The MTs-21-12 shotgun is the dream of every Soviet hunter, the legendary self-loading shotgun for hunting. Created back in 1958 at the Central Design Bureau of Sports and Hunting Weapons, designer V.A. Nikolaev.
It has been mass-produced since 1965 at the Tula Arms Plant and is produced to this day, although, according to many, it is an obsolete model.
MTs 21-12 is a single-barrel shotgun, which was produced in different calibers: 12, 16, and 20. The most common is the MTs 21-12 in 12 gauge.
The gun was developed according to Browning technology, the spring-loaded walking barrel moves due to recoil and a longitudinally sliding bolt, this is the automation and the basis of the uniqueness of this weapon for those years.
The reloading of the gun is carried out by moving the barrel back and forth.
Almost all elements of the mechanism, including the bore, are chrome-plated, which makes it easier to care for the weapon and ensures its durability. The barrel is removable, the length of which is about 750-760 mm.
The trigger mechanism of the trigger type is made on a separate basis. The sleeve is removed by moving the barrel forward and to the rearmost position.
The store of this gun is tubular, underbarrel. Holds 4 cartridges. He is also the guide of the entire trunk.
The magazine is filled one by one, through the window of the receiver. There is also a cartridge cutter, which is located on the left side of the receiver.
The fuse is flag, has the properties of moving from the right side to the left, and vice versa. The disadvantage of such a fuse is that it is non-automatic, it simply does not make it possible to pull the trigger.
Pistol form example. Removable forearm fastened with a spring-loaded nut.
Technical characteristics of the gun MTs-21-12
Weight: maximum allowable up to 3.7 kg
Length: 1185 mm.
Barrel length: 750-760 mm
Cartridge: 12 (16.20) / 70 mm
Caliber: 12(16.20)
Underbarrel magazine: 4 rounds
MC Care 21-12
Coming home from hunting, cleaning of the weapon is required, you must make sure that there is no carbon deposits in the bore. Cleaning is required to be done from the side of the chamber. For control, you can repeat the procedure on the second and third day after use.
When not in use, the gun should be cleaned every two to three months to avoid damage while hunting.
You need to lubricate the weapon with a thin layer of lubricant, for this it is enough to moisten a cloth with oil, squeeze it out, and wipe the parts
After working with a gun during humidity (snow, rain, fog, etc.), in addition to cleaning the barrel, mechanisms, parts, you must also clean and lubricate the return spring of the bolt, stem, rod.
When hunting in the forest, pay more attention to the fuse, it can turn off when walking, so you need to play it safe and carry the gun on the side of the gun where the fuse is not located, that is, usually hang it on your left shoulder. Also, wearing it on the left, you will take care of the integrity of the structure, most likely, if you wear it on the right, garbage and environmental objects (snow, foliage, needles) can get into the mechanisms.
Carry out cleaning and maintenance strictly according to the instructions given in the technical data sheet of the gun.
Advantages and disadvantages of the gun MTs-21-12
Advantages of MTs-21-12:
- The gun has a good resource, with proper care and respect, it will serve the hunter for many years.
- The gun is fairly easy to care for. The gun is easy to disassemble, easy to clean and easy to assemble.
- Compared to other semi-automatic shotguns, the MTs-21-12 reloads well, even when using fairly powerful cartridges.
- Due to the reloading by the movement of the barrel, as well as the large mass, the MTs-21-12 gun has a very comfortable return.
- The MTs-21-12 shotgun, like many other domestic shotguns, can always be modified, the weapon can be changed for yourself.
- Low price gun.
Disadvantages of MTs-21-12:
- In the butt, in a humid environment, condensate collects.
- The gun has a mass of about 3.7 kg, which, according to many, is too much, especially to use the gun for sea hunting.
- Iron sleeves must not be used. Prohibited by the manufacturer.
- The MTs-21-12 gun requires careful maintenance, otherwise failures in the operation of automation and the trigger mechanism may occur.
- The gun is not intended for firing light ammunition, when firing cartridges with weights of 28 grams or less, there may be problems with reloading.
- The gun is quite heavy, the balance of the gun leaves much to be desired, it is difficult to shoot short, point-blank.
Conclusion
The MTs-21-12 shotgun has been produced for almost 60 years and is a truly unique design. In addition to him, there is no hunting smooth-bore weapon with a barrel recoil system in the world. The reliability of the weapon is confirmed by the production volumes. To date, the Tula plant has produced more than 300 thousand copies of this gun.
