Revolvers. Soviet pistols The best pistols in Europe

Small-caliber pistols Korovin pistol (TK, Tula-Korovin) Fig. 56. TK pistol It must be said right away that none of the authors had a chance to hold a Korovin pistol in their hands - they were neither age nor rank. Therefore, one has to judge him solely by

Pistol and revolver - types firearms with an equally short barrel and small dimensions, which makes them the best way self-defense, ensuring demand from both military and law enforcement agencies and civilians. It is interesting to identify and compare the best pistols in the world, along with the best revolvers, having found out which short-barreled weapon the most reliable and accurate.

The best pistols in Russia

The Makarov pistol

After the Great Patriotic War, in the USSR they began not only to create nuclear weapons, but also by the development of new, more advanced pistols designed to replace the conquered TT model 1933 and the Nagant revolver. The designers simultaneously worked on two weapon options:

1. A more compact one, which fires only single shots, serves as a means of self-defense for military personnel who are not entitled to a carbine or machine gun. And for law enforcement officers who value the concealed carry option;
2. With a longer barrel that fires both single shots and bursts, it is intended for firing during combat and for special forces operations.

The first pistol was developed on the basis of the German Walther PP, which first appeared in 1929. Initially, models were designed in two calibers - 7.65 mm and 9 mm. As a result, Nikolai Fedorovich Makarov, the “father” of the now famous PM, also created his own 9x18 mm PM cartridge, which turned out to be more powerful than Walter’s 9x17. This cartridge and caliber was preferred. The pistol won the competition in 1948, and three years later it entered service with law enforcement agencies.

Based on Walter, Makarov managed to create a weapon of a simpler design by reducing the number of parts, by combining their functions, while simultaneously increasing their strength and practically eliminating the charge sticking into the chamber bevel, which causes firing delays. The pistol is characterized by a very high range for a compact weapon (effective - 50 meters) and combat accuracy. The magazine holds 8 rounds.

The PM is still the best Russian pistol remaining in the arsenal of Russian law enforcement agencies.

Stechkin automatic pistol

The APS was the second pistol to win a competition to arm combat officers, as well as members of a number of special forces, and entered service in 1951. Later, due to the disadvantages that emerged during use, it was discontinued, but after the collapse of the USSR it was again in demand as a means of combating terrorism and organized crime. In the same “dashing nineties”, under the leadership of Igor Yakovlevich Stechkin, improved modifications were developed:

• OTs-23 “Dart”;
• OTs-27 "Berdysh";
• OTs-33 "Pernach".

The disadvantages of the Stechkin automatic pistol were considered to be excessive bulkiness, in particular in combination with a holster-butt, and insufficient power due to an unsuccessful choice of cartridge. The 9x18 mm PM, ideal for the “native” Makarov, gives an effective range (no more than 100 m) and penetration that are too short for APS.

The important advantages of the APS are low recoil and minimal toss when fired, allowing you to shoot as quickly and accurately as possible, which is very good in close combat. These advantages of Stechkin’s brainchild, combined with impeccable reliability and excellent accuracy, allow us to include it in the list of the best domestic pistols.

Today, it is 20-round APS that Russian pilots carrying out military operations are armed with as personal weapons. combat missions in Syria.

Pistol Tula Tokarev (TT)

The TT is the most legendary pistol of the USSR and Russia, created in 1930, it went through the war, was used after it, and has not lost its popularity to this day. Sports and signal modifications of TTs, pneumatic guns and trauma guns, sold under various brands, are produced and are in demand.

Designed by Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev on the basis of the 1903 Browning chambered for the 7.63x25 mm Mauser cartridge, it is ultimately loaded with eight 7.62x25 mm TT ammunition. The effective range is not inferior to the PM (50 m). Due to the length of 195 mm, it is completely suitable for concealed carry. It is distinguished by a number of design features, the most notable being the absence of a safety lock, replaced by a safety cocking mechanism. Has high power and accuracy.

Pistol GSh-18

Created in modern Russia, in operation since 2001. The letters in the name are due to the designers V.P. Gryazev. and Shipunov A.G., and the numbers indicate the capacity of the store.

Currently listed on the list of award weapons. It is in service with the following domestic departments:

• Ministry of Justice;
• FSSP;
• Ministry of Defense (along with PM);
• Prosecutor's Office (along with Beretta 92);
• Ministry of Internal Affairs (as a weapon for a number of categories of workers and partly special forces).

The 9x19 mm 7N31 armor-piercing cartridge was specially created for the Gryazev-Shipunov, but other ammunition is also suitable for the pistol, including 9x19 Parabellum and 9x19 NATO.

