Replica CO2 Airgun Collection

Baikal (IZH) MP-656K

Tokarev Model 1933 (7.62 x 25 mm)
(aka TT-33 for Tula Tokarev Model 1933)

Info:
Manufacturer/Model: Baikal (IZH) MP-656K
Replica Of: Tokarev TT-33 (7.62 x 25 mm)
Made In: Russia
Caliber/Ammunition/Feed: 177, steel or lead BBs (13-shot magazine)
Air Source: CO2, 12 g Powerlet
Accessories: take-down tool, valve seals
Recommended Pellet or BB: Daisy Avanti steel BBs and H&N Rundkugeln copper-coated lead BBs
Weight (lb)/Length (in): 1.8, 7.6
Body Material/Finish/Grips: metal, blued steel, plastic
Barrel Length (in)/Material/Rifled: 4.6, steel, yes
Trigger Action: SA
Trigger Pull (lbs)/Adjustable: 8.2 (SA), no
Sights (front/rear): fixed, adjustable for windage
Velocity (fps): 295
Sound Level (dB): 100
Thickness of Pellet Holder (in): N/A
Manufactured Dates: 2009 - present
Condition/Manual/Box: 98%, yes, yes
Serial Number: 0965614733

Comments: If you are at all interested in replicas of older military pistols, you will have to own this airgun. Not only is it a replica of the famous Russian Tokarev TT-33 pistol from WWII, it is assembled from many of the same machined steel parts as the original firearm. This pistol is manufactured in Russia by the Baikal company (also known as IZH or IMZ, short for Izhevsky Mekhanichesky Zavod). Baikal engineers modified the original firearm design to accommodate 0.177 cal BBs and a CO2 propellant system. In this regard, the TT-33 shares similar features with the Bakial MP-654K (Markarov PMM) air pistol. The MP-656K is made entirely of steel except for the plastic grip panels. Baikal retained many of the original TT-33 markings, as well as the pedestrian finish, to give this airgun the feel of an authentic, mass-produced, inexpensive, WWII Russian military sidearm.

The MP-656K is designed to shoot only BBs. The gun was tested using steel BBs as well as lead BBs since the steel barrel is rifled. The best accuracy was obtained with lead BBs. Unfortunately, the loading mechanism scrapes and dents lead BBs, which results in frequent jamming and large variations in muzzle velocities. Therefore, except for occasional use under controlled conditions (see section below on loading BBs), lead BBs are not recommended. The use of steel BBs resulted in much more consistent performance with no jamming. However, the accuracy with steel BBs was not as good as that obtained with lead BBs. The MP-656K is a single-action pistol that must have the hammer manually cocked for each shot. This can be accomplished by pulling back on the hammer with your thumb or by racking the slide. The two-stage single-action trigger has a short, medium weight first stage and a fairly crisp second stage with only a small amount of creep. The 8.2 pound trigger pull is about equally divided between the two stages. The MP-656K is designed to be more of a "looker" than a "shooter". It is an excellent replica of a historically important military sidearm. It is one of only a few airguns ever produced in which a firearm has been modified to become an airgun. With this in mind, it is easier to forgive the low power (note: see update to performance measurements below) and accuracy this gun produces. On the plus side, the MP-656K gets over 80 shots per CO2 cylinder. Also, the good accuracy figures obtained with lead BBs shows that this gun wants to shoot. If the engineers at Baikal could modify this gun to work reliably with lead BBs, such as those from Gamo and Beeman (H&N) or the copper coated lead BBs from H&N, then this gun would be even more desirable. As it is, the MP-656K is a "must-have" for collectors and those who own the TT-33 firearm and a good, albeit expensive, plinker for anyone who enjoys really interesting airguns.

Pyramyd Air Report on Baikal MP-656K (Part 1)
Pyramyd Air Report on Baikal MP-656K (Part 2)
Pyramyd Air Report on Baikal MP-656K (Part 3)
Pyramyd Air Report on Baikal MP-656K (Part 4)
Baikal MP-656K Web Page

Performance: Measurements were made on 4/15/10 at a temperature of 69 ºF and 14' elevation. A ten shot string was fired from a bench rest at 15' using Daisy Avanti BBs (5.5 gr) and a fresh CO2 cartridge. The highest velocity measured was 324 fps, the lowest was 241 fps (average of the 10-shot string was 282 fps, s = 26). Velocity tests were repeated using Beeman Perfect Rounds lead BBs (8.3 gr) and the same CO2 cylinder as used in the steel BB tests. The highest velocity measured was 307 fps, the lowest was 176 fps (average of the 10-shot string was 241 fps, s = 48). A wide variety of BBs were tested for accuracy with this gun. The results are outlined below. Click here for a description of the measurement methods.