The MC-21-12 shotgun with a single-barrel design, which will be discussed here, was originally developed for commercial and amateur hunting of various animals in a wide range of climatic zones. The use of weapons is not recommended in a humid tropical climate.
History of creation
The official date for the creation of weapons is 1958, when a group of designers from the Tula TsKIB, headed by V.A. Nikolaev developed several new models of hunting rifles. During the development, some constructive and design solutions were used, applied in the Browning Auto 5 and Breda Antares guns.
The full name of the hunting rifle MTs-21-12 is deciphered as follows:
- MTs - a model created at the TsKIB bureau (the central bureau that existed in the USSR for the creation of sports and hunting weapons);
- 21 - model number;
- 12 - barrel caliber.
Device
The design of the gun is based on the recoil pattern with a long barrel stroke. The reverse movement of the parts is provided by a spring. The barrel is fixed on the underbarrel box with the help of a special coupling and guide flanging.
To improve the accuracy of firing and increase wear resistance, the inner surface of the bore is chrome-plated and has a narrowing towards the muzzle (choke).
The difference between the diameters in the breech and muzzle is 1 mm, which is a very large indicator.
Optionally, a nozzle can be installed on the barrel with a smaller narrowing of 0, 5 and 0.75 mm. On the top of the barrel there is a bar that increases the rigidity of the structure and provides heat dissipation.
On the back of the barrel there is a bolt with a sliding design. Fixation is carried out with the help of a stop made on the shutter. When the shutter is closed, the stop moves vertically upward and enters a special pilot hole made on the breech breech.
The general scheme of operation of automation is borrowed from. For the operation of automation, no more than 15% of the shot power is used.
Walnut or beech can be used to make a gun stock. The return spring is located in a blind channel drilled in the stock tree.
Moisture condenses inside the channel, which leads to corrosion of the spring and its jamming. Experienced hunters dismantle and dry the butt of the MTs-21-12 gun immediately after returning from hunting in rain or humid air.
The firing mechanism is installed separately along with the feed tray and is designed for single shots only.
The stock of cartridges is located in the store, which has the shape of a long tube, and is located in the underbarrel box of the MTs-21-12 gun. The magazine is equipped with a rotary cutter that closes the cartridge supply channel.
The design of the gun has a safety element with a flag switch. When enabled, the flag is located vertically and closes the recess filled with red paint.
In addition to MTs-21-12, the use of a safety catch on hunting weapons does not occur. The weapon has an additional safety device that will not allow a shot to be fired with the shutter open.
Before the first shot, it is necessary to move the bolt back until it rests against the limiter. At the same time, he will automatically cock the trigger. The shutter itself will be fixed in this position by a lever present in the design of the feeder.
The shooter must then place the round in the guide cavity of the chamber, and push down the latch catch. The shutter will rise under the influence of a compressed spring in the forward position and engage with the barrel.
After that, you should again drown the lock button, which will allow you to move the feeder tray until it stops. Then the safety box is turned to a horizontal position and the MTs-21-12 gun is ready to fire.
Immediately after the shot, the barrel, together with the bolt, begins to roll back from the forward point. The impulse for movement arises as a result of the pressure of the powder gases on the bottom of the sleeve, which transmits the force to the bolt.
When the barrel rolls back, the combat and return springs are compressed.
The mainspring cocks the trigger for the next shot. During the movement, the barrel releases a special stop located on the left. This stop holds a new cartridge located in the gun magazine.
The stop will then be released on the right side, while the barrel and bolt continue to make a rollback movement. After passing the back point, the return spring begins to move the barrel back.
At the same time, the feeder lever engages, which disengages the barrel and bolt of the MTs-21-12 gun. The barrel, when moving, removes the empty sleeve outward and turns on the feed mechanism, which directs the new cartridge to the feeder's loading tray.
Loading cartridges from the magazine is carried out due to the force of a compressed spring. The return spring moves the bolt forward and raises the tray with the cartridge to the level of the bore. With further movement, the bolt pushes the cartridge into the breech and presses the feeder tray down.
At the end of the stroke, the bolt engages with the barrel and the weapon is ready for the next shot. After shooting the last cartridge, the bolt does not return from the rear recoil point.
The guaranteed resource of the MTs-21-12 guns is at least 6500 shots, which is three times higher than the Saiga's guaranteed shot. At the same time, the quality of guns produced in Russia is considered lower than that of weapons from the times of the USSR.
