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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: havant on April 16, 2011, 09:02:29 PM

Title: IZH-46 vs FAS 604
Post by: havant on April 16, 2011, 09:02:29 PM
I realize this may be an Apples and Oranges question but I am considering getting something for back yard target practice. I don't want to get involved with co2 or air tanks and such but want a easy to cock pistol. I would appreciate any comments about the relative merits of the two pistols. No interest in scopes or any type of optics.

Title: Re: IZH-46 vs FAS 604
Post by: WhitleyStu on April 16, 2011, 09:45:36 PM
Of the two you mentioned I can only speak for the IZH 46M and I love mine.  I do a lot of 10 meter shooting and I am very pleased with its accuracy.  The single stroke pump is easy to use and the fit/finish on my 46M is great.  I have experienced no problems.  The adjustable rear sight has nice a "click" to them and stay in place.  I did a minor mod to the wooden grip panels to fit my hand as these grips are somewhat oversized.  I have noticed the price of the 46M has jumped since the first of the year on several web sites.  Mine is not too picky about pellets.  H&N Finale match, RWS R10 Match and RWS Meisterkugeln all group well.  Good luck with your purchase...
Title: Re: IZH-46 vs FAS 604
Post by: ac12 on April 17, 2011, 01:32:24 AM
What is your budget?
Do you want a dedicated "target" pistol or just a pistol to do target shooting with
What other APs have you looked at, or are you narrowed down to the IZH-46 and the FAS-604?

On my list are
- the Daisy 7x7 series (SSP),
- Pardini K58 (SSP),
- FWB 65 (spring)
- Gamo Compact (I don't know the powerplant)
- Diana 6M (spring, the recoilless model, it isn't hard to cock but it isn't that easy to cock either) 
- Beeman P3 (SSP)
Title: Re: IZH-46 vs FAS 604
Post by: coopieclan on April 17, 2011, 05:45:43 PM

I have a Baikal IZH 46m I like it very well.
It is only right or left handed (you have to change grips for lefties)

I looked at the FAS, it looks like a Gamo Compact or a Beeman P-11

Baikal $470
FAS $895 (out of stock)
Gamo Compact $248 (out of stock)
Beeman P11 $519 I shot one of these at an airgun shop... It is a NICE product!

The Baikal is longer and made for pure off hand Olympic style shooting. It is heavy and a little plumbing like in it's appearance.
All these others are more gun like.
Daisy 747 $195 is more ambidextrous while still a match grade air pistol.... I have never shot one.
Title: Re: IZH-46 vs FAS 604
Post by: sandman20 on April 18, 2011, 10:50:55 AM
I can only speak for my recently purchased Daisy 747. I bought it used for $140.00 and it was in Mint shape. I have to say it is a really nice pistol for the money. The trigger is really nice and it pumps very easy. Balances nice in the hand. The fit and finish is not as good as the Baikal but then again it costs a whole lot less. It is very accurate! I bought mine on a whim but have been really enjoying it.
Title: Re: IZH-46 vs FAS 604
Post by: Dehouser on April 19, 2011, 10:15:13 PM
I realize this may be an Apples and Oranges question but I am considering getting something for back yard target practice. I don't want to get involved with co2 or air tanks and such but want a easy to cock pistol. I would appreciate any comments about the relative merits of the two pistols. No interest in scopes or any type of optics.

I've owned the FAS 604 for years and recently acquired the Baikal.  The FAS is functionally similar to the Weihrauch HW75/Beeman P11 and the Compact (as far as the Gamo is concerned, the similarities end here).  The 604 sits low in the hand, much like a free pistol.  It has a nice set of sights and (in my view) a crisper trigger than the 46M (although the Baikal appears capable of having the weight of the trigger set lighter).  Cocking effort is probably around 16-20 pounds, when the seals are new.  I managed to find a front sight extension built by Don Nygord, which extends the sight radius about an inch and a quarter, a nice feature on a pistol that is considerably shorter than the 46M, and therefore less forgiving in terms of a steady hold.  I shoot JSB Match Diabolo pellets in the FAS, which chrony around 370 fps.  It is no powerhouse, but the fit, finish, and quality of the gun is markedly higher than the 46M.

That said, I like the Baikal, too.  It is much longer and feels considerably more like a 10m European match gun than the FAS.  Cocking, again, is straightforward, and the trigger is quite good, with a fair number of adjustments.  The grip is a pretty basic affair, that you will need to shape on your own, for best fit (note: FAS guns come with their own grips, copies of the Morini match grips, considerably nicer feel out of the box than the Baikal).  The 46M shooting the same JSBs chronographs about 100 fps faster, which leaves nice neat holes in your target and gets the pellet out of the barrel sooner, which is a good thing.  Decent set of sights, too (with front inserts supplied, when bought new).

Bottom line, both guns have good triggers, are fun to tinker with, and will, in all likelihood, outshoot you any time.  The FAS comes from Italy and has a much steeper price tag; it also feels much different in the hand, as I pointed out.  The Baikal is a lot of bang for not too much buck, and is solidly built, but suffers from cruder fit and finish, which is reflected in its price; it simply does not possess the refined characteristics of the FAS.  Which one is right for you?  My guess is either would please you to no end.  Hope this helps.