Soviet arms designers for the needs of the army created a lot of rifle gunshot models. One of these samples was the silent pistol PSS "Vul". It was specially designed as a personal weapon for the employees of military intelligence and state security of the USSR. Description, device and technical characteristics of the PSS pistol are presented in the article.
Acquaintance
MSS is a Soviet hand-held special weapon. Unlike the PB (silent pistol) of 1967, it is more compact.
The MSS is a model that, thanks to the use of special SP-4 cartridges in a parameter such as rate of fire, surpasses the Soviet silent C4M double-barreled pistol of 1960 and the small-sized Thunderstorm (ICE) of 1965. In MSS, bullet is not ejected from the barrel channel by powder gases, but by a special piston. In the technical documentation, the weapon is listed as 6P28. The MSS (special self-loading pistol) is used by employees of various Russian intelligence units.
About the history of creation
The main reason for making a decision to begin design work on the MSS is the military’s awareness of the need for effective, subtle and easy to use weapons. Since the presence of any flash gun at the muzzle end of the barrel at the time of the shot and the noise accompanying the shooting are a significant unmasking effect, the arms designers were tasked with minimizing the latter. In addition, the developers were required to reduce the size of the new gun. The design of the PSS “Vul” was carried out by weapons designers V. Levchenko, Yu. Krylov, V. Petrov and E. Kornilova at Klimovsky TsNIITOCHMASH. Work on the creation of a PSS pistol and ammunition for it was started in 1979. In 1983, the design of the weapon was ready. Since the pistols of Makarov and Stechkin had excellent combat qualities, it is natural that they became the basis for the MSS. After correcting minor flaws, such as low kill and aiming range, the MSS pistol (photo of the rifle model presented in the article) entered the arsenal of the Soviet special services.
About improvement
Until 1983, the design of the MSS was modernized and improved. The gunsmiths selected the optimal barrel length. In addition, new ammunition was tested, with powder gases cut off in the sleeve. The use of such cartridges allowed in the future to abandon devices for silent shooting.
About the merits
According to experts, the strengths of a self-loading special pistol (MSS) include:
- Small size and lightness. Light weight allows the shooter to contain a special PSS pistol in a regular holster.
- Noiselessness. Using this weapon, the fighter does not unmask himself. In addition, an insignificant amount of flame is knocked out from the muzzle during firing.
- MSS has a simple design.
- Judging by the reviews, MSS is a weapon that is easy enough to care for and store.
- If necessary, the gun can be equipped with an optical sight.
- PSS has impressive firepower.
- For the design and serial production of 6P28 does not require large financial investments.
What is the lack of weapons?
Despite the undeniable advantages, 6P28 is not without one drawback. It consists in the absence of a latch, which is necessary in the design of the gun in order to suppress the movement of the bolt during firing. However, according to experts, this flaw is insignificant.
About device
For MSS "Vul" provides for the presence of a trigger trigger mechanism of double action.When creating a trigger for a special pistol, gunsmiths used the legendary PM, which by that time had already established itself as one of the most reliable. However, due to the use of non-standard cartridges in the MSS, the pistol design had to be finalized. Soviet gunsmiths in the "Vul" implemented automation with a free shutter. The place for the return spring was a special guide rod located inside the bolt above the barrel, which is represented by two parts: rifled and the chamber.
Carrying out its movement, the bullet acts on the threaded part, slightly displacing it. For the chamber a return spring is provided, which is located under it. The gun barrel was placed in a special tube. Its upper front part is closed by a bolt shield. A convenient grip with the fingers of the barrel was made possible by the presence of a latch, which is made in the form of a rotary sleeve with bevels.
What is the design feature of Vul?
A feature of the MSS is the presence of a plate spring and a half-hidden trigger, designed for double action. After the shooting of all ammunition, the slide delay is removed manually. Thus, in the MSS “Vul” the shutter can be kept open.
How does automation work?
During the shot, the bullet, separated from the liner, begins its movement along the barrel rifling. The resulting powder gases have an effect on the sleeve and the chamber, pushing them back. They begin to move with the shutter. For the chamber, a rollback of 8 mm is provided. Having passed this distance, the chamber stops its movement. As an emphasis for him in the MSS uses a pistol frame. The advancement of the shutter continues by inertia, as a result of which the shot sleeve is extracted. With the help of a return spring, the chamber returns to its original position. A special protrusion is provided for the shutter, with the help of which it engages with the chamber.
The design of the Vul pistol is characterized by smooth braking of the bolt. The sound produced when steel parts come into contact with each other is practically inaudible. Thanks to the use of a special cartridge SP-4, a depressurization is not formed in the barrel channel after a shot. This is due to the fact that the powder gases do not come out of the sleeve. In conventional pistols, the restoration of pressure inside the barrel entails the formation of atmospheric cotton.
