Zlatoust RB-12 (Bandaevskogo)

History of Slatoust RB-12 (Bandaevskogo)

Engineer Alexander G. Bandaevskiy developed the Zlatoust RB-12 "Bandaevskogo" pump-action shotgun of Armenia origin in 1995. The gun is loaded with a 12-gauge shell and fires from a detachable six-round magazine.

The action of this gun is unique because the bolt is attached to the barrel where it is supposed to move. The sliding action actually involves the movement of the sliding part and the barrel part as a whole, when introducing new cartridges and removing used ones.

Aiming is achieved by two iron devices - one above the barrel and the other above the receiver. A carry handle that is usually missing from most shotguns is also incorporated. The rifle-style shoulder stock is hinged and folded over the side of the receiver and is spring loaded, so the shooter can be ready to fire within seconds of removing the weapon from the suitcase.

Skeleton stocks are also designed for lightweight functionality. Loops on the front and back allow the use of shoulder straps. Overall folded lengths are 825mm and 610mm. The barrel is 525mm long.

Visually, this weapon is given a rather angular handcrafted look. The barrel protruded some distance from the front of the receiver where the sliding handle was mounted. The weapon uses a traditional pistol grip near the traditional trigger mechanism. Before this was the shaft of the straight box magazine. While the RB-12 is primarily fired from a magazine, single rounds can also be fed from an open breech (slide and barrel partially open) if desired.

The RB-12's system also proved very robust and launchable, even when exposed to sand, dirt and debris during testing. Considering that the 12th shell was fired, the recoil was as expected.

Only about 50 RB-12s are believed to have been produced, and their quality and reliability cannot match the top shotgun systems already on the market. Since then, the gun has generally faded from public interest.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes