By 1990, Stechkin ’s automatic pistol was discontinued due to its outdated design. The army and special forces of Russia needed a modernized automatic weapon, which in its qualities would not be inferior to the APS. As a result of the design improvements, the OTs-33 Pernach pistol was assembled.
Who created the model?
The Pernach pistol was developed from 1995 to 1996 by employees of the Tula Central Design and Research Bureau of Sports and Hunting Weapons under the leadership of I. Stechkin. Young weapons engineers A. Balzer and A. Zinchenko were also involved in the work. “AP SBZ-2” - this is how the developed automatic pistol was listed in the design documentation. “Pernach” is the unofficial name for this model. In the 14th century, so-called samples of hand strike weapons capable of piercing armor.
For what purpose was the weapon designed?
In the 90s, the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia decided to replace the used ammunition 7.62 mm from Kalashnikov, the use of which in the city limits posed a threat to civilians, to safer ones, which are considered small-caliber pistol cartridges of the central battle (MPC). Thus, in 1993, two orders were received from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at TsKIB SOO: for the creation of ammunition and the development of weapons for it - a modernized APS, which should have been adapted for firing 5.45 MPC caliber cartridges.
How was the model of the new pistol created?
Initially, as a result of the alteration of the APS to a cartridge with low power and weak stopping effect, the TsKIB SOO employees assembled the OTs-23 Drotik model.
In this model, there was an original automation: due to the included fuse, the striker, shutter, trigger and trigger were reliably blocked. Such weapons, even loaded and cocked, were completely safe. The model was equipped with a trigger mechanism, designed for double action, and a moving barrel. In 1995, design refinements of this model were launched, first under the 9x19 mm “parabellum” caliber cartridge, and later under the Russian 9x18 PM. By April 1996, the first Pernach was already ready.
The weapon in its design and appearance is practically no different from the previous version - OTs-23. The Pernach pistol also has a movable barrel and a double-action trigger trigger. The model is suitable for both single and serial shooting.
How is the Pernach pistol designed?
For this model, two stores have been created, which contain cartridges in the amount of 18 and 27 pieces. The location of these stores was the handle of the gun. For their reliable fixation, the developers have provided a special button latch. You can select the desired fire mode using the flag translator, which is also a fuse. As in Stechkin, the pistol OC “Pernach” contains this fuse on the shutter-casing. To shoot a burst, just move the safety flag counterclockwise down to the stop.
The gun can be used with both hands. To this end, the developers equipped fuses and translators on both sides of the pistol grip. A special metal folding shoulder rest was also created for the weapon, which increases stability during the use of the gun.
Rate of fire
Since the 9 mm cartridge , unlike the 5.45 MPC, is characterized by a high stopping effect, in OTs-33 the need to increase damage by quickly repeatedly hitting the target has disappeared. As a result, it was decided to significantly reduce the rate of fire. Now, instead of 1800 rounds per minute, only 800 could be completed. For this, the OTs-33 design was equipped with a shutter cover with a full stroke of more than 7 cm. During the rollback, the shutter and barrel collide with each other, which entails a slight loss of energy. As a result, during rollback, the shutter casing moves at a lower speed. To roll the shutter in the design of the gun provides a return spring. Own spring of the barrel returns it to its previous position, while the next ammunition is sent to the chamber.
OTs-33 automation is characterized by an extended cycle. Due to this, the Tula designers managed to achieve a reduction in the rate of fire to 800 rounds per minute. For the Stechkin automatic pistol, due to the retarding mechanisms used in it, the pace was 700 rounds.
The performance characteristics
"Pernach" is a pistol that is automatic in type.
- The weight of a weapon with a butt is 1.42 kg.
- Weight without butt - 1.15 kg.
- The size of the pistol with the butt is 54 cm.
- Length without butt - 23 cm.
- Barrel size - 135 mm.
- Barrel width - 37 mm.
- Barrel height 143 mm.
- The gun uses 9x18 mm PM ammunition.
- The bullet is capable of developing an initial speed of up to 330 m / s.
- Targeted shooting from this gun is possible at a distance of up to 50 meters.
- The weapon has a maximum range of not more than one hundred meters.
For transportation of shoulder rests to weapons and magazines with cartridges, there are special covers and pouches that cling to waist belts.
Weapon test
For the first time, “Pernach” was tested by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the territory of the research equipment controlled by it. During the tests, the weapon showed a good result: the dispersion of bullets was less than that of the Cypress. Compared to Stechkin’s automatic pistol, which is prone to tossing, the Pernach has 30% greater firing efficiency.
OTs-33 interested the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia with its high technical characteristics and novelty. Several batches of these pistols are still listed in the arsenal of Russian law enforcement special forces.