GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => European/Asian Air Gun Gates => Czech & Russian Air Guns => Topic started by: Stinger177 on April 15, 2018, 11:20:11 PM

Title: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on April 15, 2018, 11:20:11 PM
Just asking if anyone has ever removed the front sight from an IZH 53M. I think I read somewhere that it is molded on and there is a notch in the barrel that prevents removing it without destroying it. True?

Reason I'm asking is that it appears that a standard Crosman TKO mod would fit right on this barrel.

Stinger
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 20, 2019, 03:47:15 PM
Necrothread..........

Anywho, did you figure this out? I was thinking the exact same thing a few weeks ago. The front sight on mine is just too thick.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 20, 2019, 06:52:37 PM
Necrothread..........

Anywho, did you figure this out? I was thinking the exact same thing a few weeks ago. The front sight on mine is just too thick.

No, I didn't do anything to try and remove it. I don't want to destroy a part that I can't get a replacement for, and even if my Baikal buddies in Mother Russia had a spare barrel, they couldn't sell it to me here in the USA, so I've left it as a project that I cannot do anything with for right now.

Something I've noticed though. As I have both the older and newer version of the 53M, the newer one has a fixed front sight blade, whereas the older one has a blade that is spring loaded so that it doesn't bite into your cocking hand. The older one also has better rear sights. There's also something different going on inside the trigger that makes the newer one less desirable, but I haven't investigated that yet. Basically the older one has more pre-travel (almost a two-stage feel) than the newer one.

Just thought I'd mention that last part for those who might be interested in a 53M. They've been coming up on ebay quite a lot lately so look carefully at what you might be buying.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 21, 2019, 08:56:58 PM
Necrothread..........

Anywho, did you figure this out? I was thinking the exact same thing a few weeks ago. The front sight on mine is just too thick.

No, I didn't do anything to try and remove it. I don't want to destroy a part that I can't get a replacement for, and even if my Baikal buddies in Mother Russia had a spare barrel, they couldn't sell it to me here in the USA, so I've left it as a project that I cannot do anything with for right now.

Something I've noticed though. As I have both the older and newer version of the 53M, the newer one has a fixed front sight blade, whereas the older one has a blade that is spring loaded so that it doesn't bite into your cocking hand. The older one also has better rear sights. There's also something different going on inside the trigger that makes the newer one less desirable, but I haven't investigated that yet. Basically the older one has more pre-travel (almost a two-stage feel) than the newer one.

Just thought I'd mention that last part for those who might be interested in a 53M. They've been coming up on ebay quite a lot lately so look carefully at what you might be buying.

Yes indeed. I'm waffeling on whether to sell mine or not. It's a good shooter, super easy to cock, etc. It just doesn't tickle my fun gun bone. I have the urge to purchase a Weihrauch HW70 Black Arrow. I'd imagine a bit better quality. We shall see.....

Oh yeah! Check this out. "Improved grip MP-53M, this upgrade is excellent for all previously released models of MP-53M, mP-53, IZH-53"
Can't post links.  Its on Etsy.
$18 bux.
Let me know how it is.  ;D
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 21, 2019, 09:55:52 PM
Quote
Oh yeah! Check this out. "Improved grip MP-53M, this upgrade is excellent for all previously released models of MP-53M, mP-53, IZH-53"
Can't post links.  Its on Etsy.
$18 bux.
Let me know how it is.  ;D

You mean like these?

(https://i.postimg.cc/zfD2WZbD/53-M-new-grips.jpg)


You really think I wouldn't already have those?    tst, tst, tst.....

New - yes.
Improved?- no. Angled too far forward for my taste.
I put a rubberized grip cover on them. Didn't help.

Now, what I really want is these original "match" grips.

(https://i.postimg.cc/R0PsLsK7/53-M-match-grip.jpg)
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 21, 2019, 11:15:26 PM
Quote
Oh yeah! Check this out. "Improved grip MP-53M, this upgrade is excellent for all previously released models of MP-53M, mP-53, IZH-53"
Can't post links.  Its on Etsy.
$18 bux.
Let me know how it is.  ;D

You mean like these?

(https://i.postimg.cc/zfD2WZbD/53-M-new-grips.jpg)


You really think I wouldn't already have those?    tst, tst, tst.....

New - yes.
Improved?- no. Angled too far forward for my taste.
I put a rubberized grip cover on them. Didn't help.

Now, what I really want is these original "match" grips.

(https://i.postimg.cc/R0PsLsK7/53-M-match-grip.jpg)

How my assumptions get me in trouble! Hope you can find those match grips.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 21, 2019, 11:22:28 PM
Quote
How my assumptions get me in trouble! Hope you can find those match grips.

Was more than half hoping that's what you had on yours, since you wanna sell it.

Does yours have the older (like the upper pic) sights, or the new?
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 21, 2019, 11:49:41 PM
Quote
How my assumptions get me in trouble! Hope you can find those match grips.

Was more than half hoping that's what you had on yours, since you wanna sell it.

Does yours have the older (like the upper pic) sights, or the new?

The newer version. With just the block, non-adjustable front sight.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 22, 2019, 01:21:17 PM
 Have you tried the "gas spring" available on the bay? If so, how did you like it?

Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 22, 2019, 01:38:45 PM
No. I hadn't even seen that. I'll look into it.

BTW, none of the front sights were adjustable. The older ones are spring loaded and drop down into the housing so you don't cut the palm of your hand while cocking.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 22, 2019, 02:11:18 PM
Have you tried the "gas spring" available on the bay? If so, how did you like it?

I just looked that up. Says it also fits the 60/61 rifles. I have read that that piston is too powerful for the 60/61's and in it puts too much stress on the cocking arm. How it would work on a 53M, I don't know.

I like mine the way they are, after a good tear down and lube that is. The 53M's come extremely dry from the factory, so if you haven't gone into yours yet, I'd do it. Makes a big difference.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 22, 2019, 04:31:49 PM
Have you tried the "gas spring" available on the bay? If so, how did you like it?

I just looked that up. Says it also fits the 60/61 rifles. I have read that that piston is too powerful for the 60/61's and in it puts too much stress on the cocking arm. How it would work on a 53M, I don't know.

I like mine the way they are, after a good tear down and lube that is. The 53M's come extremely dry from the factory, so if you haven't gone into yours yet, I'd do it. Makes a big difference.


Grease on the spring? Did you make a guide as well? Or does it not need it.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 22, 2019, 04:47:20 PM
I dont recall if there was a spring guide but I didn't make anything custom for  it. Mainly just greased the main spring (it was totally dry), piston and the cocking slider. A few drops of oil on all the other moving parts, trigger, etc. The usual stuff. Simple gun to work on. You can compress the main spring with hand pressure against a floor carpet.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 22, 2019, 04:57:42 PM
I dont recall if there was a spring guide but I didn't make anything custom for  it. Mainly just greased the main spring (it was totally dry), piston and the cocking slider. A few drops of oil on all the other moving parts, trigger, etc. The usual stuff. Simple gun to work on. You can compress the main spring with hand pressure against a floor carpet.

Thank you. I just may do that. While I wait for our Russian friend to: A. Tell me my 46M lefty grips are in. B. Ship them after I pay. C. Wait....and wait....
Maybe I'l break out the old HW40 too.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 22, 2019, 06:10:26 PM
Quote
Thank you. I just may do that. While I wait for our Russian friend to: A. Tell me my 46M lefty grips are in. B. Ship them after I pay. C. Wait....and wait....
Maybe I'll break out the old HW40 too.

If you have all the tools and lubes ready you can do that 53M in less than an hour.

Part A - Nothing he can do about that but wait himself. I'm sure he wants to make the sale.

B - Rest assured that Mikhail will do his part. He's very good about that.

C - Waiting. It's all about time management. I have my Diana 34 apart waiting for a new piston seal, so yesterday I tuned up the Rekord trigger on my 30S-X. Today, my parts for my Tempest's came in from the UK, so I have those to work on. Tomorrow, dunno.....still have a GRTIII trigger that I can put in my CZ634. Having so many guns there's always something to work on.....sometimes too much to enjoy the sport actually.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 23, 2019, 09:24:08 PM
Quote
Thank you. I just may do that. While I wait for our Russian friend to: A. Tell me my 46M lefty grips are in. B. Ship them after I pay. C. Wait....and wait....
Maybe I'll break out the old HW40 too.