In different years of production, there were several modifications of weapons:
- an early model under the general designation MTs-21. This option was assembled directly by TsKIB in small batches and in piece copies from the end of the 50s to 1964. There are brochures that mention options chambered not only for the 12th caliber, but also for the smaller 16th and 20th. The barrels of the guns had a length reduced to 675 mm and were equipped with chambers for a 65 mm sleeve;
- the serial version of the MTs-21-12, which went into production in 1965 at the production facilities of the Tula Arms Plant, and was chambered for a 12 * 70 cartridge with a non-metallic type of sleeve;
- optional variant 21-12P, which had a shock-absorbing rubber element on the back of the butt. The type of butt depends on how much the weapon weighs;
- version 21-12M, which had a set of nozzles on the barrel. A version with a shock absorber was produced under the designation MTs-21-12MR. Depending on the type of delivery, the kit may include a nozzle on the barrel with a cylindrical channel and with different narrowing parameters.
In addition to the main versions listed above, there are piece and souvenir guns that carry the designation Ш and С, respectively. On request, weapons can be supplied in a plastic or wooden case made of precious wood and decorated with carvings.
The main technical characteristics of the gun are described in the table below.
For external design, apply:
- ornamental pattern on flat surfaces, which is typical for the standard version;
- engraving and ornamentation by chasing - for piece guns;
- the increased area of engraving and chasing is an external sign of a souvenir gun.
Tactical and technical characteristics
Application
The manufacturer only allows the use of plastic sleeves. The use of a metal sleeve is strictly prohibited. Due to the high power of cartridges and the use of automation, the use of cardboard sleeves is not recommended, in which the metal breech with a primer is often torn off.
The rest of the case remains in the chamber and must be removed by hand. To do this, the shutter is retracted all the way back, the whole cartridge fed into the chamber is removed, and the remnants of the sleeve are removed.
The MTs-12 shotgun is recommended for firing shot and shotgun shells at distances of no more than 50 meters. At the same time, firing at short distances against marsh birds is not recommended, because due to the large accuracy of fire, the carcass is destroyed into separate fragments.
In addition, good accuracy of fire places increased demands on the training of the shooter.
When firing at distances of 10-15 meters, it is necessary to aim quickly and accurately, otherwise the entire charge will miss the target.
The optimal shooting distance for large birds (capercaillie, geese) is a distance of at least 30 meters. When using bullet cartridges, the combat distance increases to 70 meters. The available stock of cartridges in the store allows you to get wounded animals, which causes difficulties when using conventional double-barreled guns.
Before using bullet cartridges, it is recommended to check them. To check, a bullet is taken from several cartridges of the same batch and manually pushed through the barrel.
The reason for this check is the unstable quality of ammunition and the variation in bullet diameters. When using a caliber bullet in a choke-type barrel, the channel swells and the combat characteristics of the MTs-21-12 guns decrease.
To check the cartridges in the kit there is a control device made in the form of a sleeve. The cartridge sleeve must pass freely through the hole in the sleeve, and the metal end of the bottom part cannot protrude relative to the edge of the fixture. In case of discrepancy between the dimensions, the cartridges are crimped using the ring that is included in the delivery.
The center of gravity of the MTs-21-12 gun is exactly in the middle of the weapon, which requires getting used to by the shooter.
With each shot, the barrel is thrown up a few centimeters, so making quick series of accurate shots is problematic.
To ensure proper operation, the weapon should be cleaned after each shooting. In the case of storage, cleaning is carried out for preventive purposes once every three months. Alkaline solutions are used to clean the bore and chamber, which allow powder deposits to be dissolved.
Since lead shot and bullets are used in shooting, they contaminate the bore. Removal of lead particles is carried out using metal brushes lubricated with gun oil. For lubrication, it is recommended to use I-5A brand oil, which has a stability threshold of minus 25 degrees. When operating at low temperatures, gun oil is used for lubrication.
To check the serviceability of the MTs-21-12 gun, it is necessary to fire three shots at the target. If at least one shot is within the parameters, then the weapon is considered serviceable. Depending on the type of barrel, the accuracy of fire at a distance of 35 meters is:
Prospects for improvement
All MTs-21-12 shotguns produced after 1991 need to be improved, which provides for the removal of burrs from all elements of the mechanism. It is recommended to replace the plastic shutter elements installed from the factory (the shutter release button and the insert of the shutter part) with analogues made of metal. The resource of plastic parts is small, especially when operating at low temperatures.
Some owners install an additional optical sight on the MTs-21-12, which improves the performance of lead bullets. It is practiced to replace the original sights and butts with more ergonomic designs.
