The Molot Bekas-M (Russian: "snipe") is a series of Russian pump-action shotguns manufactured by the Molot machine plant in Vyatskie Polyany, Kirov Oblast. The Bekas-M series comprises a wide variety of models, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in barrel length and choke options. Some models are sold in combination sets (with a single receiver and two barrels), some are supplied with a plastic pistol grip, and most models have a walnut stock and forearm. Its classical design and consistent quality, together with the availability of low-priced sets with two barrels, helped it to gain popularity among hunters and home-defense enthusiasts in Russia.
The first shotgun aimed at the civilian market, the Bekas-M (based on KS-23 design) went into production in 1997 at the Molot machine plant in Vyatskiye Polyany. It gained popularity among hunters, but was produced only in 16 gauge (which became less common in Russia during the 1990s). Molot began development on a pair of shotguns (semi-automatic and pump-action) with a unified design, chambered in the more-popular 12 gauge. Bekas-Auto and Bekas-M went into production in 1999.[2] The Bekas-M was produced in both 12 and 16 gauge and had some changes in its design from the original Bekas; most notably, the safety lever was replaced by a cross-bolt safety and the barrel lug was moved from the end of the tube to its center.
Designedit
The detachable barrel is locked in place with a dowel at the receiver and a nut at the magazine tube. The barrel and chamber are chrome-coated for increased durability and corrosion protection. The chamber is sealed by rotating the sealing wedge, which locks into the port in the shank of the barrel. Its trigger mechanism is located on a detachable mounting plate. Cartridges are fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel, and shells are ejected from the side of the receiver. The forearm is located on the magazine, and is connected to the slide frame by two action bars. A blocking lever blocks the forearm when the hammer is cocked. A cross-bolt trigger safety prevents an accidental pull of the trigger from firing the gun.[3]
Affordabilityedit
The popularity of the Bekas-M in Russia was partly due to its low price and the availability of combination two-barrel sets which could be bought directly from the manufacturer for the equivalent of US$300. In 2008, the manufacturer stopped selling guns to the public after signing an exclusive contract with the Deryabin-Arms arms dealer. This led to combination sets being sold at gun shops for as much as US$1100. In 2010 the contract expired; while Deryabin-Arms is going through bankruptcy,[4] the factory resumed sales to the public directly and through retailers.
Versionsedit
2.75-inch chamberedit
"Bekas-M" variants
Bekas-12M with 720 mm barrel
Bekas-12M with 535 mm barrel and walnut stock
Bekas-12M with 535 mm barrel and pistol grip
There are two main Bekas-M models: the Bekas-12M and the Bekas-16M (the number denoting the gauge), both chambered for 2.75-inch (70 mm) shells. They come in four barrel lengths: a 535 mm cylinder-bore barrel with open sights and 680 mm, 720 mm and 750 mm barrels with three screw-in chokes (0.0 mm, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm) and have a ventilated rib with bead sight. All shotguns have a black finish, and are equipped with a walnut stock or a plastic pistol grip; the forearm is always walnut. The first production runs had a revolver-style pistol grip with walnut cheeks, which was replaced by a more-ergonomic black plastic pistol grip. There are nine variations in each gauge, differing as follows:[5]
Version
Two-barrel set
Barrel length(s)
Stock
Pistol grip
00
680 mm
+
01
535 mm
+
02
720 mm
+
03
750 mm
+
04
535 mm
+
05
+
680 mm, 535 mm
+
+
06
+
720 mm, 535 mm
+
+
07
+
750 mm, 535 mm
+
+
08
+
750 mm, 680 mm
+
+
Packing versions are known as "RP-12M" or "RP-16M", followed by the version; for example, a 12-gauge Bekas-M with a set of 535 mm and 720 mm barrels, stock and pistol grip is called an RP-12M-06.