If you have all the tools and lubes ready you can do that 53M in less than an hour.

Part A - Nothing he can do about that but wait himself. I'm sure he wants to make the sale.

B - Rest assured that Mikhail will do his part. He's very good about that.

C - Waiting. It's all about time management. I have my Diana 34 apart waiting for a new piston seal, so yesterday I tuned up the Rekord trigger on my 30S-X. Today, my parts for my Tempest's came in from the UK, so I have those to work on. Tomorrow, dunno.....still have a GRTIII trigger that I can put in my CZ634. Having so many guns there's always something to work on.....sometimes too much to enjoy the sport actually.

I'm sure you are correct on all of that. I just don't want spend more time adjusting than shooting. Back to the HW40 ambidextrous vs. Southpaw with a righthanded IZH 46M war! So far, my wife likes the IZH 53. Go figure. At least she will shoot with me, on occasion.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 24, 2019, 05:55:46 PM
More temptations on the bay:

BAIKAL MP-53/MP-53M/ IZH-53 Upgrade set (Reinforced end Cap + Gas Spring) NEW

Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 24, 2019, 06:28:32 PM
More temptations on the bay:

BAIKAL MP-53/MP-53M/ IZH-53 Upgrade set (Reinforced end Cap + Gas Spring) NEW

Have a closer look at that ebay ad. He says it's with the gas spring for $73, but the spring is nowhere in the pics. He (para-bellum, whom I have not yet bought from) has another ad for that rear block, the piston, and some other item that looks like the main tube, all for the fantastic deal price (read sarcasm in there) of $160!!. That's twice the cost of a 53M from Krale.

What is sad is that Baikal has taken a route of making their guns cheaper by eliminating certain features. You would not be needing that rear block if you had the earlier version with dovetail grooves in the main tube. Here's a pic of two of mine, older on the left. You can also see the differences in the front sights and where the blade will retract into the front sight housing.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vTNdm8Tx/20190124-151100.jpg)


If you can find the older version, jump on it! (before I do  ;))

The older version also has a trigger adjust screw, new one doesn't. You can see it in this link, also how to strip it down:

http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/overhauling-izh-53m-part-1.html (http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/overhauling-izh-53m-part-1.html)

Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 24, 2019, 07:04:27 PM
Here's some more info on the front trigger.

Firstly, remove the grip and see if yours has the adjustment screw in front of the trigger like this:

(https://i.postimg.cc/R0H1sgKk/20190124-154523.jpg)(https://i.postimg.cc/bJfxK1Rs/20190124-154509.jpg)

Or, is it like this (no screw, just the open folded metal tab in front of the trigger).

(https://i.postimg.cc/fyBYtpQ9/20190124-155042.jpg)


If it is the latter, you can mod it to the older version which makes it a (sort of) two stage affair.

Look closer at the first pic and you'll see inside the metal fold a square nut. Simply drill out that folded part, insert the proper size square nut and long grub screw and your in business.

I have seen a blog where the guy has that screw but not the hole in the trigger guard, so he "Drills A Hole" (woohoo) through the guard. Reason I note this link is because his gun does not have the square nut insert, but rather the folded metal tab has been tapped for the set screw.

http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/derrick-drills-hole-izh-53m.html (http://anotherairgunblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/derrick-drills-hole-izh-53m.html)

FWIW, doing a bit of pic forensics I've determined that his gun is only 929 serial numbers earlier than mine.

You can mod yours either way, but I prefer how mine was done as it does not require a tap, but rather just a nut to slip inside that metal fold.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 24, 2019, 08:22:51 PM
I most definitely have the newer version. I'm not going to drill anything at this time, because I haven't made up my if I'm going to sell it or not. Have you shot the Weihrauch HW70?  Yeah, I saw that tune up kit for 160 clams as well. Sheesh.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 24, 2019, 08:30:05 PM
Quote
Have you shot the Weihrauch HW70?

