Margolin MCM pistol: history of creation, design, performance characteristics and modifications

Margolin's small-caliber self-loading pistol is rightfully considered a classic sporting weapon. It is distinguished by its durable design, good technical and shooting characteristics. Therefore, in the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries, in the standard class category, it was perhaps the most popular pistol. In the 60s it served as a universal weapon for training beginners and for participants in international speed shooting competitions. Today it is used primarily as a training tool, because no replacement has been found. Since the release of the first model in 1948, minor changes have been made to the design, the latest modification being produced as the MCM.

History of the development of the Margolin MCM pistol

The Margolin MCM pistol was created by gunsmith Mikhail Vladimirovich Margolin. The reason for its creation was a conversation with brigade commander Smirnitsky. During the dialogue, the topic of shooting sports was touched upon. As it turned out, there were problems there. The most pressing problem was the shortage of sports equipment, which is why Margolin began drawing drawings and developing a training pistol in 1938.

Because of the Second World War, the creation had to be suspended, but after the end of the conflict, work continued. As a result, in 1946, the Margolin small-caliber pistol chambered for .22LR was sent to the commission for trial. It is worth noting that the first version had a number of shortcomings and was sent for revision.

The design was modified in 1947. After that, documents and diagrams with the performance characteristics (TTX) of the models were provided to TsKIB SOO, which is why they became abbreviated as MC. In 1948, the small-caliber Margolin pistol began to be mass-produced. The mechanism was so fine-tuned that the model received the status of an excellent pistol for sports, which is still used today in training, as well as in competitions.

Have you fired a Margolin pistol at a shooting range?

Yes! Quite a heap of pawns

75%

No, I didn't have to.

25%

Voted: 8

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.

Design features and operating principle of the Margolin MCM pistol

1. The creation of designer Margolin has automation based on the movement of the free shutter under the influence of the energy of the shot. The model is equipped with a trigger that controls the trigger stroke;
2. A return coil spring with a rod is located under the barrel. The handle of the product has a shaft for a single-row box magazine;
3. The barrel has a boss at the muzzle and is equipped with six right-hand rifling;
4. The trigger device is equipped with a spring, trigger, trigger rod and hook, as well as a hammer and sear;
5. The micrometric sight can be adjusted by shifting the rear sight in a horizontal position and the front sight in a vertical position. Due to this, you can achieve perfect zeroing;
6. The package includes a muzzle brake-compensator and weights for adjusting the balance.

Operation of parts and mechanisms of the Margolin MCM pistol

In combat mode, the bolt is installed in the extreme forward position. The cocked hammer is pulled back and held in this position by a spring. The firing pin fits into an opening in the front of the bolt shield. To eject cartridges there is an extractor, which is equipped with a reflector. After pressing the trigger, the trigger is activated, the trigger, under the action of the mainspring, strikes the firing pin. The latter, in turn, pierces the cartridge primer.

After the shot, all parts of the product come into action under the influence of springs. This leads to a displacement of the sear to the back of the head. In turn, the return spring is compressed under the influence of the bolt. At the same time, the cartridge case is ejected. Having reached the rearmost position, the bolt begins to move forward under the influence of a spring. At this point, a new cartridge is grabbed from the magazine and placed in the chamber. Locking occurs. During the shutter stroke, the hammer is also cocked.

Loading a Margolin MCM pistol

• Load the box magazine with ten rounds;
• Connect the magazine to the gun;
• Move the bolt to the rearmost position and release.

Setting the trigger from the safety cock to the combat cock on the Margolin MCM pistol

To place the weapon in the firing position from the safety cocking mode, it is enough to pull the trigger upward until a characteristic click is heard. Then you need to cock the trigger again.

Setting the trigger from combat cocking to safety on the Margolin MCM pistol

It doesn't require much effort. First, you need to hold the outer part of the trigger in your fingers and, while holding it, press the trigger. The internal mechanisms will be triggered and the sear, due to the action of its own spring, will rest against the back of the receiver. Now you can release the trigger and stop pressing the trigger.

Margolin MCM pistol shot

To fire a shot, you must press the trigger. It begins to rotate on the axis and directs the thrust back. At this time, the spring is compressed. The trigger force presses on the rhombic zone of the sear and moves it back.

