The PPSh-41 Soviet Submachine Gun

Published on February 27, 2020
Duration: 3:56

This guide details the field stripping and live-fire demonstration of the PPSh-41 Soviet submachine gun, presented by Iain Harrison and Mac Steil of Hill & Mac Gunworks. It covers the firearm's historical context, design features like its open-bolt blowback action and 7.62x25 Tokarev caliber, and the practical steps for disassembly and reassembly. The demonstration includes live-fire testing with both 32-round stick and 71-round drum magazines, highlighting the weapon's high rate of fire.

Quick Summary

The PPSh-41 is a Soviet submachine gun utilizing an open-bolt blowback action and chambered in 7.62x25 Tokarev. It famously accepts 32-round stick or 71-round drum magazines and was produced in vast numbers during WWII, with barrels sometimes made from cut-down Mosin-Nagant rifle barrels.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to PPSh-41
  2. 00:27Design and Caliber Discussion
  3. 01:29Field Stripping Demonstration
  4. 02:21Live Fire Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the operating principle of the PPSh-41 submachine gun?

The PPSh-41 operates on an open-bolt blowback system. This means the bolt remains open before firing and is propelled forward by spring pressure when the trigger is pulled, chambering a round and firing it simultaneously.

What caliber does the PPSh-41 use, and what are its magazine capacities?

The PPSh-41 is chambered in 7.62x25 Tokarev. It is designed to accept both 32-round stick magazines and larger 71-round drum magazines, offering significant ammunition capacity.

How is the PPSh-41 field stripped?

Field stripping the PPSh-41 involves locating and operating a rear receiver latch. Once unlatched, the receiver pivots open, similar to a shotgun, providing access to the bolt and recoil buffer for maintenance.

What historical manufacturing detail is notable about the PPSh-41 barrels?

A significant historical manufacturing detail is that barrels for the PPSh-41 were often produced by cutting down barrels from Mosin-Nagant rifles. This practice highlights the resourcefulness in Soviet wartime production.

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