No, I haven't. I think mostly based on reading this:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123387.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123387.0)

After that, I figured I could live with my 53M (and for a lot less money).
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 24, 2019, 09:16:49 PM
Quote
Have you shot the Weihrauch HW70?

No, I haven't. I think mostly based on reading this:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123387.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123387.0)

After that, I figured I could live with my 53M (and for a lot less money).

Some liked it, some didn't. I dunno. Our 53s are definitely cheaper! I think I paid $60 for it back in 2012.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 24, 2019, 09:19:05 PM
I got both of mine in the last two years from the bay, both brand new, each for less than $60.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 25, 2019, 07:10:15 PM
I got both of mine in the last two years from the bay, both brand new, each for less than $60.

Can't beat that, friend! I posted a question about comparison/contrast, and who likes what between 53M and the HW70. Me and wifey-poo will shoot the 53M later this evening. I bought her roses today for no reason, so she is one happy wife. And I got my haircut too. Extra happy is she.  8) ;D
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 25, 2019, 07:27:29 PM
Haircut, eh?

Isn't that going just a bit too far?

My other reasoning for passing on an HW70 is that if I'm going to shell out $200 for a match pistol. I'll go another 100 or so and get a really good one. And then I remember that I already have a REALLY good one in my 46M.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 25, 2019, 10:00:58 PM
Yeah, a haircut makes CFO and wifey happy!  8). So what else will my $200 (for the HW70Black Arrow) plus $100 get me with an more awesome springer? LP8?  Yes, indeed we have a great gun with the 46M. I just like the springers too.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on January 31, 2019, 08:22:38 PM
Hey Dennis!  I went ahead and purchased that IZH 53 different style grip you didn't care for, just for fun. I thing you should buy the gas piston and share your results with us noobs.  ;D  Hopefully this weekend I can take it apart, check the spring and grease it. Did you take the piston out and lube the outside of it?
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on January 31, 2019, 09:38:29 PM
You may like those grips better than I.

I have so many things on my "to buy" list there is no room for a 53M piston purchase.

Yes,  I took out the piston and lightly lubed it with molly grease. Be sure not to do any lube ahead of the piston seal.

If you have any spring tar give the spring a light wiping across the coils, end to end, not around (meaning not circular with the coil). Polish the ends of the spring as well if you can. Hold it in your fingers like a fat pencil straight up and sand it in a circular motion over some sandpaper. Put a bit of grease on the spring ends before you assemble it.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on February 01, 2019, 01:08:32 PM
You may like those grips better than I.

I have so many things on my "to buy" list there is no room for a 53M piston purchase.

Yes,  I took out the piston and lightly lubed it with molly grease. Be sure not to do any lube ahead of the piston seal.

If you have any spring tar give the spring a light wiping across the coils, end to end, not around (meaning not circular with the coil). Polish the ends of the spring as well if you can. Hold it in your fingers like a fat pencil straight up and sand it in a circular motion over some sandpaper. Put a bit of grease on the spring ends before you assemble it.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Thank you for these directions!  I have molly grease on the way.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on February 01, 2019, 01:33:21 PM
Polishing the ends of the spring could be a chore, depending on how rough the original is.  I use wet-or-dry sandpaper lubed with oil. Start with about a 320 grit. If that is not cutting fast enough to get a complete resurfacing, then go to a coarser grit. 220g is about the lowest I've ever had to go. Keep in mind though that going coarser means more sanding back up the chain of finer grits. Once you have the spring face completely shiny from the first grit, go up successively to 400, 600, 800. You could go to 1200, but I think 800 is enough, especially considering the condition of an original spring end to start with!!. You can get all these grits in smallish packages (about 4x12 or so sheets) from Home Depot.

Here's a pic of my Diana 34 spring after 800 grit polishing. It went right into the gun after this. You can see some of the marks from the coarser grits before, but I was impatient to get the gun back together and figured this was good enough.

(https://i.postimg.cc/RCLc9BRv/20190125-143205.jpg)

You can use all that sandpaper on other parts of the gun as well, like the trigger contact points, cut-outs in the piston chamber, cocking links, etc. Smooth out anything that moves against another and study the movement of the parts as you take them apart. Be sure to lube (but not too much) anything that rubs.

