IZH-46M
The IZH-46M is a single-stroke pneumatic pistol that has gained an enviable reputation since it was conceived. It isn't uncommon to see this little marvel up against some of the big names in pistol competitions, and it has won pistol competitions around the world. The simplicity of the gun's pumping, loading and firing sequence is easy to understand and works marvelously.
The .177 caliber pellet gun is sleek, with a trigger that is nicely adjustable. As it comes from the factory, it is already very light. To someone like me, who mostly hunts with airguns, it is plenty light already. But for target shooters, the ability to adjust it to your personal preference is a welcome feature.
Russia makes some fine pellet guns, and the IZH-46M is an example of their manufacturing expertise. The grips on the gun are well-thought out, giving support to the thumb and palm of the firing hand. The barrel is rifled, giving remarkable accuracy.
To load the 46M, grasp the cocking handle and open it forward, towards the muzzle of the gun, until the loading port pops open. The gun will not allow air to enter through the bypass until the loading port is opened. Return the cocking handle to the closed position. Load the pellet, close the port, and you are ready to fire.
The accuracy of the IZH-46M is well-known. However, I am not a target shooter, and my feeble efforts at shooting this fine pistol accurately leave something to be desired! There is a reason I don't enter the online target tournaments! I'd be too embarassed!
For the best results while shooting at a paper target, be sure to use a quality wadcutter or target round. They have a flat nose that provides a clear-cut round hole, easy to score. And the target paper itself is important, as well. You want paper that is somewhat stiffer than plain paper. Quality targets have paper that is stiffer, resulting in clearer hole-punching by the wadcutter commonly used for competition.
The pellets of target-quality air guns don't move fast. They aren't meant to.....they are optimized for accuracy, and slower speeds aid in this effort. The IZH-46M will generate around 450 fps depending on the weight of the .177 pellet. If you need, this little gun will do double-duty for small avian pests around the house, but refrain from trying to take bigger game such as squirrels or rabbits. There are other choices available to you for such endeavors.
Airgun Depot has the IZH-46M listed at just over $300. When you stop and consider that the next best airgun that is capable of competing against it runs closer to $800, you begin to see the value offered by this pistol. So if you have a hankering for some target shooting and competition, you can get a serious contender for a bargain in the IZH-46M.