The length of the pistol is only 183 mm. Effective range - 50 m. It features the option of equipping the barrel with luminous capsules for firing in poor visibility. Quite comfortable for the shooter due to its low weight (up to 800 grams with a full magazine), well-thought-out handle shape and partial recoil damping.

Gyurza pistol

“Gyurza” is the name given to Serdyukov’s self-loading pistol, known as SPS and under the designation SR-1. The Gyurza was created at TsNIITOCHMASH to arm special forces. Prepared since 1996.

It was designed for the high efficiency 9x21 mm cartridge, developed at the same institution. It is characterized by an increased effective range (100 m), the ability to destroy living targets in armored vehicles, as well as unarmored vehicles. Holds 18 ammunition, weighing 1110 g together with them.

Best US pistols

Smith & Wesson M&P9

M&P in the name of a brand of pistol manufactured by Smith & Wesson Firearms Co. since 2005, stands for Military and Police. Nevertheless, weapons in this series are partially sold on the civilian market.

The peculiarity of the model is the material from which the frame is made - thermoplastic polymer is used instead of metal. The steel casing-shutter and barrel are coated with melanite, which eliminates glare and protects from external influences. Sand and other small debris do not remain on the frame chassis, but are pushed out by the shutter housing.

Another advantage of the pistol is that it comes with replaceable grip pads, making it possible to fit it to your palm.

The designers of the M&P9 managed to minimize barrel lift, thereby increasing the rate of aimed fire. Protruding elements have also been minimized so that the weapon can be removed without snagging on clothing. The length of the pistol is 194 mm, weight (thanks to the thermoplastic frame) is only 680 grams. The M&P9 has several modifications with different magazine capacities (from 10 to 17 rounds) and different calibers.

Colt 1911A1

The 1911 Colt, designed by the famous John Moses Browning, was in service with the US Army until 1985 and is still allowed for use today. Over 30 years ago, the Colt 1911A1 was discontinued, however, various variations of the pistol continue to be manufactured based on this model.

Charged with .45 ACP cartridges, caliber 11.43 mm. The classic model is equipped with a seven-round magazine. The dimensions of the Colt M1911 are large by today's standards: length - 216 mm, weight - 1.12 kg. The effective range is not inferior to newer weapons - 50 m.

Springfield Armory

Pistolet Springfield Armory M1911 is an improved Colt 1911A1, produced in quantities of 5 thousand units. by order of the FBI.

Main changes compared to the base model:

• improved chamber bevel profile and bridge near the magazine to prevent sticking when in use various types bullets;
• enlarging the fuse box to improve its reliability;
• alteration of the trigger - the knitting needle was replaced by a loop-shaped head;
• ease of descent;
• redesign of the magazine handle and cover to speed up reloading;
• more careful fitting of parts to each other;
• increasing magazine capacity to 8 rounds.

In addition, the length of the pistol was reduced to 203 mm while the weight remained the same. The caliber and cartridge of the M1911 have also not changed.

Sig Sauer P320

A successful development by Sig Sauer for the sought-after 9 mm Luger cartridge, which first gained popularity in the civilian market as a means of self-defense and accuracy training, and in 2017 became a service weapon of the US Armed Forces.

The pistol frame is polymer, like the M&P9. The great advantage of the P320 is the variety of grip variations, allowing you to choose the right arrow for absolutely anyone. Convenient for shooting with both right and left hands. Equipped with a device for installing a laser pointer or flashlight. There is an option to change the front sight to select the best height.

Main characteristics:

• length - 203 mm;
• weight - 833 g;
• Magazine capacity - 17 rounds.

Experts note the perfection of the P320 trigger mechanism, clarity and speed reverse trigger, which guarantees speed of fire.

Desert Eagle

A long-range pistol with a large bullet stopping effect. Became famous for being formidable appearance, which ensured “Desert Eagle” (as the name is translated) popularity among computer game developers, film and television series directors. But the Desert Eagle is not and is not expected to be in service with law enforcement agencies.

Designed in 1983 by American gunsmiths from Magnum Research, it was subsequently modified and put into production by Israel Military Industries. It is a pocket automatic rifle, resembling it not only in its firing range and power, but also in its reloading according to the powder gas exhaust system. It features excellent accuracy with low reliability. It has an extremely loud shot and strong recoil, which is dangerous for an inexperienced shooter, especially with a weak hand.

The length of the Mark VII modification is 269 mm, Mark XIX - 273/374 (6/10 inch barrels). Weight - 1.7 kg and 2 kg, respectively. Caliber - up to 12.7 mm. Cartridges - .44 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .357 Magnum.

