MTs 7

Lore & Background

The first version of the MTs 7, the MTs 7-1, was designed in the late 1950s by TsKIB SOO as a target rifle for competition shooting. It was later redesigned and from 1960 sold as a high-quality hunting weapon. Custom MTs 7 guns were among the most expensive of all hunting firearms made in the USSR. In August 1981, a custom MTs 7 smoothbore shotgun cost 1,000 roubles and a double-barreled rifle cost 1,200 roubles. By December 1987, prices had risen: the MTs 7-20 shotgun was 1,500 roubles, the MTs 7-12 shotgun was 1,700 roubles, and the MTs 7-07 or MTs 7-09 rifle was 1,800 roubles.

The MTs 7 is an over-and-under hammerless gun with one barrel above the other; the barrels are detachable. It is equipped with a safety mechanism and an ejector. All guns have a walnut shoulder stock (with or without a cheekpiece) and fore-end, and some were decorated with engravings. Hunting rifles and combination guns could be equipped with the PO-4×34 optical sight made by the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant.

Variants include the MTs 7-1 (6.5mm target rifle with 750mm barrels and diopter sight), the MTs 7-01 (6.5mm hunting rifle with 600mm barrels), the MTs 7-02 (7.62×54mmR hunting rifle), the MTs 7-07 (7.62×51mm hunting rifle), the MTs 7-09 (9×53mmR double-barreled hunting rifle produced since 1968, equipped with PO-4-1 optical sight and rubber recoil pad), the MTs 7-12 (12/70 smoothbore shotgun with 750mm barrels), the MTs 7-12S (version with new trigger mechanism), the MTs 7-17 (combination gun with 12 gauge smoothbore and 7.62×54mmR rifled barrel), and the MTs 7-20 (20/70 smoothbore shotgun with 675mm barrels). In the 1990s, production of a new MTs 7-17 combination gun was announced, but due to the economic crisis in the Russian Federation, production of all versions was greatly reduced.

Reader's Guide

The MTs 7 family represents the pinnacle of Soviet custom gunmaking, occupying a unique niche as both a target rifle origin and a luxury hunting arm. Its significance lies in its status as one of the most expensive hunting firearms available in the USSR, with prices that reflected its hand-fitted quality and limited production. The variety of calibers and configurations—from 6.5mm target rifles to 12-gauge shotguns and combination guns—demonstrates the versatility demanded by discerning hunters. The inclusion of features such as detachable barrels, ejectors, and optional optical sights (like the PO-4×34) placed it on par with high-end Western over-and-under designs. The economic crisis of the 1990s curtailed production, making existing MTs 7 guns rare and collectible. Its legacy endures as a testament to Soviet precision engineering and the craftsmanship of TsKIB SOO, though the family never achieved the widespread distribution of more utilitarian Soviet shotguns.

Did You Know?

• The first MTs 7 version was designed in the late 1950s as a target rifle for competition shooting.
• The MTs 7-09 hunting rifle has been produced since 1968 and was equipped with a PO-4-1 optical sight and rubber recoil pad.
• Production of all MTs 7 versions was greatly reduced in the 1990s due to the economic crisis in the Russian Federation.