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