I'd have to dig up some pics, dont have any handy right now.
But seems that I got mine (several years back) for much the same reasons you did so I will give my thoughts.
Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat.
I've got a rail mount and have had a scope on it, red dot, etc... but I like it best with irons.
Love the look and feel of it and aside from forgetting to close the latch and blowing out a seal and digging all over the garage for it, I've had zero issues with it.
I did stipple the grip a bit on it for a better feel.... mainly just to tinker with it.
Go for it! Dont think you'd be disappointed in the least.
Update...My partner in Kansas has 20 acres he lives on and another 60 more just because. He has devistated the cowbird population in the greater Wichita area. With a lower heartbeat than mine, he keeps a 4X scope on his IZZY and any cowbird within 25 yards is done for...Too, when we are in Wyoming for prairie rats and goats, we bring the IZZYs for some motel room practice..
Having years (decades?) ago considered an IZH 46, just handling one turned me away from them. Mind you, I'm no stranger to large air pistols, either.
MoF, the only time I shot an IZH 46 was in a Texas State Silhouette Championship, so there could be an Iron Sight class and award (which requires three entries). I only got to take about 5 practice shots with the borrowed Izzy, and it felt completely awkward and cumbersome to my Weaver pistol-shooting stance. Nevertheless I came within a point of tying the gentleman who loaned me his Izzy and won Iron Sight class. He shot a 29/40; I shot 28/40.
Point is, if you haven't already at least handled one, I suggest you do so before investing (and preferably, shoot one).
Having years (decades?) ago considered an IZH 46, just handling one turned me away from them. Mind you, I'm no stranger to large air pistols, either.
MoF, the only time I shot an IZH 46 was in a Texas State Silhouette Championship, so there could be an Iron Sight class and award (which requires three entries). I only got to take about 5 practice shots with the borrowed Izzy, and it felt completely awkward and cumbersome to my Weaver pistol-shooting stance. Nevertheless I came within a point of tying the gentleman who loaned me his Izzy and won Iron Sight class. He shot a 29/40; I shot 28/40.
Point is, if you haven't already at least handled one, I suggest you do so before investing (and preferably, shoot one).
Is it the size that was the main deterrent for you or were there other things that just added to the overall experience that turned you off?
It sure would be nice to be able to handle one, or many air powered pea shooters but there just isn’t much/many available around to try. There are air gunners around the greater area but not much of a community. My guess is the weather and schedules.
The Izzy and I were ergonomically incompatible; as I recall largely due to my not being to find a comfortable grasp on the STRAIGHT cocking-lever/trigger-guard with my left (off) hand and fingers. Of course that would be a non-issue for ten-meter shooters who shoot one-handed. Not sure if the rest of the balance would have felt less alien to me if not for that issue.
The early 46M had a cocking arm that was straight diagonally from the cocking point to the grip. This may have been why you were not comfortable. As you can see in my photo, the cocking arm has been changed. I shoot two handed (did I mention the scope/red-dot?) all the time as does my partner in Kansas and the silhouette shooters in my club. BTW in you avatar you have both hands around the grip of your pistol like I and my son (an IPSC Grand Master) does with his centerfires and the IZZY.
It should be know that the IZZY is not manufactured by a firearms company per se and that results in the somewhat rough appearance. The grips are made extra large so that YOU can mold them to fit your hands...
Steve Corcoran did mine and when he does you send him a photo copy of your hand...
The screws in the grip and the cocking stub need to be replaced right away with good, American made metric screws. The Russian junk is terrible.
The pistol comes with three front sights and four rear sights, a cleaning rod, screwdriver and extra seals...
I've had mine for a couple years. It's all good, buddy. The reputation of the IZZY is no hype. Just be certain to fully close the breech before firing or you'll blow out the breech seals. It has happened to all of us at least once. They are a cinch to replace if you have spares. There's a guy on ebay that sells seals for it. I've never shot competition. But doubt that there is a more accurate pellet pistol than the IZZY. I'll never sell mine. It's a keeper.
Thanks for pointing out the change in cocking levers Frank. I now recall the cocking-lever on the Izzy I shot was indeed a straight line from the muzzle-end to the bottom of the grip, and that probably had a lot to do with it feeling all wrong to me.
Agreed, Corcoran builds awesome grips and stocks. here's one of mine now-
I've a close friend, we shoot rats in a barn most every Friday night. He is deadly with the iron sights, and like Raid, it kills them dead
He also shoots 10 meter up at our club, won high rifle/1 hand pistol 3 years running with it. He beat the guy who has 6 of those buckles, who also shoots an Izzy. Get the M if you can afford it, the extra velocity makes it more flexible.
I have some exciting news... I had a birthday yesterday and my wife surprised me with a MP-46m! I was hoping for one but I wasn’t expecting it, if you can understand that. I had given her the hint and all of the info on how to acquire it SHOULD she want to go that route.
I had been thinking about one for a few weeks, I make a post a couple days ago (this one) and yesterday one shows up just for me to shoot! So far I’m really liking it. I’ll have to shape the grips some, maybe even try some stippling for traction. Thanks for the suggestion to change the screws out for better quality ones. I’ll look into that soon. I even headed to harbor freight tonight and bought an aluminum case to keep the pistol in to protect it from damage.
But don’t let this stop you from sharing about your 46s.... keep the thoughts and images coming!
Great pistol. Excellent trigger and amazingly accurate. You'll love it. Be sure to store it with the breech unlocked. Doing so will extend the life of the o-rings.
I swapped the rear notch out for the larger one. Much easier to keep the sight picture even with the larger spaces. I think I was trying to sight too precise and ended up over compensating resulting in more missed shots. I’m doing much better with the larger rear notch.
I've a close friend, we shoot rats in a barn most every Friday night. He is deadly with the iron sights, and like Raid, it kills them dead
He also shoots 10 meter up at our club, won high rifle/1 hand pistol 3 years running with it. He beat the guy who has 6 of those buckles, who also shoots an Izzy. Get the M if you can afford it, the extra velocity makes it more flexible.
Heck, yea- buy 2 of them!
Shooting rats with your buddy sounds like a great time!
Just an update on my take having had the pistol for just a week and shooting it at least once a day, often much more.
I absolutely love this pistol. I am NOT an air pistol kind of guy either. I would much rather shoot powder pistols any day BUT I have been warming up to air pistols recently and this pistol is just a part of that trend with me.
First I’ll say this pistol in NOT cheap however, you get what you pay for. It is nice quality all the way around. It looks and feels much nicer in real than pictures could reveal. It simply a solid platform. I like that it’s a SSP (single stroke pneumatic) and there is no need for any thing else other than some pellets and something to aim at. No CO2, no pump/tank, only one easy stroke of the charging lever and it’s ready to go.
The trigger is super. I have only adjusted the position of the trigger blade closer to the grip. I have not felt any other of the adjustments were needed for me. I may tweak them later just to try it but I feel NO NEED to make any. There is a very short first stage and then the wall where the second stage is then a bit more pressure then it breaks clean and clear. There was a slight creep/grit when I first started shooting it but it went away pretty quickly after shooting. I assume it was some sort of debris or possibly a looked over burr on one of the seat surfaces. It’s awesome now and I did nothing to it other than shoot it.
I have more to share but time is limited at the moment. I’ll add more later.....
