Berdysh pistol OTs-27: combat use of firearms, performance characteristics

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.

Automatic OTs-14 Groza cartridge caliber 9 mm and 7.62 mm. Device

OTs-14 "Groza" - a Russian assault rifle-grenade launcher system was created at the Tula TsKIB SOO by designers V.N. Teleshem and Yu.V. Lebedev. Work on the new weapon began proactively in December 1992, and a year later the first batch of prototypes was ready.

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.

Weapon brand	Glock-17	Beretta M92FS	OTs-27 "Berdysh"	OTs-27 "Berdysh"
Cartridge, type	9x19Para	9x19Para	9x19Para	9x18 mm PM
Barrel length, mm	114	125	125	125
Initial bullet speed, m/sec	375	390	380	320
Gun weight, g	905	945	1,08	1,06
Overall dimensions of the gun, mm	186x138x33	217x137x38	200x143x35	—
Magazine capacity, pcs.	17, 33	15	15	18

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.

Notes

↑ (inaccessible link). Retrieved March 20, 2007.
magazine “Master Gun”, No. 8 (101), August 2005, p.8
. ak.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
. ak.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
. ak.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
. ak.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
. ak.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
. ak.kalashnikovgroup.ru. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 1304 of December 23, 2003 “On approval of the State Cadastre of civilian and service weapons and ammunition for them for 2004”
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 14, 2006[]
. "IzhMash" (January 31, 2012). Retrieved January 31, 2012.
White book 2009. Strengthening the forces of Ukraine. Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, 2010. p.78

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.

Main characteristics of "Pernach"

From its predecessor, the OTs-33 inherited the original automatic operation scheme: for example, both pistols have a movable barrel to reduce the impact of recoil on the accuracy of automatic shooting. Automation operating according to a blowback design ensures a high rate of fire, as well as ease of production and maintenance.

In addition, the “Dart” and “Pernach” have a similar double-action trigger mechanism, allowing not only single, but also automatic fire.

In terms of ergonomics, the OTs-33 is a fairly comfortable weapon. It is equipped with a framed metal butt, which is attached to the belt while carrying the weapon. By the way, when the safety is engaged, which is also a firing mode switch, the pistol becomes safe to carry.

The controls are arranged symmetrically. This allows you to comfortably fire with a two-handed grip and successfully use the pistol even for left-handed people. Its predecessor, the APS, on the contrary, had a bulky and inconvenient butt-holster.

wikipedia.org/Warinhari/CC BY-SA 4.0

The weapon has a gas compensator to reduce “throwing up” when firing: when a bullet passes through the barrel, powder gases enter the cavity of the bolt-casing and are reflected upward.

OTs-33 "Pernach" has several analogues in foreign armies: the Austrian Glock 18 and SteyrTMP, the Italian Beretta 93R, as well as the APS. It is worth noting that on average a Russian pistol is heavier than its competitors. In addition, it is 200-300 rounds per minute inferior to some Western “colleagues” in rate of fire. Its indicator is 800-900 VVM, weight is 1.15 kg. At the same time, in other respects, the OTs-33 may well be a worthy competitor to them.

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.

Electronic form

With the help of information communication systems, electronic correspondence can be sent to a given address. Simple and custom messages can be compiled and sent electronically only after registration in the Unified System for Identification of Government Services. All messages are signed with an electronic signature, contain user addresses, their individual data, have a unique code, and a fixed date and time of departure.

Delivery of an electronic message is carried out by reading it by the recipient.

You can send messages electronically

Attention ! If an unsatisfactory service is provided, the user submits a claim to the contractor, indicating the essence of the problem, the deadline for correcting the situation, and the compensation amounts.

The claim must contain such data.

Name of company.
Applicant details.
Postal code (attach a copy of the envelope).
Sender and recipient addresses.
An indication of the type or category of transfer.
Departure date.
Basis of claim and demand.
The date of filing the claim is certified by signature.

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.

Missile nomenclature

Let us present the characteristics of the export version of the Caliber (Club) missile system (E). Of course, the exact characteristics of the system are not publicly available, other than a publication about missiles for Project 885 nuclear submarines.

