TOZ-84

Lore & Background

The TOZ-84 was designed in the 1980s, with the first examples made between 1984 and 1986 and shown at several exhibitions. From 1985 to 1987, several variants were displayed at VDNKh exhibitions in Moscow. In April 1987, it was announced that Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod would begin mass production of the TOZ-84, replacing the TOZ-34, TOZ-55, and TOZ-57 models. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the economic crisis in the Russian Federation during the 1990s led the Tula Arms Plant to discontinue the TOZ-84 and continue production of the TOZ-34 instead.

The TOZ-84 is a hammerless over-and-under gun with both barrels having chokes at the muzzle end. The frame is milled and reinforced by carburisation, and all details of the trigger mechanism are made from high-quality alloy steel. All shotguns are equipped with a safety mechanism to help prevent accidental discharge. The gun has a wooden stock and fore-end.

Several variants were produced: the standard TOZ-84-10 (12/70 mm, 711 mm barrels, with ejector, 3.2 kg); the TOZ-84-11 (12/70 mm, 711 mm barrels, without ejector); the TOZ-84-12/32 (12 gauge over 32 gauge, 660 mm barrels, 3.3 kg); the TOZ-84-20/5.6 (combination gun with a rifled .22 LR barrel over a 20 gauge smoothbore barrel, 500 mm barrels, 2.7 kg without scope); the TOZ-84-28/5.6 (rifled .22 LR over 28 gauge, 500 mm barrels, 2.7 kg without scope); and the TOZ-84-12/9.27 (rifled 9×53mmR over 12 gauge, 675 mm barrels, 3.8 kg without scope). The combination gun variants could be equipped with a 2× magnifying optical sight or an optical sight.

Reader's Guide

The TOZ-84 represents a late Soviet attempt to modernize the double-barreled shotgun lineup at Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod. Its design as a hammerless over-and-under with milled and carburised frame and alloy steel trigger components reflects the manufacturing standards of the era. The variety of variants—including smoothbore, combination, and different gauge configurations—shows an effort to cover hunting and sporting needs. However, the economic crisis following the fall of the Soviet Union cut short its production run; the plant chose to revert to the older TOZ-34 model instead. As a result, the TOZ-84 was produced only for a limited period, making it a relatively uncommon firearm. Its legacy is that of a transitional model that never fully replaced its predecessors, yet it remains a distinct example of Soviet shotgun design from the 1980s.

Did You Know?

• The TOZ-84 was designed in the 1980s and first made between 1984 and 1986.
• Mass production was announced in April 1987, but discontinued in the 1990s due to the economic crisis.
• The TOZ-84-12/32 variant has a 12 gauge barrel over a 32 gauge barrel.