Margolin Design Pistol: A Weapon Born in Darkness

History of creation

The weapon was created by Mikhail Vladimirovich Margolin.
Margolin decided to create his main weapon after conversations with brigade commander Smirnitsky, in which they discussed the importance of the presence of mass shooting sports in the country. There was no appropriate weapon for this, so Margolin began development

Margolin began developing drawings and design of a training and sports small-caliber pistol back in 1938. However, development was interrupted by the war. After its completion, Margolin resumed work and in 1946, after numerous mistakes and trials, a small-caliber Margolin pistol was created, which outwardly resembled a TT. However, the design of the pistol system turned out to be insufficiently debugged, so the designer had to start refining it.

The first five pistols were produced in 1947. The documentation and drawings were prepared at TsKIB SOO, so the Margolin system weapon received the abbreviation MC. Margolin creates a series of small-bore weapons, making constant improvements and corrections. His invention was based on the 1933 Tokarev pistol, but this design was significantly redesigned and significant changes were made to it.

The final version of the MCM pistol, according to history, came to Margolin’s mind while he was riding on a tram. The designer hurried to the factory, where he went to the most qualified craftsman and began creating weapons. Serial production of the MCM was organized in 1948. In subsequent years, some improvements are made. The design of the pistol and its technical characteristics turned out to be so successful that it became the best sports weapon; it is used in the initial training of shooters, including for various types of competitions organized by the International Rifle Union for target shooting at a distance of 25 m at round targets.

Interesting Facts

Perhaps the most interesting fact is the story of the fate of the designer of the MCM pistol. Mikhail Margolin, while serving in the commandant's office of the city of Kyiv in the early 20s of the last century, received a serious gunshot wound to the head.

The bullet hit the brain, which led to complete loss of vision. He designed his pistol while completely blind. I thought through the details in my head. Modeled using plasticine and wood.

The first weapon was a small-caliber rifle. After its creation, Margolin was noticed by Degtyarev and invited to his design bureau. He began working at the Tula Design Bureau. Implemented several modifications of conventional military weapons into training ones.

The MCM became the most popular pistol of its category in the Warsaw Pact countries. For about 20 years, the best sports shooters of the USSR defended the honor of their homeland in competitions around the world. Now the MCM is used mainly as a training weapon; a replacement for it is not yet in sight.

Small-caliber guns, which among hunters have the slang name of small-bore rifles, have been successfully used by hunters for several decades. This small-caliber rifled hunting weapon is especially appreciated by those who engage in commercial hunting.

It is very important that small-caliber weapons can be successfully used by both professionals and novice hunters, which is an important argument for an informed choice of weapons

Review of popular hunting models

Today there is a fairly large selection of modern hunting rifles classified as small-caliber.

However, most Russian hunters prefer small-caliber TOZ rifles.

• TOZ-8. A rifle that has been produced in Tula since 1932. It is this rifle that allows you to hit a squirrel “in the eye.” The accuracy of this rifle is already legendary. But, in addition, TOZ-8 is perfect for teaching the basics of shooting, both for hunters and athletes.
• TOZ-16 and TOZ-17, impeccable bestsellers among amateur hunters. These two rifles became the basis for the creation of small-caliber carbines, such as TOZ-78, TOZ-78-04M and TOZ-78-01M.
• Carbine "Sable". This carbine is based on the Biathlon rifle. Equipped with a magazine (5-10 rounds). May have optics.

Ammo selection

With all their diversity, small-caliber cartridges are represented mainly by two types: .22LR and .22WMR.

This feature gave the model its special name - a 22-caliber weapon. The .22LR cartridge appeared more than a hundred years ago and during this time became the world champion in the number of cartridges fired. The full name can be thought of as 22 caliber (5.6 mm), long (L), rifle (R) cartridge. Used by both hunters and athletes. Since the bullet energy is quite low and the bullet's flight path is very steep, .22LR cartridges are used when hunting small animals at short distances.

In Russia, sable and squirrel are hunted with this cartridge; in the USA, small rodents like gophers are shot. A lot of weapons, pistols, carbines and even machine guns were produced under this cartridge. Cartridges for .22 WMR (.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire) are used mainly for civilian weapons, especially in the USA. This cartridge appeared in 1959. A .22 WMR bullet has enough energy to kill an animal the size of a coyote or jackal.

Getting permission

In fact, obtaining a permit for small-caliber weapons for hunting is no different from the procedure for obtaining rifled weapons.

To obtain permission for small-caliber rifles, you must provide the following documents to the LRO:

1. Hunter's ticket.
2. Conclusion of a specialized medical commission.
3. A report-conclusion from the local inspector, which contains information about the conditions for storing weapons in the house of the applicant for small-caliber weapons for hunting.

It should also be remembered that a permit for a rifled weapon can only be obtained if you have five years of experience in owning a smooth-bore weapon.

Where to buy and how much does it cost?

