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Shpagin PPSh-41


China: Type 50


Overview

PPSh-41

A PPSh-41 sub machine gun fitted with 35 round curved box magazine.
Source: www.world.guns.ru - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Sub machine gun
Entered service
1942
Status
Obsolete
Development
1941
Developer
Soviet Union
George S. Shpagin
Production
1942 - late 1940's
Producer
Soviet Union
China
North Korea
Number produced
Over 6 million
Designations
Type 50 | Chinese production
Type 49 | North Korean production
K-50 | Vietnamese service

Descirption

Introduction

The PPSh-41 is a World War 2 era sub machine gun of Soviet origin. It was developed during World War 2 as a simpler and cheaper alternative to the PPD-40. Later during the war it was supplemented by the even cheaper PPS-43. The PPSh-41 was widely used by Soviet troops during World War 2 and has become an iconic firearm.

Design

The PPSh-41 is a blowback operated weapon that fires from an open bolt position. The weapon consists of a wooden stock and metal barrel assembly with large barrel shroud. A pin makes the barrel assembly pivot forwards, allowing the weapon to be cleaned. A bolt buffer is fitted at the rear of the receiver to reduce recoil stress due to the high rate of fire.

Firepower

The PPSh-41 fires the 7.62x25mm round that is also used in the Tokarev pistol. It uses 71 round drum magazines and 35 round curved box magazines. The PPSh-41 is a select-fire weapon with a cyclic rate of fire of 900 rpm. Combined with the drum magazine this ensures a large volume of fire. The accuracy is low due to limited production quality of the weapon and ammunition and its open bolt design. The maximum effective range is 200 meters.

Users

The PPSh-41 was one of the major issue firearms used by the Soviets during World War 2. After World War 2 it was replaced by the AK-47. Many obsolete units have been provided to Soviet allies in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. During the Vietnam war both Soviet and Chinese models were used by North Vietnam and irregular forces.

Variants

PPSh-41

A PPSh-41 sub machine gun fitted with 71 round drum magazine.
Source: www.reysky.tripod.com - © copyright lies with original owner

List of variants

PPSh-41
The PPSh-41 is a sub machine gun that fires the 7.62x25mm round from 35 round box or 71 round drum magazines. Early production models feature a tangent rear sight and later models a simpler flip up sight.
Type 50
Chinese production model. Direct copy of the late model PPSh-41.
Type 49
North Korean production model. Possibly produced using machinery supplied by China.

Details

Facts PPSh-41
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Sub machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
7.62x25mm Tokarev
Feed system
71 round detachable drum
35 round detachable box magazine
Barrel length
270 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, 240 mm right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
490 m/s
Operation
Action
Blowback operated, fires from open bolt
Locking
None
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
900 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
840 mm
Weight
3.63 kg empty
5.45 kg loaded with drum
4.31 kg loaded with box
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, post front and tangent notch rear (early model)
Iron sights, post front and flip-up rear (late model)
Sight radius
391 mm
Range adjustment
50 to 500 m (early model)
100 and 200 m (late model)

Related articles

Sudayev PPS-43

The PPS-43 was developed as a cheaper and simpler to produce alternative to the PPSh-41.

Read more about Sudayev PPS-43

Tokarev TT-33

The PPSh-41 fires the 7.62x25mm round that was developed for the Tokarev pistol. Many nations supplied by the USSR used both of these weapons.

Read more about Tokarev TT-33