Sunday, December 2, 2007

PP-19-01 "Vityaz" submachine gun (Russia)


PP-19-01 "Vityaz" submachine gun, right side





PP-19-01 "Vityaz" submachine gun, left side





two magazines for PP-19 "Vityaz" submachine gun, clipped together using special clip




Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum (9x19 7N21)
Weight ~3 kg (empty)
Length (stock closed/open) 460 / 698 mm
Barrel length 230 mm
Rate of fire 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Effective range 100-200 meters

The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" is a recent development of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (IZHMASH); this weapon evolved from relatively unsuccessful PP-19 "Bizon" submachine gun on request from elite Russian law enforcement team "Vytyaz" (SWAT-type formation). Like its predecessor, PP-19-01 is based on the AKS-74U compact assault rifle, with simple blowback action, although "Vityaz" (Knight in Russian) uses more conventional box magazines and fires more powerful 9x19 ammunition which is now standard in Russia. As of mid-2007, PP-19-01 is in limited production in Izhevsk and is already in use by some specialized SWAT-type OMON teams of Russian police and other law enforcement agencies. The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" can fire most commercially-available 9x19 Luger/Parabellum or 9mm NATO ammunition, as well as Russian issue 7N21 armor piercing ammunition.

The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" is based on AKS-74U compact assault rifle and shares about 70% of parts with the parten weapon. The bolt system is of simple blowback type, and gun is fired from closed bolt, ultilising standard AK-type trigger and safety / fire selector subsytems. A special magazine housing is attached below the receiver, which accepts proprietary double-stack magazines, made from polymer. Two magazines can be clipped together using special steel clip for faster reloading. PP-19-01 utilises AKS-74U-style side-folding skeletonized butt and tangent-type adjustable rear sight. Left side of receiver is fitted with Russian-standard side rail that will accept quick-detachable scope mounts with various sighting equipment. A modifiied version of PP-19-01 (Vityaz-SN) is available with additional Picatinny style acessory rails, left-side charging handle and additional safety lever on the left side of receiver.

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