Russian build quality

[Geezer]

The guys in the US speak highly of the "Izzy" as a budget 10M pistol. Suggesting it is, as you expect, well made - if possibly a bit crude in some areas.

Like you, I like plinking with match guns - I haven't shot in any kind of match for about 9 years (and that was CF rifle).

I too have an FWB80.

I'd guess that if you get on well with the 80, or any other classic 10M pistol, you wouldn't notice much improvement with the IZH-46M.

And the thing is bloody ugly. I know that shouldn't matter, but it does.

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

Thanks Geezer.

Strangely enough I don't find any of the pcp's particularly attractive to look at, particularly the FWB series. Even though they are the gold standard.

I do have a bit of a soft spot for the Walther LPM1 though.

For some strange reason.

[Grunalf]

Hi

i've had a Izzy for just over a year, but I've put about 10k pellets through already.

It it comes with a spare set of breach and main seals and I've put 3 or 4 drops of pelgun oil on the main seal after each tin of pellets. Otherwise spares are hard to come by.

The grip will need working to get it to fit your hand - there's a great grip inside that block of wood!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I love my Izzy.

HTH

Paul

[PhatMan]

Hello to All,

+1 on Grunalf's comments

For me, the IZH-46M is an excellent pistol - the sight picture is among the best I have used, and the trigger is as crisp as can be.

The stock grip needs shaping - I did get a Rink grip, but have since switched back to my modded standard grips as I shot better (less badly !!) with them.

Personally, I do not find the Izzy to be particularly front heavy, which is a criticism often leveled at the Izzy.

The Izzy gives ca. 460 fps with JSB Match Green (7.32 gr.) - almost the same as my FWB65 (465 fps).

Accuracy is very good - bench rested at 10m, I get exactly the same ten (10) shot group size with the Izzy as I can get with my FWB65, Original Mod. 10 and my friends Morini 162ei, using RWS R10 Pistol (6.99 gr.) or JSB Match Green (7.32 gr.) - that is < 8 mm C-To-C (the group sizes are obviously limited by my sh!te eyes and crap aiming/holding )

Spares are very hard to come by - York Guns have a small selection of spares. The importers, Sportsman Gun Center, have none (!!).

I did try and buy the main seal conversion (which uses O-rings and a flat ended compression chamber instead of the existing grooved seal, and chamfered end compression chamber) from MAC-1 Guns in the USA - basically the man walked off with 75 USD of my money

Other USA vendors (who shall remain nameless, but they do have a few of them in Geza, Egypt) do not accept Cards from 'foreign Banks' - very bleeding helpful, and in addition they wanted 55 USD postage to send a seal set to the UK - the seal set was ca, 29 USD !!)

However, I think this can be overcome by some thinking and ingenuity, and I will be having a go at some stage to make a replacement chamber & seal

I have put just over ca. twenty-thousand (20000) pellets through my IZH-46M, and it is still on its first set of seals.

Like Grunalf, I give my Izzy three drops of 30 wt motorcycle fork oil onto the compression chamber seal, and one drop into the valve system (via transfer port) per 500 pellets.

From general comments on the Interweb, keeping the Izzy well lubricated is the secret of long life - the polar opposite of most target air-pistols

The Izzy is one of my favourite air-pistols

Have fun & a good Bank Holiday Monday

Best regards

Russ

[nige346]

I purchased a 46m off here, I was amazed at how accurate it is, I now use it as a "club" pistol for informal shoots, it's not pellet fussy, and gets as many 10's as I can with my Morini. The only thing I have done is some grip shaping and stippling to get it to my liking. I would highly recommend the pistol to anyone looking for a SSP without spending the collectors price premiums on the Walther and FWB options, I've had an FWB 100 and although superbly engineered I shoot the Izzy far better.

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

Thanks for the replies.

Pity about lack of spares.

O rings seem to be available, but what happens if there is a major part failure.

Who works on these guns?