There is an age-old dispute about gas and inertial automatic weapon systems. Each of them has pluses, minuses, its admirers, detractors. The first Russian inertial hunting rifle - MP-156. Characteristics, owner reviews will be discussed in this article.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the pros and cons of new products from the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, touching on the general topic of fundamental differences, refuting some established myths. A clear understanding of this essential point will allow you to better understand the design features of the MP-156, reviews of professionals and ordinary owners.
Vapor mechanism
The channel of the gun barrel is equipped with a hole through which part of the powder gases is removed, safely entering the working chamber. It contains a piston. The impact of gas pressure solves two problems at once: the piston moves back, opening the shutter. The cartridge case ejection mechanism is immediately activated, cocking the mainspring.
The pluses include three main points that significantly affect the choice:
- reliable work with different ammunition;
- good interaction with any body kit;
- you can adjust the automation for the cartridge without bothering with the replacement of various parts of the mechanism.
There are also cons. The gun turns out to be heavier, bulkier (large forearm). But untimely cleaning can deliver the most problems, which even leads to a complete failure of work.
Inertial mechanism
In this system, the shutter itself goes back under the influence of powder gases. Its shank rests against the end of the spring. In this case, the spent cartridge case is discarded, cocking the percussion mechanism. The return spring pushes the bolt forward. With this movement, a new cartridge is captured from the magazine, sending it into the chamber. The bore is locked.
Reviews of the MP-156 - a domestic product of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant - there are various. This happens due to the advantages and disadvantages of the inertial mechanism. Advantages are weight, compactness. Fits well in the hand. Few parts, easy maintenance minimizes the chance of breakage or loss of small parts during cleaning. Instead of a piston, a weight is installed that compresses the spring when fired. The mechanism is designed for all types of hunting cartridges with a projectile weight of 32 grams. Reloading is fast.
But despite the positive qualities, there are also negative reviews from the owners of the MP-156. What they mostly complain about:
- equipping devices (mounted accessories) is extremely limited;
- Possibility of failure at low temperatures, especially if inappropriate, thickened grease is used.
Butt
Self-loadingThe MP-156 inertial hunting rifle was designed on the basis of the gas-operated predecessor MP-155. The back of the walnut stock is made of hard rubber. There is a classic swivel. The buttstock can be replaced with a plastic one from 155, but this procedure cannot be repeated with a forearm. Therefore, it remains to wait for the release of the original plastic kit from the manufacturer.
New is well-forgotten old
What else should I say about MP-156? The first reviews and sensations at a cursory glance are a high degree of identity with the previous gas exhaust model. The trigger mechanism, triangular safety button, interceptor, slide delay reset button - everything remained in place. It's a good news. Therefore, the mechanics of movement remains the same. No need to retrain, adapt.
Special praise in the reviews of the MP-156 was given to the bar on the barrel and fore-end. The bar is evenly soldered and well soldered. This important detail was treated conscientiously. The forearm has become more elegant due to the lack of loads, as in the MP-155 gas outlet model. The forearm nut is threaded, comfortable. Interchangeable choke tubes are cut evenly.
How a gun is completely disassembled
Disassembly is classic. The first necessary operation is unscrewing the forearm nut. Then the forearm itself is removed. By pressing the bolt foot, the moving parts are retracted 5-7 cm down, which allows you to remove the barrel. To remove the bolt tab, you must hold the load. The final stage is the extraction of the load along with the rods, the shutter, the return spring. All. Complete disassembly completed.
Such ease of use captivates, leaves a positive impression and is noted in the favorable reviews of the MP-156. Next, you need to do a little comparative analysis and see how the 156 model differs from the 155.
Design features and differences
As mentioned above, instead of a piston in this model, a load is used that compresses the spring when fired. It consists of two parts, the back of which is movable. The spring used to cock the bolt is made of thinner wire, an interesting feature to consider.
There is a common belief that "inertia" uses the principle of a free shutter. Actually this is not true. If there were no inertial body and spring, then recharging simply would not have happened.
