"New" Izzy from Air Venturi

[Gwelo]

Looks like AV has struck a deal to bring in the IZH-46M in as their "AV-46M".

https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2020/12 ... ol-part-1/

[Xman]

Very interesting that there is now a US importer distributor seller of the IZH46M or as they call it the AV 46M. The grips do look a little more scalloped to fit hands in a better general way than the original IZH models. The proof will be in the accuracy and how well the trigger is configured. If the trigger is the same as on the Original models then AV has a winner. Some people poo poo the trigger on the 46 as being less than acceptable. Personally I found the trigger on my former IZH46 as being stellar. It is more than an entry-level air pistol dispute it’s being a SSP In the age of PCP models.

[sparky]

I wonder if they'll have a lefty version, and different colored laminated grips available.

[kevinweiho]

Not, “new”, just revamped. Still have my old Izzy 46M that I occasionally use, a wee bit less accurate than the FWB 103…

[Rover]

I've seen a used one sitting on a table at the local gun show for several months now. Claims recent rebuild ...$350. Looked good.

Passed it on to local club members....no interest.

[Gwelo]

sparky,
According to Pyramyd Air a left hand grip will be available next year (who knows when?). Lefty grips for the IZH-46M come up on eBay quite often, sometimes for good prices:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LEFT-hand-wood ... Sw7YtfxVML

Rover,
The gun show guy should put it on eBay. The 46m's consistently sell for $500 and up. These are SOLD auctions:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baikal-IZH-46M ... SwH9tf0q2Z

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baikal-IZH-46M ... SwxmJfySo9

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BAIKAL-IZH-46M ... SwOQ9fuVjG

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BAIKAL-IZH-46M ... SwEvJfvA3z

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baikal-IZH-46M ... SwdhNftDC2

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baikal-IZH-46M ... SwdhNftDC2

[robjob]

I wonder if they'll have a lefty version, and different colored laminated grips available.

I have a home made left hand walnut grip that is yours for shipping if you want it... if your interested, ill send pictures.

[stephen_maly]

Left handed grips are available from Thomas Rink (in Germany), as are right handed grips for the IZH-46 series air pistols. The same grips also fit the Russian PCP air pistol; the MP-672.

[sparky]

I wonder if they'll have a lefty version, and different colored laminated grips available.

I have a home made left hand walnut grip that is yours for shipping if you want it... if your interested, ill send pictures.

Thanks for the offer; that's very generous of you. I'll send you a PM.

[pbmoser1954]

I am also waiting for the left hand model

[william]

I am also waiting for the left hand model

The pistol is perfectly ambidextrous. If the left-hand bit is only the grip, why don't you just get a LH grip - a made to measure one at that?
https://www.precisiontargetpistolgrips. ... ifles.html

[seamaster]

What other things are different between the Air Venturi package than old 46m:
-no pin puncher, no screw key
-lever angle different
-Ply wood Finnish grip, allow you to pull off grip without splitting grip in halves while removing grip (I guess 46m grip could do that, too)


How about the trigger shoe, is it still angled to one side?

Otherwise same gun? Still produced in Baikal factory? Same velocity, same front heavy feel?

[Hamster]

I've been looking at these too, since original IZHs have become unobtainable in Canada. But the only comment I've been able to find online from someone who's actually acquired the AV product is discouraging:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/in ... g156065842

[-TT-]

I'm entirely happy with mine, s.n. 97. I took advantage of the pre-christmas promotion and received it in two days. A little balky at first, out of the cold box, since then it has been perfectly reliable and accurate in two sessions so far. I'm not familiar with the original Izzy so not really qualified to make observations on any difference. Comparing to photos, it's quite similar except shape of the barrel crown and spacing of the left-side grip screws.

I did receive an email informing me the gun needs to be re-adjusted to "Air Venturi specification", as it was detuned for import. I have not checked with a chrono, but I'm not itching to send it back just yet. I'll call them first. It's firing RWS 7gr pellets quite beautifully, though I've only put several dozen through it.

The grip is nice. I'll need to shave off some ridges under the finger grooves, and also the roof where it hits the top of my thumb. Maybe a little putty too. Trigger is fantastic. Light, and very predictable. Sights have a bit more gap than I prefer so I'll be playing with the ones in the box. A little disappointed it did not come with extra breech seals, one has already blown partway out when the gun discharged early and the gate open (no malfunction, it was cold and stiff and only the second time cocked!), the one seal was easily reinserted though. Seems a pair of well-chosen o-rings would be superior though, perhaps a better long-term approach.

This isn't intended to be any kind of review, just a note that it's definitely a good option to consider. I'll follow up if folks are interested.

[Hamster]

TT - yes, please let us know your findings as you use the pistol more.

[-TT-]

The pistol, even in its current slightly detuned state, is performing fabulously. I'm almost tempted to leave it alone for the time being. It is quite pleasing to cock it so effortlessly.

Anyway, some closeups for your enjoyment. There's a 5-photo forum limit, so it will take another post for all 7.

Overall view

Overall view, with grip removed

Breech closeup, deep rifling!

Crown closeup, shallow angle, cut deeply!

Showing trigger offset (to the right)

[-TT-]

Two more shots, showing the grip mounting detail.

Do you think that standard IZH-46M grips will fit? While the laminated grip is one piece, and attaches with two screws only on the left, it seems to me that a two-piece grip will attach just as easily, albeit with shorter screws. The frame holes are tapped all the way through. But in IZH-46M photos I've found online, the screw spacing on the left seems much wider.

Left side attachment detail

Right side attachment detail

Grip screw spacing detail

[seamaster]

Where is it made? Same Baikal factory, same workers, same parts?

What happened to the old Izhmash company? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalashnikov_Concern

[-TT-]

It appears it is made in the same Baikal facility, but I have no hard evidence. The cylinder is imprinted with "Made in Russia by Alpha Precision", in English, with the letter F in a pentagon and pictogram of a round-headed skirted pellet. On the other side, similar lettering says to read the manual, available "free" from Air Venturi Cleveland OH USA 44139. Except for the grip, every detail of the pistol appears to match recent-production IZH-46M units.

[kevinweiho]

AV-46M-Crown.jpg

Here's a pic of the recessed crown of my old Izzy 46M. The lands and grooves of the "new" AV46 seem like they do not reach the end of the muzzle?