About ammunition
For the 6P28 pistol, the use of the SP-4 special cartridge is provided. Ammunition is a bottle-shaped sleeve, inside of which a bullet is hidden. The cartridge is equipped with a special movable cap, which is affected by powder gases.
Using this cap, the bullet is pushed out of the sleeve. He himself, having reached its upper edge, ceases his movement. The SP-4 special patron is equipped with a steel cylindrical bullet with a leading brass belt. Its weight does not exceed 9.3 g. The back is equipped with a small recess. According to experts, such a design of the bullet adversely affected its ballistic characteristics, but at the same time, such a projectile has an increased stopping effect. Judging by the reviews, from a distance of 20 m from the slaughter properties of the SP-4 they will not be able to protect helmets and bulletproof vests of the 2nd class. From 30 m, a bullet pierces steel sheets with a thickness of 0.5 cm. Ammunition for 6 pieces is contained in a single-row magazine, the location for which was the pistol grip.
About Sights
MSS "Vul" is designed with the ability to install collimator sights on it. Thanks to devices of this type, in order to aim, the arrow does not have to cover one eye. The aiming is carried out by an aiming mark. If desired, the fighter can equip 6P28 with optics.
About combat use
MSS "Vul" is not included in the equipment of employees of standard police and army units.This rifle model is used exclusively in army intelligence and special forces. Due to its special properties, MSS is very convenient for sabotage and liberation operations. Since a firing flash does not form when firing from the Vul pistol, it is predominantly used in situations where the enemy cannot be neutralized using a knife or other firearm.
Today, 6P28 is in service with the Russian special services. In addition, MSS “Vul” is included in the equipment of the staff of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Republic of Armenia.
About the performance characteristics
- The total length of the MSS is 170 mm.
- Height - 140 mm.
- Width - 25 mm.
- The weight of the pistol without ammunition does not exceed 70 g.
- The curb weight of the pistol is 85 g.
- For the MSS "Vul" provided for ammunition SP-4.
- Caliber - 7.62 x 41.5 mm.
- Within one minute, no more than 8 shots can be fired.
- The fired bullet has an initial velocity of up to 200 m / s.
- Effective firing from this weapon is possible at a distance of up to 25 m.
- The maximum range of a bullet is 50 m.
- PSS is equipped with open and collimator sights.
- Ammunition store type. The Vul is equipped with 6 rounds.
About PSS-2
A special self-loading pistol "Vul" with its original design, which allowed to significantly reduce the sound of a shot, even without the use of PBS, was the impetus for the design of other types of personal small arms with more advanced characteristics. One of these pistols was the PSS-2.
As part of the project to create a new silent weapon, it was planned to increase its basic combat qualities through the use of the SP-16 special cartridge 7.62 x 43 mm. Unlike the SP-4, for the new ammunition an elongated sleeve is provided, which made it possible to increase the powder charge. As a result, this increased the initial velocity of the bullet from 200 to 300 m / s. According to experts, after refinement, the cartridge has not lost its subsonic speed. As a projectile for this ammunition, a steel bullet is used, the head of which has a reduced diameter. The bullet is equipped with a copper lead belt. In an effort to increase the penetrative properties, the head part was given a pointed shape. From a distance of 25 m, the SP-16 successfully hits a target dressed in protective equipment of the 2nd class. This projectile pierces unprotected manpower from a distance of up to 50 m.
The use of more powerful ammunition led to changes in the tuning of the special pistol. The basis of the design of the PSS-2 is a metal frame. Its front part is equipped with a rifled barrel, behind which is located the automation and the bolt shield. The lower part of the frame has become a place for a handle with a magazine and a trigger hook. As in the basic version, the PSS-2 uses a free shutter and a movable chamber. The shutter above the barrel is equipped with a return spring and its special guide rod. For the chamber is also provided for the presence of a spring. The place of its placement was the underbarrel part of the pistol. At the rear of the metal frame are the trigger and parts supplying ammunition. PSS-2, like its predecessor, is not equipped with a bolt shield that would extend the full length of the weapon. In connection with this design feature, for both models it is not relevant to have a special hole for the extraction of shot cartridges. They fly out through the window, which is formed as a result of the displacement of the casing back.
Finally
MSS "Vul", created in the 80s, was a highly specialized system that was used exclusively for special combat missions. The main characteristics of the Soviet PSS were significantly inferior to other rifle firearm models. The appearance of a new special pistol with a more advanced special cartridge brought the MSS to the same level as other models of army small arms.