How a Stechkin Automatic Pistol Works

Wikipedia: The Stechkin or APS (Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina = Автоматический Пистолет Стечкина) is a Soviet selective fire machine pistol chambered in 9×18mm Makarov and 9×19mm Parabellum introduced into service in 1951 for use with artillery and mortar crews, tank crews and aircraft personnel, where a cumbersome assault rifle was deemed unnecessary. Seeing service in a number of wars such as the Vietnam War, Russo-Ukrainian War and Syrian Civil War. The APS was praised for its innovative concept and good controllability for its size. However, the high cost of the weapon, complex and time-consuming machining, combined with a limited effective range, large size and weight for a pistol, and fragile buttstock have been mentioned as a reason to phase it out of active service in favour of assault rifles such as the AKS-74U. The pistol bears the name of its developer, Igor Stechkin.

Type Machine pistol
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1951–present
Used by See Users
Wars Vietnam War
Shaba II[1]
Soviet–Afghan War
Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995)
Chechen-Russian conflict
War in Afghanistan
South Ossetia War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Syrian Civil War
Production history
Designer Igor Stechkin
Designed 1948
Manufacturer Vytatsky Polyany Machine-Building Plant
Produced 1951–1958 (APS)
1972–1973 (APB)
Variants APB silent variant
Specifications
Mass 1.22 kg (2.69 lbs)
Length 225 mm (8.86 in)
Barrel length 140 mm (5.51 in)
Cartridge 9×18mm Makarov, 9×19mm Parabellum (Romanian Pistol Md. 1998 variant)
Action Blowback
Rate of fire 750 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity 340 m/s (9×18mm Makarov)
Maximum firing range 200 m
Feed system 20-round detachable box magazine

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