The experience of conducting many operations of special services and military units has shown that a good result is possible only with careful preparation. Often the task requires imperceptible execution. This condition can be met if you have a special weapon designed for covert use. One of these models, developed specifically for the KGB and the General Staff of the GRU of the USSR, was the silent pistol SME “Groza”.
The history of the creation of weapons
At the end of 1965, engineers of the Tula Arms Plant and TsNIITOCHMASH, Klimovsk, commissioned the State Security Committee to design a unique SME pistol. According to the order of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR No. 145 of August 24, 1972, KGB officers were armed with this model (under the symbol TOZ-37M).
What does SME stand for?
Soviet-made pistol "Thunderstorm" in Western countries receivedseveral titles. It is known throughout the world as the “Russian Whisper” and “the perfect killer pistol”. The weapon got such fame because its use makes it possible to exclude even the slightest sound when firing. During the shot, only a barely perceptible metallic knock is heard, which is produced by parts of the mechanism. Thanks to this feature, this model in the Soviet Union became known as the MSP - a silent small-sized special pistol.
Application
The SME “Groza” pistol was designed specifically for the fighters of the Main Intelligence Directorate and special forces of the KGB. This model was widely used during the military conflict in Afghanistan. During the Cold War, GRU fighters in Central America also used these weapons.
How is total absence of sound achieved?
Silent shooting from weapons such as SMEs is achieved through the use of special cartridges. Their design has a special piston located between the bullet and the powder charge, which prevents hot gases from coming into contact with air during combustion. During the shot, the powder charge burns out, the gases formed from this do not put pressure on the bullet, but on the piston, from which energy is transferred to the bullet. At the moment of the shot, the bullet flies out of the barrel channel, and the piston remains in the barrel. The form does not allow him to fly out. The body of the piston thus keeps the powder gases in the barrel, preventing them from flying out after the bullet.
Design
The MSP pistol is a compact system in whichtwo barrels are used, located in one rotary block. The barrels have thickenings, which allow to restrain the bursting of cartridge cases from gases. USM consists of two triggers and cylindrical helical mainsprings. It is located in the handle of the SME.
The pistol is brought into combat condition with the help of a special lever - cocking. Each of the barrels has its own trigger, which is under the influence of direct thrust and a mainspring. To hold the trigger in the cocked position, the system has a spring-loaded sear.
USM pistol "Groza" is not self-cocking. The weapon is ready to fire after cocking the lever, which pulls the springs onto the drummers. Aiming with PSM is carried out using an unregulated rear sight and front sight. Due to the small size of this weapon and the use of a piston, it is not structurally possible to equip the pistol with automatic equipment. At the same time, a piston flying out of the barrel would make it difficult for the MSP mechanics to work.
Groza pistol has the following performance characteristics:
- Single action trigger.
- The weapon is designed for cartridges (SP-3) caliber 7, 62x38mm.
- The weight of the pistol without cartridges is 530 g.
- The mass of weapons with a full combat set is 560 g.
- The entire length is 115mm.
- Barrel length - 66 mm.
- Pistol height - 91 mm.
- Sighting range of SMEs does not exceed 50 meters.
- Effective shooting is carried out at a distance of up to 15 meters.
- Pistol magazine capacity is 2cartridge.
- Rate of fire - 6 rounds per minute.
What ensures operational safety?
PSM design is equipped with several fuses:
- Manual or non-automatic refers to the flag type. Carries out blocking of a sear. Located behind the trigger guard on the left.
- Automatic is used to block the trigger and trigger pull when the receiver is not closed.
- The safety that keeps the hammers from making contact with the strikers prevents accidental firing when the pistol is dropped.
Weapon Values
Compared to some other models of pistols, PSM “Thunderstorm” has several advantages:
- The weapon is completely silent. This is achieved due to the fact that the speed of the projectile is less than the speed of sound.
- The gun is small and light, making it discreet to carry.
- The use of SP-3 cartridges eliminates the formation of a cloud of powder gases: after combustion, they do not exit the barrel channel. When firing, no flashes are generated that can unmask the shooter.
PSM has a great resource. With a careful attitude from each barrel of this weapon, over 500 shots can be fired. In some cases, half-shoots occur. This is not a sign of a malfunction in the system. The cause of misfires are powder gases, which in 5% of cases manage to slip past the piston. The result is a somewhat loud pop when fired.
Most combat missions are state security workersperform in urban areas. The Thunderstorm pistol is ideal for this, since it does not have a high penetrating effect. From a distance of 50 meters with an SME, you can pierce through a board 250 mm thick. A sheet of steel from this weapon cannot be pierced even at close range. Using this gun, you can not be afraid of ricochets and civilian casu alties.
How is the preparation for shooting carried out?
In order to bring the PSM into combat position, you must do the following:
- Turn the latch of the barrel blocks to the limit forward. The block itself needs to be moved aside.
- Insert one cartridge into each barrel.
- Slam the receiver unit and secure it with the latch.
- Pry out the fuse holder.
- Cock the lever to the stop and return it to the opposite position.
- Remove fuse from MSP.
The gun is currently in service with some power units of the Russian Federation.
