Abzats Shotgun

Lore & Background

The Abzats shotgun is a rare and valuable find in the Metro, typically only seen in the hands of well-equipped rangers or wealthy station dwellers. Its design is based on the pre-war Saiga-12K, a civilian-legal semi-automatic shotgun that was twisted into something far more brutal by Metro gunsmiths. They hacked off the stock, welded on a folding skeleton brace, and jury-rigged detachable box magazines scavenged from RPK light machine guns—turning a hunter's tool into a tunnel-clearing war crime. In the claustrophobic guts of the Metro, the Abzats is a statement: you are either rich, dangerous, or dead. Its roar is unmistakable—a thunderclap that bounces off concrete and lingers in the ears of anyone within a hundred meters. The weapon is a status symbol, yes, but also a burden. Each magazine of eight shells weighs as much as a canteen of water, and the gun itself is a heavy, unwieldy slab of steel and polymer. It's often found locked in armories at Polis or Exhibition, or pried from the cold fingers of fallen rangers. Its name, from the Russian 'abatis'—a defensive wall of felled trees—is fitting. The Abzats doesn't just attack; it holds a line, breaks a charge, and dares the darkness to try again. The Abzats is not a weapon for the faint of heart or the poorly supplied. Its loud report and muzzle flash can attract unwanted attention in the dark tunnels, and its magazines are heavy. However, for those who can manage its demands, it offers unmatched stopping power in the confined spaces of the Metro.

In Their Own Story

The tunnel was dark, the air thick with the smell of damp concrete and old blood. Stalker Ivan pressed his back against the cold wall, the Abzats heavy in his gloved hands. A low growl echoed from the darkness ahead. He clicked the safety off, the metallic sound sharp in the silence. A nosalis burst from the shadows, its claws scraping the stone floor. Ivan didn't flinch. He pulled the trigger, and the Abzats roared—a deafening blast that shook the tunnel and spat a cloud of burnt powder. The creature crumpled, but another took its place, then another. Ivan fired again, and again, the semi-automatic action cycling with a rhythmic clack-clack-clack. The magazine ran dry with a hollow click, but the tunnel was silent but for the ringing in his ears. He ejected the empty mag—it hit the floor with a dull thud—slid in a fresh one, and racked the bolt. The Abzats was hungry, and the tunnels were full of prey.

Reader's Guide

The Abzats is a late-game or high-tier weapon, often found in the hands of enemies or in hidden stashes. It is a semi-automatic shotgun that fires 12-gauge shells from detachable box magazines, typically holding 8 rounds. This gives it a significant advantage over pump-action or break-action shotguns in terms of rate of fire and reload speed. Its primary use is in close-quarters combat, where its spread and high damage can quickly eliminate multiple threats. It is particularly effective against mutants that rush in packs—nosalises, watchmen, and the like—because you can dump a full magazine into a charging cluster before they reach you. But be warned: the Abzats is loud, heavy, and ammo-hungry. You'll burn through shells faster than a drunk station guard burns through vodka. Always carry at least three spare magazines, and never fire unless you're sure you can finish what you start. A half-empty mag in a reload is a death sentence. Also, avoid using it in tight, echo-prone corridors unless you want every lurker and bandit in three stations to know exactly where you are.

Did You Know?

• The Abzats is based on the real-world Saiga-12K shotgun, which was designed by the Izhmash factory in Russia.
• Its name is derived from the Russian word 'abatis,' a defensive obstacle made of felled trees, reflecting its role as a defensive weapon.
• The Abzats was originally intended to be a civilian hunting weapon, but its design made it popular for military and law enforcement use.
• In the Metro games, the Abzats can be fitted with a suppressor, though this is a non-standard modification that reduces its effectiveness.