Shpagin submachine gun (PPSh-41) develops theoretical rate of fire 700–1000 rounds per minute when firing in bursts, but actual performance depends on the modification, condition of the weapon and type of ammunition. Serial samples produced in 1941–1945 gave on average 850–950 shots/min - this value is recorded in the technical documentation of the Red Army and is confirmed by post-war tests. It is important to understand that nameplate rate of fire (specified in the instructions) and combat effective rate of fire (taking into account reloading and recoil control) differ by almost 2 times.
Construction PPSh with an open bolt and a high rate of fire led to rapid consumption of cartridges: a standard disk magazine for 71 rounds devastated for 4–5 seconds of continuous shooting. At the same time, long bursts of more than 10–15 shots reduced practical accuracy due to barrel toss. Soviet instructions recommended firing in short bursts of 3–5 rounds, which actually reduced the average pace to 200–300 shots/min in battle.
Official data: what technical data sheets say
According to GOST and military standards of the USSR, rate of fire PPSh-41 was defined as 700–1000 rounds per minute depending on the batch and year of manufacture. These figures were based on laboratory tests under ideal conditions:
- 🔧 Clean and lubricated weapon with no wear on parts.
- 🎯 Ammo
7.62×25 mm TTfactory-made (without defects in sleeves). - 📏 Ambient temperature +15…+25°C (in cold weather the rate of fire dropped by 10–15%).
- 🔄 Use of a 35-round sector magazine (disc magazines increased the risk of delays).
In real combat conditions, the indicators were different. For example, reports on winter battles of 1941–1942 noted a decrease in the rate to 600–700 rounds/min due to thickened lubricant and icing of the bolt group. After the war, when testing captured PPSh in Finland, values were recorded in 900–950 shots/min for a weapon in excellent condition.
How the rate of fire was measured: methods and equipment
In the Soviet Union, the rate of fire PPSh determined using mechanical chronometers and electric shot countersconnected to the trigger. The standard procedure included:
- Loading weapons full store (71 or 35 rounds).
- Recording the time from the first to the last shot in the queue.
- Repeat test 3–5 times with recalculation of the average value.
To minimize errors we used easel fastenings, excluding the influence of the human factor. It is interesting that in German tests of captured PPSh (conducted in 1943) used oscilloscopes for precise measurement of intervals between shots. The results coincided with Soviet data: 880–920 shots/min for working copies.
⚠️ Attention: Modern replicas PPSh (for example, air or airsoft models) have a rate of fire 200–400 shots/min - This is due to safety restrictions and the design of pneumatic systems. Do not confuse them with military weapons!
Influence of the magazine on the rate of fire
The type of magazine significantly affected the rate of fire PPSh-41. The Soviet army used two main options:
| Store type | Capacity (cartridges) | Rate of fire (rounds/min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disc (drum) | 71 | 700–850 | Frequent delays when dirty, difficult recharging |
| Sector (box-shaped) | 35 | 850–1000 | More reliable, but smaller capacity |
| Shortened (post-war modifications) | 25 | 900–1050 | Used in police and export versions |
Disk magazines, despite their large capacity, reduced the rate of fire due to:
- 🔄 Greater weight and inertia of the feeding mechanism.
- 🛠️ Frequent jamming of cartridges when the disc is deformed.
- ⏱️ Increased reload time (up to 10–15 seconds versus 3–5 for the sector one).
For this reason, since 1942, the Red Army introduced sector magazine for 35 rounds as the main one. It provided a more stable pace and was less likely to misfire, which is critical in battle.
To improve reliability PPSh in winter conditions, soldiers lubricated magazines graphite lubricant instead of standard gun oil. This reduced the risk of icing, but required more frequent cleaning of the weapon.
Comparison with analogues: PPSh vs PPS vs MP40
Rate of fire PPSh-41 was one of the highest among submachine guns of the Second World War, but not absolute. For comparison:
- 🇩🇪 MP40 (Germany): 500–550 shots/min - lower, but with better controllability.
- 🇬🇧 Sten Mk II (UK): 500–600 shots/min - cheap, but unreliable.
- 🇺🇸 M3 Grease Gun (USA): 450–500 shots/min - low tempo, but simple design.
- 🇫🇮 Suomi M-31 (Finland): 900–1000 shots/min - comparable to PPSh, but heavier.
- 🇷🇺 PPS-43 (USSR): 600–700 shots/min - lower, but more compact and reliable.
German MP40, despite the lower rate of fire, was considered more balanced: its recoil was softer, and the design made it possible to conduct targeted fire in long bursts. PPSh won in firepower at short ranges (up to 100 m), where the high density of fire compensated for the lower accuracy.
Interesting fact: in Finnish tests in 1944 PPSh showed 920 shots/min against 880 for Suomi M-31, but the Finns noted that the Soviet submachine gun overheated faster during prolonged shooting.
Why was PPS-43 more reliable than PPSh?
PPS-43 had closed shutter (unlike the open one of the PPSh), which reduced contamination of the mechanism. In addition, his folding stock and compactness made the weapon more convenient in urban battles. However, the lower rate of fire (600–700 rounds/min) limited its use in assault operations.
Practical tests: real rate of fire in combat
Combat reports and memories of veterans confirm that effective rate of fire PPSh rarely exceeded 300–400 rounds/min. This is due to:
- 🎯 Necessity short queues (3-5 rounds) to maintain accuracy.
- ⏳ Time for recharging (especially with a disk magazine).