Good luck and let me know how you progress.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on February 22, 2019, 10:37:38 PM
Hey Dennis,
I agree, the other grip for the IZH 53M is not for me. Its much thinner and way too small for my hands. The good news is that my wife loves it. She loves it so much that she's gonna get me another 53M via Krales.   8). So now I'll have two to overhaul!
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on February 22, 2019, 10:49:38 PM
Nice that you have her to share with.  :D

I don't like the way the Etsy grip slants so far forward, but I'm keeping it on my older gun. An older style just sold on ebay last week. Was gonna tell you about it but there is something not quite right about the front sight. It sticks up way too high. Use the Mouse-over-to-zoom feature on the second pic in this listing. You should not be able to see the spring under that front blade.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baikal-IZH-53M-Pellet-Air-Pistol-With-Box-Russian-made-IZH-airgun-/223382465474?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Baikal-IZH-53M-Pellet-Air-Pistol-With-Box-Russian-made-IZH-airgun-/223382465474?_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l10137&nordt=true&rt=nc&orig_cvip=true)


I'll get after that overhaul guide as soon as I can. Been too cold to work in the garage lately, plus swamped at work.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on March 10, 2019, 11:56:41 AM
Hey Dennis,
I agree, the other grip for the IZH 53M is not for me. Its much thinner and way too small for my hands. The good news is that my wife loves it. She loves it so much that she's gonna get me another 53M via Krales.   8). So now I'll have two to overhaul!

John - Your wife must not have liked that grip after all as I see you have it up on eBay.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: theanalogman on March 10, 2019, 09:02:18 PM
Hey Dennis,
I agree, the other grip for the IZH 53M is not for me. Its much thinner and way too small for my hands. The good news is that my wife loves it. She loves it so much that she's gonna get me another 53M via Krales.   8). So now I'll have two to overhaul!

John - Your wife must not have liked that grip after all as I see you have it up on eBay.

Thats from the new 53M she bought me from Krale.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on March 10, 2019, 10:02:07 PM
Aah. I didn't know that the new guns came with that 'Etsy' grip.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: MMshtr on April 20, 2019, 02:03:27 PM
Hi.   I've installed the gas spring on my 53. Like it a lot,a very different feel than a true spring. Quieter, smoother, and about 30% stronger.Gonna chrony it soon.
       I have the back piece on order. So far the orig. plastic one is holding up,though I can see it's being stressed. The install is totally plug and play. Just pull out the wire spring and drop in the gas ram {spring}.     I have the mid version of the 53 ,no dovetail.     I also upgraded my Hatsan mod 25 pistol with their gas spring. Very nice, same improvement profile though not a simple drop in,it wasn't too difficult. Hatsan sells a gas spring mod 25 but not in .22 cal. my mod takes care of that.
I also have a heavy duty 220 atmosphere gas spring for my Hatsan 135 Vortex. which is already the most powerful break barrel made. 34 ft. lbs.......We'll see how that goes.   
I'm a big springer fan but those gas rams are cool.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: MMshtr on April 20, 2019, 03:03:48 PM
Quote
Have you shot the Weihrauch HW70?

No, I haven't. I think mostly based on reading this:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123387.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=123387.0)

After that, I figured I could live with my 53M (and for a lot less money).

I think the HW 70 is an underappreciated pistol. I love mine. They don't look super cool but they perform well. I get 450 fps from mine.  I good used one can sometimes be had for 120 - 150 on el bay.  I think they have one of the best triggers out there short of a match pistol, like it's cousin the HW 40. Super smooth mechanism.
Title: Re: IZH 53M front sight removal
Post by: Stinger177 on April 20, 2019, 04:53:29 PM
Funny you should bring up the HW70 again. I bought one about a month ago. Paid $80 for it from the consignment shop that I buy most of my guns from. I think I actually like the 53M  a bit better, but it really is a toss-up. Mine is a non-safety version. I registered it on the WDB but forgot what year they said it was. Will have to look it up again.