IZhK

The IZhK (ИЖК) is a Soviet single-shot, break-action shotgun.

History
IZhK was designed in 1955 and it was based on previous ZK single-shot model. It was made by Izhevsk Mechanical Plant.

Since 1961, a new varnish with improved characteristics has been used to protect the wooden parts of the gun. As a result, since January 1961, the price of one standard IZhK was 19 roubles.

In 1962-1963 new IZh-17 and IZh-18 models were designed as a successors to the IZhK, since 1964 began their serial production. However, the last IZhK shotgun was made in 1965.

Design
The IZhK is simple smoothbore break-action shotgun.

It has steel barrel (made from 50A steel), wooden shoulder stock and fore-end.

Variants

 * IZhK-1 (ИЖК-1) - IZhK with chrome barrel, since 1955
 * IZhK-2 (ИЖК-2) - IZhK with two interchangeable detachable chokes
 * IZhK-3 (ИЖК-3)
 * IZhK-4 (ИЖК-4) - 16 gauge IZhK with second detachable 5.6mm rifled barrel. This gun could be turned into a single-shot .22 LR rifle
 * IZhK-5 (ИЖК-5) - lightweight version of IZhK shotgun with short 650mm barrel for women and teenagers
 * IZhKSh (ИЖКШ) - custom version of IZhK shotgun (it was made in small numbers)

Users

 * USSR
 * 🇧🇾 Belarus - IZhK is allowed as civilian hunting weapon
 * 🇲🇩 Moldova - old hunters continued to hunt with IZhK shotguns even in 2001