Submachine gun design Shpagin model 1941 became the main example of automatic small arms of the Red Army, providing high density of fire at short distances in the conditions of fierce battles. Mass introduction of this type of weapon allowed the Soviet troops to effectively resist the German infantry, compensating for the shortage of personnel by the rate of fire and reliability of the mechanism. Construction PPSh The machine was so successful that production was conducted even in conditions of evacuation of factories to the east, and the machine itself became a recognizable symbol of victory over fascism.
The history of the creation of these weapons is inextricably linked with the first months of the war, when it was urgent to replace the complex in production and scarce submachine guns Degtyarev. Engineer Georgy Shpagin managed to develop a technology that allows you to stamp a receiver made of sheet steel, which dramatically reduced the assembly time and metal consumption. It was this technological breakthrough that allowed the troops to be saturated with tens of thousands of weapons, which played a decisive role in the battles of Moscow and Stalingrad.
History of creation and design features
The development of a new model of automatic weapons was carried out in a short time, as the experience of combat in Finland and the beginning of the Great Patriotic War showed the need for mass availability of automatic weapons among the rank and file. Georgi Shpagin He proposed a revolutionary solution for that time: the use of stamping instead of milling the receiver. This allowed to reduce the labor intensity of manufacturing by 5 times compared to the PPD-40, which was critical for the mobilization economy.
The design of the machine included a free shutter that was locked in the front position, which ensured safety when wearing and ease of maintenance. The barrel was a perforated casing, preventing burns of the soldier's hands during intense shooting and improving cooling. An important element has become disk-store for 71 roundsAlthough later, carob stores with a capacity of 35 rounds were actively used.
The reliability of the mechanism was ensured by the simplicity of the device and large tolerances, which allowed the weapon to function in conditions of dirt, snow and dust without frequent cleaning. The wooden butt and forearm were made of birch or beech, and the metal back plate had a hole that served for the convenience of carrying on the belt. All the elements did PPSh-41 The perfect tool for the harsh conditions of the front.
- 🔫 Simplified production technology has allowed the production of millions of weapons.
- ❄️ The perforated casing of the trunk protected the hands from burns and improved cooling.
- 🎯 High accuracy of the battle was provided by the design of the bolt and barrel.
With prolonged firing bursts, the barrel of the PPSh could overheat, so experienced fighters tried to shoot short bursts or had a spare barrel for quick replacement.
Technical characteristics and combat application
The combat qualities of the machine directly influenced the tactics of the Soviet infantry in urban battles and wooded-wetlands. High rate of fire, reaching 900-1000 rounds per minute, created a solid wall of lead, overwhelming the enemy at distances up to 200 meters. It did. PPSh A formidable weapon in the hands of assault groups operating in the destroyed buildings of Stalingrad or the trenches of the Kursk arc.
Power was carried out by cartridges of 7.62×25 mm, which had a high penetration ability and good stopping effect. The initial speed of the bullet was about 480-500 m / s, which ensured effective destruction of targets protected by light armor or behind wooden shelters. The weight of the full-disk machine was about 5.4 kg, which required a certain physical training from the fighter.
During operation, the peculiarity of the operation of automation at low temperatures was revealed: thick lubricant could solidify, so the instructions required drying the channel of the trunk and moving parts before going out into the cold. Despite this, Spagin It has established itself as an exceptionally tenacious specimen, capable of working even when snow hits the mechanism.
⚠️ Warning: When using a disk store in winter, there may be a problem with the fitting of the cartridge tape to the walls, which required careful lubrication and keeping the store warm.
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| caliber | 7.62 mm |
| Rate of fire | 900-1000 squirrels/min |
| Store capacity | 35 or 71 rounds |
| The length of the barrel | 269 mm |
| Massa (no bullets) | 3.6 kg |
Use tactics in different conditions
The use of submachine guns was radically different from the use of Mosin rifles, which still formed the basis of armament. Automatic machines They usually operated as part of assault groups, leading attacks and firing from short distances. In urban settings such as Stalingrad or Berlin, the PPSh allowed rooms and basements to be cleared with heavy fire, preventing the enemy from leaning out from behind the shelters.
The weapon showed special effectiveness when breaking through heavily fortified positions, when it was necessary to quickly suppress enemy firing points. Fighters with PPSh were often the first to jump into the trenches, using a short barrel to shoot around the corner or at a discount. Wooded terrain and swamps also dictated their conditions, where the range of fire was limited, and the rate of fire came to the fore.
The German command highly appreciated the effectiveness of Soviet automatic rifles, which led to active captured use and attempts to copy the design. Wehrmacht soldiers willingly changed their Mauser 98k carbines for captured ones. PPShEspecially in the context of street fighting. This was a rare case when enemy weapons were massively introduced into regular units of the army.
- 🏙️ In urban battles, the machine was used to clean buildings and basements.
