Toz shotguns 16 caliber characteristics. TOZ-BM

"TOZ-BM"
is an external hammer double-barreled shotgun with a horizontal barrel arrangement.

Story

Not so many hammer-fired Tula guns have been produced throughout history. But among them there are models that cannot be ignored, since their production honed the craftsmanship of the manufacturers and improved the guns themselves. One of these models is TOZ-BM

, which replaced its ancestor-pioneer TOZ-B, donated by Tula gunsmiths to hunters and all shooting enthusiasts. That is, on the basis of the model with the index “B”, in 1957 the production of an improved or modernized one began (which can be understood by the letter “M” in the name of the gun), which was intended for both amateur and commercial hunting.

How does this affect hunting?

Special attention should be paid to the fact that in ordinary versions such guns are often distinguished by inappropriate wood stock and metal inserts. Do not forget that too many of this type can even be dangerous for a hunter, since the safety cocking in them is almost completely worn out. In the same way, non-chromed barrels are not reliable.

Quite often in such guns there is a “baptism”, which involves the right barrel malfunctioning to the left, while the left one, on the contrary, malfunctions to the right. Of course, this again applies exclusively to ordinary models, but since the cost of these particular specimens was as affordable as possible for most people, they fully met the minimum requirements of the vast majority of hunters of the 60s and 70s. In the taiga, as well as other remote territories of the former USSR, despite the huge circulation, the 12-caliber TOZ-BM (trigger), in principle, was in short supply, and despite all the advantages and disadvantages, it constantly retained the status of a desirable weapon.

Description

TOZ-BM

, as a double-barreled hunting rifle, is the TOZ-B model modified in 1957. The new model achieved higher strength and reliability characteristics. These weapons were produced more often in 16 gauge, less often in 20 gauge. The channels of its barrels have typical choke constrictions for such guns, namely choke. And if we talk about specific nominal values, then for 16-gauge shotguns the constrictions were 0.25 and 0.5 mm, but specimens with 0.5 and 1.0 mm constrictions were produced. Although the choke constrictions (in rare cases) can “float” in fairly wide spaces. Their values ​​in practice were observed in the range from 0.25 to 1.15 mm. The chambers of both 16- and 20-gauge shotguns were made 70 mm long.

The TOZ-BM locks were installed, like the TOZ-B locks, underlay. The gun barrels were triple locked with a block: the lower one, using a Perdet frame, as well as two under the barrel hooks, and the upper locking with a Griner bolt. Immediately after the shot, the trigger of the gun is automatically set to the safety cock. The detachable forend of the gun had a metal lever latch. The stock was made of beech, birch and walnut, the latter type of wood being typical for one-piece specimens. The type of butt neck of this model could be semi-pistol, pistol or straight.

Like the TOZ-B, the modernized model had a barrel length of 700-725 mm; 16-gauge guns with barrels 750 mm long were produced. The total weight of the 16-caliber gun was on average 3.25 kg, and the 20-caliber TOZ-BM weighed 2.75 kg. The trigger pull for the right trigger ranged from 1.5 to 2.75 kg, and for the left - from 1.75 to 3 kg. Cocking the TOZ-BM hammers may require force; the mainsprings are tight. Both triggers are spring-loaded, and their movements are short and without idling.

The barrel bores of the TOZ-BM gun were produced in a simple manner - not chrome-plated, which is why they are quite susceptible to corrosion. But sometimes there are models of this weapon (mostly produced in the 60s) in which the barrel bores are covered with chrome, but this can be called a rarity. This gun's traditional rib and brass front sight are very convenient, especially when shooting offhand. The sighting bar has an anti-reflective knurl - a transverse notch in the form of lines, which allows you to calmly aim in bright sunlight.

TOZ-BM disassembles very easily and easily and is therefore convenient for cleaning and transportation, as well as unpretentious and easy to maintain.

Its stock (this applies to ordinary models) is not ideal, but it also did not cause any major complaints from users. Plastic or blued butt plates made of stamped metal were installed on the back of the butt. Due to its rather large weight for a 16-caliber gun, the TOZ-BM had a relatively comfortable recoil, this weapon requires the correct insert and it is advisable to shoot from it from the correct stance. This is due to the shape of the butt plate.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantages of this type of Soviet-made weapon include not always high-quality finishing and far from flawless combat. Sometimes there are TOZ-BMs with frankly poor fitting and filing, and with disgusting combat. Thus, the use of the Greener bolt directly in locking necessarily requires highly skilled and high-quality assembly of the gun. Otherwise, it simply will not clearly perform its functions. That’s why, on many BM-branded “tools,” the fit of the upper locking mechanism does not bear any criticism. Often, debugging and processing of other parts and assemblies sometimes also causes well-deserved criticism from some hunters. Also, often standard BM shotguns have inappropriate metal insertion into the wood of the stock. It must be remembered that old guns of this type can even be dangerous due to the almost complete wear of the safety cocking. Non-chromed barrels also do not give the gun any positive qualities. This 16-gauge gun cannot be called light, which is especially noticeable when used on hunts where you have to walk a lot.

