MP-443 Grach
Encyclopedia
Yarygin PYa, MP-443 Grach ( rook
) is the latest Russian standard military-issue side arm
. It was developed in response to Russian military trials, which began in 1993. In 2003, it was adopted as a standard sidearm for all branches of Russian military and law enforcement, alongside GSh-18 and SPS. It is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in the Russian version of 9 mm Luger Parabellum
or 9mm NATO, 7N21, which generates significantly more pressure than standard NATO 9mm ammunition, thus providing significantly higher kinetic energy to the bullets (600 J relative to 450 J for the standard Luger). The weapon can also use standard 9mm NATO or 9mm Parabellum cartridges. The 7N21 features an armour-piercing bullet with a tempered steel core.
PYa is a double-action, short-recoil semi-automatic pistol. Locking is performed by engaging a rectangular breech with the ejection port in a simplified Colt-Browning design, similar to that found in many modern pistols (for example the SIG-Sauer and Glock
families of pistols). The slide stop can be mounted on either side by the user. The manual safety is ambidextrous and is located below the slide, above the grip. The hammer is partially concealed at the sides to prevent catching on clothes and equipment. The magazine release is located in the base of the trigger guard. The front sight is formed as a fixed part of the slide and is non-adjustable. The back sight is adjustable for windage (dovetail type). Both feature white contrast elements. Magazine capacity of PYa is 17 rounds, fed from a double-column, single feed magazine.
Though the grips of the pistol are polymer, the weapon is largely made of metal (stainless steel for the barrel, carbon steel for the frame and slide).
The pistol is named after its designer, Vladimir Yarygin, who had earlier specialized in designing sport pistols. The Yarygin PYa employs a simplified version of the century-old Browning short recoil system. As of 2008, it was supplied only in small numbers to selected special forces units, presumably those in the North Caucasus. In October of 2008 the Russian interior minister planned to equip more Russian police with PYa pistols. . But due to financial problems and the fact the Makarov pistol is so plentiful in Russia the Makarov remains as primary Police service pistol still in Russia years later.
Rook (bird)
The Rook is a member of the Corvidae family in the passerine order of birds. Named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, the species name frugilegus is Latin for "food-gathering"....
) is the latest Russian standard military-issue side arm
Side arm
A side arm is a weapon, usually a pistol but can be a dagger, as used in pre-modern times, which is worn on the body in a holster to permit immediate access and use. A side arm is typically required equipment for military personnel and sometimes carried by law enforcement personnel...
. It was developed in response to Russian military trials, which began in 1993. In 2003, it was adopted as a standard sidearm for all branches of Russian military and law enforcement, alongside GSh-18 and SPS. It is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in the Russian version of 9 mm Luger Parabellum
9 mm Luger Parabellum
The 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge was designed by Georg Luger and introduced in 1902 by the German weapons manufacturer Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken for their Luger semi-automatic pistol...
or 9mm NATO, 7N21, which generates significantly more pressure than standard NATO 9mm ammunition, thus providing significantly higher kinetic energy to the bullets (600 J relative to 450 J for the standard Luger). The weapon can also use standard 9mm NATO or 9mm Parabellum cartridges. The 7N21 features an armour-piercing bullet with a tempered steel core.
PYa is a double-action, short-recoil semi-automatic pistol. Locking is performed by engaging a rectangular breech with the ejection port in a simplified Colt-Browning design, similar to that found in many modern pistols (for example the SIG-Sauer and Glock
Glock
Glock Ges.m.b.H. is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, named after its founder, Gaston Glock...
families of pistols). The slide stop can be mounted on either side by the user. The manual safety is ambidextrous and is located below the slide, above the grip. The hammer is partially concealed at the sides to prevent catching on clothes and equipment. The magazine release is located in the base of the trigger guard. The front sight is formed as a fixed part of the slide and is non-adjustable. The back sight is adjustable for windage (dovetail type). Both feature white contrast elements. Magazine capacity of PYa is 17 rounds, fed from a double-column, single feed magazine.
Though the grips of the pistol are polymer, the weapon is largely made of metal (stainless steel for the barrel, carbon steel for the frame and slide).
The pistol is named after its designer, Vladimir Yarygin, who had earlier specialized in designing sport pistols. The Yarygin PYa employs a simplified version of the century-old Browning short recoil system. As of 2008, it was supplied only in small numbers to selected special forces units, presumably those in the North Caucasus. In October of 2008 the Russian interior minister planned to equip more Russian police with PYa pistols. . But due to financial problems and the fact the Makarov pistol is so plentiful in Russia the Makarov remains as primary Police service pistol still in Russia years later.