Henry Rifle Forums

SSP air pistol? SSP stands for single stroke pneumatic which is a fancy way of saying a one pump pneumatic air pistol. While no longer used at the top levels of 10 meter air pistol competition (PCPs now own the sport), you still see SSPs used at local competitions and also for fun shooting because they are a lot more affordable. No pump or compressor needed to fill them, either. Just cock them once and shoot.

Some of these vintage SSP 10 meter air pistols gave the high end PCPs a real challenge as far as accuracy, though. In fact, one of them is legendary. It's the Baikal IZH 46M, affectionately called the "Izzy". It's big and heavy and awkward compared to PCP 10 meter air pistols, but it is very accurate.


Unfortunately, the Izzy was a victim of sanctions the U.S. placed on Russia some years ago, due to Baikal also manufacturing military weapons. This means this original Baikal version can no longer be imported. The good news is there is a new version made by a different Russian gun maker that can be imported. It's called the AV (Air Venturi) 46M.

I bought my original Izzy from an old forum friend who was using it for competition. He did the stippling job on the wood. It does help with the grip.


Here's a pic of the Izzy with the cocking arm fully extended and the breech open and ready for loading. Being a 10 meter air pistol, velocity is 480 fps or so. (Has to stay under 500 fps to be legal for 10m competition.)


Another plus for the Izzy is that it is easy to add an optic, thanks to several sources for scope mounts. Mine now wears a 2-7x Hawke AO scope, though I mostly use a red dot on this gun. The scope is perfect for long range accuracy work, though.


And it is 30 yard accurate, too. Shot this group this afternoon and it was quite breezy, too. Also under an inch, just like the Steyer PCP. Like I said, the Izzy could shoot right with the high end PCPs in its day.

Excellent shooting. I waited to long to get one of those.

Thanks, Dave. If you ever get a chance to snag one, grab it. These really are thoroughbred target pistols.

Friend of mine bought a RAW HM1000X LRT. He likes it a lot. Laminated stock with 24in barrel. The target pictures he has sent me show shot groups less than an inch at 25 yds.

Our old friend would be pleased to see the pistol is in your capable hands.

I hope so, Seabee. I often wonder what became of him. He was a top notch marksman.

Mags, RAW makes very accurate air guns, for sure. Very impressive.

Excellent shooting, as always.

I have an original IZH-46, from before they did the "M" version. It's a tiny bit muzzle heavy but the grips do help mitigate that. My grips are much rougher, and completely stock. It was said that the original grips were made to be modified for the user, so they're a bit blocky on mine, but I've never altered them. That's great shooting at about triple the distance that SSP was designed for.
I shoot the 7.0 grain RWS Diabolo Basic pellets from mine, and have only shot it indoors at 10 meters. It's all I can do to try and stay inside of the 7 ring on the air pistol target, but the pistol is easily capable of much better. These are definitely a gem in this field.
Great shooting!

Thanks. They are a great air pistol for sure. Staying inside the 7 ring offhand is pretty good shooting in my book.