Stechkin APS
Izhevsk Mechanical Plant · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1951
Also known as: APS, Avtomaticheskii Pistolet Stechkina, Stechkin Automatic Pistol
Overview
The Stechkin APS (Avtomaticheskii Pistolet Stechkina) is a Soviet selective-fire machine pistol designed by Igor Stechkin and adopted in 1951. Chambered in 9x18mm Makarov, it features a 20-round magazine, fully automatic capability via a three-position safety/selector, and a detachable wooden holster that doubles as a shoulder stock for stabilized full-auto fire. An inertial rate reducer slows the cyclic rate to a controllable 600 rpm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1020 g (36.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1220 g (43.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 225 mm (8.86") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Height | 150 mm (5.91") |
| Sight Radius | 196 mm (7.72") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 340 m/s (1115 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 353 J (260 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x18mm Makarov · primary — also known as 9mm Makarov, 9x18mm PM
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Selective Fire, Detachable Shoulder Stock Holster, Rate Reducer, Adjustable Sights
Variants
- APSB Stechkin Suppressed — Suppressed
- OTs-23 Drotik — Successor
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1951 · as APS
- Russian Armed Forces · as APS
- Russian OMON / SOBR
Conflicts
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
- First Chechen War (1994-1996)
- Second Chechen War (1999-2009)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Production years: 1951-1975
Production at the Vyatskiye Polyany plant; total numbers not publicly documented
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Igor Stechkin
Discontinued: 1975
Notes
Originally issued to artillery, tank, and APC crews, as well as RPG-7 teams who needed a compact secondary weapon with greater firepower. It was largely withdrawn from frontline service by the 1970s but returned to limited use with Russian special operations and law enforcement units in the 1990s.
Background
Igor Stechkin designed the APS as his graduation thesis at the Tula Mechanical Institute, beating out competing prototypes from Makarov and Voyevodin. The pistol's distinctive wooden holster-stock was inspired by the C96 Mauser, and the design earned Stechkin the Stalin Prize in 1952 at age 30.