MP-443 Grach
Izhevsk Mechanical Plant · Pistol · In Production · 2003
Also known as: PYa, Pistolet Yarygina, 6P35, Yarygin Pistol, Grach
Overview
The MP-443 Grach (Russian: 'Rook') is a Russian semi-automatic service pistol designed by Vladimir Yarygin to replace the aging Makarov PM. Adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2003 as the PYa (Pistolet Yarygina) under index 6P35, it is chambered in 9x19mm and feeds from a high-capacity 17- or 18-round double-stack magazine. The pistol uses a short-recoil locked-breech action and is optimized for the powerful 7N21 armor-piercing loading.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 950 g (33.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 198 mm (7.80") |
| Barrel Length | 112 mm (4.41") |
| Height | 145 mm (5.71") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 161 mm (6.34") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 448 m/s (1470 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 600 J (443 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm, 7N21
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Polymer Grips, Ambidextrous Safety, Fixed Sights, Double Stack Magazine
Variants
- MP-446 Viking — Civilian Export
- MP-443C — Compact
Service history
Operators
- Russian Armed Forces · adopted 2003 · as PYa (6P35)
- Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Kazakhstan Armed Forces
- Venezuelan Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Second Chechen War (1999-2009)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-present)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Production years: 2003-present
Adopted in 2003 but mass production at Izhevsk only began around 2011
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Vladimir Yarygin
Notes
Mass production at Izhevsk did not begin until around 2011. The MP-446 Viking is the civilian export variant with a polymer frame; the military 6P35 retains a steel frame.
Background
The Grach (Russian for 'Rook') was developed under the 1993 'Grach' competition trials, where it beat out competing designs from TsNIITochmash and KBP including the GSh-18 and SPS Serdyukov. Despite winning the competition, all three pistols were ultimately approved for parallel service - a bureaucratic compromise that left the Russian military with three different 'standard' service sidearms.