APB
Izhevsk Mechanical Plant · Pistol · Limited Production · 1972
Also known as: Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Besshumnyy, Automatic Silent Pistol, 6P13, AO-44, Silenced Stechkin
Overview
The APB (Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Besshumnyy, 'Automatic Silenced Pistol') is a Soviet selective-fire, suppressed pistol chambered in 9x18mm Makarov. A covert-operations derivative of the Stechkin APS, it pairs a blowback, hammer-fired action with a removable expansion-chamber suppressor and a detachable wire shoulder stock, allowing aimed automatic fire with greatly reduced muzzle report. It was issued to Soviet special-purpose and intelligence units for reconnaissance and clandestine work.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1020 g (36.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 246 mm (9.69") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Height | 150 mm (5.91") |
| Width | 27 mm (1.06") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 257 J (190 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x18mm Makarov · primary — also known as 9mm Makarov, 9x18 PM, 9x18mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Removable Suppressor, Detachable Wire Stock, Selective Fire, Integral Expansion Chamber
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1972 · as 6P13
- Russian Armed Forces
- KGB
Conflicts
- Soviet–Afghan War (1979-1989)
Production
Production years: 1972-present
Produced in limited numbers for special-purpose and intelligence units; never a mass-issue sidearm.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Aleksei Neugodov
Notes
Developed at TsKIB SOO from the Stechkin APS. The ported barrel vents gas into a forward expansion chamber, with a detachable cylindrical suppressor screwed over the muzzle; the magazine and most internals interchange with the standard APS. Overall length is about 246 mm bare and roughly 455 mm with suppressor and wire stock fitted; total mass with silencer and stock is around 1,650 g. Carried official index 6P13 (also referenced under the design index AO-44).
Background
The APB was created when Soviet special forces needed a compact, controllable suppressed weapon capable of automatic fire. Engineers at TsKIB SOO reworked Igor Stechkin's APS machine pistol, adapting its barrel and adding a wire stock and screw-on suppressor so an operator could deliver quiet aimed bursts from a holster-sized package.