If you are a big fan of sports shooting or just a fan of this type of weapon, then it will not be difficult to find and buy a small-caliber pistol. The price for it is quite high. In online stores, the cost of such a toy starts from 20,000 rubles. And one more nuance: you can only purchase small-caliber weapons that are certified, and this list in the Russian Federation is not very long. But it contains a small-caliber Margolin pistol. The price of this weapon is rather high, but for true fans of sports shooting, this fact is not a hindrance. A new pistol can be purchased for 45,000 rubles. If you search, you can find a used version for 15-20 thousand.

History of creation

Margolin began creating a small-caliber training and sports pistol in 1938. Before this, he had already made several attempts to design weapons of this kind.

The results of his work were modifications of standard army TT pistols and the Nagan revolver, converted to fire small-caliber cartridges.

However, the development of the promising Margolin pistol was prevented by the Great Patriotic War. The designer participated in the defense of Moscow. Was awarded a medal. After the end of this terrible war, Margolin resumed his work.

As a result, the resulting pistol resembled the legendary TT in appearance and was made on its basis. The design turned out to be unreliable and had to be modified.

The result was a fundamentally new design, completely different from the previous model. Having passed test tests in 1947, the pistol was put into production in 1948 under the marking MTs-1. In 1952, a modification of the MCM was adopted to replace the MTs-1. The main difference was the cartridge used.

From 1950 to 1970, the Margolin pistol was used by athletes participating in all-Union and international competitions. The famous Soviet Olympic champions also used it. For example, Tatyana Ruchko, champion of the Ukrainian SSR.

World fame

The small-caliber pistol had its “baptism of fire” on the international stage in 1954 at the World Championships. With the help of these weapons, our athletes have achieved great success. Many shooters were delighted with the new development of the USSR. The American shooter, after examining the pistol for a long time, said: “Probably the designer who created this masterpiece is an excellent shooter if he managed to surpass Walter and Colt in accuracy.”

Combat use

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many weapons enterprises in our country began to experience difficulties with financing and were forced to begin developing weapons aimed at the civilian market or export.

This situation did not escape the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant, which produces the MCM sports pistol. Design engineer Yarygin developed a new product based on the Margolin pistol, which was planned to be sold to other countries.

This model of personal small arms, due to its technical characteristics and the high stopping power of a soft-shell 5.6-mm bullet, began to be used not only as a sporting weapon, but also as a means of self-defense.

There were attempts to produce pistols based on the MCM for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The development was carried out under the “Drill” marking and had a shortened barrel

The pistol fit easily in an employee’s pocket without attracting unnecessary attention.

Historical excursion

Small arms were invented in ancient times. Manuscripts have been preserved that tell of a formidable stick that spewed fire from a great distance. Who invented them? Could they really harm a person? Did they really exist? The answers to these questions remain a mystery. At least for now. It is reliably known that firearms began to exist as such in the 14th century, having gone through a long and difficult history of formation. The pistol, as a type of small arms, is two centuries younger. The Italian Camillus Vetelli is considered to be the creator of the “small gun”, which can be fired with one hand. There is a version that the word “pistol” comes from the name of the city of Pistoia, where the master lived and worked. Then, over the course of five centuries, this type of weapon was improved and gained fans, going from matchlock to high-precision sports models.

Small-caliber pistols are very popular today in sports and among those who like to practice shooting. This type of weapon has a number of advantages. The leader among its kind is the Margolin small-caliber pistol.

Margolin M.V.

Published by admin on Tue, 05/27/2014 – 18:58

Margolin Mikhail Vladimirovich, (01/29/1906 - 01/25/1975)

Mikhail Vladimirovich Margolin was born in Kyiv in 1906. His grandfather, Margolin David Semyonovich, was a famous Kyiv entrepreneur. Mother, Klemm (Margolina-Greenberg), was a graphic artist.

Until 1918, the Margolin family lived in Kyiv. During the evacuation from Kyiv M.V. Margolin fell behind his family and remained in Kyiv. There he joined the Red Army soldiers. After the liberation of Kyiv in 1919 by the Red Army, M. V. Margolin went to the Caucasus, where his mother was, who worked as a teacher in a commune school.

At the age of 15, Margolin served as commandant at the headquarters of the Special Forces Units in Khost. Later he was appointed to command a platoon. In 1922 he joined the Komsomol. In April 1924, at the age of 18, Margolin was wounded in the head, as a result of which he lost his sight. After the hospital, he was sent to Kyiv, to a disabled town, then to a course for blind massage therapists in Kharkov.

MC

Published by admin on Tue, 01/05/2010 – 03:33

Pistol of the Margolin system (MC), 1948, Russia

Tactical and technical characteristics of the MCM Caliber, mm – 5.6 (.22 Long) Automatic operating principle – blowback Weight, kg: – 0.9 Length, mm: – 245 Barrel length, mm: – 152 Weight of equipped weapon, kg – 0.94 Weight without cartridges, kg – 0.9 Magazine capacity, cartridges. – 5, 10 Sighting range, m – 25 Initial bullet speed, m/s: – 200-240 Muzzle energy of a bullet, J – 70 – 90

The legendary Soviet sports pistol MC (Margolin Tselevoy) is the weapon of world and Olympic champions of the 50s-70s of the 20th century. All our pistol athletes went through this pistol and they have only warm memories of it. After all, for almost everyone it was their first sports pistol. Designed for shooting at round and silhouette targets at a distance of 25 m.

