Nightcrawler
May 24, 2001, 04:08 PM
http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/pistols/large/mp153_large.jpg
Some people were asking about this. I found this article. The shotgun itself is imported by European American Armory (http://www.eaacorp.com). It has a capacity of 5+1 with 2.75" and 3" shells, and 4+1 with 3.5" shells (with the magazine extension, otherwise, subtract one). I've handled one a couple times and it seems really solid and built like a tank, like you'd expect in a Russian firearm.
Contining its drive to become a world-class manufacturer of sporting firearms, the Russian firm of Baikal (Izhevsky Mechanichesky Zavod) has introduced two new repeating shotguns of modern design: the МР-133 and the МР-153. Both have been designed to handle all cartridges of 12-ga., 2¾”, 3” and 3½” shotshells – both lead and steel. The МР-133 is a pump-action shotgun with dual action bars, while the МР-153 is a gas-operated, semi-automatic. Both are imported by European American Armory in Sharpes, Fla. (www.eaacorp.com), which supplied the NRA Technical Staff with 28” barreled examples of each. The review that follows is of the semi-automatic MP-153 though the two guns share many design features and even some major parts assemblies.
Barrels are hot hammer-forged, chromium-lined, carbon steel with screw-in, interchangeable choke tubes compatible with steel shot. Our sample was topped with a blued steel, ventilated rib with a heavily stippled upper surface to reduce glare and a white metal bead front sight. The rib is solid for the first quarter of its length behind the muzzle and becomes ventilated the last three quarters of its length. Each gun is supplied with improved cylinder, modified and full choke tubes.
The МР-153 has a non-stressed receiver of forged aluminum alloy and dual steel action bars to prevent binding. The fire control mechanism is fastened to the bottom of the receiver by two pins and may easily be removed for cleaning. There is a single-stage, gold-plated trigger and a trigger blocking, cross-bolt safety located in the rear of the trigger guard bow. Locking is by a single, retractable lug on the top of the bolt that cams into a recess cut into the barrel extension. The bolt travels on a carrier operated by twin operated rods. Dual extractors pull the cartridge case from the chamber. Ejection is by means of a fixed, dual-pronged ejector pinned to the left interior side of the receiver. The bolt locks in the open position after the last shell has been fired. To release the bolt, press the slide release button on the right front side of the receiver. A carrier stop lever is on the right side of the receiver at the forward edge of the trigger housing. When the hammer is cocked, the bolt will not lock in the rear most position unless this button has first been pushed rearward.
The gas system operates by bleeding high-pressure gases through two holes in the bottom of the barrel. Gas pushes the piston and operating rods rearward to operate the action and compress the recoil spring, which is concentrically mounted on the magazine tube. Excess gas not needed to cycle the action is bled off by the self-regulating adjustment system. The surfaces of the magazine tube, piston and interior gas cylinder housing on the MP-153 are chrome-plated. The knurled outer surface of the extended choke tubes made it easy to change chokes without having to use the key. The fire control system is simple, robust and easy to remove. Despite the weight, the balance of this shotgun was excellent, which contributed significantly toward its favorable handling characteristics. For example, the balance point located under the front edge of the receiver places just enough weight forward to assist a smooth swing without causing the gun to feel cumbersome. A comfortable, slim pistol grip with a light palm swell proved another popular feature.
What we have here is a reliable, well-made, magnum semi-automatic shotgun that is affordably priced and fully equipped out of the box with the features many shooters desire.
The MP-153 is a good choice for hunting turkey or waterfowl and for shooters sensitive to recoil. Its rugged construction and reliability will also be significant reasons many shooters should give it serious consideration.
Article from the « American Rifleman » № 2/2001, P.60-61. (abbreviated text )
[Edited by Nightcrawler on 05-24-2001 at 05:47 PM]
Some people were asking about this. I found this article. The shotgun itself is imported by European American Armory (http://www.eaacorp.com). It has a capacity of 5+1 with 2.75" and 3" shells, and 4+1 with 3.5" shells (with the magazine extension, otherwise, subtract one). I've handled one a couple times and it seems really solid and built like a tank, like you'd expect in a Russian firearm.
Contining its drive to become a world-class manufacturer of sporting firearms, the Russian firm of Baikal (Izhevsky Mechanichesky Zavod) has introduced two new repeating shotguns of modern design: the МР-133 and the МР-153. Both have been designed to handle all cartridges of 12-ga., 2¾”, 3” and 3½” shotshells – both lead and steel. The МР-133 is a pump-action shotgun with dual action bars, while the МР-153 is a gas-operated, semi-automatic. Both are imported by European American Armory in Sharpes, Fla. (www.eaacorp.com), which supplied the NRA Technical Staff with 28” barreled examples of each. The review that follows is of the semi-automatic MP-153 though the two guns share many design features and even some major parts assemblies.
Barrels are hot hammer-forged, chromium-lined, carbon steel with screw-in, interchangeable choke tubes compatible with steel shot. Our sample was topped with a blued steel, ventilated rib with a heavily stippled upper surface to reduce glare and a white metal bead front sight. The rib is solid for the first quarter of its length behind the muzzle and becomes ventilated the last three quarters of its length. Each gun is supplied with improved cylinder, modified and full choke tubes.
The МР-153 has a non-stressed receiver of forged aluminum alloy and dual steel action bars to prevent binding. The fire control mechanism is fastened to the bottom of the receiver by two pins and may easily be removed for cleaning. There is a single-stage, gold-plated trigger and a trigger blocking, cross-bolt safety located in the rear of the trigger guard bow. Locking is by a single, retractable lug on the top of the bolt that cams into a recess cut into the barrel extension. The bolt travels on a carrier operated by twin operated rods. Dual extractors pull the cartridge case from the chamber. Ejection is by means of a fixed, dual-pronged ejector pinned to the left interior side of the receiver. The bolt locks in the open position after the last shell has been fired. To release the bolt, press the slide release button on the right front side of the receiver. A carrier stop lever is on the right side of the receiver at the forward edge of the trigger housing. When the hammer is cocked, the bolt will not lock in the rear most position unless this button has first been pushed rearward.
The gas system operates by bleeding high-pressure gases through two holes in the bottom of the barrel. Gas pushes the piston and operating rods rearward to operate the action and compress the recoil spring, which is concentrically mounted on the magazine tube. Excess gas not needed to cycle the action is bled off by the self-regulating adjustment system. The surfaces of the magazine tube, piston and interior gas cylinder housing on the MP-153 are chrome-plated. The knurled outer surface of the extended choke tubes made it easy to change chokes without having to use the key. The fire control system is simple, robust and easy to remove. Despite the weight, the balance of this shotgun was excellent, which contributed significantly toward its favorable handling characteristics. For example, the balance point located under the front edge of the receiver places just enough weight forward to assist a smooth swing without causing the gun to feel cumbersome. A comfortable, slim pistol grip with a light palm swell proved another popular feature.
What we have here is a reliable, well-made, magnum semi-automatic shotgun that is affordably priced and fully equipped out of the box with the features many shooters desire.
The MP-153 is a good choice for hunting turkey or waterfowl and for shooters sensitive to recoil. Its rugged construction and reliability will also be significant reasons many shooters should give it serious consideration.
Article from the « American Rifleman » № 2/2001, P.60-61. (abbreviated text )
[Edited by Nightcrawler on 05-24-2001 at 05:47 PM]