- 🌲 In the forest, the high rate of fire compensated for the short range.
- 🚜 When the defense breaks out, the machine guns were the first to enter the enemy’s trenches.
Interesting fact about trophies
German soldiers appreciated the PPS so much that they even produced special cartridges for the Soviet cartridge 7.62×25 mm, as the regular German 9×19 mm Parabellum was not suitable.
Production and logistics of supplies
The organization of production of PPSh became an example of the mobilization efficiency of Soviet industry. Factories evacuated from the western regions deployed assembly lines directly in a clean field or in unheated shops in the Urals and Siberia. Despite the harsh conditions, the rate of production grew every month, allowing the formation of entire automatic companies and battalions in rifle divisions.
The stamping technology allowed to attract subcontractors who had no experience in the weapons business to the production. The parts were manufactured in metal factories, watch factories and even in light industry enterprises, after which they were assembled in weapons factories. This has provided unprecedented output volumes unattainable for more sophisticated weapons.
Logistics of ammunition supplies was also debugged: the 7.62×25 mm cartridge was produced in huge quantities, which allowed not to save ammunition at critical moments of battle. Soldiers could afford to fire in bursts, creating a density of fire that the Germans often had nothing to fend off at close ranges.
⚠️ Warning: The quality of the metal during the period 1941-1942 may have varied due to a shortage of raw materials, sometimes resulting in rapid wear of the barrel or breakage of the return spring.
☑️ Monitoring PPS readiness for combat
Comparison with enemy analogues
The main competitor of the PPSh on the battlefield was considered a German submachine gun. MP-40. The German model was lighter and more compact, which made it convenient for paratroopers and tankers, but inferior to the Soviet counterpart in the power of the cartridge and rate of fire. While the PPSh created a continuous stream of bullets, the MP-40 required more targeted firing in single or short bursts.
The caliber of the German weapon was 9 mm, which provided good stopping action, but the penetration capacity was lower than that of the Soviet 7.62 mm. The MP-40 also had no wooden parts, making it more comfortable to use in winter conditions, but less handy for long-term wear. The Soviet machine was rougher, but more reliable in conditions of mud and mud.
In a direct encounter, the fighter with the PPSh had the advantage in melee due to the ability to release the entire store in a couple of seconds, covering the fire sector. The Germans often tried to compensate for this by using the tactics of "assault groups", but the mass character of the PPS in the Red Army reduced these attempts to nothing. By the end of the war, the PPSh became the benchmark against which all new models of automatic weapons were compared.
- The MP-40 was lighter, but inferior in speed and power.
- PPSh provided suppression of the enemy by the density of fire.
- ⚖️ The reliability of the Soviet machine in the dirt was higher than that of German counterparts.
The main advantage of the PPSh over the MP-40 was not only the design, but also the mass, which allowed the saturate battlefield to fire where the Germans could oppose only pinpoint strikes.
Heritage and post-war use
After the end of the Great Patriotic War, the PPSh continued to serve in the armies of the countries of the socialist camp and was actively supplied to the countries of the Third World. Its simplicity and reliability made it an ideal weapon for guerrilla warfare and local conflicts of the second half of the twentieth century. In many countries, it was produced under license or copied by handicraft.
In the Soviet Union, the PPSh was gradually supplanted by the more modern Kalashnikov assault rifle, but for a long time it was in service with rear units and security guards. His role in defeating fascism is invaluable: it was a weapon given to millions of soldiers so they could defend their land. Today, the PPSh is a museum exhibit and a symbol of the courage of the Soviet people.
Collectors and reenactors around the world appreciate the preserved specimens, paying attention to the restoration of their original appearance. Studying the history of this machine allows us to better understand the conditions in which our grandfathers and great-grandfathers had to fight. PPSh He has always been remembered as one of the best weapons of his time.
Why did the PPS have such a high rate of shooting?
The high rate of firing (up to 1000 zips/min) is due to the design of the shutter group and the mass of moving parts. The shutter was light enough, and the return spring was selected so as to ensure a quick return to combat position after the shot. This allowed for high fire density, but required skill to manage queues.
Could you shoot the PPS with one hand?
Technically, this is possible due to the relatively small weight (about 3.6 kg without cartridges), but due to the high rate of fire and strong recoil to control the weapon with one hand is extremely difficult. Effective shooting was conducted with a butt emphasis in the shoulder with two hands to ensure accuracy.
Were silencers used in the PPS during the war?
Yes, for PPSh there were silent shooting devices (PSS), developed before the war. They were used by reconnaissance and sabotage groups for silent destruction of sentries and conducting covert operations behind enemy lines.
What was the actual effective shooting range?
Although the sighting range was 500 meters, the real effective range for firing bursts did not exceed 150-200 meters. At long distances, the bullet dissipated greatly, and the probability of hitting decreased, so the PPSh was considered a melee and medium combat weapon.