Talk:Molot Bekas

Additional Images

Two early versions of Molot Bekas - 16/35 gauge. Top - the first prototype based on KS-23 and produced in limited quantities in the early 90's. Bottom - a revised version.

Bekas-12M with 21-inch barrel and a "combat" pistol grip - 12 gauge

Origins or background history

Any chance of getting a summary about this hitherto unknown shotgun? :) Who makes it? Who uses it. What country does it come from (though I figured that one out pretty quickly). :) MoviePropMaster2008

I did a small writeup. The official company website looks like it has a lot of info, but it's in Russian, so maybe one of our Russian users can help. --Funkychinaman 17:01, 12 June 2012 (CDT)

I added some data and pictures from the company website. There is an English version of the site but it is hard to find. Greg-Z 03:44, 13 June 2012 (CDT)

Thanks. Just for clarification, what's 12/70 gauge? Is that just the local designation for 3 in 12 gauge shells? --Funkychinaman 08:44, 13 June 2012 (CDT)

Right, it's a shell with 70mm length (as far as I know it is 70mm, not 3-inch = 76.2mm). If such designation is unclear for English-speaking readers then please change it to clear one. Greg-Z 08:56, 13 June 2012 (CDT)

I'm not sure if 3 inch shells are actually 3 inches or if it's just rounded off. Thanks. --Funkychinaman 09:03, 13 June 2012 (CDT)

70mm means 2 3/4" shells (actually 69.85mm), which is the standard length with 3" shells being equivalent to "magnum" rounds. 3" shells are referred to as 76mm (actually 76.2mm).

Oh. Then what are 12/65 shells? I don't think I've seen shells shorter than in 2.75 inches in the US. --Funkychinaman 12:16, 13 June 2012 (CDT)

There are 2 1/2" shells which I have seen called 63.5mm, but I think there are also something like 2 9/16" shells which are 65mm (or it may be that 2 1/2" is a simplified term for 2 9/16" shells). I think the 2 9/16" chambering was for European and British guns, as opposed to America which used 2 5/8” chambers. I think all of these are pretty much obsolete at this point, so am not sure which one this is referring to. --commando552 12:34, 13 June 2012 (CDT)

Curiously, although the KS-23 was made on the base of the Winchester 1200, Bekas, apparently, was reworked under the impression of Manufrance Rapid, wich was quite popular in the USSR. Just compare them. --Slon95 (talk) 11:02, 29 May 2019 (EDT)