The MC-21-12 model gun was presented to foreign buyers at the international fair in Leipzig in 1965. The weapon received positive reviews and, following the results of the fair, was awarded a gold medal.
After the collapse of the USSR, the MTs-21-12 gun was included in the list of standard weapons for various private security companies (it was used until 2006).
At present, weapons are used as standard weapons for certain categories of employees of the Ministry of Forestry of the Russian Federation.
When fired with a bullet designed by Polev from a serviceable gun MTs-21-12, it is capable of splitting up to five bricks at a distance of 100 meters.
Today, despite the problems with the quality of the new MTs-21-12 guns and the emergence of a large number of Chinese-made competitors, the weapon remains in demand on the market. The reasons for the popularity are the unique scheme of work, maintainability and high accuracy of fire.
Video
In Soviet times, the main hunting weapon had manual loading. At the same time, there was no talk of any stores. Therefore, the beginning of the development of a self-loading carbine for the needs of hunters was unexpected.
Shotgun MTs 21-12
Work on the rifle started at the very end of the 1950s. The first products left the assembly line in 1965. Professional hunters liked the MTs 21-12. The weapon combined the proven scheme with Browning Auto 5 and the achievements of Soviet gunsmiths. The product was produced in small batches, and it was the dream of a simple Soviet hunter. Even now 21-12 in the price of collectors.
The history of the creation of the gun MTs 21-12
The idea of creating a semi-automatic carbine appeared in the Soviet Union at the border of the 50s and 60s. To be more precise, in 1955. The first to come up with this idea were the designers of TsKIB, located in Tula.
It was decided to take as a basis the automation scheme from the Browning Auto 5, which is widespread in the Western market, but to make a number of changes to the design to suit the realities of the USSR. It was this decision that led to the emergence of the unofficial name of the gun - "Russian Browning".
Development went on for 3 years. First, the MTs 21-12 hunting rifle was drawn on paper. Then they made a description of the parameters. Later they began to produce working prototypes. The design and layout has changed more than once. All work was completed in 1958. Finally, in 1965, the working drawings were sent to the Tula plant.
Some time later, mass production began. The release stopped just a few years ago. The reason is simple: newer and more advanced rifles have appeared. The total number of manufactured products exceeds 300,000 copies.
Rifle MTs-21: Predecessor of MTs 21-12 Appointment of a hunting rifle MTs 21-12
The MTs 21-12 hunting rifle is primarily intended for shooting medium and small game: birds, hares, roe deer, etc. This is facilitated by a high rate of fire and accuracy.
The accuracy of the MTs 21 at a distance of 100 meters allows you to hit small birds.
It is possible to fire bullets, which increases the range of affected game.
Initially, cartridges with folder and brass cartridge cases were used for weapons, which led to problems with reloading. Later, plastic ones began to appear and the problem stopped by itself.
Description of design and appearance
Most modern self-loading rifles are based on the principle of removing powder gases from the bore into the gas chamber. The MC shotgun uses a completely different method - recoil of the free barrel under the action of recoil and a return spring. The barrel moves along ring-shaped guides and moves away by about 10 centimeters. During the reverse movement, a new cartridge is captured, which is sent to the chambers and locked with a heavy shutter.
The sliding type bolt group is mounted on the back of the smooth barrel. Mounted on the stop, which is part of the shutter. When locking the ammunition, the emphasis goes into a special hole, which increases reliability. In order to improve the accuracy of fire and increase "survivability", the smooth barrel has a protective chrome coating.
A feature of the MTs 21-12 is the narrowing of the bore from the bolt to the muzzle by 1 mm.
There is the possibility of changing nozzles, allowing you to change the degree of narrowing:
- 0.5 mm;
- 0.75 mm.
A bar is fixed along the length of the barrel from the outside. Purpose: radiator for heat dissipation and increased structural rigidity. The main modification of the MTs 21-12 is designed to fire twelfth-gauge cartridges.
The stock is made of wood: beech or walnut. The stock has a semi-pistol neck for a comfortable grip. Due to the peculiarities of the work of automation, a channel has been made in the butt. It contains a return spring. A trigger mechanism is located nearby. Firing is possible only with single shots.
The ammunition supply system is a tube fixed under the rifle barrel. It is possible to directly send the cartridge into the chamber. For this, a cutter is provided.
The magazine holds 5 rounds.
To increase safety, the rifle has two fuses:
- Flag. Controlled by the hunter. When setting for blocking, it is in the upper position and closes the area painted with red paint from the eyes;
- Auto. Prevents open bolt firing.
