cocking lever is not near your face until it is pulled all the way back to the farthest cocking position. With the lever in the shooting position, it will not be touching your face.
-Chuckj
BB,
Thanks for including the price! And now if I happen to buy another used gun from PA, I’ll be able to research the serial number and see if it is the one you tested! Thanks again!
This version is interesting. I still enjoy the accuracy of my Izh 513m even though it is a really light gun for a magnum springer and therefore harsh.
/Dave
BB; The “Abilene Paradox” ! I haven’t heard that one in a long time. The “State Government Department” I worked for seemed to try some “New” type of management system every few years. The only one that seem to last was “Promote the most PC people you can find”.
Would you like me to tell you how that worked out!? 🙂
I have a 61. It is my most inaccurate gun. I have tried about 6 different pellets in it so far. All with poor results. I have tried the artillery hold in several variations with no improvement. The last thing I have tried to date is cleaning the barrel – that seemed to have made it even worse. A strip down, lube and new seal is next. If that does not fix it then I will look for a stout tree to bend it around! I will not have the heart to sell it someone else.
Ton,
I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble with your 61. You said it is your least accurate rifle but you haven’t told us what that means. Can you describe the accuracy? At what range are you shooting and how large are your groups at that range? Have you tried RWS R-10 Match pellets yet? They seem to work well in my 61.
-Chuckj
Ton,
Yes, please give us more detail about your rifle. There are a lot of smart people on this blog. Maybe someone can suggest something to help.
B.B.
Does anyone know where I can get a seal for the 61 or what size it is? I would like to have one before I start the strip down. I have a spring that came with the gun.
Thanks
Ton,
Pyramyd AIR should be able to sell you the seal you need. Contact their tech department.
B.B.
Ton,
Email techsupport@pyramydair.com to inquire about a IZH 60/61 seal.
Edith
Tom,
I purchased the new front sight inserts for my two 2nd variant 61s (plastic receiver, but nice adjustable trigger) from PA, and found that 1) the front sight itself must be modified to allow the (globe) inserts to be installed (mentioned above) and 2) the globe inserts do not center in/on the sight hood. They are too tall. Do you know if the front sight has been changed on the latest variants? What I always liked about rear peep and front globe sights is that you just center everything concentrically and make sure the bull is dead center. It’s a little distracting to shoot it the way it is now.
Regards,
Michael
Michael,
Yes, the new front sight inserts are not just drop-ins. That’s why the price of the Target version is higher — because Pyramyd AIR has to spend the time to alter the front globe to make them fit.
When you say the inserts are not centered and not concentric in the globe, you mean the height — not side to side. Height means nothing in this case, as the globe is not a part of the sight picture. You could use just the naked element without the globe and it would work. The globe is there ti keep light off the front element.
So this sight does work as intended. But it will look different than a conventional front globe that does center the aperture within the globe.
I guess the real-world equivalent to this front sight is the front hood that’s put on an 03-A3 Springfield. The post is almost at the top of the hood. I removed the hood so I could see the post against the target, but you won’t have that problem with the IZH 60, because you are always shooting at the same distance and at a black bullseye.
B.B.
“When you say the inserts are not centered and not concentric in the globe, you mean the height — not side to side. Height means nothing in this case, as the globe is not a part of the sight picture.”
Yes, I am referring to the height. But I beg to differ on the sight picture. I have two identical Avanti (Daisy) peep sights and the globe IS part of the sight picture. Now, whether or not I’m supposed to ignore that may be one thing, but I do SEE it when shooting. I agree that the sight and inserts will work as intended, however, I stand by my statement that to SEE that the globe and insert are not concentric (off center) when I’m shooting, is a distraction for me.
I owned a steel receiver 61 for a while, and the front sight was much different than the current factory sight. That rifle came with inserts that centered on the globe. Shame on me for selling it.
Bottom line for those contemplating the purchase of a 60/61, you won’t be disappointed by the fun factor.
Believe me, I do understand being distracted by the appearance of the front sight. I had to sell a 1917 Enfield whose front sight blade had to be drifted way to the left to center the shots. The rifle was accurate, but I could not abide that off-center front blade! So I do understand.
Anyone who owns an SKS or AK probably has the same experience. Their front posts are seldom centered when the guns are on target.
B.B.
Tom,
Can you include a photo of the hood and insert from the front, in the next installment, so we can see how distracting it is?
-Chuckj
chuckj,
Yes, I will show a photo of the front sight. It is not distracting , as far as I am concerned, because the globe has no part in the sight picture.
B.B.
Tom,
I just did more testing at ten meters with both of my 61s, both Avanti peep sights, and both the original and factory inserts.
With the factory inserts (the post), the rear peep will not go low enough to hit the bull on a standard ten meter target. All shots are about 2 inches high. That was using a 6 o’clock hold, and centering the bull on the globe (hood of the front sight).
When I changed to the new inserts, again with the rear sight as low as it will go, all shots were about ½ inch high, just nicking the top of the bull. That is ignoring the globe (hood), and just centering the insert on the bull and rear peep.
As to Chuck’s comments, that may be so. But if and when the “correct” inserts are made available, I still do not believe that the Avanti rear sight will go low enough at a distance of ten meters to hit the center of the bull. In fact, I think it will make things worse.
I have one more peep, an Industry Standard, that I will test. The Industry Standard peep will adjust lower than the Avanti (I’m using it on my Biathlon trainer)
http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/thread/1290984097/Biathlon+Trainer
I’ll let you know what I discover.
