Kalashnikov Presents Rare Rifles at Exhibition in Izhevsk

The exhibition "Mr. Biathlon", dedicated to the formation and development of the domestic school of designing sports weapons for biathlon, was solemnly opened at the M. T. Kalashnikov Museum and Exhibition Complex in Izhevsk. The exhibition was organized by the Kalashnikov concern, which demonstrated key samples of biathlon rifles created at the enterprise over the decades.

A rare Biathlon-50 rifle, which became the world's first specialized weapon for biathlon competitions, developed at the Izhmash plant, aroused particular interest among visitors. Next to it were the legendary BI-7.62 and BI-6.5 models - the very ones with which four-time Olympic champion Alexander Tikhonov achieved resounding victories in the international arena.

It is noted that a unique design school for the production of biathlon rifles was formed at the Izhevsk enterprise. One of the pioneers of this direction was Vladimir Susloparov, a talented gunsmith who was at the origins of the creation of the first sports models. In 1990–1991, under his leadership, the Biathlon-7-3 and Biathlon-7-4 modifications were developed and put into mass production based on the Biathlon-7-2 rifle.

Thanks to Izhevsk rifles, Soviet and Russian biathletes have won many awards at the Olympic Games and World Championships, strengthening the reputation of domestic weapons as the gold standard of reliability and accuracy in sports shooting.

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