3-inch chamberedit
There was also a small pilot lot of 12-gauge Bekas-M shotguns chambered for 3-inch (76 mm) shells, known as the VPO-202.[6] In 2010, it appeared in the manufacturer's product catalogue.[7]
Service versionedit
A "civilian" Bekas-M with a 535 mm barrel can be converted at the factory to the Bekas-M-S "service" version for private security agencies; this version has a bolt modified to leave a mark on the shell.[8]
Accessoriesedit
The range of accessories for the Bekas-M is limited. The manufacturer offers neither a plastic forearm and stock nor magazine extenders, but cylinder-bore and paradox 15 cm barrel extenders are available. The owner's manual also states that the shotgun can be supplied with an unnamed telescopic sight, bag and belt upon request.[9] An adapter for mounting a Weaver rail on top of the receiver was available, but is discontinued; however, there is an aftermarket adapter made in Tula by EST.[10]
Usersedit
Belarus - Bekas-12M is allowed as civilian hunting weapon[11]
^""EST" – Weaver bases". Retrieved 17 February 2011.
^"2.1.1.2-1/066 Ружье охотничье Бекас-12М" Указ Президента Республики Беларусь № 71 от 13 февраля 2003 года "Об утверждении Положения о порядке ведения и издания Государственного кадастра служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов и Положения о порядке проведения сертификации служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов" (редакция от 10 июля 2015 г.)
External linksedit
Molot page for Bekas-M
Bekas-M thread at Russian guns forum
April 12, 2024
molot, bekas, russian, snipe, series, russian, pump, action, shotguns, manufactured, molot, machine, plant, vyatskie, polyany, kirov, oblast, bekas, series, comprises, wide, variety, models, which, share, same, basic, receiver, action, differ, barrel, length, . The Molot Bekas M Russian snipe is a series of Russian pump action shotguns manufactured by the Molot machine plant in Vyatskie Polyany Kirov Oblast The Bekas M series comprises a wide variety of models all of which share the same basic receiver and action but differ in barrel length and choke options Some models are sold in combination sets with a single receiver and two barrels some are supplied with a plastic pistol grip and most models have a walnut stock and forearm Its classical design and consistent quality together with the availability of low priced sets with two barrels helped it to gain popularity among hunters and home defense enthusiasts in Russia Molot Bekas M Bekas MBekas 12M with 26 barrelTypeShotgunPlace of originRussiaProduction historyDesignerPetr MokrushinDesigned1996 1997 1 ManufacturerMolot Vyatskiye PolyanyUnit costUS 300 400Produced1999 2012VariantsSee Versions belowSpecificationsMass3 0 kg 6 6 lb to 3 3 kg 7 3 lb Length844 mm 33 2 in to 1 301 mm 51 2 in Barrel length535 to 750 mm 19 to 27 5 in Cartridge12 gauge or 16 gaugeActionpump actionFeed system6 round internal tube magazineSightsBead or open sights all iron sights receiver mount for scopes Contents 1 Development 2 Design 3 Affordability 4 Versions 4 1 2 75 inch chamber 4 2 3 inch chamber 4 3 Service version 5 Accessories 6 Users 7 References 8 External linksDevelopment editThe first shotgun aimed at the civilian market the Bekas M based on KS 23 design went into production in 1997 at the Molot machine plant in Vyatskiye Polyany It gained popularity among hunters but was produced only in 16 gauge which became less common in Russia during the 1990s Molot began development on a pair of shotguns semi automatic and pump action with a unified design chambered in the more popular 12 gauge Bekas Auto and Bekas M went into production in 1999 2 The Bekas M was produced in both 12 and 16 gauge and had some changes in its design from the original Bekas most notably the safety lever was replaced by a cross bolt safety and the barrel lug was moved from the end of the tube to its center Design editThe detachable barrel is locked in place with a dowel at the receiver and a nut at the magazine tube The barrel and chamber are chrome coated for increased durability and corrosion protection The chamber is sealed by rotating the sealing wedge which locks into the port in the shank of the barrel Its trigger mechanism is located on a detachable mounting plate Cartridges are fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel and shells are ejected from the side of the receiver The forearm is located on the magazine and is connected to the slide frame by two action bars A blocking lever blocks the forearm when the hammer is cocked A cross bolt trigger safety prevents an accidental pull of the trigger from firing the gun 3 Affordability editThe popularity of the Bekas M in Russia was partly due to its low price and the availability of combination two barrel sets which could be bought directly from the manufacturer for the equivalent of US 300 In 2008 the manufacturer stopped selling guns to the public after signing an exclusive contract with the Deryabin Arms arms dealer This led to combination sets being sold at gun shops for as much as US 1100 In 2010 the contract expired while Deryabin Arms is going through bankruptcy 4 the factory resumed sales to the public directly and through retailers Versions edit2 75 inch chamber edit Bekas M variants nbsp Bekas 12M with 720 mm barrel nbsp Bekas 12M with 535 mm barrel and walnut stock nbsp Bekas 12M with 535 mm barrel and pistol grip There are two main Bekas M models the Bekas 12M and the Bekas 16M the number denoting the gauge both chambered for 2 75 inch 70 mm shells They come in four barrel lengths a 535 mm cylinder bore barrel with open sights and 680 mm 720 mm and 750 mm barrels with three screw in chokes 0 0 mm 0 5 mm and 1 0 mm and have a ventilated rib with bead sight All shotguns have a black finish and are equipped with a walnut stock or a plastic pistol grip the forearm is always walnut The first production runs had a revolver style pistol grip with walnut cheeks which was replaced by a more ergonomic black plastic pistol grip There are nine variations in each gauge differing as follows 5 Version Two barrel set Barrel length s Stock Pistol grip00 680 mm 01 535 mm 02 720 mm 03 750 mm 04 535 mm 05 680 mm 535 mm 06 720 mm 535 mm 07 750 mm 535 mm 08 750 mm 680 mm Packing versions are known as RP 12M or RP 16M followed by the version for example a 12 gauge Bekas M with a set of 535 mm and 720 mm barrels stock and pistol grip is called an RP 12M 06 3 inch chamber edit There was also a small pilot lot of 12 gauge Bekas M shotguns chambered for 3 inch 76 mm shells known as the VPO 202 6 In 2010 it appeared in the manufacturer s product catalogue 7 Service version edit A civilian Bekas M with a 535 mm barrel can be converted at the factory to the Bekas M S service version for private security agencies this version has a bolt modified to leave a mark on the shell 8 Accessories editThe range of accessories for the Bekas M is limited The manufacturer offers neither a plastic forearm and stock nor magazine extenders but cylinder bore and paradox 15 cm barrel extenders are available The owner s manual also states that the shotgun can be supplied with an unnamed telescopic sight bag and belt upon request 9 An adapter for mounting a Weaver rail on top of the receiver was available but is discontinued however there is an aftermarket adapter made in Tula by EST 10 Users edit nbsp Belarus Bekas 12M is allowed as civilian hunting weapon 11 nbsp Russian FederationReferences edit Nikolaj Aksenov Bekas ptica seryoznaya zhurnal Soldier of Fortune 10 37 1997 str 60 Degtyarev Mikhail 2010 The birth of a Snipe PDF Kalashnikov no 4 pp 20 23 Multi shot hunting shotgun Bekas 12M gauge 12 70 Owner s manual Vyatskie Polyani Vyatsko Polyansky Mashinostroitelny Zavod Molot 2010 p 14 Bankruptcy is initiated at Deryabin Arms Archived from the original on 23 July 2011 Retrieved 17 February 2011 Pump action Bekas M shotguns Archived from the original on 8 April 2011 Retrieved 17 February 2011 VPO 202 Catalogue of firearms Vyatskie Polyani Vyatsko Polyansky Mashinostroitelny Zavod Molot 2010 p 35 Reference for converting hunting shotguns Bekas M to service guns for the directors of private security agencies Archived from the original on 5 November 2010 Retrieved 17 February 2011 Multi shot hunting shotgun Bekas 12M gauge 12 70 Owner s manual Vyatskie Polyani Vyatsko Polyansky Mashinostroitelny Zavod Molot 2010 p 13 EST Weaver bases Retrieved 17 February 2011 2 1 1 2 1 066 Ruzhe ohotniche Bekas 12M Ukaz Prezidenta Respubliki Belarus 71 ot 13 fevralya 2003 goda Ob utverzhdenii Polozheniya o poryadke vedeniya i izdaniya Gosudarstvennogo kadastra sluzhebnogo i grazhdanskogo oruzhiya i boepripasov i Polozheniya o poryadke provedeniya sertifikacii sluzhebnogo i grazhdanskogo oruzhiya i boepripasov redakciya ot 10 iyulya 2015 g External links editMolot page for Bekas M Bekas M thread at Russian guns forum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Molot Bekas M amp oldid 1191182079, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
