The history of domestic small arms knows few names that thunder as loudly as the shots of the systems they created, but remain in the shadow of the glory of the weapons themselves. Alexey Ivanovich Sudaev - that's the figure. His name is inextricably linked to PPS-43It is a submachine gun that many experts and historians recognize as the pinnacle of the evolution of this class of weapons during World War II. Unlike his more famous contemporaries, whose designs were produced by millions, Sudaev managed to create only a few samples, but each of them became a standard of engineering thought.
His life was cut short tragically early, when he was under 34 years old, but his legacy had a tremendous impact on the development of automatic weapons not only in the USSR, but also around the world. Design officeThe armaments, which he led in the besieged Leningrad, managed to develop weapons in inhuman conditions that surpassed even the legendary in terms of combat and technological qualities. PPSh. The study of Sudaev’s biography allows us to understand how genius is combined with the strict necessity of wartime.
In this article we will analyze in detail the path of an engineer from a student to a winner of Stalin Prizes, analyze the technical solutions inherent in his developments, and answer the question of why. PPP It is considered the most perfect submachine gun of the Great Patriotic War. You will learn about the hidden details of the design and how to technological Production was a key factor in the victory.
Early years and the formation of an engineer
Alexey Sudaev was born in 1912 in the city of Alatyr, in the family of a railway worker. His journey to the heights of engineering did not begin with instant insight, but with hard work and study. After graduating from the technical school in Gorky, he entered the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers, but fate decreed otherwise, and the young man transferred to the artillery faculty of the Military Technical Academy. That's where he showed up. designer.
Study was given to Sudayev easily, but the real test was the work on the thesis project. He developed the original design of the 7.62mm machine gun, which was highly praised by the commission. This project laid the foundation for his future inventions. Automation of weaponsThe archaeological work on which the student was working demonstrated a deep understanding of the physical processes that occur when fired.
After graduating from the Academy in 1938, Sudaev was sent to work in the Design Bureau at Factory No. 2. V. Ah. Degtyareva in Carpet. Here he faced real production and the need to create weapons that will work in any conditions. His first serious development was aviation guns, but the war adjusted plans, shifting attention to the development of the new aircraft. infantry.
It is important to note that Sudaev did not just copy existing samples, but sought to improve them. He understood that defeating a well-equipped opponent required a weapon that combined high firepower with ease of maintenance. This principle became Leitmotif throughout his short but vibrant career.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse early experimental samples of Sudayev with serial models. Many projects have remained on paper or as prototypes due to lack of time and resources, but they have laid the theoretical foundation for future victories.
Siege of Leningrad and the birth of the PPP
The summer of 1941 was a turning point. The Great Patriotic War began, and Sudaev found himself in Leningrad, which was soon surrounded by a ring of blockade. The city was dying of hunger and cold, factories stopped, but gunsmiths continued to work. Sudaev headed the development bureau of plant No. 314, where he was tasked with creating the simplest and cheapest submachine gun to replace the scarce one. PPD-40 supplement PPSh-41.
The working conditions were extreme. The designer worked in an unheated room, ate scantly, often lost consciousness from exhaustion, but did not stop drawing. He knew that the front needed weapons badly. Every day of delay cost soldiers their lives. In this context, the concept was born. PPS-42 - forerunner of the famous PPS-43.
The main idea of Sudaev was the maximum savings of metal and time for manufacture. If PPSh required a large number of machine tools and non-ferrous metals, the new submachine gun was to be assembled mainly from stamped parts. Technologicality She became the trump card. Sudaev used the cold stamping method, which allowed to produce weapons in factories that do not have complex metal cutting equipment.
The first tests were conducted in December 1941. Despite the severe frosts and the lack of a normal range, the weapon showed excellent results. It was lighter than the PPSh almost one and a half times, which was critical for scouts and paratroopers. The commission noted the high accuracy of the battle and the reliability of the mechanisms even in case of pollution.
Technical features and innovations of PPS-43
In 1942, the modernized version, which received an index, was adopted. PPS-43. This model became a symbol of the engineering genius Sudaev. The design of the weapon was a symbiosis of simplicity and efficiency. The stem box was made of two stamped halves, connected by point welding and rivets. This revolutionary solution allowed to reduce the labor intensity of production several times compared to milled analogues.
One of the key features was the layout. Shop It was adjacent from the bottom, which made it possible to make the fire control handle pistol, and not the front, as in the PPSh. This significantly improved the ergonomics and accuracy of firing bursts. The shoulder pad (butt) was made folding, which made the weapon compact during transportation, especially in tanks and armored vehicles.
