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PSM pistol

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Semi-automatic pistol
PSM
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1973–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
Designed1969
Produced1973–Present
VariantsIZh-75, Baikal-441
Specifications
Mass460 g (16 oz)
Length155 mm (6.1 in)
Barrel length84.6 mm (3.3 in)
Height117 mm (4.6 in)
Cartridge5.45×18mm
ActionBlowback
Muzzle velocity315 m/s (1,033 ft/s)
Effective firing rangeSights fixed for 25 m (27 yd)
Feed system8-round detachable box magazine
SightsRear 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. However, this is purely a consequence of its hard metal core and the bullet wasn't designed to defeat body armor. This cartridge has a bottlenecked case and a spitzer-pointed jacketed bullet.

The pistol was primarily intended for army high command staff. However, owing to its insignificant dimensions, especially its small width (21 mm (0.83 in) 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.

Other designations

  • MPTs (Malokalibernyj Pistolet Tsentralnogo-boya; "Small-caliber Pistol, Center-fire")

Variants

  • IZh-75 (ИЖ-75) - an export model in .25 ACP.
  • IZh-78 (ИЖ-78) - 7.6mm gas pistol
  • IZh-78-9T (ИЖ-78-9Т) - 9mm non-lethal pistol (9mm P.A.K.)

Users

See also

References

  1. ^ "PSM". Warfare.be. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015.
  2. ^ McCollum, Ian (30 June 2017). "Soviet PSM Pistol History: Really a KGB Assassination Gun?". Forgotten Weapons.
  3. "PSM a Baikal IŽ-75". Střelecká revue (in Czech). No. 4. Prague: Magnet-Press. 2006. ISSN 0322-7650.
  4. 2.1. Газовое оружие самообороны... Пистолет ИЖ-78-7,6 кал. 7,6 мм
    Перечень служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов к нему, вносимых в Государственный кадастр служебного и гражданского оружия (утверждён распоряжением Правительства РФ № 1207-р от 3 августа 1996 года)
  5. ^ Jones, Richard D., ed. (January 27, 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  6. 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»
  7. 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"

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