The best pistols in Europe

Beretta 92 (Italy)

Beretta is one of the best pistols not only in Europe, but also in the world. The first pistol of the 92 family was created by three Italian craftsmen in 1972. In 1985, the Beretta 92F won a procurement competition for the US military, replacing the Colt 1911A1. The model that followed it, 92FS, gained enormous popularity on the global market for military and civilian weapons, selling a total of more than 100 thousand units for many years. per year, being in service with the security forces of many countries. Since 2009, Beretta has been authorized as a means of self-defense by prosecutors and investigators of the Russian Prosecutor's Office.

Beretta 92 length is 217 mm, caliber is 9 mm, cartridge is 9x19 mm Parabellum. The pistol compares favorably:

• smooth body shape, which allows quick removal without getting caught on clothes;
• ease of aiming;
• excellent speed and accuracy of fire.

Its disadvantages are its impressive weight (980 g), difficulties with concealed carry, an overly thick handle and high contamination.

Glock-17 (Austria)

Most powerful pistol caliber 9 mm, which also claims to be the most reliable in the world, which became a true milestone in the development of short-barreled firearms, was designed in 1980 by the Austrian Gaston Glock for the armed forces and police of his native country. The previously little-known company Glock won the competition by successfully implementing its know-how - the use of durable heat-resistant polymers.

Currently, the Glock 17 is in service with security forces in over 30 countries. The company produces several modifications for various cartridges, and the classic 17-round model fires 9x19 mm Parabellum ammunition.

Length - 186 mm, weight with a full magazine - 905 g.

The Glock 17 is easy to disassemble and assemble, has excellent combat properties, and is quickly brought into the ready-to-fire position due to the absence of a safety lock.

Walther P99 (Germany)

Created by designers of the famous German company in the mid-1990s and chambered for the 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridge. It is in service with individual departments and special forces in Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Estonia.

The frame is polymer, the length is only 180 mm, the weight is small - 700 g. Equipped with an adjustable sight, a device for mounting a flashlight or laser designator.

FN Five-seveN (Belgium)

Produced since 2000 by Fabrique Nationale (FN). The words five and seven in the name correspond to the 5.7 mm caliber. Shoots FN's own 5.7x28mm cartridges.

It is produced in modifications with three magazine capacity options - 10, 20 and 30 ammunition. Popular on the civilian weapons market and as a weapon for special forces, including American ones. Length - 208 mm, weight - 744 g.

Heckler and Koch USP (Germany)

Presented to the public in 1993, designed by Heckler & Koch under the supervision of Helmut Weldle. Adopted by the German army. It exists in many variations of different lengths and weights, for different cartridges. Very accurate and reliable.

The best revolvers in the world

Colt Python

Six-shot, .357 Magnum. Manufactured from 1955 to 1996. in several variations, with different barrel lengths. It was distinguished by attractive decoration and was popular with rich and famous people, especially monarchs.

Smith & Wesson Model 29

The Smith-Wesson, along with the revolver and the Colt, can easily be considered one of the most famous revolvers in the world. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 began production in 1955, but unlike the Colt Python, it was never discontinued. Often appears in films and computer games. Shoots almost all .44 caliber revolver cartridges.

Colt 1909

Manufactured in 1898-1940, also called Colt New Service. Used as service weapon in the US Armed Forces and Navy, including during both world wars, the Korean and even Vietnam War. The double-action trigger gives a high rate of fire.

The main cartridge is .45 Colt.

Smith & Wesson Model 19

The first revolver to use the .357 Magnum cartridge, which significantly increased bullet speed and penetration ability. Reliable, accurate, and at the same time has relatively small dimensions. It is still produced today.

Ruger GP100

Developed in 1985. A 6-round .357 Magnum drum, impeccable quality of the materials used, adequate reliability, accurate shooting and at the same time reasonable cost are the advantages that ensured the popularity of this revolver.

Which pistol do you think is the best? Perhaps it was ignored in our review? Have questions about what you read? Ask in the comments and share your opinion. We are always happy to answer, listen, discuss.

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Soviet engineers created not only a large number of small arms, which were then successfully used by the troops and law enforcement agencies, but also a lot of original, and sometimes even fantastic products for their time. One of these samples is the VAG-73 pistol.

Self-taught innovator

What is surprising is that the product was not the development of some design bureau or research institute, but of one person - a self-taught engineer who, moreover, did not have a specialized education. The name of the pistol itself is an abbreviation of the first letters of the name, patronymic and surname of the Soviet engineer Vladimir Alekseevich Gerasimenko, and the number 73 is the year the pistol was born. However, this is the second model; in 1972, Gerasimenko invented an even earlier modification, which was distinguished by a magazine.

