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PPSH - 41
Shpagin submachine gun (PPSh) is a Soviet automatic weapon developed by Georgy Shpagin and adopted in 1941. The PPSH became one of the most widespread submachine guns of the Second World War, was produced in millions of copies and was widely used by the Red Army. It uses a 7.62×25 mm TT cartridge, which provides high penetration and effective firing range. The PPSH is equipped with a 71-round drum magazine or a 35-round box magazine, which provides high firepower. The submachine gun has a simple and reliable design with free-bolt automation, which makes it convenient for mass production. The PPSH has a high rate of fire — about 900 rounds per minute, which makes it effective in close combat. It is equipped with a compensator at the muzzle, which reduces barrel toss when firing, increasing accuracy. The PPSH became a symbol of the Soviet soldier during the Great Patriotic War and was actively used both at the front and in partisan detachments. After the war, PPSH was supplied to the countries of the socialist camp and participated in numerous conflicts around the world.
Photo of the constructor:
Main features:
Caliber: 7.62×25 mm TT (the same cartridge was used as for the TT pistol).
Barrel length: 269 mm.
Total length: 843 mm.
Weight: 3.6 kg (without cartridges), 5.3 kg (loaded).
Working principle: free shutter, shooting with an open shutter.
Store capacity: drum magazine for 71 rounds. box magazine for 35 rounds.
Effective firing range: up to 200 meters.
Muzzle velocity of the bullet: about 500 m/s.
Aiming devices: front sight and rear sight (for shooting at 100 and 200 meters).
Rate of fire: 900-1000 rounds per minute.
Other features:
Simplicity of design: PPSh-41 was designed for mass production and could be manufactured even in non-specialized enterprises. Its parts (except the barrel) could be produced by stamping.
Reliability: The submachine gun was resistant to contamination and could operate in the harshest conditions, including frost and mud.
High rate of fire: With a rate of about 1,000 rounds per minute, the PPSh-41 provided a high density of fire, which was especially useful in close combat.
Drum Shop: Although the 71-round drum magazine provided plenty of ammunition, it was heavy and uncomfortable. It was later replaced with lighter box magazines for 35 rounds.
Compensator: the muzzle compensator helped to reduce the barrel toss when firing, increasing accuracy.
Combat use: The PPSh-41 was widely used by Soviet troops during the Great Patriotic War, as well as supplied to the Allies and used in post-war conflicts.
Modifications: there were various versions of the PPSH, including:
PPSh-41 with a drum magazine (early versions).
PPSh-41 with a box magazine (later versions).
PPSh-2 (an experimental model that did not go into production).
Produced: about 6 million copies.
Advantages:
High reliability and easy maintenance.
Powerful 7.62×25 mm TT cartridge with good penetration ability.
High rate of fire and magazine capacity.
Easy to use thanks to the wooden bed.
Mass production and availability in production.
Disadvantages:
Heavy weight, especially with a drum magazine.
The high rate of fire led to a rapid consumption of cartridges.
The drum magazine was heavy and difficult to load.
Limited accuracy at distances over 200 meters.
Interesting facts:
The design of stamped parts (and not milled, as in PPD) allowed the production of up to 1,000 PPSh per day.
The Germans complained that their MP-40 was freezing, and the PPSh-41 was operating at -40°C due to its simple design.
The Germans converted them to 9x19 mm Parabellum and called them MP-717(r) – they were appreciated for their power and reliability.
He got into the Guinness Book of Records as one of the most massive PP in history.
In hand-to-hand combat, the PPSH was heavier, but
it had more rounds (71 versus 32 for the MP-40).
The rate of fire is higher (1000 rounds per minute versus 500).
Photos:
A Red Army soldier hiding in a haystack aims a PPSh-41
Author: Semyon Fridlyand
A Soviet soldier takes aim from a PPSh-41 submachine gun in Stalingrad, 1943
Author: Georgy Zelma
Portrait of 17-year-old scout Sasha Kapustin with PPSh-41, 1943
Author: Alexander Mokletsov
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