Makarov pistol (PM 9 mm) is a semi-automatic pistol that replaced the TT pistol and the Nagant revolver in 1951. It was developed by Makarov Nikolai Fedorovich, a Soviet designer who also developed some of the other adopted weapons. PM, simple and reliable, was and remains in service with law enforcement agencies and the armed forces of the Russian Federation, as well as in a number of other countries (Georgia, Syria, Latvia, Laos, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Ukraine and others). However, in Russia, the slow replacement of it with the Yarygin pistol, PMM and some other models has now begun. What is the peculiarity of this weapon, we will understand further.
Civilian versions of PM
Due to their recognizability, non-combat versions are popular, for example, traumatized PM "VIY" and other versions (PM-RF, "BERKUT", PMR, GPM, PM-T,), as well as pneumatic and gas (for example gas pistol "Makarych" with rubber bullets).
Durability and ease of use made the Makarov pistol popular, its price (from 3 thousand rubles for a PM injury) is also a good plus to all indicators, so there are many civilian modifications of the pistolMakarov. PM in Russia is most often produced in the form of pneumatic weapons (again, due to its recognition). There are models both domestic and foreign. For example, MP-654 is a copy of the Makarov pistol from IZHMEH.
Before the “Law on Weapons” was released, combat PMs (the so-called chalking), which remained in Soviet-era warehouses in large quantities, were often simply converted into traumatic ones. At the same time, the changes were minimal: the stigma of the "manufacturer" and protective elements that do not allow it to be converted into a combat PM. However, now all more or less new non-combat models are a remake, but are made from the same weapon steel.
The German company UMAREX also produces several models, such as the Umarex PM Ultra and Makarov, and the 6mm Legends Makarov gas pistol. The American company SMG produces a version of the Gletcher PM, which has a fixed bolt carrier. The same fixed frame version is available from Borner, another US company, called BORNER PM49 and manufactured in Taiwan.
In Russia, there are also a huge number of modifications, both combat (PMM, has a larger magazine capacity - 12 rounds, and a more powerful cartridge 9x18), and civilian ones, for example "Baikal" 443 (sports pistol), MP-442 " SKIF" with a polymer frame, and a whole series of IZH70, launched on the market as a commercial sports pistol. Combat PM also has a number of modifications.
Silencer
There is a misconception that a PB pistol is a PM with a silencer, which is fundamentally wrong. Even though PB(silent pistol) and has parts taken from the design of the PM (magazine and, as a fragile part, the trigger mechanism), these are two completely different weapons. In the USSR, there were attempts to manufacture PMs with a silencer, but things did not go beyond the experimental batch: the level of sound reduction was insufficient, and due to the lengthening of the barrel, the shutter recoil speed increased, which accelerated the wear of the mechanism. Probably after that, in 1967, it was adopted by the PB.
Currently, some countries (China, the USA and a number of others) produce non-combat modifications of the Makarov pistol with a silencer.
What the Makarov pistol is for
Several dozens of Soviet masters participated in the competition held in the Soviet army in 1948. His goal was to find a replacement for the obsolete Nagant revolver and TT pistol, which were still in service.
The Tula Tokarev pistol, developed in 1930, is quite light and compact, easy to carry, but it also has a number of disadvantages. One of them is cases of a spontaneous shot (such a case is described in the book "Almost Seriously" by Yuri Nikulin), as a result of which it was forbidden to carry a pistol with a cartridge sent into the chamber. Another drawback was the lack of a shutter lag. All this led to the fact that the TT pistol was put on alert for a very long time, and this could cost the operative or soldier his life, because sometimes seconds count. There were also controversial drawbacks, such as the fact that it was not suitable for firing from a tank embrasure. Although this requirement was considered absurd by many, German pistols answered it.
In addition, it was necessary to have a weapon that would be light, compact and convenient, and, importantly, would be brought into a firing state as quickly as possible. The German pistol "W alter PP" was given as a sample, the production of which began in 1929. Several excellent samples were presented, but the design of the Makarov pistol was recognized as the best. The PM was adopted by the Soviet law enforcement agencies and the armed forces three years after its development, during which time the mechanism was finalized, some minor changes were made.
Although the designer Makarov took the "W alter PP" as the basis, he significantly improved it. The design and handling system of the pistol has been simplified, the parts have become multifunctional, their strength has increased, as a result of which the service life and reliability have increased.
A Makarov pistol manufactured in 1949 is known, which is still serviceable, although it has fired about fifty thousand shots. This is impressive, considering that the mainspring of the PM is designed for 4 thousand shots (this is the "standard" value for many pistols, for example, for the same Yarygin pistol).
Initially, according to the requirements of the competition, it was necessary to submit a model in two versions, for caliber 7x65 mm and 9 mm. The PM uses a 9x18mm cartridge instead of 8x17mm. The bullet of the new caliber showed a better stopping effect than the bullet of 7.62x25 mm of the TT pistol, although it had less power. Less power made it possible to introduce a free shutter and a fixedtrunk.
First of all, due to the lower power of the cartridge, the PM is designed for firing at a short distance, up to 50 meters, although the bullet has a lethal force of up to 350 m.
