PSM pistol

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PSM
Type Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1973–
Used by See Users
Production history
Designed 1969
Produced 1973–
Variants IZh-75, Baikal-441
Specifications
Weight 460 g (16 oz)
Length 155 mm (6.1 in)
Barrel length 84.6 mm (3.3 in)
Height 117 mm (4.6 in)
Cartridge 5.45×18mm
Action Blowback
Muzzle velocity 315 m/s (1,033 ft/s)
Effective firing range Sights fixed for 25 m
Feed system 8-round detachable box magazine
Sights Rear notch and front post

The PSM (Pistolet Samozaryadny Malogabaritny, Russian for "compact self-loading pistol") was designed by the Tula Design Bureau in 1969 as a self-defense firearm for law enforcement and military officers of the USSR. The pistol entered production at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in 1973.

The PSM is a blowback-operated handgun with a double action trigger and slide mounted manual safety without a slide stop. The grip panels are made from thin aluminum and new model with hard plastic. The weapon is made from steel.

The PSM was designed around the newly developed 5.45×18mm cartridge, which was developed for the weapon by Precision Mechanical Engineering Central Research Institute. The cartridge is capable of penetrating 55 layers of kevlar at realistic engagement distances.[1] This cartridge has a bottlenecked case and a spitzer-pointed jacketed bullet, providing performance superior to the .22 LR and .25 ACP (6.35×16mmSR Browning) rounds.

The pistol was primarily intended for army high command staff. However, owing to its insignificant dimensions, especially small thickness (21 mm across the safety catch), it soon became popular with security (KGB) and law enforcement (militsiya) personnel. The PSM was also appreciated by higher echelon Communist Party functionaries.[1]

Other designations

  • MPTs (Malokalibernyj Pistolentyj Tsentralnogo-boya; "Small-caliber Pistol, Center-fire")[2]

Variants

An export model designated the IZh-75 was produced in .25 ACP.[3]

Users

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://warfare.be/db/catid/277/linkid/1836/title/psm/
  2. ↑ http://world.guns.ru/ammunition/pistol-cartridges-e.html
  3. ↑ http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg23-e.htm
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  5. ↑ Постановление Совета Министров Республики Беларусь № 202 от 19 февраля 2003 г. «Об утверждении перечня специальных средств, видов огнестрельного оружия, боеприпасов и взрывчатых веществ, используемых в таможенных органах Республики Беларусь»
  6. ↑ Постановление Правительства Республики Казахстан № 163 от 17 февраля 2003 г. "Об утверждении норм и перечня оружия и специальных средств, которые имеют право применять сотрудники органов финансовой полиции"

External links

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