Good Price On Baikal SxS?

[Jackal]

Hi guys and gals. Well, I currently only own 1 shotgun, an old 870 Wingmaster, and I am looking to add another scattergun to my armory. A local shop is currently having a going out of business sale and sitting on a shelf is a NIB EAA Baikal 12ga SxS with 20" barrels, enclosed hammers and double triggers. The wood has a nice grain to it and that little shotty seems to fit me like a glove. The only problem is the stiffness of the action, although as I understand, that will smoothen and loosen after some use and cleaning/lubing. So, the price OTD after sales tax will be about $245. Is that a fair price? I am leaning towards buying it, but not until I give my THR allies a chance to have thier say in the matter.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Sounds like a good price to me. I bought a Baikal 28 ga SXS last year used, for $350. The owner had paid $459 for it (I have the receipt). It has a silver colored receiver and decent wood.

We've probably put about 2,000 rounds through it and it has loosened up just a little.

Everybody who picks up the little gun has been able to shoot it, even though the LOP is short.

 

[MCgunner]

Sounds irresistable to me! I just got a Remington Spartan 20" barrel 20 gauge the other day (Baikal built under Remington contract) for $299 and that was significantly less than the 400+MSRP or the $360 or so you can regularly get 'em for around here. You're right about the stiff action, it will loosen up with time and lube. I haven't even hunted with mine, yet, and it's rapidly winning my favor. It's very handy and has screw in choke tubes and patterns quite well out to 40 yards with the full choke tube in place. The only thing I've worried about it far as hunting is how it'll swing. I'm sure it's going to be whippy as hell compared to my longer, muzzle heavier 12 gauge repeaters. I'm going to have to get used to it, plan to hunt dove with it and might even do a little duck hunting with it now and then.

I keep the little thing loaded with a five round Koplin ammo carrier on the butt next to my bed for intruders. The barrels are well regulated and it shoots slugs and buckshot well. At in house ranges, I have it loaded with #3 buck in both barrels, old school tacticool. I have an old 12 sxs, but it's got 28" barrels. Those little 20 inch barrels are MUCH handier for defensive use. I envision this thing, too, as a go to outdoor gun. Shotguns are really versatile in the field and this thing is so light and handy, it's nothing to tote.

I can tell ya this, that coach gun in 12 gauge is going to KICK LIKE HECK with slugs. Light weight doubles HURT. LOL That's another reason I got a 20. But, at that price, and since you don't have a double, I think you NEED IT. The gun might lack a little in aesthetics, but it's built like a tank and will last you a lifetime. That's the Baikal reputation, it seems, the AK47 of side by side shotguns.

Oh, at least on my Spartan, that "silver colored receiver" is nickle plate, quite rust resistant I'm told. And, yeah, mine seems a little short in LOP, too, but if I have problems, I'll add a recoil pad, either installed or slip on, to it. It's about an inch less than the standard 14.5" I think. It's not as bad as those stinkin' Norinco SKSs, at least, and drop seems about right. I need to shoot some clays with it to get used to it.

 

[GigaBuist]

I snagged, what I gather is the exact same shotgun, for $300 a couple of years back.

I then saw it at a gun show the next week for $260. So, yeah, $245 is definitely a fair price.

The finish isn't the greatest -- mine developed some pitting after a camping trip and spending some time in the trunk of my car with some wet towels. Other firearms in there were just fine. Still, that was a pretty abusive thing to do to it, so I can't really fault the gun.

Shot some hand-thrown clays with it in a buddy's backyard on Independence Day a while back with some friends. We'd just toss a clay and see who (out 4 or 5 guys) could hit it first. My barrels go so hot I had to use my shirt as a buffer just to break them open. My brother couldn't even touch it.

Fun little gun.