Performance characteristics

TKB-205

Published by admin on Sun, 12/27/2009 – 01:57

TKB-205, 1940, Russia

Tactical and technical characteristics of TKB-205 Caliber, mm – 9 Barrel length, mm – 95 Length of the pistol when cocked, mm – 174 Height of the pistol, mm – 123 Width of the pistol along the casing, mm – 20 Length of the aiming line, mm – 140 Number of rifling in the trunk, pcs. – 6 Length of the rifled part of the barrel, mm – 74.4 Weight of the pistol with a magazine without cartridges, g – 735 Weight of the pistol with a loaded magazine, g – 821 Weight of the bolt, g – 251 Number of factory parts, pcs. – 23

Along with Tokarev and three other designers, M.V. Margolin participated in a competition to develop a new 7.62 mm army pistol to replace the TT. After some time, he withdrew from the participants on his own initiative, considering that the time had come to work on a design for the 9-mm cartridge.

Modifications

The design of the Margolin pistol turned out to be very thoughtful and successful. The MCM is still used as a training weapon in the 21st century, but relatively few modifications based on it have been produced.

Most of the improved models were designed after 1990. Export options have appeared.

Today, mass-dimensional models of the Margolin pistol are produced for collectors. Fully consistent with the original, with the exception of the ability to fire. The MMG can be disassembled like a real weapon; almost the entire diagram corresponds to the real design.

"Margot"

The model has the following advantages:

• Quiet sound of a shot, which allows you to train anywhere, even on the street, where there is the simplest bullet catcher.
• Descent adjustment. It is possible to set the force from 1 to 2.5 kg.
• Cheap ammo.

Based on the MC prototype, there were attempts to create gas weapons. The result of this reincarnation of the athletic Margolin was the IZH-77, a 6-round gas pistol chambered for 8 mm caliber cartridges.

What are small-caliber weapons?

Small bore shotguns are a classic example of how the cartridge, rather than the gun itself, is the determining factor. The thing is that the 22-caliber rimfire cartridge (aka 5.6 mm) made a real revolution, significantly reducing the cost of a shot. Side ignition and the use of a charge pressed into the rim of the cartridge case (in fact, the igniter primer acts as a cartridge case) made it possible to create about 10 types of cartridges, for which special guns have already been created.

The valve is longitudinally sliding, bolted, simplified type. This is due to the fact that the cartridge is low-power and the handle stop stem is sufficient for reloading.

Small rifles can be equipped with a magazine, although single-shot models are also very popular. The sight is mounted on the receiver and allows for truly targeted shooting at a distance of up to 100 meters.

In principle, small-caliber hunting weapons are usually divided into two groups:

• smoothbore;
• rifled.

A smoothbore weapon has a smooth bore inside. In order to load such a rifle, the barrel must be “broken.” The type of trigger mechanism is also different; it can be impact or trigger. In addition, smooth-bore weapons can have different barrel arrangements (parallel or vertical).

Almost all hunters, one way or another, once started with it, since for the first five years a novice hunter is allowed to have just such a smooth-bore weapon, and only after five years of using it does the hunter have the opportunity to obtain permission for a rifled weapon. Obviously, with the appearance of rifling inside the barrel, the killing power of the small gun increases. The sighting range also increases significantly from 40 to 75-100 meters.

Purpose

Initially, small-caliber weapons were used for military purposes, but over time the range of uses has increased markedly. In practice, small-caliber rifled weapons are used not only for hunting. Quite a lot of models have been created for shooting sports and biathlon. Hunters typically use small-caliber rifles to hunt small animals.

Hunters of fur-bearing animals especially like to use a small-caliber rifle, since the entry hole from the bullet minimally damages the valuable fur. Experienced hunters claim that in order to use this weapon correctly, a lot of practice is required, but this is completely justified in the future.

Foreign analogues

In addition to domestic models of small-caliber weapons, there are also pistols worthy of attention that are produced abroad.

One of the sporting weapons available to fans is an analogue of the MC - Carl Walther P22 Standard. This sample has several advantages:

• compactness and ergonomics;
• high accuracy;
• excellent delivery package;
• reliability.

This pistol is very good for competition. It costs approximately $400.

The Ruger SR22 is no less attractive for sport shooting. It is cheaper, but slightly inferior in characteristics. Among the advantages: a muffler can be screwed to the barrel.

A good option is the Ukrainian-made FORT “Cordon”. It is quite cheap, but accurate, suitable for beginners who like precision shooting.

For professional athletes, a good option for foreign analogues is GSG-1911. Weight without cartridges is about 1 kg. It is made of weapon steel and has a wide range of accessories.

One of the expensive options in this line of weapons is the RUGER 22/45. It costs from 700 dollars. Very reliable, looks perfect and is highly accurate. This is a professional's weapon. Many additional kits are produced for it: from body kits to trigger mechanisms.

You can't go past the famous Glock pistol. He has his fans. This weapon has large dimensions, considerable weight and good characteristics, but is not very reliable and is quite expensive - from 900 “green”.