Automation worked on the principle of free shutter. Sudaev introduced the original feed-in cartridges, which ensured reliable delivery of the cartridge into the cartridge even when using shops with a weakened spring or at low temperatures. This was critical for winter operating conditions.
Comparative table of characteristics of PPSh-41 and PPS-43:
| Parameter | PPSh-41 | PPS-43 |
|---|---|---|
| Mass without ammunition, kg | 3,63 | 3,04 |
| Length with butt folded, mm | 843 (not foldable) | 616 |
| Store capacity, ammunition. | 71 (drum) / 35 (horn) | 35 |
| Rate of fire, squirrel/min | 900-1000 | 600-650 |
| The complexity of the manufacture, h | 7,3 | 2,7 |
As you can see from the table, PPS-43 It won in all respects except for the capacity of the drum shop, which by that time had already begun to abandon due to low reliability. Reducing the rate of fire to 600-650 rounds per minute allowed to save cartridges and increased the effectiveness of fire at medium distances.
⚠️ Warning: The high rate of fire of the PPSh (up to 1000 owls / min) often led to rapid overheating of the barrel and inefficient consumption of ammunition. Sudaev deliberately slowed down, making weapons more controlled.
Comparison with foreign analogues
To assess the scale of Sudayev’s achievement, it is necessary to compare his offspring with the best samples of that time, which were in service with other armies. German MP-40British Sten American M3 Grease Gun They all had similar tasks, but the Soviets were PPP They often surpassed them in terms of their characteristics.
German MP-40 It also had a folding butt and pistol handle, but it was more difficult to manufacture and required more non-ferrous metals. British Sten It was cheap, but infamous for its unreliability and propensity to shoot spontaneously when falling. American M3 He appeared later and copied the ideas of Sudaev in many respects, but he was inferior in ergonomics.
PPS-43 It combines the reliability of the German school, the cheapness of the British and the functionality. Its safety mechanisms were better thought out, and the quality of the assembly, even in wartime, remained high. The survivability of the trunk It was also higher than many of its foreign competitors.
Legacy and impact on the world of weapons
The influence of the works of Alexei Sudaev went far beyond the USSR. After the war, many countries took as a basis for its development when creating their own submachine guns. Construction PPP It is a classic studied in military academies around the world. The principle of stamped receiver became the standard for post-war weapons.
In the Warsaw Pact countries, as well as in China, Poland and Finland, licensed copies and modifications were made. PPP. Finnish M/44The PVC, based on the PPS-43, is considered one of the best models in its class. Even today, in local conflicts, you can find this reliable weapon, which indicates its exceptional durability.
Sudaev did not live to see the end of the war. Severe illness, aggravated by blockade deprivation and overwork, claimed the life of the designer on August 17, 1946. He was only 33 years old. He did not see the triumph of his offspring in the post-war world, but left behind a benchmark to which he has been equal for more than 80 years.
Collecting and current state
Today. PPS-43 It is a welcome exhibit for collectors of military antiques. Original samples in good condition are highly valued. However, there are many replicas and layouts on the market, so you need to be extremely careful when buying. The factory's hallmark The year of release is the first sign that you should pay attention to.
There are also modern civilian versions adapted for cartridges with reduced energy or working in semi-automatic mode. They allow enthusiasts to experience the ergonomics and balance of legendary weapons. Nothing compares to the feeling of contact with the original. metalKeeping history.
Museums in Russia, the United States and Europe store samples created by Sudayev. They serve as a reminder that human genius is capable of creating masterpieces even in the most terrible conditions. The Sudaev submachine gun is not just a mechanism, it is a monument to resilience and intelligence.
☑️ Signs of the original PPS-43
⚠️ Warning: Possession of military weapons without proper permission is prohibited by law. Collecting is possible only with a license or in the form of deactivated models (MMG).
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why was PPP better than PPS?
The PPP was lighter, more compact (had a folding stock), more technologically advanced in production (required less machine-tooling) and had a lower rate of fire, which increased accuracy and saved cartridges. However, the PPSh had a higher rate of fire in the volley and a larger capacity of the drum shop.
How many PPPs were produced?
The exact figures vary from source to source, but it is estimated that around 2 million units were produced during the war and post-war period. PPP All modifications. This is much smaller than the PPSh, but enough to equip elite units.
Was the PPP used after the war?
Yeah, active. It was in service with the Soviet army until the mid-1950s, when it was replaced by Kalashnikov assault rifles. He was also widely supplied to the countries of the socialist camp and took part in many local conflicts of the second half of the XX century.
Is it true that Sudaev worked in besieged Leningrad?
Absolutely true. It was in the blockade, in conditions of hunger and cold, that the basic design of the PPP was created. This is considered one of the feats of engineering spirit, comparable to the combat exploits of soldiers.