This leads to the release of the trigger spring and, under its action, it hits the firing pin. He, having received force from the blow, moves a few millimeters forward and breaks the cartridge primer. A shot occurs and the powder gases push the bullet out of the cartridge case and carry it down the barrel. At the same time, under the influence of energy, the shutter begins to move away.

On the way back, he cocks the return spring, helps extract the cartridge case and brings the hammer into the firing position. A new .22 LR cartridge is inserted into the chamber from the box magazine. The gun is ready to fire again.

Unloading the Margolin MCM pistol

To unload the MCM pistol, follow these steps:

• set the fuse to the “safety” position;
• remove the magazine;
• remove the cartridge from the chamber;
• move the safety switch to the “fire” position;
• pull the trigger;
• empty the magazine and return it to its place.

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.

Performance characteristics (TTX)

The main performance characteristics of the Margolin pistol are given in the table:

Pistol cartridges

Cartridges for the MCM pistol should be taken “long” with a caliber of 5.6 mm (22LR). They have a rimfire type with a muzzle energy of 70-90 J. Due to reduced recoil, this has a positive effect on training. Compared to ammunition, the cartridge for this product is easy to create and therefore costs less.

Sports pistol SP-15 “Companion”

In recent decades, our country has lost its previous position in the field of creating small-caliber sports pistols. These days, most shooters use weapons made in Italy, Germany or Switzerland. The company ROST (Russian Weapons Systems and Technologies) is trying to regain lost ground. At the Arms & Hunting 2016 exhibition held in October 2016, which was held in Moscow at Gostiny Dvor, models of new sporting pistols were presented, including the small-caliber self-loading pistol SP-15 “Soratnik” chambered for .22 LR (5.6x15.6 mm) rimfire.

The .22 LR cartridge was created back in 1887 and has not lost its popularity since then. Today it is the most common training and sporting ammunition in the world. This cartridge owes its popularity to a number of factors: very low cost, almost no recoil when fired, and more than acceptable ballistics at short distances. All this allows you to consume a significantly larger number of ammunition (compared to center fire cartridges) for sports training, as well as recreational shooting.

Today in the world there are not many companies that produce high-class sports weapons that would be in demand by Olympians. Such companies include the German Hämmerli, Carl Walther and Feinwerkbau, the Swiss Morini and the Italian Pardini. There are no companies representing Russia on this list. Recently, our shooters have been forced to purchase weapons abroad, despite the fact that things were different two decades ago. Perhaps the new small-caliber sports pistol SP-15 “Soratnik” will help regain lost positions in this market.

It is worth noting that at the Arms & Hunting 2016 exhibition two Soratnik pistols were presented. “If we made the Soratnik 9×19 for practical shooting, then the SP-15 was originally created for sports organizations and schools,” notes Igor Nemov, secretary of the expert council of the Ministry of Sports, as well as one of the initiators of the program to popularize shooting sports in Russia. In sports schools, “Fifteenth” will have to replace long-worn previous models and allow Russian shooters from entry-level to masters and above to prepare for competitions. The SP-15 pistol can be successfully used to perform such Olympic exercises as “MP-5”, “MP-8”, as well as the non-Olympic exercise “MP-10” according to the rules of the International Shooting Federation. The listed disciplines require not only high skill from the shooter (he needs to hit a target 25 meters away in a matter of seconds), but also place serious demands on the weapon. In particular, along with high accuracy, the weapon must also have minimal muzzle kick and recoil when fired, and high reliability of operation.

SP-15 was ready at the end of last year - hence the number 15 in its name. SP stands for "standard pistol". The pistol was created in almost 1.5 months, but its history is much longer, it dates back to 1964. It was this year that the Izh-XP-30 sports pistol (originally called XP-64) was created especially for the Tokyo Olympics by the coach of the Soviet Union national team E.L. Khaidurov and gunsmith V.A. Razorenov. The pistol was a truly revolutionary and ingenious development, which was head and shoulders above its competitors. With these weapons, Soviet athletes won all the medals in Tokyo. Initially, the XP-64 small-caliber sports pistol was produced individually in DOSAAF workshops, and later, from 1972 to 1980, its production was launched at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. Here the pistol was mass-produced under the designations Izh-XP-30 and Izh-XP-31 (for a shortened cartridge). Even later, it was replaced by models developed in Izhevsk: Izh-34 and Izh-35.

