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Stechkin APS

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 14:05 Written by Administrator Thursday, 02 July 2009 12:48

The Stechkin APS is a machine pistol designed in the Soviet Union in 1948. It was designed by Igor Yakovlevich Stechkin and manufactured between 1951 and 1975 at the Tula Arsenal. The Stechkin APS is chambered for the 9 mm Makarov round and comes with a wooden stock.

Initially, the Stechkin APS was designed to use the 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge. However, it was later redesigned to se the 9x18mm Makarov round. The Stechkin APS was adopted along with the Makarov pistol in 1951 to replace the earlier Tokarev TT-33.

The Stechkin APS looks very much similar to the Makarov PM. However, they differ in many aspects. For instance, the APS is capable of automatic fire whereas the Makarov PM is not. When fired in automatic mode, the APS should be fitted with the wooden stock or it becomes difficult to control it. The stock also doubles up as a carry case for the pistol similar to the Mauser C96.

The Stechkin APS was used as a sidearm mainly by artillery and tank crews. However, the pistol was rather heavy and thus was slowly phased out of active service. Eventually, the pistol was replaced by the AKS-74U compact rifle.

The Stechkin made a comeback in the 1970s during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. Several Russian law enforcement agencies such as OMON and SOBR continue to use the APS. Several variants of the Stechkin APS are also in common use. For example: the 9 mm OTS-33 Pernach.