PSS silent pistol

The PSS silent pistol or MSS "Vul" ("Вул") [1] is the last completed weapon system resulting from the Soviet development of silent pistols operating on a sealed cartridge system. Two previous designs were considered unacceptable for use due to their limitation to two shots. Earlier systems included the MSP and SP-4M double-barreled pistols. Developed around 1980 for assassinations and reconnaissance, the PSS was first issued to KGB Spetsnaz in 1983. It is under production in the special weapons foundry at TsNIITochMash. PSS pistols are still in use by some FSB and MVD units.

PSS
TypePistol
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1983–present
Used bySoviet Union, Russia
Production history
DesignerTsNIITochMash
Designed1979–1983
ManufacturerTula Arms Plant
VariantsPSS-2
Specifications
Mass700 g (1 lb 9 oz), 850 g with cartridge
Length165 mm (6.50 in)
Barrel length35 mm
Cartridge7.62×41 mm SP-4
Caliber7.62 mm
ActionRecoil-operated
Muzzle velocity200 m/s (660 ft/s)
Effective firing range25 m
Maximum firing range50 m
Feed system6-round detachable box
SightsFixed blade sights

The original PSS was succeeded by the PSS-2 in 2011, using the more powerful silent 7.62×43 mm SP-16 cartridge.[2]

Purpose

The PSS was developed to give Soviet special forces and secret police an almost completely silent option for covert operations such as reconnaissance and assassinations. The weapon uses a special cartridge with an internal piston to achieve this goal. Otherwise, it is a fairly simple double-action pistol. Few details are known about the pistol's performance, as only a few have entered Western hands. It has been measured to produce a sound level of 122 dB.[3]

Operation

Cartridge
How the PSS action works

The PSS uses a specially-developed 7.62×41 mm necked round SP-4 (СП-4), also used by the OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver.[4] The cartridge contains a propelling charge which drives an internal piston in contact with the base of the bullet. On firing, the piston propels the bullet out of the barrel with enough energy to achieve an effective range of 25 meters. At the end of its travel, the piston seals the cartridge neck, preventing noise, smoke, or blast from escaping.[5]

Combat history

The PSS has been used in the Syrian civil war.[6]

Action

The PSS is recoil-operated. It has a slide designed to operate silently, in keeping with the pistol's design for silent operation. In other respects, the PSS generally follows traditional conventions, except for the slide's guide rod, which is located above the barrel and instead of guide rails on the pistol frame.

Variants

The PSS-2 silenced pistol was developed in Russia, based on the original PSS but with some features of the SR-1M pistol and some improvements. It fires SP-16 noiseless 7.62×43 mm ammunition, more powerful than, but incompatible with, the original 7.62×41 mm cartridge. The PSS-2 was adopted by the Russian FSB security agency in 2011.[2]

Known Users

See also

References
  1. "Пистолеты НИИ Точмаш". Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  2. "PSS-2 Silenced Pistol". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  3. "Functioning of the Soviet PSS Pistol with SP4 Captive Piston Ammunition". sadefensejournal.com. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  4. "SP-4". worldweapon.info (in Russian). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
    • Hogg, Ian V.; John Weeks (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.
  6. @CalibreObscura (6 September 2021). "One of the very few (likely less than 4) PSS Silent Pistols in #Idlib. Captured from Russian SF, these pistols are…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. "Armament of the Georgian Army - Firearms - Handgun". geo-army.ge. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.

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