Molot Bekas-M
Encyclopedia
Bekas-M is a series of Russian
pump-action shotguns manufactured by Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant «Molot». The Bekas-M series comprises widely varying models, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in barrel length and choke options. Some models are sold in "combinations" sets with a single receiver and two barrels, and some are supplied with a plastic pistol grip (while most models have 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
.
design), went into production at Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant «Molot» in 1997. It gained popularity among hunters but was produced only in 16 gauge, which became less common in Russia in 1990s. "Molot" started to develop a pair of shotguns - semi-automatic
and pump-action - with highly unified design, chambered in more popular 12 gauge
. "Bekas-Auto" and "Bekas-M", respectively, went into production in 1999. The new "Bekas-M" and was produced both in 12 gauge
and 16 gauge and had some changed in its design compared to the original "Bekas", most notably, the safety lever replaced by cross-bolt safety and the barrel lug moved from the end of the tube to its center.
The chamber is sealed by rotating the sealing wedge which locks into the port in the shank of the barrel.
Trigger mechanism is located on a detachable mounting plate.
Cartridges are fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel, shells are ejected from the side of the receiver.
The forend is located on the magazine and is connected to the slide frame by two action bars.
There is a blocking lever which blocks the forend when the hammer is cocked.
Cross-bolt trigger safety prevents an accidental pull of the trigger from firing the firearm.
There are nine variants for each gauge, differing in packing list:
Packing variants are referred as "RP-12M" or "RP-16M" followed by the variant. For example, 12 gauge "Bekas-M" with a set of 535 mm and 720 mm barrels, stock and pistol grip is called "RP-12M-06".
15 cm barrel extenders. The owner's manual also states that the shotgun can be supplied with an unnamed telescopic sight
, bag and belt on buyer's request.
The manufacturer used to sell an adaptor for mounting a Weaver rail on top of the receiver but this item is discontinued now. There is a third-party adaptor made in Tula by "EST".
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
pump-action shotguns manufactured by Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant «Molot». The Bekas-M series comprises widely varying models, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in barrel length and choke options. Some models are sold in "combinations" sets with a single receiver and two barrels, and some are supplied with a plastic pistol grip (while most models have walnut stock
Stock (firearm)
A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
and forearm
Forearm (firearm component)
In firearms, the forearm is a section of the weapon between the receiver and the muzzle. It is used to hold the firearm steady and is usually made out of wood or composite material...
).
Its classical design and consistent quality, together with the availability of low-priced sets with two barrels, helped it to gain popularity among hunters
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and home defense enthusiasts in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Development
The first shotgun targeted for civilian market, "Bekas" (based on KS-23KS-23
The KS-23 is a Russian shotgun, although because it uses a rifled barrel it is officially designated by the Russian military as a carbine. KS stands for Karabin Spetsialniy, "Special Carbine"...
design), went into production at Vyatskie Polyany Machine-Building Plant «Molot» in 1997. It gained popularity among hunters but was produced only in 16 gauge, which became less common in Russia in 1990s. "Molot" started to develop a pair of shotguns - semi-automatic
Semi-automatic shotgun
A semi-automatic shotgun is a form of shotgun that is able to fire a cartridge after every trigger squeeze, without any manual chambering of another round being required...
and pump-action - with highly unified design, chambered in more popular 12 gauge
Gauge (bore diameter)
The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the diameter of the barrel. Gauge is determined from the weight of a solid sphere of lead that will fit the bore of the firearm, and is expressed as the multiplicative inverse of the sphere's weight as a fraction of a pound . Thus...
. "Bekas-Auto" and "Bekas-M", respectively, went into production in 1999. The new "Bekas-M" and was produced both in 12 gauge
Gauge (bore diameter)
The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the diameter of the barrel. Gauge is determined from the weight of a solid sphere of lead that will fit the bore of the firearm, and is expressed as the multiplicative inverse of the sphere's weight as a fraction of a pound . Thus...
and 16 gauge and had some changed in its design compared to the original "Bekas", most notably, the safety lever replaced by cross-bolt safety and the barrel lug moved from the end of the tube to its center.
Design details
Detachable barrel is locked in place with a dowel at the receiver and with a nut at the magazine tube. The barrel and the 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.
Trigger mechanism is located on a detachable mounting plate.
Cartridges are fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel, shells are ejected from the side of the receiver.
The forend is located on the magazine and is connected to the slide frame by two action bars.
There is a blocking lever which blocks the forend when the hammer is cocked.
Cross-bolt trigger safety prevents an accidental pull of the trigger from firing the firearm.
Pricing
The popularity of "Bekas-M" in Russia was partly due to its low pricing and availability of "combination" two barrel sets which could be bought directly from the manufacturer for an equivalent of $US 300. In 2008 the manufacturer stopped selling guns to individuals due to an exclusive contract with "Deryabin-Arms" arms dealer. This led to the "combination" sets being sold at gun shops for as high as $US 1100. In 2010 the exclusive contract ended and, while "Deryabin-Arms" is going through bancrupcy, the factory resumed selling to individuals directly and through different resellers.2.75"-chambered "Bekas-M"
There are two major models of "Bekas-M": "Bekas-12M" and "Bekas-16M", the number denoting the gauge, both chambered for 2.75-inch (70 mm) shells. They come with four barrel lengths: 535 mm cylinder bore barrel with open sights, and 680 mm, 720 mm, 750 mm barrels that come with three screw-in chokes (0.0 mm, 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm) and have ventilated rib with bead sight. All shotguns have black finish and are equipped with walnut stock or plastic pistol grip, however, the forend is always walnut. First production runs had a revolver-style pistol grip with walnut cheeks which was replaced by the more ergonomic black plastic pistol grip.There are nine variants for each gauge, differing in packing list:
| Variant | 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 variants are referred as "RP-12M" or "RP-16M" followed by the variant. For example, 12 gauge "Bekas-M" with a set of 535 mm and 720 mm barrels, stock and pistol grip is called "RP-12M-06".
3"-chambered "Bekas-M"
There were also a small pilot lot of 12 gauge "Bekas-M" shotguns chambered for 3 inches (76.2 mm) shells referred as "VPO-202". In 2010 it appeared in the product catalogue of the factory."Service" variant
"Civilian" "Bekas-M" with 535 mm barrel can be converted at the factory to "Bekas-M-S" "service" variant for private security agencies which has a bolt modified to leave a mark on the shell.Accessories
The range of accessories for "Bekas-M" is very limited. The manufacturer does not offer neither plastic forend and stock for "Bekas-M" nor magazine extenders. The manufacturer sells cylinder bore and paradoxParadox gun
A Paradox gun is a firearm made by Holland & Holland with the last two to three inches of the muzzle rifled and the rest smooth, intended to be used as both a rifle and shotgun....
15 cm barrel extenders. The owner's manual also states that the shotgun can be supplied with an unnamed telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
, bag and belt on buyer's request.
The manufacturer used to sell an adaptor for mounting a Weaver rail on top of the receiver but this item is discontinued now. There is a third-party adaptor made in Tula by "EST".