New weapon with an old name – OTs-27 “Berdysh”

The problem of weapons modernization has always faced all armed forces. Balancing the various characteristics, finding the ideal balance and creating a weapon equally suitable for civilian service and combat is a complex design task.

A recognized authority in this field is the inventor Stechkin, who with his design bureau created a large number of interesting weapons. Among his developments is the APS, which has become a legend, and this is not the only creation of the master. Of interest to security forces and amateurs is the OTs-27 “Berdysh” model.

How the Berdysh pistol was created

The problem of replacing the Makarov pistol has been facing Russian security forces for a long time. The designers of the Stechkin Design Bureau have developed several machines. A sample under the brand name OTs-27, named after the edged weapon of the Streltsy army with a berdysh, was presented to the public in 1994.

Despite a number of advantages discussed below, the model quickly fell out of the army competition. However, the Department of Internal Affairs was happy with Berdysh. The ministry ordered the development of the design, and a relatively small order was placed.

The pistol, due to its features, immediately became popular among security forces.

The sample became one of five samples recommended as a service weapon. Among the many reasons for its high popularity is the ability to quickly change the barrel.

The pistol is designed to fire four types of ammunition at once: classic Soviet 7.62, 9x18 PM, the same caliber PMM and 9x19 mm. The owner can change the barrel in 40 seconds.

In addition to standard models, the sample was and is often made to order as a reward weapon.

Goltyakov revolver

The Russian revolver of the Tula designer Goltyakov, model 1866, was developed for arming the Imperial Army and Navy, but was not widely used due to the purchase and localization of production of revolvers from foreign designers. However, Goltyakov’s design was not unique - he used an American Adams revolver chambered for a 44-caliber capsule cartridge as the basis for creating the weapon. It is worth noting that Russian officers, interested in the price, purchased Goltyakov revolvers, but there is no exact data on the number of revolvers supplied.

Revolvers of the Russian Empire, produced by Goltyakov, were released in the amount of 70 copies, the fate of which is unknown these days.

Comparison with famous foreign pistols

It is generally accepted that the Glock-17 is considered a classic in the niche of this type of weapon. How is Berdysh different from it? For the sake of a more complete picture of this niche of weapons, let’s add the Beretta-92 here.

It is worth noting that in the case of 9x19Para the stopping effect of the bullet will be approximately the same, when using the 9x18 PM and PMM cartridge it is slightly lower.

The 7.62 mm TT cartridge gives an initial speed of 425 m/sec, but the stopping effect of this bullet is small, in contrast to its penetration ability.

Pistol design

For the OTs-27, the well-known weapon design with a sliding bolt and a double-action trigger trigger was used.

The design of the device is traditional for Soviet weapons, the return spring is put on the barrel, there is no separate stem. There is a damper in the frame. The trigger with an open trigger is located in the rear part of the bolt casing. The fuse is double-sided, flag type, with three positions.

There is a mechanism indicating the presence of a cartridge in the chamber of the pistol.

The frame, barrel, mechanisms and bolt casing are made entirely of metal, which increased the overall weight of the structure. But in this case, this is justified by the weapon’s service life and safety margin. Polymers were used only for the cheeks of the handle and the manufacture of the damping mechanism to dampen recoil.

Sights of a constant type, non-adjustable rear sight and front sight. Unlike earlier types of weapons for shooting at night, the sighting devices are initially equipped with tritium inserts and do not require the use of additional devices.

The magazine is box-type, located in the handle, the cartridges are arranged in two rows, the exit can be changed into one row. The double-sided release button is located near the trigger guard.

Cons of OTs-27

Like any weapon, Berdysh has its drawbacks. Many will take the weight here. Still, almost a kilogram for an untrained shooter is a serious test. The large dimensions of the product make it difficult to carry it concealed, which is important for employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Since this model is the first in Russia with the possibility of interchangeable barrels, like any other similar weapon, the model suffers from a shift in the center of gravity.

For the same reason, insufficiently rigid fastening of replacement barrels reduces the accuracy of the battle. It can also be noted that to disassemble the product, the hammer must be cocked.

Combat service "Berdysh"

The model under consideration has found wide application in conducting special operations through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The characteristics of the product made it possible to literally immediately make the OTs-27 one of the favorite weapons of special forces.

Great power coupled with an extensive magazine, a soft trigger and an ergonomic handle have earned well-deserved fame from everyone who has dealt with this weapon. Despite the small circulation, this pistol is in great demand.

Revolver Nagant

The famous Russian revolvers were created by the Belgian designer Leon Nagan. Moreover, the revolver was created in two modifications - “soldier” and “officer”. The models differed in the design of the trigger mechanism - the soldier's required pre-cocking of the hammer for each shot, the officer's had a self-cocking mechanism. Created in 1895, the revolver went through dozens of military conflicts with honor, became one of the symbols of the 1917 revolution and, in the officer version, was in service with various units until 2000.

Several dozen sports, hunting and traumatic weapons were created on the basis of the Nagan revolver.

Unusual facts

To allow shooting with both left and right hands, the safety box was located on both sides of the bolt. The part has three positions, the lower one is the firing mode, the middle one is the locking position, and the upper one, which safely releases the trigger.

There is also a magazine release button on both sides.

The idea to use three barrels at once came for several reasons. The 9x19 cartridge, also known as Parabellum, was adopted by the Russian Defense Ministry and Ministry of Internal Affairs after the final obsolescence of the 9x18 mm PM cartridge.

But at the same time, along with 9x19 mm, the Russian Federation still has significant reserves of 9x18 mm PM cartridges, transitional 9x18 PMM and 7.62 mm TT cartridges are produced, and it is for them that replacement kits for the Berdysh were introduced.

The OTs-27 "Berdysh" pistol, despite its shortcomings, is an excellent design solution as a weapon of limited use for the MTR forces.

The large magazine capacity, interchangeable barrels using the entire range of domestic and foreign cartridges (9x19 Para) will allow it to be actively used in operations in other countries. And significant weight is not a hindrance, especially in critical weather conditions. Metal, unlike plastic, is not affected by weather or temperature.

see also

Kevin ZP98

— self-loading small-sized Czech pistol chambered for 9×18 mm PM cartridge.