An interesting fact: MTs21-12 is the only Soviet hunting rifle with a flag-type fuse.
Several design flaws emerged over the years. First of all - automation. Browning's scheme was based on the direct effect of powder gases on the key elements of the rifle, which led to rapid contamination. At the same time, the mechanism itself was distinguished by reliability and is designed for 6.5 thousand shots. The second drawback was the return spring, recessed into the butt. The part had the property of rusting from moisture that got into the groove.
Tactical and technical characteristics of MTs 21 12 (TTX)
Description of modifications MTs 21-12
 |
The very first version. Produced under cartridges of caliber 12, 16 and 20 | |
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Second iteration. Produced in 1965. Used ammo 12/70 R | |
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Added rubber shock absorber on the butt | |
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The main difference is the ability to change choke nozzles |
Custom-made options were also produced - such guns were marked "Sh". There were modifications intended as souvenirs. The letter "C" was attached to the name.
User manual
The MTs 21-12 shotgun has been produced for a long time and has proven itself widely among hunters. Therefore, there was a number of tips on the operation of the rifle, which formed the basis of the instructions MTs 21-12, which make it possible to increase the efficiency of use and service life.
First of all, it should be said that the rifle is used when hunting medium-small game. Lethal power is enough to defeat wolves, hares, etc. It is recommended to use plastic or paper sleeves for charging.
When hunting in swamps or during rain, it is recommended to thoroughly lubricate the weapon, and after returning from the event, completely disassemble and dry it. Particular attention should be paid to the cavity in the butt, where the return spring is located.
Otherwise, the operation of the MC 21-12 is not anything complicated.
Advantages and disadvantages
Positive traits:
- high reliability;
- ease of operation;
- accuracy when shooting at 100 m;
- the possibility of firing bullets;
- low cost;
- impeccable technical characteristics of MTs 21-12;
- suitable for a beginner.
Negative qualities:
- the need for meticulous care;
- frequent problems with automation;
- the possibility of skewing the cartridge;
- lack of new rifles on the market.
Fig.7. Shotgun MTs 21-12 in the context:
2-barrel, 3-box cover, 8-stop, 9-bolt frame, 10-bolt stem, 23-cartridge limiter, 42-magazine housing, 50-feeder, 54-trigger, (a-combat hook, b-uncoupler hook, 57-disconnector, 59-descent, 79-brake buffer, 80-barrel brake, 81 - cap assembly
The cartridge, located in the magazine and moving back along with the barrel and bolt, is delayed by the left stop.
The next moment, the barrel and bolt lugs will release the right cartridge stop. The barrel and bolt continue to move backwards. In the rearmost position, the bolt will be held by the feeder lever, and the barrel, under the action of its spring, moving forward, reflects the spent cartridge case through the side window of the cover: the protrusion of the barrel, pressing the left stop, sinks it into the groove of the box.
The released cartridge, under the action of the magazine spring, advances onto feeder 50 (Fig. 7), pressing the feeder latch with the rim of the sleeve, as a result of which the bolt is released, which begins to move forward. The feeder, rotating, raises the cartridge, and the bolt moving forward sends the raised cartridge into the chamber. The next cartridge is delayed in the magazine by the right cartridge stop.
When the shutter approaches the extreme forward position, it depresses the right stop of the cartridge, and the released cartridge moves back to the cartridge limiter 23 in the shutter under the action of the magazine spring.
During the shot, when the bolt moves to the rear position, the trigger 54 will turn on the axis to the lowest position. Combat "a" and uncoupling "b" hooks of the trigger will be at this moment under the corresponding hooks of the descent and disconnector.
At the next moment, when the shutter is moved to the forward position, the uncoupling hook of the trigger will rise or the corresponding uncoupler hook. In order to be able to fire the next shot, it is necessary to release the trigger 59. In this case, the trigger will turn on its axis under the action of the spring, and the trigger, under the action of the mainspring, will jump from the uncoupler hook to the trigger trigger hook.
The gun is ready for the next shot.
After shooting, be sure to unload the gun.
To do this, put the trigger on the safety (Fig. 2), drown the feeder and, simultaneously pressing the cartridge limiter and the cartridge, remove the cartridges from the magazine one by one.
To remove the cartridge in the chamber, pull the bolt back. Holding the shutter with your hand, send it to the forward position, then pull it back again. After making sure that the cartridge is peg in the chamber, return the bolt to the forward position.
