It is customary in shotgun forums to treat the Baikal with derision. When pressed the critis admit they never took one apart and most assume it is just another copy of an Anson-Deeley boxlock. It is not.

The action is a close copy of the Winchester model 21, which means the recesses are round, therefore the action is stronger than the usual Anson. The springs are coil, therefore less prone to breakage and easy to change.

Seeing that this is a place for the more mechanically minded folk, it is worth stressing these points. Not being a DR owner, but as an avid shotgunner, I have seen this action customised with impressive results in terms of handling and function. Presumable the same can be done with the DR clone.

Customised or not, the thought of an inexpensive, yet tough DR that can be dragged over hill and vale has a certain appeal. I just wish there was a flanged version of the 30-06, rimless cartridges in the DR just don't seem right, but that might be just prejudice.

The Baikal was conceived and designed to be inexpensive in production and this feature makes it easy in customising. The tang is parallel, and the action to stock head fit is on the circle, the stock is bolted. It is a dawdle to restock, and that would be my first step if I were doing it. A plain solid piece of walnut with the right pitch, decent grip and comb height would do a lot for this rifle. Polishing the internals (rough is a mild term for the factory finish) and a thorough check of the sear-hammer engagement complete the project. It would be far easier, cheaper and more rewarding than trying to make a DR from scratch or from an adapted action body.