Stechkin APS
Encyclopedia
The Stechkin APS is a Russian selective fire
machine pistol
. It bears the name of its developer, Igor Stechkin.
, as it became clear that this cartridge was set to become the new service ammunition for handguns of the Red Army. In 1951, both the Makarov and Stechkin were introduced into the Soviet military arsenal, replacing the trusted Tokarev TT-33
. They do not only look similar but have indeed much in common, such as the simple unlocked blow-back mechanism.
In contrast to the Makarov, the Stechkin APS has an automatic fire mode, which is selected using the safety lever. In burst or automatic fire, the pistol should be fitted with the wooden shoulder stock; otherwise, the weapon becomes difficult to control. The detachable stock is similar in appearance and design to that of the Mauser C96
, and likewise, the pistol can be stored inside when not in use. The extra weight of the stock helps to control the recoil.
M74 rifle ammunition.
. This special version was designated Model APB (B for Bes-shumniy, the Russian word for silent). The APB was issued to special forces units such as the Spetsnaz
. During the Soviet war in Afghanistan
the Soviets conducted a number of clandestine campaigns in enemy territory, raising the demand for relatively compact, rapid-firing guns. The APB met this requirement, which gave it a new lease of life. In the more recent past, law enforcement
units such as the OMON
and the SOBR
have also been equipped with this pistol.
A contemporary derivative of the Stechkin, the OTS-33 Pernach
, is also chambered for the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge.
Selective fire
A selective fire firearm has at least one semi–automatic and one automatic mode, which is activated by means of a selector which varies depending on the weapon's design. Some selective fire weapons utilize burst fire mechanisms to limit the maximum or total number of shots fired automatically in...
machine pistol
Machine pistol
A machine pistol is a handgun-style, often magazine-fed and self-loading firearm, capable of fully automatic or burst fire, and normally chambered for pistol cartridges. The term is a literal translation of Maschinenpistole, the German term for a hand-held automatic weapon...
. It bears the name of its developer, Igor Stechkin.
Adoption
The Stechkin pistol was originally chambered for 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Stechkin changed the pistol to the 9 mm caliber used in the new Makarov pistol (PM)Makarov PM
The PM is a semi-automatic pistol design. Under the project leadership of Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov, it became the Soviet Union's standard military side arm from 1951-1991.-Development:...
, as it became clear that this cartridge was set to become the new service ammunition for handguns of the Red Army. In 1951, both the Makarov and Stechkin were introduced into the Soviet military arsenal, replacing the trusted Tokarev TT-33
TT-33
The TT-30 is a Russian semi-automatic pistol. It was developed in the early 1930s by Fedor Tokarev as a service pistol for the Soviet military to replace the Nagant M1895 revolver that had been in use since tsarist times, though it never fully replaced the M1895.-Development:In 1930, the...
. They do not only look similar but have indeed much in common, such as the simple unlocked blow-back mechanism.
In contrast to the Makarov, the Stechkin APS has an automatic fire mode, which is selected using the safety lever. In burst or automatic fire, the pistol should be fitted with the wooden shoulder stock; otherwise, the weapon becomes difficult to control. The detachable stock is similar in appearance and design to that of the Mauser C96
Mauser C96
The Mauser C96 is a semi-automatic pistol that was originally produced by German arms manufacturer Mauser from 1896 to 1937...
, and likewise, the pistol can be stored inside when not in use. The extra weight of the stock helps to control the recoil.
Service
The Stechkin was intended as a sidearm for artillery soldiers and tank crews. As a pistol, it is rather heavy, and combined with the shoulder stock (which was rarely ever used), it is quite bulky. This led to the APS being gradually phased out of active service, although it is still used and also held in reserve. The Stechkin APS was eventually replaced by the AKS-74U compact assault rifle with folding stock, offering more firepower due to its much more powerful 5.45x39mm5.45x39mm
The Soviet 5.45×39mm cartridge is a rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1974 for use with the new AK-74 assault rifle. It gradually supplemented then largely replaced the 7.62x39mm round in service....
M74 rifle ammunition.
Comeback
In the 1970s, a version of the Stechkin pistol was produced including a metal stock, threaded barrel and a silencerSuppressor
A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
. This special version was designated Model APB (B for Bes-shumniy, the Russian word for silent). The APB was issued to special forces units such as the Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz, Specnaz tr: Voyska specialnogo naznacheniya; ) is an umbrella term for any special forces in Russian, literally "force of special purpose"...
. During the Soviet war in Afghanistan
Soviet war in Afghanistan
The Soviet war in Afghanistan was a nine-year conflict involving the Soviet Union, supporting the Marxist-Leninist government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan against the Afghan Mujahideen and foreign "Arab–Afghan" volunteers...
the Soviets conducted a number of clandestine campaigns in enemy territory, raising the demand for relatively compact, rapid-firing guns. The APB met this requirement, which gave it a new lease of life. In the more recent past, law enforcement
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
units such as the OMON
OMON
OMOH is a generic name for the system of special units of militsiya within the Russian and earlier the Soviet MVD...
and the SOBR
SOBR
The Special Rapid Response Unit or SOBR is an elite commando unit of the Russian Interior Ministry, involved in anti-criminal operations....
have also been equipped with this pistol.
A contemporary derivative of the Stechkin, the OTS-33 Pernach
OTs-33 Pernach
The OTs-33 Pernach is a Russian 9x18 Makarov machine pistol, derived from the 5.45 mm OTs-23 Drotik machine pistol. The Pernach is an automatic pistol designed to replace the Stechkin APS in various special OMON units within the Russian police, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and other...
, is also chambered for the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge.