Stechkin automatic pistol

Type of Soviet machine pistol

The Stechkin or APS is a Soviet selective fire machine pistol that is chambered in 9×18mm Makarov and 9×19mm Parabellum. It was introduced into service in 1951 for use by artillery and mortar crews, tank crews and aircraft personnel, for whom a cumbersome assault rifle was deemed unnecessary, and saw service in a number of wars including 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.

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