Shpagin PPSh 41 [Submachine Gun]:

A.K.A. the "Burp Gun"

The PPSh is a rugged Soviet submachinegun designed from experience in the Winter War against the Finns. Using the small but powerful 7.62X25 pistol round (interchangable with 7.63 Mauser) found in the Tokarev, it can accomodate a proven 71 round drum.

While 35 round stick magazines were also avaliable, the Russian troops found it comforting to have a larger ammunition capacity, especially in the costly house-to-house fighting in Stalingrad. The 71 round drum may have been bulky, awkward, and difficult to reload, but the Russian infantry did not want to be caught reloading in the middle of a combat situation!

The PPSh 41 was a simple weapon that used a blowback action, and fired from an open bolt position. Later models had heavily chromed barrels. They were very simple, reliable, and rugged weapons that were easily mass-produced, making the a favourite among the Chinese and Russians.

Writeup by the end of World War Two, entire divisions were equipped with the PPSh. The Germans liked it so much that they rechambered captured ones in 9mm and often used other ones unmodified in the field. The PPSh fought on in Korea, where it was issued to the Chinese and North Koreans. It was nicknamed the "Burp Gun" by the Allies due to its distinctive noise.

Weight:	8 lb (3.64 kg) unloaded, with drum 12 lbs. (5.40 kg)
Caliber:	7.62 X 25 mm Russian Auto (Interchangable with 7.63 Mauser)
Barrel Length:	10.5 inches (266 mm)
Overall Length:	33 inches (838 mm)
Action:	Open-bolt, blowback
Mode of Fire:	Semi-automatic, fully automatic (900 rpm)
Range:	250 ft (76.2 m)[Muzzle Velocity is 1500 to 1600 fps depending on round]
Magazine:	71-round drum or 35 round box
Cost:	$ 2,000 to 3,000 (Collectors Item)
Made in:	Soviet Union
Special:	Cheap, simple submachinegun. Very rugged, reliable and with a large magazine capacity.

[ Shpagin and PPSh 41 are copyright of their respective owners. ]

Data from Sergei Simonov (sks_45@hotmail.com ).

Formatting By Mischa (E-Mail Mischa ) and by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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