Difference between revisions of "PSM Pistol"

From Firearm Wiki: The Internet Gun Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "Title:")
 
Line 1: Line 1:
Title:
+
 
 +
[[File:PSM-Pistol-5.45x18mm-Soviet-Russian-Assassin-Pistol-Armor-Piercing-Firearm-Wiki.jpg|frame|right|The Soviet PSM pistol, which is primarily geared towards military officers. It fires the 5.45x18mm cartridge, which is known for its ability to penetrate soft kevlar body armor. [https://www.guns.com/news/2011/10/10/putins-pistol-the-psm-semi-automatic-pistol-in-545mm Photo from Guns.com.]]]
 +
 
 +
The '''PSM''' (Pistolet Samozaryadny Malogabaritny, Russian for "compact self-loading pistol") is a Soviet semi-automatic handgun developed by the Tula Design Bureau around 1969 to 1970 as a self-defense firearm for police and military officers. The pistol entered production at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in 1973.  It was developed alongside the cartridge it is chambered for, the [[5.45x18mm]].
 +
 
 +
For a multitude of reasons, the PSM has gained a certain amount of infamy, becoming known as a sort of "assassin's pistol". This is probably in no small part due to the 5.45x18mm's excellent ability to penetrate body armor and so on. But this isn't necessarily the case. While the KGB for example did end up adopting these small and lightweight pistols, it was always intended as a basic sidearm for military officers. Likely as an alternative to carrying a larger firearm, or being unarmed.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== Specifications ==
 +
 
 +
'''Caliber:''' [[5.45x18mm]].
 +
 
 +
'''Magazine / Capacity:''' 8-round detachable magazine.
 +
 
 +
'''Barrel Length:''' 3.3 inches (84.6mm).
 +
 
 +
'''Overall Length:''' 6.1 inches (155mm).
 +
 
 +
'''Height:'''4.6 inches (117mm)
 +
 
 +
'''Weight:''' 16 ounces (460 grams).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== Models / Variants ==
 +
 
 +
* '''IZh-75''' (''ИЖ-75'') - an export model in [[.25 ACP]].
 +
 
 +
* '''IZh-78''' (''ИЖ-78'') - 7.6mm gas.
 +
 
 +
* '''IZh-78-9T''' (''ИЖ-78-9Т'') - Blank-firing pistol chambered in [[9mm P.A.K.]]

Revision as of 17:22, 11 November 2019

The Soviet PSM pistol, which is primarily geared towards military officers. It fires the 5.45x18mm cartridge, which is known for its ability to penetrate soft kevlar body armor. Photo from Guns.com.

The PSM (Pistolet Samozaryadny Malogabaritny, Russian for "compact self-loading pistol") is a Soviet semi-automatic handgun developed by the Tula Design Bureau around 1969 to 1970 as a self-defense firearm for police and military officers. The pistol entered production at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in 1973. It was developed alongside the cartridge it is chambered for, the 5.45x18mm.

For a multitude of reasons, the PSM has gained a certain amount of infamy, becoming known as a sort of "assassin's pistol". This is probably in no small part due to the 5.45x18mm's excellent ability to penetrate body armor and so on. But this isn't necessarily the case. While the KGB for example did end up adopting these small and lightweight pistols, it was always intended as a basic sidearm for military officers. Likely as an alternative to carrying a larger firearm, or being unarmed.


Specifications

Caliber: 5.45x18mm.

Magazine / Capacity: 8-round detachable magazine.

Barrel Length: 3.3 inches (84.6mm).

Overall Length: 6.1 inches (155mm).

Height:4.6 inches (117mm)

Weight: 16 ounces (460 grams).


Models / Variants

  • IZh-75 (ИЖ-75) - an export model in .25 ACP.
  • IZh-78 (ИЖ-78) - 7.6mm gas.
  • IZh-78-9T (ИЖ-78-9Т) - Blank-firing pistol chambered in 9mm P.A.K.