Pistols designed by V. A. Yarygin Izh-34/35 were adapted to the conditions of mass production. Of course, these models were inferior to Khaidurov-Razorenov pistols. But, despite this, they allowed our athletes to win 12 medals at the Olympics, European and World Championships. In parallel with this, the design tandem of Khaidurov and Razorenov continued work on improving the Izh-HR-30 pistol. For the Olympic Games in Moscow, the XP-79 model was created, and for the games in Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988), sports pistols XP-82 and XRB-88 were created, respectively. With the beginning of perestroika, interest in the production of sporting weapons in the USSR decreased significantly, and the Izhevsk enterprise switched to producing Izh-34/35 according to orders. The joint production with the German company Carl Walther within the framework of the KSP 200 project helped smooth out the situation a little. When the Izh-35 sports pistols delivered from Izhevsk were subjected to tuning, the Germans refined the mechanisms and design of the weapon.

Izh-XP-30

The new small-caliber sports pistol SP-15 is a logical development of the ideas of the famous IZH-HR-30. It improved the mass-centering characteristics, made it possible to disassemble the weapon with one hand, implemented the ability to customize the automatic pistol to the conditions of the corresponding shooting exercise, and improved the ability to adjust the sights and trigger mechanism. The recoil of the SP-15 is close to linear, which allows for better control of the front sight in the slot when the shooter performs high-speed exercises. This is not a simple modernization of previously existing models of sports pistols in the country, it is the result of a scientific and technical approach, the main goal of which was to achieve the highest results.

An important indicator that influences the result and accuracy of the shot is ease of handling the pistol. Due to the fact that Russian sports shooters took part in the creation of the Soratnik SP-15 sports pistol, the design and design of the weapon ideally correspond to the field of application of this pistol. The weapon has optimal weight and dimensions, and thanks to the ergonomic handle made of natural wood, the pistol fits perfectly in the shooter’s hand, regardless of whether the latter is right-handed or left-handed. The SP-15 pistol can be easily adjusted to the individual characteristics of the sports shooter; the weapon is distinguished by the presence of an adjustable rear sight, as well as the ability to adjust the trigger mechanism without removing the handle.

The ROST enterprise is headed by Kirill Emelianenko, who is one of the leaders of the group. This group of companies is today the largest supplier of day, thermal imaging and night sights and optical devices of famous foreign brands, as well as a developer and manufacturer of optoelectronics under its own FORTUNA brand. That is why the SP-15 “Companion” project can count on very serious support, including from the trading house of the company TUT.RU, which is part of the group, and has already committed to distributing the new sports pistol. The trading house will sell the model under its export designation - FORTUNA SNAPSHOT SP15.

At the Arms & Hunting 2016 exhibition, the SP-15 Companion small-caliber sporting pistol was presented in the form of a prototype with serial number 0001. Externally, the weapon differs from the Izh-HR-30 pistols mainly in the use of modern materials in the design and higher quality finishing. At the same time, the pistol retained the main design features of its ancestor: automation based on a free-breech bolt, made of a composite and equipped with an additional spring shock absorber, a low-mounted axis of the barrel bore, an adjustable trigger mechanism with a hidden trigger, adjustable sights with the rear rear sight (which allows you to increase the length of the aiming line), an anatomical handle of complex shape. The changes introduced into the design of the pistol directly affect the ease of adjustment, disassembly, maintenance and repair of the weapon.

The appearance of “Companions” on the market and their mass production should be expected no earlier than mid-2022. Until this moment, both models of pistols in several versions will undergo various tests. As part of these tests, weapon creators will try to work as much as possible with Russian trainers and shooters. According to the developers, the SP-15 sports pistol meets all the standards of the International Shooting Federation; the weapon belongs to the class of standard sports pistols. The small-caliber pistol SP-15 "Soratnik" can be used by shooters at the Olympic Games, World Cups in sport shooting, world and European championships, as well as regional championships.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the SP-15 pistol: Caliber - 5.6 mm. Cartridge - .22LR (5.6x15.6 mm). Overall dimensions - 272.5x128x50 mm. Barrel length - 153 mm. Weight - 1.2 kg. Magazine capacity - 5 rounds. The length of the aiming line is 218 mm. The initial bullet speed is 285 m/s. Operating temperature range - from -30 to +50°C.

