| Stechkin | |
|---|---|
 Stechkin machine pistol with a removable stock attached | |
| Type | Machine pistol |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1951–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Vietnam War Shaba II[1] Soviet–Afghan War Afghan Civil War (1989-1992) Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995) Chechen-Russian conflict War in Afghanistan South Ossetia War Russo-Ukrainian War Syrian Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Igor Stechkin |
| Designed | 1948 |
| Manufacturer | Vytatsky Polyany Machine-Building Plant |
| Produced | 1951–1958 (APS) 1972–1973 (APB) |
| Variants | APB silent variant |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.22 kg (2.69 lbs) |
| Length | 225 mm (8.86 in) |
| Barrel length | 140 mm (5.51 in) |
| Cartridge | 9×18mm Makarov, 9×19mm Parabellum (Romanian Pistol Md. 1998 variant) |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 750 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 340 m/s (9×18mm Makarov) |
| Effective firing range | 50 m (9×18mm Makarov) |
| Maximum firing range | 200 m |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable box magazine |
The Stechkin or APS (Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina = Автоматический Пистолет Стечкина) is a Soviet selective fire machine pistol that is chambered in 9×18mm Makarov and 9×19mm Parabellum. It was introduced into service in 1951 for use by artillery and mortar crews, tank crews and aircraft personnel, for whom a cumbersome assault rifle was deemed unnecessary, and saw service in a number of wars including the Vietnam War, Russo-Ukrainian War and Syrian Civil War. The APS was praised for its innovative concept and good controllability for its size. However, the high cost of the weapon, complex and time-consuming machining, combined with a limited effective range, large size and weight for a pistol, and fragile buttstock have been mentioned as a reason to phase it out of active service in favour of assault rifles such as the AKS-74U. The pistol bears the name of its developer, Igor Stechkin.
- ^ Sicard, Jacques (November 1982). "Les armes de Kolwezi". La Gazette des armes (in French). No. 111. pp. 25–30. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.