- 🔥 Overheating of the barrel after 50–60 shots in a row (risk of misfires).
- 👁️ Fatigue of the shooter due to strong recoil.
B urban battles (for example, in Stalingrad) soldiers often fired single shots, which reduced the average pace to 100–150 shots/min, but increased the chances of hitting the target. For comparison: in attack operations (for example, when storming bunkers) the rate of fire could briefly reach 600–700 shots/min due to long queues.
1. Use a 35-round sector magazine
2. Shoot in short bursts (3-5 shots)
3. Measure the time it takes to consume a full magazine with a stopwatch.
4. Repeat the test 3 times and take the average
5. Consider the air temperature (in cold weather the temperature drops by 10–15%) -->
Modifications and their effect on the rate of fire
Over the years of production (1941–1945) PPSh-41 has undergone several changes affecting the rate of fire:
| Modification | Year | Rate of fire (rounds/min) | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPSh-41 (early) | 1941 | 700–850 | Disc magazine, thick barrel |
| PPSh-41 (late) | 1942–1943 | 850–950 | Sector magazine, lightweight barrel |
| PPSh-41/44 (simplified) | 1944 | 900–1000 | Simplified stamping, less weight |
| PPSh-41 (Chinese copy of Type 50) | 1950s | 800–900 | Low quality steel, frequent delays |
The highest indicators were demonstrated late Soviet samples from 1944, where due lightweight barrel and improved bolt spring the rate of fire reached 950–1000 shots/min. However, this led to accelerated wear of parts: weapon life was reduced from 15–20 thousand shots up to 10–12 thousand.
Chinese copies (Type 50) and Vietnamese modifications had lower rate of fire (800–850 rds/min) due to the use of low-quality steel and simplified processing of parts. During the battles in Vietnam, American soldiers noted that PPSh locally produced often misfired after 20–30 shots in a row.
Main conclusion: Real rate of fire PPSh-41 in battle was 300–400 shots/min due to firing tactics, and not the passport 900–1000. A high tempo was important for psychological influence and suppression of the enemy, but not for accurate shooting.
How to increase the rate of fire: tuning and modernization
In the post-war years, enthusiasts and gunsmiths experimented with modifications PPSh to increase the rate of fire. The most effective ways:
- 🔧 Replacing the return spring to a more rigid one (+50–100 rds/min).
- ⚙️ Polishing the bolt group to reduce friction.
- 🔥 Shortened barrel (up to 200 mm) - increased the pace by 10–15%, but reduced accuracy.
- 📦 Using stores from PPP (35 rounds) with modified feed.
However, these changes had a downside:
- ⚠️ Increased wear of parts (the resource was reduced by 1.5–2 times).
- 🎯 Accuracy deterioration due to increased returns.
- 💥 Risk of shell rupture when using reinforced springs.
In the 1950s, tests were carried out in the USSR PPSh with double rate of fire (up to 1800 rounds/min), but the project was closed due to complete uncontrollability of weapons and frequent breakdowns. The optimal solution was to replace PPSh on AK-47, which combined a high rate of fire (600 shots/min) and controllability.
⚠️ Attention: Any modifications of military weapons without a license are violation of the law in most countries, including Russia (Article 223 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). This information is provided for historical context only.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the rate of fire of PPSh
Why does the PPSh fire so fast?
High rate of fire PPSh-41 due to open bolt design and a light movable barrel. When you press the trigger, the bolt moves forward under the action of a spring, sends the cartridge into the chamber and immediately moves back under the pressure of the powder gases. The cycle repeats automatically until the trigger is pressed or the cartridges run out. In addition, short bolt stroke (only ~10 cm) reduces the time between shots.
Is it possible to fire in bursts from a PPSh without stopping?
Technically yes, but not recommended. During continuous shooting:
- The barrel overheats after 50–60 shots (risk of deformation).
- The rate of fire drops by 10–20% due to heating of the springs.
- Firing accuracy is reduced to zero after 10–15 shots due to barrel tossing.
Soviet instructions ordered fire bursts of 3–5 rounds with pauses for cooling.
How did the rate of fire of the PPSh influence the tactics of the Red Army?
PPSh-41 became the basis of Soviet assault tactics thanks to:
- 🔥 Suppression by fire: The high density of shots forced the enemy to take cover.
- 🏃 Mobility: light weight (3.6 kg) allowed soldiers to move quickly.
- 💥 Psychological effect: sound of queue from PPSh demoralized the enemy.
However, in defensive battles preference was given to rifles (Mosin-Nagant) due to greater range and accuracy.
What is the rate of fire of modern PPSh replicas?
Modern copies PPSh (pneumatic, airsoft, traumatic) have a rate of fire:
- 🔫 Airsoft (AEG): 200–400 shots/min (limited by safety regulations).
- 💨 Pneumatics (CO₂): 100–200 shots/min (depending on pressure).
- 🩹 Trauma (9 mm R.A.): 50–100 shots/min (semi-automatic mode).
Combat properties of replicas not comparable with the original due to legal restrictions.
Why is PCA not used today?
PPSh-41 withdrawn from service for several reasons:
- 🎯 Low accuracy at distances over 100 m.
- 🔄 Outdated design (open shutter, poor ergonomics).
- 💥 Cartridge 7.62×25 mm TT inferior to intermediate cartridges (for example, 7.62x39 mm for AK).
- 🛠️ Difficulty of maintenance compared to modern PCBs.
Today PPSh used only as ceremonial or collectible weapons.