Sources of information: https://www.all4shooters.com/ru/strelba/pistolety/ROST-SP-15-Soratnik https://riafan.ru/560543-izrailskii-kalashnikov-i-rossiiskie-soratniki-novinki-arms- hunting-2016 https://tut.ru/sporting-guns/43267

Disassembly and assembly of the Margolin MCM pistol

Incomplete disassembly and assembly

1. Remove the magazine. To do this, press the latch, press the lid protrusion down and remove the box.
2. Disconnect the contactor and return device. Push the last element all the way in by turning the top of the rod 90°. Next, pull the contactor to the left and the return device forward.
3. Cock the trigger, setting the safety to the “safety” position. Remove the bolt by pulling it back.

To assemble, you should carry out all the steps described, only in reverse order.

Advantages and disadvantages of Margolin

Among the strengths of Mikhail Margolin’s weapons, several can be identified, which have already been discussed in detail earlier:

• Simple automation and high accuracy;
• Due to the design features of the magazine and receiver shaft, the chance of cartridge misalignment is reduced;
• Margolin took into account the anatomical features of the human hand in his weapons. Therefore, the pistol grip fits tightly into the palm, which makes shooting easier;
• Since the product was created primarily as a training device, the MTs-1 is easy to disassemble and maintain;
• Due to the long barrel and light bullet, accuracy at a distance of 25 meters is simply excellent;
• The ability to balance the weapon for the shooter through the use of weights.

MCM weapons are specific and not intended for combat. Therefore, its disadvantages include only low bullet power, weak penetrating power and low flight range of the fired projectile. But this pistol was developed primarily as a sports pistol, so it is unacceptable to consider this a disadvantage.

World fame

The Margolin pistol became famous and gained popularity in 1954 at the World Championships. Thanks to working with MCM, athletes were able to show good results. Most shooters were delighted with Soviet weapons. Today I use the pistol as a training and sport pistol. In addition, old models are actively bought by collectors.

Weapons for the masses

On the basis of the MCM, they created another model for sports training called “Margot”. This name appeared by shortening the surname of the creator, Margolin. The new version is designed for civilian consumers. The scope of application is quite wide, from amateur shooting to self-defense. Moreover, the same ammunition is used here as in the original.

Pistol improvement

Mikhail Margolin did not stop there. For some time the designer planned to make his pistol ideal. Thanks to his developments, other small-caliber models for sports were created.

In 1952, a shortened cartridge with a caliber of 5.6 mm was released. In the same year, the pistol received a smaller barrel. The updates affected the chamber and magazine for new ammunition. It was necessary to create a muzzle brake. As a result, the new product began to be called MTS-1.

Changes were made to other models, but today the 1948 model is actively used in sports.

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.

Margolin modifications

Margolin’s creation is a well-thought-out model for sports shooting. Thanks to the performance characteristics, the pistol has been used for more than 60 years and has many analogues and modifications. The main part was created in our country in the 90s, but there are also foreign models.

Margolin pistol clones

Margolin's pistol rightly gained its popularity and became an example for many designers around the world. For the most part, these are unlicensed copies of our weapons, but there were also productions based on Soviet documents. Among the clones of the original weapons of 1948, we can separately highlight the Drel and Margot pistols.

Foreign analogues

There are also many worthy analogues among foreign representatives.

1. Carl Walther P22 Standard – characterized by compactness, ergonomics, shooting accuracy and good equipment;
2. The Ruger SR22 is another sports model that is cheaper than the previous one and slightly inferior in terms of performance characteristics. Among the advantages are the ability to connect a muffler;
3. FORT “Cordon” is a Ukrainian analogue, which is no different from the conventional model, the system of internal mechanisms has not been changed;
4. GSG-1911 is a model for professionals. Weight 1 kg. An excellent example of a sporting pistol.

One of the interesting facts is the story of the creator’s fate. Mikhail Margolin served in the commandant's office in Kyiv. He received a serious gunshot wound to the head. The brain was damaged, but he remained alive, but lost his sight. Nevertheless, the designer continued to design the pistol. I modeled the invented spare parts using plasticine and wood.

Mikhail Margolin developed the first small-caliber rifle. After which Degtyarev drew attention to him and invited him to the design bureau. In the process, Margolin converted a number of military weapons into training weapons. The Margolin pistol became the most sought-after small-caliber weapon within the borders of the Warsaw Pact states.

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.