Update: After shooting several hundred BBs through the MP-656K, I noticed that it seemed to be hitting harder than when the gun was brand new. Therefore, I measured the muzzle velocity again using both Daisy Avanti BBs and H&N Rundkugeln copper-coated lead BBs. These tests were performed on 6/9/10 at a temperature of 79 ºF and in each test a string of 10 shots was fired. With the Daisy Avanti BBs (5.5 gr), the highest measured velocity was 406 fps, the lowest was 345 fps, and the average was 378 fps (s = 21 fps). Using H&N Rundkugeln BBs (8.4 gr), the highest velocity was 322 fps, the lowest was 289 fps, and the average was 306 fps (s = 14 fps). These figures represent a significant increase in muzzle velocity over the original tests (96 fps and 65 fps respectively) and show that the Baikal MP-656K benefits from a break-in period.

	Daisy Avanti BBs (5.5 gr). A six shot string shot with open sights fired from a rest at 15' grouped at 0.69". This was the best group obtained using steel BBs. Most groups measured an inch or larger. This specimen of the MP-656K shot about 0.75" below and 0.50" to the left of the point of aim at 15' with Daisy Avanti BBs. Click the thumbnail to see a larger image.
	In the first round of testing performed on 4/15/10, the following BBs were used with the MP-656K: RWS Match (5.4 gr), Daisy Avanti (5.5 gr), Crossman Copperhead (5.1 gr), Beeman (H&N) Perfect Rounds lead BBs (8.3 gr), and Gamo Round lead BBs (8.0 gr). The best groups were produced by the Beeman Perfect Rounds (0.59" c-t-c) but neither they nor the Gamo lead balls would feed reliably. The best performance from a steel BB was turned in by the Daisy Avanti BBs.
	On 5/10/10, the MP-656K was tested with H&N Rundkugeln BBs, which are 8.4 gr copper-coated lead BBs. A six shot string fired from a rest at 15' grouped at 0.61". Groups were centered about 0.75" below the point of aim. Groups this size were consistently obtained using the H&N BBs. Instructions for reliably shooting H&N BBs in the MP-656K are described in the "Loading BBs" section below.

Right Profile: The retaining clip on the right side of the gun secures the slide stop lever. To remove the slide from the gun, push the retaining clip to the rear (do not remove it) and then push on the right side of the slide stop until it pops out on the left side of the gun. Push the slide forward and off the gun. Click on the image below to see the gun taken apart for cleaning.

Right Profile2: View into the open chamber with the magazine removed. The front sight is not adjustable. The rear sight is in a dovetail and can be drifted horizontally to adjust for windage.

Left Profile 2: This view shows the slide locked back. The MP-656K does not have blow-back. The slide can be moved by hand. Racking the slide cocks the hammer.

Left Profile 3: To fire the MP-656K, the hammer must be pulled all the way back using your thumb or by racking the slide. This must be done for every shot taken. The hammer has three positions: 1) fully forward (hammer down), 2) half-cocked (safety position), and 3) full-cocked ready to fire.

The half-cocked position serves as a safety. When the hammer is half-cocked, the trigger cannot be pulled. The hammer must be in the half-cocked position in order to remove or insert the magazine. Once the hammer is fully cocked, there is no safety mechanism to prevent it from firing. The hammer can be decocked by carefully lowering it to the half-cocked position.

Front View: The actual barrel (.177 rifled steel) is set back 7/16" inside the barrel cover. The barrel, barrel cover, slide, and frame are all machined from steel blanks so there are no seams to be found anywhere on the gun.

Right Side Markings: The stenciled markings on the pistol's frame are hard to read unless the light hits them just right. The serial number is especially hard to read. The insert below provides a better picture of the area of the gun containing the serial number.

Top Markings:

Left Side Markings:

Loading CO2: The magazine contains the valve, CO2 cartridge, and the BB loading chamber. The screw for tightening the CO2 cylinder is in the base of the magazine and has a lanyard loop attached. The magazine release is located just behind the trigger on the left side of the gun. In order to remove or insert the magazine, the hammer must be in the half-cocked or fully-cocked position. For safe operation, do not insert or remove the magazine with the hammer fully cocked.

The magazine is easier to insert if the mag release button is held down while pushing the magazine into the gun.

Loading Steel BBs: Up to 13 BBs can be loaded in the magazine. A spring-loaded follower keeps pressure on the BBs. The follower has a locking position that makes loading easier. When the follower is retracted, BBs are loaded through the hole in the top of the magazine.

Loading Lead BBs: The most consistently accurate BBs to use in the MP-656K are the copper-coated lead BBs from H&N (Rundkugeln, 8.4 gr). Copper-coated lead BBs are not as easily deformed as lead BBs by the loading mechanism. When using copper-coated lead BBs, first place a steel BB in the magazine and then load no more than six copper-coated lead BBs. Keep track of the number of shots fired so that you do not shoot the steel BB. The steel BB minimizes the damage to the last lead BB caused by the spring-loaded follower. However, even with this precaution, some deformation of the lead BBs still occurs. Loading more than six lead BBs will result in the last BBs being deformed enough to cause jams.

Packaging: The MP-656K comes in a foam lined plastic case. The gun is wrapped in oiled paper and supplied with replacement seals and a take-down tool.

Schematic diagrams for the MP-656K.