Anti-ship missiles (data taken from open sources for export modification)

3M-54K/3M-54T (3M-54KE/3M-54TE) and 3M-54KE1/3M-54TE1 (were shortened to the NATO TA standard) - standard-fitted missiles with a high-explosive penetrating warhead, which are placed in the transport and launcher container/glass;
3M-54KEK (3M-54TEK) and 3M-54KEK1 (3M-54TE1K) - missiles equipped with a control configuration with an inert warhead, used for training launches, placed in the transport-launch channel (transport-launch container);
3M-54KEUD (3M-54TEUD), 3M-54KE1UD (3M-54TE1UD), 3M-54KEUS (3M-54EUS), 3M-54E1US, 3M-54KERM (3M-54TERM) and 3M-54KE1RM (3M-54TE1RM) – educational -operating, training bench and training-split maters from the complex’s training equipment, located in the transport and launch container (transport and launch container) for training and practicing the skills of personnel in the maintenance and operation of missiles;
3M-54KEGVM and 3M-54TEGVM are dimensional and weight mock-ups used for training personnel in loading and unloading operations.

Missiles against ground targets (technical characteristics of the export version, taken from the public domain)

3M-14K/3M-14T (3M-14KE/3M-14TE) – a classic standard missile with a high-explosive warhead located in a transport and launch tube/container;
3M-14KEK (3M-14TEK) is a control missile with an inert warhead, which is intended for training launches, placed in a transport-launch container (transport-launch container).
3M-14KEUD (3M-14TEUD), 3M-14KEUS (3M-14EUS) and 3M-14KERM (3M-14TERM) – training-operating, training-bench and training-split maters from the complex’s training equipment, located in the transport-launching nozzle (transport and launch container) for training and practicing the skills of personnel in the maintenance and operation of missiles;
3M-14TEGVM dimensional and weight mock-ups used for training personnel in loading and unloading operations.

Anti-submarine missiles

Torpedo missile 91Р1 (91РЭ1)

Torpedo missile 91RT2 (91RTE2)

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.

Radar head ARGS-54E

ARGS-54E is used to identify and accurately guide missile launchers towards an enemy target in the final part of the flight path of 3M-54E missiles.
TTX ARGS-54E

Can be used both for group and single use of missiles.
Provides guidance of missiles in the sector of angles in elevation - from +10° to −20° and in azimuth ± 45°.
The maximum operating range is up to 65 kilometers.
Can be used at any time of the day at temperatures of −50 °C to +50 °C, in conditions of fog and rain, sea state up to six points.

Weight and dimensions characteristics:

length – 700 mm;
maximum diameter – 420 mm;
weight without fairing – no more than 40 kg.

Radar head ARGS-14E

It is used for precise guidance of missiles at enemy ground targets in the final part of the flight path of Club-N and Club-S missiles under counteraction conditions.

Basic performance characteristics

Can be used both for group and single use of missiles.
Provides guidance of missiles in the sector of angles in elevation - from +10° to −20° and in azimuth ± 45° along different trajectories.
The maximum range is up to 20 km.
Can be used at any time of the day at temperatures of −50 °C to +60 °C, in difficult meteorological conditions at any latitude.

Weight and dimensions characteristics:

length – 660 mm;
maximum diameter – 514 mm;
weight without fairing – no more than 40 kg.

Delivery

The operator upon receipt (delivery of shipment) generates notices and notifications. Letters, notifications and notifications are dropped into specially installed mailboxes at the addressee’s place of residence. The recipient presents the passport, fills out the notification, and signs for receipt. Investments “on demand” are issued at branches at the recipient’s place of residence. Delivery is carried out after verification of personal data.

Parcels are issued after checking the recipient’s personal data

After the first notification of delivery, the citizen or legal entity is notified again. All correspondence and translations are stored for a month until requested by interested parties. They may claim to extend the shelf life. After missing the storage period, payment may be collected from the recipient, and if the item is returned, payment from the sender may be collected. Unclaimed registered items are marked and returned to senders.

The operator is obliged to return the postal shipment to the sender.

According to his personal statement.
In case of refusal of the recipient to accept.
Upon departure of the recipient.
If the address is written illegibly.

If the parcel has not been received within a month, it is sent back to the addressee

Important ! If it is impossible to send the transfer (for any reason) to service users, the operator opens the transfer based on a court decision that has entered into force. The operator addresses this issue to the judicial authority once every three months.

When an unclaimed shipment is opened, a specially created commission consisting of employees of the communications department and law enforcement agencies is present. Correspondence is opened to determine the location of the parties. Consignments are subject to destruction at the slightest suspicion of danger of their contents to the health and life of people. The commission draws up a report after opening the shipment.

Attention ! Unclaimed items are stored for six months. Next, the attachment is opened and destroyed.

If the parcel is not received for a long time, it is destroyed

All written correspondence is accepted in accordance with the rules on dimensions, weight and permissibility of attachments. Only items permitted for circulation are accepted (FZ-176 of July 17, 1999 on postal services). Investments that are not prohibited for import and export are allowed to be sent outside the country, based on the rules and regulations of customs legislation.