Myths related to various weapon automation systems
The shot at the "gas outlet" is softer, more comfortable. Many amateurs attribute this to the loss of energy due to the removal of part of the powder gases. But the loss is so insignificant (1-3%) that it cannot have a strong impact. The answer lies in the greater mass of guns of this type.
The second most popular opinion is that the "gas outlet" is more reliable. Just look at the fact that the armed forces of all countries prefer this particular system. It is unpretentious to the quality of the cartridge, has a small return, and a number of other advantages. The only reason for preferring to use is the universal abilityinteraction with devices. "Inertia" in this regard is more capricious. Hanging a night sight or a grenade lantern will not work. The answer lies again in the mass of the weapon itself. Because any change in weight is perceived by the inertial automatic weapon system very painfully. Reviews about the MP-156 shotgun are full of comments on various forums about this.
What is important to remember when operating
Craftsmen who want to set up, adjust the gun for themselves, are not recommended to do this. This is especially true of the load, which acts as an inert body. This part is adjusted at the factory and adjusted to a specific position. Then planted on the sealant. She can't unwind on her own. External intervention is fraught with a change in the free play, on which the principle of reloading is based.
Sometimes you can find very interesting reviews of the owners of the MP-156 gun. The following situation is described: when firing, ammunition with the recommended weight is used, but for some reason there is a delay. Everything is very simple here. It is necessary to pay attention to the grip when working with this weapon. It must be easy to throw up and easy to hold, without a hard stop on the shoulder. Concentrating on the goal, do not interfere with his work. Then the brainchild of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant will do everything by itself, without upsetting the result.
Falling down on a gun with a strong grip will certainly cause a delay in firing. In addition, it is necessary to note the fact (and this is confirmed by reviews of the MP-156): the return fromsofter than 155.
Interaction with various ammunition
After the inspector at the factory has examined the product, not finding any flaws, it is sent to the shooting range to the arrows. This is the moment of truth - the final acceptance. You must pass a series of tests for final approval and entry into the retail chain.
The first test is a series of five shots fired in a row. Ammunition "Magnum" 12 × 76 is used. The condition for passing the test is that there are no delays. If at least one fact of the presence of such was revealed in the process, then the product is rejected, going back to the assembly shop for troubleshooting. On forums and various Youtube channels, reviews of the MP-156 (to 12 × 76) positively confirm the good work with this type of ammunition.
The next stage of the factory test for "professional suitability" is the use of a 12 × 70 cartridge with a 32 g shot load. The same series of 5 shots. In a word, a high culture of production is present at all levels. But hunters are most interested in questions: how will the new acquisition behave in the field and what will happen if you change the amount of ammunition, reducing or increasing it?
Russian weapons have always been famous for their reliability. The main thing here is a respectful attitude towards him. Cases were recorded on the hunt, when the famous "Italians" had a refusal to work due to a banal hit with a needle. This is not the case here. The gun is designed taking into account the specifics of the terrain, mentality and a number of otherfactors. Therefore, for comfortable work, it is important to study the weapon well by practicing in the shooting range.
There will be no significant problems with changing the weight, even if it is less than stated. For example: 24 or 28 g. It is important that the "break-in" occurs with the recommended cartridges.
Conclusion
About the MP-156 inertia, reviews can be found mostly positive. They praise the unpretentiousness, quality factor and "omnivorousness" of the novelty of Russian engineering. There are questions about the feasibility of its creation. The answer lies on the surface. The creation of the first Russian inertial hunting rifle was caused by the need to provide the domestic market with its own, in no way inferior analogue. The moment for this was also chosen very appropriate. The predecessor MP-155 has already "had recovered from childhood diseases", being a high quality product that has managed to fall in love with many. It is no coincidence that the degree of unification of the novelty of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant is 90%.
Fierce disputes and disputes about the advantages and disadvantages of various weapon automation systems continue. Most importantly, gun lovers should always be able to make their own choices.