Design
There are also significant differences in the USM device, and the main advantage was the shutter delay lever added by Makarov. The PM pistol magazine and fuse have also received some changes. The combination of the functions of the parts in the design of the PM made it easier, and the parts themselves - much smaller compared to the "W alter PP". So, for example, the slide delay in the design of the Makarov pistol has the function of a cartridge case reflector, and the mainspring is also the spring of the sear, the cocking lever, and when the safety is turned on, it is the trigger release spring. The lower magazine latch spring is the lower end of the mainspring.
In the original version, parts such as the fuse and the mainspring had a complex shape, but over time, new technologies were used, with the help of which it was possible to reduce production costs.
"W alter PP" had a delay in firing, caused by the fact that the cartridge was stuck in the bevel of the chamber. Makarov almost completely eliminated this problem and achieved a better ratio of the height of the cartridge to the inclination of the chamber bevel, therefore, coupled with the high position of the upper cartridge in the magazine, the risk of sticking the cartridge into the bevel is practically eliminated.
PM specifications
Shooting is done by single shots. Due to the simplification of the mechanism forcompared with the "W alter PP", the combat rate of fire of the PM fell somewhat. The Makarov pistol can fire 30 shots per minute, against 35-40 shots for the PP.
The weight of the pistol with a full magazine is 810 g.
Recharged with PM 9mm cartridges (pistol cartridges 9x18), the magazine has a capacity of 8 pieces.
The length of the pistol is 161 mm, the height is 126.75 mm. The barrel of the Makarov pistol has 4 grooves, caliber 9 mm. The cartridge length for the PM is 25 mm, the weight of the cartridge is 10 g, and the bullet itself weighs 6.1 g. Each pistol comes with a spare magazine, holster, pistol strap and cleaning cloth.
Pistol shooting
The action of the PM is based on blowback recoil. Due to the elasticity of the return spring put on the barrel and the mass of the shutter, the barrel is locked. USM with an open trigger, double action. A free striker, theoretically, can lead to a spontaneous shot when falling from a great height or other strong mechanical impact, because it does not have a spring that would hold it in the rear position. However, Makarov did not consider this opportunity sufficient.
When fired, the hammer strikes the striker, as a result of which the cartridge primer breaks. The powder charge ignites, powder gases are formed, under the pressure of which the bullet is ejected from the barrel. Also, under the pressure of gases passing through the bottom of the sleeve, the shutter moves back. It holds the sleeves with the ejector, thereby compressing the return spring. Upon contact with the reflector, the sleeve pops out through the shutter windowout.
Another difference from W alter PP is reloading with the fuse on. In PP there is no shutter lock, so there is the possibility of reloading, and in PM the shutter is blocked. The Makarov pistol can be put on the safety after the magazine is inserted and the cartridge is sent to the chamber. The cocking of the trigger is safely removed, moving away from the drummer, it is blocked in the same way as the trigger leaving when the fuse is on.
In "W alter PP" the safety lever must be brought to the upper position before firing, and in the PM - to the lower position, which is more convenient. It is located on the left, on the back of the shutter. When shooting, there is a peculiarity: the first pull of the trigger, made after lowering the fuse box, will require more effort (approximately 3.5 kg), since the trigger is on the safety cocking and the pistol is self-cocking. With subsequent shots, the trigger will already be cocked, and a slight pressure (1.5 kg) will be required to fire a shot, which also greatly affects the combat rate of fire of the PM.
For greater accuracy of the first shot, after removing the pistol from the fuse, you can manually cock the trigger, while the trigger pulls back, and in this case, a light pull on the trigger will also be enough for the first shot.
Next shot can only be fired after the trigger is released (because the PM is not intended for burst firing). Each new press will lead to a shot until all the cartridges in the magazine are used up. In this case, the shutter, becomingon the shutter delay, remains in the rear position.
Parts and mechanisms of the Makarov pistol
The pistol has 32 parts, and the following main parts:
- magazine;
- slide stop;
- frame with trigger guard and barrel;
- handle with screw;
- USM (trigger mechanism);
-return spring;-bolt with fuse, ejector and drummer.
Pistol disassembly
Firearms, pistols in particular, require constant inspection. This will help to identify defects that have appeared in a timely manner and prevent possible problems. Full and partial disassembly is possible. Complete disassembly should not be done too often, as this accelerates the wear process of the parts of the mechanism, and reduces the service life. Partial disassembly is enough for inspection, preventive lubrication or cleaning after shooting, but a complete one is necessary only when cleaning after extreme weather conditions (getting the gun into water or snow, when repairing or switching to a new lubricant).
There are a number of rules that must be followed when assembling and disassembling a pistol:
- disassembly and assembly is done on a clean surface;
- put parts in assembly order;
- careful handling of mechanisms, without sharp blows and excessive effort; - when assembling several pistols: look at the numbering of parts so as not to confuse the parts of the pistols with each other.
Incomplete disassembly for cleaning and inspection
The magazine is removed from the base of the handle. Grasp it with your right hand, then pull back the magazine latch to failurewith the right thumb, and with the index finger, pull back the magazine cover, holding on to the protruding part. Thus, the store is retrieved.
