For the manufacture of domestic traumatic weapons, many manufacturers use combat samples of pistols. Among a wide range of different models, according to many fans, the most effective is the legendary Stechkin automatic pistol .
Created in 1951 and armed with some Soviet and later Russian special forces, today the APS is used by the Russian arms manufacturer as the basis for the manufacture of traumatic weapons. It was on the basis of the Stechkin pistol that the workers of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant created the traumatic MR-355. The non-combat model in its appearance is completely identical to the legendary APS, as was intended by the manufacturers.
Thanks to the external resemblance to a combat pistol, this “trauma” is so beloved today by many weapon connoisseurs.
The beginning of design work
The traumatic pistol MP-355 first appeared on Russian arms counters in 2007. In those years, many "injuries" already had an acceptable power, sufficient for effective self-defense. This is explained by the fact that firms specializing in the manufacture of traumatic cartridges have improved production. The ammunition was equipped with a sufficient amount of gunpowder necessary for the necessary speed to be given in the barrel channel.
Traumatic Weapons Requirement
During the design work, the Izhevsk manufacturer took into account the provisions of the current legislation of the Russian Federation, according to which the possibility of firing bursts and steel bullets should be deprived of civilian weapons.
Stechkin as a result has undergone minor design changes. In terms of weight, size and appearance, the “injury” is no different from its combat counterpart.
Dimensions
In its design, the traumatic MP-355 is very similar to APS. It has the same impressive dimensions as the Stechkin pistol, which can be used by the owners of these “injuries” in various conflict situations. Directed towards the aggressor, the MP-355 is able to exert a strong psychological effect. Due to its large size, this “trauma” stands out from the total mass of traumatic weapons.
Barrel channel device
Stechkin’s traumatic pistol MR-355 is a remake of a combat APS using a 9 mm caliber. In the non-combat model, these ammunition is replaced by 9 mm P.A. cartridges , which are capable of exerting a traumatic effect.
The adaptation of military weapons to traumatic cartridges entailed a change in the barrel. In the "injury" the diameter of the barrel channel is smaller than that of the Stechkin combat pistol. As a result of the adaptation, the trunk in the MP-355 was rigidly fixed on the frame. In addition, the barrel channel is equipped with two special teeth that do not allow firing of solid bullets.
Also, these teeth impede the use of those ammunition whose bullets are capable of speeds higher than permitted by Russian law. The size of each tooth is half the diameter of the stem canal. They are located at a distance of 10 mm from each other. One is located behind the chamber, and the second is on the opposite side of the barrel channel.
In addition to these teeth, weapon designers also provide six-millimeter contractions in the muzzle sections of the MP-355. The reviews of the owners of these traumatic pistols indicate that due to the presence of teeth and narrowing, the weapon completely lost its ability to shoot a solid bullet.
Models created by Makarov’s pistol are also subject to similar improvements. If we compare the "injuries" designed on the basis of such combat pistols as PM and APS, then in the MP-355, unlike the Makarych, there were no swelling of the barrel channels and tearing of the teeth from frequent shooting.
During an external examination of the muzzle, many potential buyers often have the impression that the trunk channel of the traumatic Stechkin is very thick. But this is not so. The trunk consists of two compressed main parts containing one barrier. In its design, the MP-355 gun is more durable than its competitor Makarych.
What remained unchanged in the “injury”?
Adapting the Stechkin automatic pistol under a traumatic cartridge, the designers of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant replaced the barrel and slightly weakened the design of the MP-355. The characteristics of this traumatic weapon obtained as a result of modernization exclude its use for automatic fire.
The designation “AV” (automatic fire) on the fuse, the designers decided to leave unchanged. As a result, the “trauma” fuse is equipped with a switch with three fire modes, which is equipped with the original combat weapon Stechkin. The difference between the APS and the “injury” is that in the civilian non-combat pistol, the three-mode switch is completely useless and left only as a decoration.
Trigger design
The MP-355 Stechkin pistol is equipped with an automatic system with a free shutter. Due to the trigger system, designed for double action, firing from this traumatic weapon is possible in two versions: self-cocking and after the preliminary cocking of the trigger.
The performance characteristics
- Caliber MP-355 - 9 mm.
- Ammunition used: 9 mm R.A. and 10x22T.
- The gun has a length of 225 mm.
- The width of the MP-355 is - 34 mm.
- Height - 170 mm.
- The weight of the MP-355 without cartridges does not exceed 0.95 kg.
- The weapon is designed for single shooting mode.
- The pistol magazine is designed for 10 rounds.
What complements the "injury"?
Two magazines are attached to the gun. With the help of a standard wooden holster borrowed from the APS for the MP-355, the manufacturer was able to give the “trauma” specific charisma.
Ammunition
The manufacturer in the process of creating a traumatic model has reduced the volume of the pistol magazine. If Stechkin's military pistol contained 20 rounds, then in the MP-355 their number was halved. Reducing the volume of the store was carried out, according to consumers, not the most reliable way. In these "injuries" the rear walls of the stores are equipped with special millimeter rivets.
