MTs 5

Lore & Background

The MTs 5 was designed and produced by TsKIB SOO starting in 1950 and was shown at the VDNKh exhibition in Moscow. In November 1965, a new MTs 5 cost between 350 and 400 roubles. According to the official statement of TsKIB SOO specialists, it was the most durable and reliable civilian hunting weapon ever made in the USSR; by that time several MTs 5 guns had already withstood from 100,000 to 150,000 shots without breaking. In June 1981, the price ranged from 250 to 600 roubles. Production was discontinued after the model MTs 105 was developed.

The MTs 5 is an over-and-under hammerless gun with one barrel above the other. All guns have a walnut shoulder stock (with or without cheekpiece) and fore-end; some were decorated with engravings. Hunting rifles and combination guns could be equipped with a detachable optical sight. The first MTs 5 guns used a 3.5× optical sight P.O.T., later replaced by a 4× optical sight TO-4 and other optical sights. The MTs 5 was the first Soviet serial firearm equipped with an optical sight sold as a civilian hunting weapon.

The family included twenty-nine different versions. Smoothbore shotguns were offered in 20, 28, and 32 gauge with 675mm or 750mm barrels. Combination guns paired a smoothbore barrel (20, 28, 32, or 16 gauge) with a .22 LR or larger rifle cartridge (6.5mm, 7.62×54mmR, 9×53mmR, 5.6×39mm). Double-barreled rifles were chambered for .22 LR paired with 6.5mm, 7.62×54mmR, or 9×53mmR, with 600mm barrels. The next model was the MTs 105.

Reader's Guide

The MTs 5 family represents a significant achievement in Soviet civilian firearms design, being the first serial Soviet firearm sold to civilians with an optical sight. Its reputation for durability was officially claimed by TsKIB SOO specialists as the highest among Soviet civilian hunting weapons, with documented examples surviving 100,000 to 150,000 shots. The wide variety of twenty-nine versions—including smoothbore shotguns, combination guns, and double rifles—allowed hunters to select a configuration tailored to specific game and conditions. The use of walnut stocks, optional cheekpieces, and engraving on some models reflected its status as a high-quality custom product. Production ended after the introduction of the MTs 105, but the MTs 5 remains notable for its role in establishing the Soviet tradition of optically sighted civilian hunting arms.

Did You Know?

• Several MTs 5 guns withstood 100,000 to 150,000 shots without breaking.
• The price of a new MTs 5 ranged from 250 to 600 roubles in June 1981.