Ever since the Great Patriotic War, the self-taught man worked at the Arsenal plant, where space and aviation optical systems were developed. The development of small arms was a kind of hobby of Gerasimenko, which he became interested in in the 1940s.

The history of the creation of the VAG-73 is in itself indicative of the fact that in the USSR, on the own initiative of one person, the development of weapons that were innovative for those years was carried out. However, this still could not have happened without the control of state security agencies. Gerasimenko’s work was not in vain: during his life he made more than 20 products, receiving seven copyright certificates.

Most often, the name Gersimenko is remembered precisely when talking about VAG-73. The self-taught engineer was able to do something that no one had managed before in the USSR: he presented a functional automatic pistol with caseless cartridges. However, first things first.

Shooting Features

The main feature of the VAG was the cartridge used - it used the caseless principle and was absolutely new concept. It was a bullet made of steel, at the base of which there was a recess for gunpowder. This was covered with a copper cap at the bottom of the cartridge, in which there was a hole closed by a burning primer. The copper protruding side of the rear cover cut into the rifling of the barrel, similar to artillery shells.

What are the advantages of such a cartridge? First of all, the weight of the projectile is reduced by almost half. In addition, caseless ammunition increases the pistol's rate of fire due to the absence of delays associated with case deformation.

It was possible to fire from the VAG-73 either in single shots typical of pistols or in bursts. A unique feature was the presence of a pneumatic bolt retarder, which reduced recoil and increased accuracy.

It is also curious that the shooter could fire a shot from the VAG-73 with both pre-cocking and self-cocking. During self-cocking shooting, the trigger is pressed immediately, without cocking the hammer. This allows you to increase the rate of fire and frequency of fire. Nowadays, most pistols have a self-cocking function, but for the early 1970s Gerasimenko's development was innovative.

Giant store

Another feature of the fantastic pistol was a huge two-row tandem magazine with 24 rounds each. This was the main difference between VAG-72 and VAG-73. In the 73rd model. Thus, the VAG-73 magazine contained 48 rounds. When the cartridges ran out in the front magazine, ammunition from the rear began to flow into the receiver.

For comparison, one of the main and most common pistols of the Soviet era, the Makarov pistol (PM), in use since 1951, was armed with an 8-round magazine. Even after modernization in 1994, the PM could hold no more than 12 rounds.

Modern samples have not come close to the VAG-73 in terms of magazine capacity. Thus, the Yarygin pistol, adopted for service in 2003, has a magazine for 18 rounds.

Hand monster

VAG-73 had truly monstrous size and weight. 235 millimeters in length and 135 in height with a weight of 1.2 kilograms. It was longer than even the far from small Stechkin pistol. And the Makarov pistol was 161 millimeters long and 126 millimeters high, and its maximum weight (with cartridges in the magazine) was 810 grams. Thus, the PM, even with full ammunition, weighed a third less than the VAG.

Significant disadvantages of the development, in addition to the dimensions and weight (which, for example, made the hand holding a pistol get tired much faster), was the cost of caseless ammunition. It turned out that their production costs many times more than conventional cartridges, and it has not even been established yet. In addition, it turned out that due to the complexity of the design, the VAG-73 quickly becomes dirty and is not very reliable.

Self-taught inventor Vladimir Gerasimenko died in 1987. Unfortunately, the pistol he developed did not interest the military and never went into mass production either during the innovator’s lifetime or after.

At the end of the 1980s, the engineer’s developments, including the VAG-73, were transferred by the Kyiv State Security Committee to the Artillery Museum in Leningrad. None accompanying documents there were no exhibits. They are still in the collections of this museum to this day.

However, this weapon was not the only one where the concept of artillery solutions was applied in small arms. The famous AN-94 “Abakan”, although it does not use Gerasimenko’s developments, his idea also has an “artillery note”: the receiver of the machine gun acts as a carriage for the movable barrel.

The revolver was developed by the Belgian gunsmith L. Nagant and sold to Russia as a model of 1885. Initially, revolvers for the Russian army were manufactured in Belgium (20 thousand units), and in 1898 the arms factory in Tula began producing them.