It is necessary to make sure that there is no cartridge in the chamber, for this you need to remove the gun from the fuse, hold the bolt all the way back with your left hand, setting it to the bolt stop, and then inspect the chamber. Use your right thumb to press the shutter stop and release the shutter.
Next comes the separation of the shutter from the frame. With the right hand, taking the pistol by the handle, with the left hand, lower the trigger guard down. Mow it to the left until it stops in the frame, in further analysis, support it in this position with the right index finger.
With your left hand, hold the shutter all the way back and lift it from behind, and due to the action of the return spring, it will move forward, after which it can be separated from the frame. The next step is to return to the place of the trigger guard.
Remove the return spring. With your right hand, holding the frame by the handle, remove the spring from the barrel, turning it towards you with your left hand.
Assembly order
Assembly starts in the reverse order, with the return spring back in place. With your right hand, take the frame by the handle, and put the spring on the barrel with your left. Important: you need to put it on with the end where the last turn is smaller in diameter than the rest.
The next step is attaching the shutter to the frame. With the right hand holding the frame by the handle, with the left hand holding the shutter, insert the opposite end into the shutter channelreturn spring, and then move it to the extreme position so that the muzzle comes out through the shutter channel. Then lower the back of the shutter onto the frame, while its longitudinal protrusions should fit in the grooves of the frame. After that, lower it, while firmly pressing the shutter. It will come to the front position under the pressure of the return spring, then raise the fuse box up.
When assembling a pistol, it is not necessary to skew the trigger guard, as when disassembling. You can raise the rear end of the bolt so that its lower front wall does not hit the trigger guard ridge, which limits the bolt from moving back.
Finally, return the magazine to the base of the handle. Holding the pistol with your right hand, insert the magazine into the lower window at the base of the handle, holding it with the thumb and forefinger of your left hand. By pressing the cover of the store, but not by hitting it with the palm of your hand, bring it to the desired position, in which the latch will jump over the ledge on the end wall of the store.
Finally, you need to check if the assembly was done correctly. To do this, turn on the fuse, pull back and release the shutter. If everything is done correctly, then, moving forward a little, the shutter should get on the shutter delay, which will leave it in the rear position. Then, with your right thumb, lower the shutter to the shutter delay. Under the pressure of the return spring, it will be vigorously returned to the forward position. The trigger will be cocked. Then you need to raise the fuse box up, then the trigger will be removed from the cocking and willblocked.
Accuracy and accuracy of fire
Shooting from a pistol when checking a battle is carried out from a distance of 25 m at a round target with a diameter of 25 cm, which is installed on a shield 1x0.5 m. If four holes fit into a circle with a diameter of not more than 15 cm, accuracy is considered normal. When fired, the bullet has a speed of 315 m/sec.
For its type, the Makarov pistol has good accuracy. The dispersion radius when firing from 10 m is 35 mm, from 25 m - 75 mm, and from 50 m - 160 mm.
Combat rate of fire PM
In terms of actual rate of fire, the PM is significantly inferior to the PP, but was recognized as the best due to many other characteristics and has been in service in the Russian Federation for more than fifty years, and in this it is comparable to the famous three-line (Mosin sniper rifle, which was in service Russian army from 1881 to 1945). Although the revolver of the Nagant system is somewhat superior to them: it has been in service with the army for almost 117 years. States that do not have their own school for the production of weapons also still exploit the PM.
Now the gradual replacement of the PM with the PY has begun. The combat rate of fire of the PM compared to the Yarygin pistol has a difference of 5 rounds per second (35 for the PY against 30 for the PM), the PY also has a two-row magazine (18 rounds against 8 for the PM) with the same firing accuracy. The speed of the PJ bullet is 100 m / s higher. However, the PM is somewhat larger (198 mm in length versus 168 for the PM), and heavier (the weight of the PM is 910 g with an empty magazine, which is 100 g more than the weight of the PM with a fullshop).
There are two rates of fire: technical and combat. The technical one is determined by how many rounds per minute the gun can fire, without taking into account the time required for reloading and aiming (which can vary from 1.5 seconds for hand weapons, to 20-30 seconds when aiming an anti-aircraft gun horizontally and vertically).
Determining the combat rate of fire of the PM 9 mm pistol, in practice, one should also take into account the capabilities of the shooter and weather conditions, which often increase the time required for aiming. Average for all semi-automatic pistols: 30-40 rounds per second. APS (Stechkin Automatic Pistol) delivers 40/90 rounds per second (single shot and burst fire, respectively). Therefore, the combat rate of fire of the PM most of all depends on the shooter himself and the time required to change the magazine.
In terms of rate of fire, the PM, as well as the TT, surpassed the outdated revolver of the Nagant system, although the latter had two modifications, a soldier's and an officer's. In the officer "Nagan" there was a self-cocking device. However, all weapons produced in Russia have similarities: reliability and ease of use, unpretentiousness in bad weather conditions (although this does not eliminate the need for cleaning), as well as high maintainability. The Makarov pistol was no exception. The price has also always been acceptable, although the "Nagant" and required in its production a fairly highly skilled workers.