Regards,
Michael
Michael,
I will not comment until I’ve had a chance to shoot the rifle I’m currently testing. I will test it on a 10-meter target at 10 meters and we shall see if I can get the sights properly adjusted.
Until then, I can’t really comment.
B.B.
Anonymous,
I’m as confused as you by the build of these sight inserts. Why would anyone make a sight insert that didn’t conform symmetrically to the hood? I get the impression somebody goofed and is trying to deplete the existing stock or the inserts were made for something else and were just convenient for use in the 60/61 Pro. Also, I, too, am wondering if the inserts will be available for my existing 61s, when the correct ones are finally being sold. 🙂
-Chuckj
Anonymous,
I have been studying he photos of the inserts in Part one and have come to this conclusion (I hope I can write this so it’s not confusing):
Looking at the picture, the post part of all the inserts appear to be the same height as the one that is post only. The post only sight is designed for a 6 o’clock hold placed under the bull but not covering it. The other inserts (round) were designed to center the bull within. If the round inserts were made lower on the post to be symmetrical with the inside of the globe it would cause the barrel to have to be raised to get the bull on the center. This, in effect, will cause the rifle to shoot high and must be corrected with a lot of down adjustment on the rear sight. It is possible that the rear sight can’t handle that much down adjust.
Then, again, I could be all wet.
-Chuckj
Chuck,
See my reply above to Tom.
Michael
Chuckj,
The sight picture is the bull centered in the front aperture — period! You look through the rear aperture to adjust your depth of vision. Your eye automatically centers the front sight picture in the rear hole when you focus on the sight picture ( which is the bull centered in the front aperture).
Where the front sight picture is in relation to anything else is not important, because it isn’t part of the sight picture. You are not trying to center the front sight picture in the center of the rear aperture. All you focus on is that front sight picture. So the location, or even the presence, of the front globe, is meaningless when you sight a target rifle.
I will show this in a photo of a Springfield 03-A3 front sight in the next installment.
B.B.
Tom,
I know that the globe itself is meaningless when sighting and that the front aperture is what’s important. However, I agree with Anonymous (aka, Michael Chavka?) that the glob is still visible and the non-concentric view is distracting.
My point is that the inserts may have been made the way they are, not in error but with purpose, because if the insert was made to be concentric within the existing globe design, removing that distraction, it would cause the rifle to shoot higher than can be compensated for. And it appears as if Michael’s test bears that out.
Thanks for including the photo in the next part. It will help me know if this “distraction” is even worth worrying about. I may be making a Hula-Hoop out of a Cheerio.
-Chuckj
Tom and All,
My tests with the Industry Brand Rear Aperture Sight were successful. The rear sight has plenty of adjustment for both the factory post insert, and the new aperture inserts, when shooting at a distance of ten meters, at a standard ten meter bull.
Thinking back to when I built the Biathlon Trainer, the Avanti Rear Aperture Sight would not adjust low enough to accommodate the front sight, hence the use of the Industry Standard sight.
Just to keep things in perspective, my chrony numbers for the two rifles show an average of 450fps with H&N Match pellets, and an average of 480 with RWS Meisterkugeln Pistol pellets. Both rifles are performing well.
I hope you have more success than I did with the Avanti sight.
Kind regards,
Michael
Michael,
Thanks for your experiences! You certainly put in the time.
I will report what happens to me.
B.B.
J-F. Thanks for your response on installing a gas piston in my IZH 61. Having issue putting it back together and would appreciate if anyone could help out.
I assume the piston rod and washer face forward. If so, the Piston base on the back side is blocked by the off-set ratchet pin that goes thru the sleeve on the front side.
I took pictures but not sure how to share them.
Thanks,
Les
Here is the entire thread on the Canadian Airgun Forum about the IZH gas ram:
http://www.airgunforum.ca/forums/topic43593.html
You’ll se instructions and an exploded view on page 3.
Good luck with the reassembly
J-F
Thanks… The issue I’m still having is with the back end of the gas ram fitting into the forward end of the cocking lever base. There is a pin on the front side that is a continuation of the catch bar on the inside of the cocking lever sleeve. This pin is offset to one side and that’s my concern. The base of the Gas Ram (which actually has an indent in the center) sits on this pin and it’s off center. That will put a great deal of off-center pressure on the Piston when cocked. I have a picture I can send. Where can I email it to?
Thanks
Les
I’m sorry I really don’t know what you’re talking about. My piston was straight without indent and was an easy fit in the piston and the cap at the other hand was easy to put back on… You put the washer like piece of metal inside the piston with the smaller part inside it and the larger part of the piston is at the back of the rifle right?
When you look at pics and comments on how to do it in the forum link I gave you to you see any differences with your part?
Have a look at https://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/ members here do that blog and if you use the search engine and search for IZH you’ll see LOTS of posts
Here are a few
https://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/izh-60-rifle-disassembly-and-comparison_02.html
https://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/derricks-izh-61-tune-part-uno.html
https://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/izh-60-rifle-disassembly-and-comparison.html
Forget about the fancy machining, I’d love to have that kind of equipement and skills but it’s nescessary to change the spring to a gas ram, the hardest part I encountered was fitting the stupid stock screw that holds the stock and barrel band. It kept on falling in the hollow stock.
You can email me here: docgadget “at” gmail.com