The design of the Russian-made revolver underwent a slight modernization: the back of the handle was made solid (and not split, as in the Belgian version), and the shape of the front sight was simplified. Two versions were produced: a soldier's version with a single-action trigger mechanism and an officer's version with a double-action trigger mechanism. The revolver was distinguished by its simplicity of design, manufacturability and low cost. In combat conditions, one of the main advantages was unpretentious operation and reliability: thus, a misfire did not in any way affect the possibility of firing the next shot and did not cause a delay. You can also note the high maintainability of the revolver. The revolver had a monolithic one-piece frame, a door opening the chambers of the drum by turning it to the side, the barrel was screwed into the frame on a solid landing, a ramrod, in the combat position, hidden in the axis of the drum, and after firing it played the role of an extractor spent cartridges and a mechanism located in the frame that closes with a flat lid. In total, the design of the 1895 model revolver had 39 parts. In 1912-1914, a small batch of shortened revolvers for concealed carry by police with a shortened barrel and handle was produced. For the Red Army, only the self-cocking (officer) version of the revolver was produced. In 1930, the design and production technology of the revolver underwent a slight modification: the sight slot became semicircular instead of triangular, and the front sight was changed to a semicircular truncated shape. In 1924-1930 25 thousand shortened (commander's) revolvers were produced for the "chekists". Revolvers in the army were completely replaced by self-loading automatic weapons only after the end of World War II. In 1930-1939 20 thousand revolvers were produced in Poland in two modifications: “Ng wz.30” and “Ng wz.32”. A modification of the revolver with a silencer is known. In total, about 2 million units were produced, incl. 700 thousand in the period 1932-1945. Performance characteristics of a regular/short revolver: caliber: 7.62 mm; length – 235/202 mm; barrel length – 114/85 mm; height – 132/115 mm; width – 40 mm; weight without cartridges - 795/760 g; starting speed bullets – 272-305 m/s; drum capacity - 7 rounds (7.62x38 mm); rate of fire - 21 rounds per minute; firing range – 50m.

American expert Charlie Gao named the five worst pistols that were created by gunsmiths of the USSR and modern Russia. Listed as famous models weapons, as well as samples for solving special problems.

The OTs-23 “Dart” pistol, chambered for 5.45×18 mm, is quite large in size and weighs almost a kilogram. This already makes it a somewhat pointless weapon, because the cartridge used in it is quite weak. Its initial bullet energy is only 128 joules (for comparison: its muzzle energy is 481 joules, that is, three times more).

However, the 5.45x18 mm has one significant advantage: it is capable of penetrating soft body armor, which the 9x18 mm Makarov pistol cartridge cannot do.

However, in the USSR there is another cartridge - 7.62x25 mm, which is used in the Tokarev pistol and also penetrates soft body armor, but at the same time retains enough energy to cause serious damage to the target.

To compensate for the weak stopping effect of the cartridge, the designers increased the rate of fire to 1800 rounds per minute (according to other sources, 1700). During testing, the OTs-23 showed poor results, so it was not accepted for service: a small batch was produced for units of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Model 1895 Nagan system revolver

At one time - in the century before last - the Nagan system revolver was not inferior to the Austrian Rast-Gasser M1898 and other European models. Despite the archaic design, it remained the main personal weapon in Russian and Soviet army until the 1930s until the advent of the Tokarev pistol.

During this time, many revolvers and pistols appeared with more powerful cartridges and a faster loading system. For comparison, Charlie Gao cites the fact that even the French Lebel M1892 revolver, which, like the Nagan, was used during World War II, had a breaking frame and a side-folding drum.

The Nagant revolver also features an unusually tight trigger with a force of nine kilograms per firing mechanism single and double action. This, coupled with other shortcomings, makes the Nagan system revolver of the 1895 model the worst on the list.

Of course, the revolver also had positive sides: Robust and reliable design. In addition, this weapon was easy to repair.

Almost a Glock

P-96

The Russian P-96 pistol was one of the first attempts to make a pistol similar to the Pistols turned out to be similar, the Russian one was distinguished by the presence of an external safety. The P-96 was equipped with a polyamide frame and was designed to use 9x19 cartridges. This pistol did not pass military tests.

To get at least some benefit, the creators adapted their weapon to the 9x17 mm cartridge; the new product was called P-96S and was designed for private security companies. The P-96S did not have any particular advantage over Makarov pistols, of which many still survive from Soviet times, and therefore did not achieve commercial success. Therefore, its production was curtailed in the 90s of the last century.

One of the newest Russian pistols allows the shooter to quickly fire at the target. The low axis of the bore and locking it with a forward movement of the bolt increases the accuracy of this pistol. The use of polymers in the design reduces the weight of the Swift. Significant disadvantage This weapon is called unreliable by both professionals and amateurs.

It often happens that the cartridge case is not removed, which leads to delays in shooting. The descent of the Swift is very tight and unclear. There have been rumors for some time that these are the weapons of choice for Russia's elite police forces. Now the security forces consider it as the main