IZH 60 Air Rifle

I love the looks and style of this rifle. I just wish it were better built. It's pretty accurate with open sights but the plastic dovetail scope rails are really cheesy. The back rails point down a little so they do not align with the short front rail.

Quality control needs addressing. Just seems a bit cheaply built. Also improve the 11mm scope rails.

I really tried to like this rifle but the example I was sent did not impress me much. Maybe buying a refurbished IZH 60 was not the way to go. Mine come with some missing parts, as did a refurbished IZH 61 earlier. Both were returned to Pyramid. I'll probably never get another of these guns. That being said, if you're looking for a great target rifle in this power/price range, the Daisy 953 is the the way to go. It is a fantastic airgun and it costs at least $30 less than either Baikal IZH models.

This is one solid looking and feeling air gun. Operation is smooth and it fits well to hand and shoulder. It seems very accurate but my old eyes don't focus quit right so I can't really evaluate accuracy properly. My grandson liked the "looks cool" factor but the weight and lack of a safety was a bit more than we felt comfortable at this stage of his training.

The gun is what it is and I wouldn't try to change Russian manufacturing anyway, but perhaps Pyramyd could offer a package that includes a red dot sight and/or an inexpensive scope (with the right mount) which could help us older folks acquire and/or see the target better than the sights that come with the gun. (Yes, seniors like to shoot, too).

I bought this as part of teaching my young grandson range safety and shooting. We started with a Red Rider followed by a daisy Grizzly, which is a great trainer. The IZH 60 was a bit too big a next step. At first I was going to exchange it for a lighter gun with a safety, and Pyramyd was very gracious about it, but in the end I couldn't part with, kept it for myself and ordered a mid-level multi pump gun with scope for him (from Pyramyd of course). Pyramyd's information base is awesome and is really helpful in working out what to get.

I ordered this rifle for my six year old daughter while out of town working. On the day it arrived, my wife inspected it, and shortly afterwards suggested we buy "our daughter" a second one "Just for back-up" At that moment I knew this was a very special little rifle, as my wife is generally quite dismissive of airguns. What I found when I arrived home was a light, handy, easy to manage little rifle with a stock adjustable from my 6' height down to my daughters size. Accuracy wise, it's plenty fine for casual plinking, small cans, animal crackers, etc. It has a great little trigger, though I did adjust it for over-travel. I don't have a trigger gauge, but I know it's not 1.5 lbs. I would guess it is likely around a crisp 3 lbs. which is fine for my informal needs. It also has an effective (perhaps too effective?) anti-bear trap mechanism. It's looks are definitely striking for a youth rifle. It's very, very handy for South Paw Shooters in the way it cocks from the right side.

The plastic molding is a little sloppy, the bluing is very thin on the barrel, the bolt handle is small and inadequate feeling. The front sight post is a little wide, and attaches in a relatively crude manner- sandwiched between a thread protector and the sight hood. The Anti-Bear Trap mechanism is a bit unforgiving. Pretty much have a pellet handy when showing the gun to somebody because it is very easy to initiate the cocking sequence with just a cursory pull of the cocking lever. Having said that, this rifle hits a certain price point, and it delivers well above expectations for that price point.

The lack of a mechanical safety is an idiosyncrasy worth mention. I'm personally one of those "Safety is between your ears types" but others may feel differently. This rifle does have a learning curve, especially if you've put thousands of rounds through other Side lever air guns such RWS 48, 54, etc. You need to cock the rifle all the way, secure the cocking lever, THEN load the pellet. Otherwise you're fumbling alot with the automatic opening bolt handle that will not close until the gun is completely cocked. My daughter needed a bit of time to figure out how to safely work it, but after I worked with her for an hour or so just on the mechanics, she runs this little thing like a pro. Though I consider this largely a childs gun, it is highly versatile and well suited to enjoyment from the whole family as a basement gun, at picnics, camping trips, backyard plinking, etc. Both mine are re-furbs. Actually preferred that someone had gone through, fixed, and double checked them.