Their task is to prevent the cartridge feeders from dropping down. If you want to equip a traumatic pistol, like a basic combat pistol, with twenty rounds of ammunition, it is enough to simply remove these rivets. Performing this work, one should not forget that these actions are illegal.
Some owners charge in another way - without removing the rivets. To do this, it is enough to equip the MP-355 store first with ten rounds. Then you need to make a little effort and begin to charge the eleventh cartridge. After the existing obstacle in the store is overcome, charging the “injury” with the remaining nine rounds will not be difficult.
Many owners of the MP-355 note that after performing these actions in the gun, problems often arise with the supply of cartridges. This is explained by the difficulties of the reverse feed of the feeder. During operation of the gun, after its repeated charging-reloading, this problem disappears.
From this we can conclude that the volume of the MP-355 store is unlimited. To expand it or leave it in the previous state depends on the owner of this “trauma” itself.
Advantages and disadvantages
The strengths of the MP-355 are:
- Rugged construction. This is explained by the fact that the "injury" is a successful alteration of a very reliable combat pistol.
- MP-355 has a large office resource: 40 thousand shots.
The disadvantages of this traumatic gun include:
- High cost: 35 thousand rubles.
- Thin fly.
- The presence of a long stroke trigger.
Ammunition
Initially, Italian-made 10x22T cartridges were provided for this traumatic pistol. However, many owners of these “injuries” prefer to use optimal ammunition of 9 mm R.A. AKBS companies.
When choosing ammunition for the MP-355, the owner should take into account the peculiarity of this traumatic pistol, which is that firing with weak rounds can cause reloading problems: the pistol will have to be reloaded after each shot.
Also, to prevent tearing and puffing of cartridges, reinforced ammunition is not recommended in this traumatic gun. When firing cartridges with the designation "Slaughter +", the high speed of the bullet ball will lead to its rupture during the passage of intra-barrel obstacles.
The best situation is with the Magnum ammunition from the manufacturer of the battery. When passing obstacles in the barrel, bullets are torn much less often. However, using these cartridges, you need to be prepared for the fact that if the ball still burst, you will have to shoot again.
Many owners of the MP-355 recommend the use of cartridges manufactured by Techkrim. The kinetic energy of these ammunition is 70 J. From this we can conclude that low-power cartridges such as 9 mm R.A. are ideal for the MP-355 Stechkin traumatic pistol. They are very effective for training shooting. But, in view of their low power, they are of little use for self-defense.
The selection of the best cartridges for this traumatic gun will take some time. Everyone who is going to get MP-355 should be ready for this.
Model reviews
Those who have purchased and use this traumatic gun respond extremely positively about it. According to the owners of this weapon, the MP-355 has the following strengths:
- All parts of the gun are large. Due to this, in the process of disassembly-assembly eliminates the loss of individual parts.
- Convenient location of all controls. As a result, the weapon can be used even with one gloved hand.
- The presence of the third position for the fuse, in addition to giving the “injury” an external resemblance to a military analogue, may confuse some owners. This is explained by the fact that, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, traumatic pistols are completely deprived of the ability to carry out automatic shooting. However, for commercial reasons, the manufacturer did not remove the third position of the fuse from the MP-355 design. If in the APS using this flag a switch is made from automatic to a single fire and vice versa, then in the “injury” such a switch is completely impossible. In MP-355, this safety lever does not function.
- The weapon is ideal for regular practice shooting. According to the owners, due to the weak power of the cartridges used, this “injury” is not very effective as a means of self-defense.
- MP-355, due to its large size, according to some owners, can be used in the case of a real threat as a means of psychological suppression of the aggressor. However, large dimensions can be considered a drawback, especially if this weapon is worn daily. Firstly, due to the large size, the hidden wearing of this model is completely excluded. Secondly, the weight of this traumatic pistol without cartridges is almost one kilogram. According to the owners, it is not so easy to carry the MP-355 all day with a full clip, especially in those cases when the holster was not selected correctly.
Traumatic MR-355 analogue
Stechkin also became the basis for such an “injury” as APS-M (a modernized Stechkin automatic pistol). This gun is a converted combat weapon, adapted for firing ammunition stopping action. The following disadvantages are characteristic of this traumatic weapon:
- Frequent pouting and tearing of trunks and cartridges when using reinforced cartridges.
- The use of ammunition, for which an insignificant weight of gunpowder is provided, as well as low-power cartridges, entails frequent malfunctions of the pistol automatics when reloading. During the firing of such cartridges, the liner very often jams.
Despite its low cost, in comparison with the MP-355, APS-M is not able to make him worthy of competition.
Are weapons released today?
Recently, the manufacture of traumatic pistols based on combat has been banned. This caused the suspension of serial production of the MP-355 model. But since at one time they managed to adapt a large number of Stechkin pistols for traumatic cartridges, the MP-355 has not yet been removed from the shelves of arms stores.
According to lovers of traumatic weapons, this situation may drag on for several years. After that, most likely, the MP-355 model will still be replaced. No matter the situation with the MP-355, today this gun is one of the best "injuries."