Often in these guns there is a so-called “baptism”, when the right barrel, when firing, malfunctions to the left, and the left, on the contrary, to the right. This, of course, only applies to ordinary TOZ-BM shotguns. But since the cost of such specimens in the 60s and 70s was small (this “tulka” was an ordinary consumer product), it fully complied with the simple and minimal requirements of the majority of amateur hunters and fishermen. In the taiga and other remote areas of the USSR, the TOZ-BM, despite its three-million circulation, was often a generally scarce commodity, and with all the pros and cons, it always remained a desirable hunting rifle.

It, like the original TOZ-B model, was used by all those who encountered hunting weapons in their daily and professional lives. Such love for the TOZ-BM arose due to the fact that it had a time-tested and thoughtful design, excellent maintainability (locks on the side boards, screw fastening of the gun structure, high prevalence, and all this implies the easy availability of any spare parts for repairs), reliability and durability of this gun. For many hunters, the absence of a safety lock and the presence of external hammers were also very important, which made it possible to quickly bring the gun into action by simply cocking the hammers, safely transport it with cartridges in the chambers with the hammers pulled, and did not require unnecessary movements to fire when the hammers were cocked.

In any case, the TOZ-BM is still a favorite among hunters and an extremely successful gun, considering its price. TOZ-BM in 20 caliber, due to its light weight, has always been willingly used by both hunters and teenagers, women and, of course, older hunters.

The individual versions of the TOZ-BM were qualitatively different from the ordinary ones, both in the fit and manufacture of parts, external decoration, and in combat. There are also guns of this model in souvenir versions.

Advantages

The advantage of the TOZ-BM is that the gun can be disassembled as simply as possible, and therefore is extremely convenient during cleaning and transportation. Among other things, this model is also distinguished by its simplicity and ease of maintenance.

The stock, of course, is far from ideal in appearance in ordinary samples, but at the same time, it is almost impossible for users to find any serious complaints about this. On the back of the buttstock there is a specialized blued or plastic butt plate, due to which, even with a fairly large weight, the TOZ-BM has a relatively comfortable recoil, and the only thing you should not forget about is that the weapon requires a competent insert and fire you need to first take the correct stance. Among other things, this is also due to the unique shape of the butt plate.

Who uses it and where?

Like the standard model, this one was used by almost everyone who had to deal with hunting in professional and everyday life. The popularity of this gun is due to the fact that it is distinguished by an extremely well-thought-out and time-tested design, and, more importantly, by its maintainability, since all parts were widely distributed and, accordingly, available to every hunter. Among other things, many people also appreciated the high degree of durability and reliability of this gun.

For many hunters, an important role was played by the complete absence of a safety lock, as well as the presence of external hammers, thanks to which the weapon could be brought into battle in the shortest possible time, since simply cocking the hammers was quite enough. Also, due to this, the gun could be transported extremely easily with cartridges in the chambers with the hammer pulled, and there was no need to make any unnecessary movements to fire a shot.

How to disassemble?

The TOZ-BM shotgun must be assembled and disassembled exclusively in a certain sequence and in full compliance with safety rules. It is also recommended not to use any excessive force or shock in this process. Before starting work, the TOZ-BM 12-gauge shotgun must be completely unloaded.

The very procedure for disassembling this weapon is as follows:

1. The forend is separated from the barrels.
2. The gun is grasped by the neck of the stock with the right hand, while the locking lever is pulled to the maximum possible right position with the thumb. After this, the trunks smoothly turn down and are separated from the box.
3. The screw of the impact mechanisms is turned out.
4. The screw is driven from the right side into the base of the right striker and will then be used to carefully separate the right striker.
5. Through the hole located in the sear box, the left percussion mechanism is pushed out extremely carefully with a wooden rod.

What to choose?

In any case, to this day one of the most common shotguns among modern hunters is the 12-gauge TOZ-BM. Reviews from owners confirm the main advantages and disadvantages described above, and therefore among professionals it is considered an extremely successful weapon considering its current cost. As mentioned above, piece variants always deserve special attention, since they are qualitatively different from ordinary ones, starting with external decoration and manufacturing of parts and ending with combat. Among other things, you can also find several guns of this model in souvenir versions.

How to handle this weapon?

The gun should always be considered loaded and ready to fire, and should never be pointed at people, pets, or simply standing with the gun resting on it. The gun must only be stored unloaded and with the triggers pulled, while the ammunition is stored in a box under a secure lock.

The service life, as well as the trouble-free operation of the 12-caliber TOZ-BM directly depend on how skillfully the owner handles this weapon, as well as how high-quality the ammunition is used.

Inept or careless handling of such a gun, as well as too frequent complete assembly and disassembly, will ultimately lead to a significant reduction in the overall service life of the TOZ-BM. Feedback from owners suggests that the quality of ammunition must also be monitored, not to mention the caliber of your model.