PPSh-41

PPSh-41
PPSh-41 with a 71-round drum magazine
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1941–1950s (USSR)
1941–present (Other countries)
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerGeorgy Shpagin
Designed1941
ManufacturerNumerous
Unit costCa. 50-80 rubles (WWII) (~161-258 USD today)
Produced1941–1947 (USSR)[14]
No. builtApprox. 6,000,000
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass3.63 kg (8.0 lb) (without magazine)
Length843 mm (33.2 in)
Barrel length269 mm (10.6 in)
Cartridge7.62×25mm Tokarev

7.63×25mm Mauser

9×19mm Parabellum
ActionBlowback, open bolt
Rate of fire900-1000 RPM
Muzzle velocity488 m/s (1,600.6 ft/s)
Effective firing range150 m[15] - 200 m[16]
Feed system35-round box magazine or 71-round drum magazine
32-round box magazine (Captured German versions)
SightsIron sights

The PPSh-41 (Russian: Пистоле́т-пулемёт Шпа́гина-41, romanized: Pistolét-pulemyót Shpágina-41, lit. 'Shpagin's machine-pistol-41') is a selective-fire, open-bolt, blowback submachine gun that fires the 7.62×25mm Tokarev round. It was designed by Georgy Shpagin of the Soviet Union to be a cheaper and simplified alternative to the PPD-40.

The PPSh-41 saw extensive combat during World War II and the Korean War. It became one of the major infantry weapons of the Red Army during World War II, with about six million PPSh-41s manufactured during the period.

The firearm is made largely of stamped steel, and can be loaded with either a box or drum magazine.

  1. ^ a b c Bishop, Chris (1998). Guns in Combat. Chartwell Books. ISBN 0-7858-0844-2.
  2. ^ a b McNab 2014, p. 68.
  3. ^ "PPSh 41 Submachine Gun : North Korean Forces". Australian War Memorial.
  4. ^ McNab 2014, p. 74.
  5. ^ McNab 2014, p. 73.
  6. ^ Venter 2017, p. 411.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cuba was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Raeburn, Michael (1978). We Are Everywhere: Narratives from Rhodesian Guerillas. New York City: Random House. pp. 1–209. ISBN 978-0-39450-530-5.
  9. ^ "Jackal Hunt One". Outpost. British South Africa Police. March 1968. Retrieved 29 March 2018 – via Rhodesia.nl.
  10. ^ Campbell 2016, p. 26.
  11. ^ Howze, Hamilton H. (July 1983). "The Soviets after Afghanistan: Armaggedon in the Middle East". Army. Vol. 33, no. 7. pp. 45–50 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ McNab 2014, p. 23.
  13. ^ a b McNab 2014, p. 69.
  14. ^ "PPSh41 Submachine Gun". Classic Firearms. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  15. ^ Edwards, Paul M. (2006). The Korean War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 77. ISBN 0-313-33248-7.
  16. ^ Taylor, Mike (September 2011). World War II: Weapons. Edina, MN: Abdo Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-61478-027-4.