If, during firing, it is necessary to replace the cartridge in the chamber, set the trigger to safety, turn off the magazine with the cartridge cutter, pull the bolt back by the handle, remove the cartridge and insert a new one into the chamber. Push the shutter forward.
Turn on the supply of cartridges from the magazine by turning the cutter.
Position the safety catch horizontally before firing.
6. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Before using a gun, the hunter is obliged to study the safety rules for handling weapons and ammunition.
REMEMBER! Never point a gun at a person or pets.
The gun should be stored unloaded, with the trigger pulled. Store ammunition in a place inaccessible to unauthorized persons.
When firing bullets, in order to avoid bulging and tearing of the barrel, the diameter measured along the body of the bullet without taking into account the centering ribs must be less than the diameter of the muzzle constriction. For round bullets, this rule is easy to check by free passage of the bullet through the choke.
to disassemble a loaded gun;
replace the muzzle nozzles of a loaded gun;
use loaded cartridges when checking the interactions of parts and mechanisms of a gun by moving the barrel or bolt manually;
use cartridges that have the highest average value of the maximum pressure of powder gases developed in the bore of more than 65MPa (65MPa);
Single-barreled self-loading rifle for amateur and commercial hunting designed by V.A.Nikolaev.
TOZ om has been produced since 1965. Modern model. Initially in 1956-1964. in a piece version, the MTs21 model was manufactured by TsKIB SOO. Before 1965 MTs21 was produced not only in 12-gauge, but also in 16-gauge and 20-gauge. In 1965, the gun was awarded the Gold Medal of the Leipzig Fair. Currently, only 12-gauge is produced in ordinary and piece versions.
The automation of the gun is based on the recoil from the recoil of a movable spring-loaded barrel and a longitudinally sliding bolt according to the Browning system. The reloading of the gun is carried out by using a long stroke of the barrel when moving it to the rear and front positions. Based on the foregoing, for quite a long time the gun was associated with the legendary Browning Auto-5, but at the same time, the unresolvable question constantly arose why the design of the domestic p / a was so different from the prototype.
The design of the gun MTs21-12
The design of the gun really surprises with its simplicity and functionality. Even today there are few models among semi-automatic devices that can be disassembled without a single tool. And, probably, Russian hunters would have thought for a long time that the MTs21 scheme was invented and created by Tula gunsmiths from beginning to end. Of course, both the materials and the gun itself are domestic, but the design of the gun is 90% created by the gunsmiths of the Italian company Breda.
The device of the gun MTs21-12
1 - trunk; 2 - box cover; 3 - emphasis; 4 - shutter frame; 5 - shutter stem; 6 - cartridge limiter; 7 - store case; 8 - feeder; 9 - trigger (a - combat hook; b - uncoupling hook); 10 - disconnector; 11 - descent; 12 - brake buffer; 13 - barrel brake; 14 - cap
When you look at the Breda Antares semi-automatic, there is no doubt that you have a prototype MTs21 in front of you, all the details are so similar. True, the assembly quality of the Breda semiautomatic device is not comparable with the quality of an ordinary MC. There are, of course, slight differences in design - the shape of the "Italian" lugs, clarifying the problems that Russian hunters often had to face when operating this gun.
The combat stop in the Tula semiautomatic device has the shape of a cylinder, in the "Bred" - a rectangle. It is clear that the cylindrical stop is easier to fit to the round hole in the shank of the barrel, but this form of the stop led to the possibility of increasing the backlash of the stop itself in the bolt body. This simplification of the design led to the most famous malfunction in the automatics of the gun, the delay of the barrel in the rear position. Such a delay with a rectangular shape of the combat stop is impossible, the backlash of the stop in the bolt core in this situation will not allow the bolt to lock the bore. As they say, a trifle, but nice.
Characteristics of the gun MTs21-12
- caliber-12;
- weight - no more than 3.7 kg;
- barrel length - 750 mm;
- chamber length - 70 mm;
- muzzle constriction - 1 mm;
- trigger pull - 1.75 ... 2.5 kgf;
- warranty operating time - 6500 shots.
Russian hunters have different opinions about the MTs21-12 gun, from complete disappointment to admiration and boundless love. From my own experience, I can say that the gun has excellent combat, but the unstable operation of automation exhausts and spoils many hunts. Currently, there are many more reliable rifles, both domestic and imported, which are much more reliable and unpretentious than the MTs 21, for those who still decide to buy this gun, I would advise you to buy guns made in the Soviet Union, naturally little fired and in good condition.