Director General of the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TSNIITOCHMASH) Albert Bakov said in an interview with RIA Novosti about the imminent creation of a new concealed carry pistol (PSN). The head of the enterprise noted that there is no particular difficulty in developing this weapon, so a prototype will be presented in the near future.
“We have completed the preparation of all documentation and are now certifying a 9 × 19 mm pistol. We plan to release three versions of this weapon - a service full-size pistol, a compact concealed carry pistol for those who need to have such weapons on duty, and a special sports version, ”said Bakov.
The general director of TsNIITOCHMASH explained that the hidden-carrying gun would be needed first of all to the employees of operational units. Now they are armed with a Makarov pistol, which, according to Bakov, does not suit the security forces in terms of power and ammunition. The ammunition of the new weapon will be 18 rounds against eight, which are placed in the store unmodified version of the PM.
Based on "Boa"
As explained by RT in TsNIITOCHMASH, a new hidden-carrying weapon is created on the basis of the Udav pistol complex. Its main property will be the minimum number of protruding elements. For firing, standard 9 × 19 mm cartridges will be used.
The Boa constrictor is the latest pistol developed by order of the Russian Defense Ministry. The specialists of TsNIITOCHMASH were tasked with constructing individual weapons for the "covert destruction of manpower" of the enemy in the means of defense of the 2nd class (a total of 9 classes) from a distance of 25 m.
- Pistol complex "Boa"
- RIA News
- © Mikhail Voskresensky
Pilot operation "Udava" was successfully completed in 2019. It is expected that the gun will be adopted in 2020. After this, the climatic enterprise should receive an order for the supply of serial samples.
For firing 9 × 19 mm cartridges three modifications of the Boa constrictor are adapted - army, sports and police. In a standard configuration, the empty pistol weighs 780 g, the length is 205 mm, the magazine capacity is 18 rounds, the firing force with a fuse is 4 kg, and from a combat cockpit it is 1.5 kg. If necessary, a silencer and sighting devices can be installed on the weapon.
In May 2020, the Federal Service for Intellectual Property recognized the brainchild of TsNIITOCHMASH as an invention. The “boa constrictor” differs from its analogues in that it eliminates the trigger rotation when the fuse is on. Novation provides a higher level of safety for the shooter when handling the gun.
In addition, the "boa constrictor" is made in the form of a U-shaped stamped structure. It increases the combat operational durability of the weapon, improves the accuracy and accuracy of fire, and contributes to the maneuverability of the soldier "when shooting in an operational environment."
One of the most famous representatives of hidden-carrying weapons in Russia is the self-loading PSM developed by Izhevsk Mechanical Plant JSC. The gun was adopted by the operational formations of the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR back in 1972.
PSM is a widespread small-sized weapon chambered for 5.45 × 18 mm. Product length - 155 mm, barrel length - 85 mm, thickness - 18 mm, curb pistol weight - 510 g, magazine capacity - eight rounds.
According to experts, the hidden-carrying gun is designed to be placed in a holster of various types and under clothing. The main feature of this weapon is that it cannot be detected visually, even when the shooter wears ordinary civilian clothes. Most often, these pistols are compact, have small dimensions, light weight and thickness. In addition, they are practically devoid of protruding structures.
“The concealed carry gun should fit comfortably behind the belt and not protrude. Although most often the gun is worn in a holster. The most comfortable is a leather operational holster, it is placed on suspenders and, as a rule, hides the weapon well under a jacket and other outer clothing, ”commented Alexander Butyrin, a columnist for the magazine“ Firing Line ”, in an interview with RT.
The analyst believes that the “Boa constrictor”, with all its advantages, is a sufficiently large-sized weapon for hidden carrying. However, a military expert Dmitry Litovkin, in a conversation with RT, expressed a different point of view. He believes that the specialists of the Klimovsk enterprise have "a clear idea of how to create different types of pistols at the level of the best world standards."
In turn, TsNIITOCHMASH told RT that the Institute’s engineers will be able to develop a pistol with 18 rounds of ammunition based on the Udava, which will be comfortable to wear both in a holster and under clothes.
"Economic background"
Analysts do not exclude that the hidden-carrying pistol, which is being created within the walls of TsNIITOCHMASH, will be purchased by the operational units of the Russian law enforcement agencies. However, they suggest that the scale of supplies will not allow crowding out Makarov’s pistol, which was put into service in 1951.
The weight of the legendary PM (empty) is 730 g, length - 161 mm, sighting range - 25 m. The magazine's capacity is small - eight rounds, but the ammunition capacity of upgraded versions of this weapon has been increased to ten and 12 rounds.
- The Makarov pistol
- RIA News
- © Vitaliy Ankov
The domestic pistol has received worldwide popularity for its power, simplicity and reliability. Its disadvantages include strong returns, tight descent and the absence of slats for attaching additional devices. Nevertheless, experts interviewed by RT called these omissions unprincipled.
“In the end, the economic background is important in replacing the Makarov pistol. This is a very affordable weapon. In addition to this, it copes with its combat missions. In terms of effectiveness, PM is not inferior to modern Western models. Yes, it is heavier, it has less magazine capacity, but the disadvantages of Western pistols are whimsicality, lack of reliability and safety because of the very soft descent, ”says Alexander Butyrin.
As the expert explained, the peculiarity of using a pistol is that, as a rule, firing from it is conducted at a range of no more than 10 m. Moreover, operatives (in particular, policemen) very rarely fire at intruders equipped with bulletproof vests. In such conditions, indicators of range, accuracy and accuracy of shooting are not critical.
Dmitry Litovkin is also of the opinion that it is extremely difficult to find a worthy and inexpensive replacement for PM. At the same time, he believes that the need has ripened in Russia to create more technologically advanced individual weapons than Makarov’s pistol.
“In the short term, PM cannot be completely replaced. In addition, this does not make much sense. However, pistols must be improved. I think that TsNIITOCHMASH products, including a new model of hidden wearing, will be distributed among target groups in law enforcement agencies. In this case, they are operatives, ”summed up Litovkin.