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.

GSh-18

Developed in 1999-2000 by designers Vasily Gryazev and Arkady Shipunov , the pistol was supposed to be a worthy replacement for the Makarov . The need was determined by the same need to fight an enemy equipped with armor. The General Staff solves this problem with honor - depending on the ammunition used, the muzzle energy of the shot ranges from 550 to 800 joules. Such power allows you to penetrate armor up to the third class inclusive, which even a submachine gun with a 7.62x25 mm TT caliber .

9x19 mm caliber cartridges , which allows ammunition to be supplied using both domestic and foreign ammunition, including the once widely used 9 mm Parabellum. The target firing range is 50 meters.

GSh-18

With such impressive firepower, the weapon is surprisingly light - without a magazine it weighs only 470 grams . True, with an equipped magazine, the weight of the weapon increases to 0.8 kg. The capacity of the double-row magazine is 18 rounds , as the name of the pistol seems to hint at. Such a low weight of the weapon is achieved through the use of polyamide with steel inserts . This engineering solution, in addition to reducing weight, also mitigated recoil when fired due to the elasticity of the material.

Using one pistol slide stop, without additional tools , it is possible to completely disassemble the main gun in the field. The presence of a four-level fuse system eliminates the possibility of spontaneous firing even when the main gun falls from a height of one and a half meters onto concrete , which has been confirmed by a number of tests.

The weapon has perfect balancing and an anatomical shape of the handle, ensuring comfortable shooting. In addition to the fact that the GSh-18 is in service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the armed forces and some employees of the prosecutor's office, it is also exported and is in steady demand abroad.

The pistol has two obvious disadvantages, and the first of them is the relatively high production cost, and as a result, the high price , almost twice as much as the PYa . The second is that instead of the usual trigger, like, say, the PM, a trigger , when pressed, the mainspring is cocked. As a result, the descent turns out to be too long and difficult .

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.

"Boa"

Let’s finish today’s review with this new product, developed by Ivan Kozlov in 2016 for the needs of army special forces. After field tests carried out in 2018 , it was recommended as a replacement for PM.

"Boa"

The declared parameters are impressive - with a target range of 100 meters, with a magazine for 18 rounds, a working temperature range from -50 to +70 degrees and new 9x21 mm ammunition, it is guaranteed to hit IIIA 50 meters . Two new types of cartridges have been developed especially for the Boa Constrictor - increased armor-piercing , as well as a subsonic one for firing with an attached silencer.

This is where we will end this unique “hit parade” of Russian small arms, since the above list is far from exhaustive. Modern Russian pistols meet the challenges of the time and the endless armor-weapon race continues.

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.

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.

SPS "Gyurza"

The Serdyukov self-loading pistol, also known as the “Gyurza,” is a relatively new Russian weapon, the development of which was carried out from 1993 to 1996 . It is intended to arm law enforcement units dealing with an enemy equipped with the latest technology. Since the eighties of the last century, there has been a tendency towards mass equipment of personnel of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies with personal armor , such as a helmet and body armor. Criminal elements always keep up with the times in terms of equipment, sometimes they are even better equipped than law enforcement officers.

Therefore, a body armor of the second class of protection has long ceased to be a novelty. Meanwhile, it stops a 7.62x25 mm fired from a TT almost point-blank. We won’t even talk about PM. But a bulletproof vest covers about a third of the human body, and that third which is easier to hit.

SPS "Gyurza"

There is a need for a fundamentally new pistol that meets the requirements put forward by the time. This became the SPS Yuryev cartridge of 9x21 mm caliber , developed in 1991 . In 1996 , it was officially adopted by the FSB and FSO under the code name SR-1.

The effective firing range of the Gyurza is 100 meters, and at a distance of 50 m a bullet from it is capable of penetrating class IIIA . To make it clearer, this armor corresponds to a steel sheet with a thickness of 5 mm, or titanium, 2.4 mm , respectively. The muzzle energy of the bullet reaches 635 joules, that is, more than twice that of the PM ( 300 J). The magazine holds 18 rounds.

The SR-1's automatic system is similar to the Beretta-92 and Walter R-38 and is also based on recoil with a short barrel stroke. The pistol was produced in seven different modifications, including for export, for units of the armed forces, the FSO, the FSB, and the prosecutor's office. The newest modification, SR1MP , has slots for a Picatinny rail for installing a tactical flashlight, laser designator or collimator. It is possible to fire with a silencer.