For special forces and pilots. New PPK-20 submachine gun

Kalashnikov submachine gun. PPK-20

PPK-20 submachine gun
The Russian press reported on the completion of state tests of a new Izhevsk-developed submachine gun in the second half of July 2022. The new product, developed by specialists from the Kalashnikov concern, was assigned the PPK-20 index. Stands for Kalashnikov submachine gun model 2022.

This abbreviation was also adopted in order to perpetuate the memory of Viktor Mikhailovich Kalashnikov (died in 2022), the son of the legendary Soviet gunsmith designer. Viktor Mikhailovich at one time developed the domestic PP-19 “Bison” submachine gun, equipped with an auger-type under-barrel magazine, as well as the long-awaited so-called large PP-19-01 “Vityaz” submachine gun, also known as “Vityaz-SN” in a different version . A modernized version of the submachine gun was designed on the basis of the Vityaz-SN.

Previously, a group led by the son of Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov developed and put into production a whole family of domestic submachine guns, including the Bizon-2 model chambered for 9x18 mm and Bizon-2-01 chambered for 9x19 mm. On the basis of the latter, Viktor Mikhailovich’s group created a new submachine gun “Vityaz-SN” in 2004, which was equipped with a box magazine designed for 30 rounds.

Victor Mikhailovich Kalashnikov

In 2005, the Vityaz-SN submachine gun chambered for the very common 9x19 mm Parabellum (Luger) pistol cartridge was officially adopted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the press service of the Kalashnikov concern, this model of Izhevsk small arms is currently in service with the special forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Security Service of Russia and the FSB of Russia.

Features of the PPK-20 submachine gun

For the first time, the new Russian PPK-20 submachine gun, developed by the group, was presented to the general public in 2022 as part of the international forum “Army 2020”.
When carrying out development work to create a new type of small arms, the Vityaz-SN submachine gun, mass-produced in Izhevsk, was taken as the basis. The Vityaz-SN submachine gun (unlike the regular Vityaz) was based on the AK-105 assault rifle model. The name “Vityaz” itself was given to the line of small arms in honor of the special forces detachment of the Russian internal troops “Vityaz”, for which at one time these submachine guns were developed at the Izhmash concern. This weapon is designed to destroy enemy personnel, as well as unarmored equipment, primarily trucks and cars.

According to the assurances of the group, during the R&D work on the creation of the PPK-20, the designers took into account all the comments identified during the serial production of the Vityaz-SN submachine guns. And the composition and design of the new product were brought into compliance with the requirements of the tactical and technical specifications.

It is emphasized that in PPK-20 the designers managed to significantly improve the ergonomics of the product, as well as the equipment attached to it. The reliability of the submachine gun has also been improved. In addition, a low-noise firing device was introduced into its composition.

Currently, the PPK-20 includes a belt with two-point and single-point attachment to the body of the submachine gun and a special bag made of material with digital camouflage coloring. The bag is designed for the shooter to carry low-noise shooting devices, magazines, mounting devices, a weapon oiler and other accessories.

PPK-20 is equipped with a folding telescopic six-position buttstock, which folds onto the left side. The pistol grip is ergonomic. In addition, an additional shelf has appeared on the fire mode translator, which should have a positive effect on the stability of firing from the weapon. A long Picatinny rail is located on the receiver cover. In addition, mounting strips can be installed on the bottom and side of the weapon’s fore-end, making it easy to attach numerous attachments.

The PPK-20 is equipped with a slotted flash suppressor with a bayonet mount for a low-noise firing device. This connection should be familiar to all owners of modern SLR cameras. A bayonet connection is a quick connection of parts through axial movement and rotation of one of them relative to the other, so that the shooter can quickly install a muffler on the PPK-20.

Not much information is known about the tactical and technical characteristics of the 9-mm PPK-20 submachine gun, but the group has already revealed the basic information. It is known that the total length of the new product ranges from 640 to 700 mm, depending on the position of the butt. The barrel length of the PPK-20 is 233 mm. The type of ammunition used is 9x19 mm Parabellum cartridges, the capacity of the magazines used with the weapon is 30 rounds. Weapon weight – 3.65 kg. Apparently, this is the mass of the submachine gun along with the cartridges.

Prospects for supplies of PPK-20

Deliveries of the new 9-mm PPK-20 submachine gun should begin in 2022.
The group's general director, Dmitry Tarasov, told reporters about this on February 22, 2022. According to him, there have been no deliveries of a new submachine gun yet. Tarasov made his statement within the framework of the IDEX-2021 international arms exhibition held in the UAE.

Many experts and journalists (including foreign ones) believe that the new product will not interest the military and is intended primarily for police forces. At the same time, the resulting weapon is indeed relatively light and compact, which is achieved (including) through the use of 9-mm pistol cartridges. Also, thanks to the use of these ammunition, the PPK-20 boasts relatively low recoil.

The group emphasizes the fact that they not only significantly changed the model’s equipment, but also took into account all the problems that previously existed during the production of the Vityaz-SN submachine guns and could cause some difficulties, including during the operation of the weapon. The presentation videos distributed by the arms concern say that the PPK-20 has already passed state tests and was declared fully suitable for mass production.

On July 22, 2020, the interdepartmental commission not only recognized the new product from Izhevsk as suitable for mass production, but also recommended that the weapon be given the name “9 mm Kalashnikov PPK-20 submachine gun” to perpetuate the memory of designer Viktor Kalashnikov.

There is a possibility that the new development of Izhevsk gunsmiths will replace the Vityaz submachine guns. And it will also be used by employees of special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the FSB of Russia and the FSO of Russia.

At the same time, at the moment, nothing is known about export plans for the PPK-20 model, although the new product from Udmurtia has already been presented at the international arms exhibition IDEX 2022. The very presentation of the PPK-20 in the United Arab Emirates is undoubtedly evidence that Kalashnikov » is considering the possibility of selling these small arms to foreign clients.

So far, there is no information about the development of a civilian version of the 9 mm PPK-20 submachine gun or its predecessors.

In the absence of a civilian version of the weapon, the only and fairly successful opportunity to somehow get acquainted with the PPK-20 is the only American version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle under the designation KR-9 SBR for the same 9x19 mm cartridge.

The weapon with a 30-round magazine is produced in the United States in various versions and is available to customers starting at $1,059.

Ammunition for a submachine gun

This machine gun used a 7.62 caliber cartridge with a length of 25 mm. Although surviving examples contain a 20-round magazine, there are indications that the original plan was to use a 32-round magazine.

The 7.62x25 TT cartridges were created in 1930. They had the following characteristics:

• caliber 7.62 mm;
• sleeve length 25 mm;
• cartridge length 35 mm;
• bullet weight 5.52 g;
• the powder charge weighs 0.52 g;
• initial bullet speed 420-450 m/sec;
• muzzle energy 508-576 J.

The basis for the development was the Mauser cartridge, which had a caliber of 7.63 mm. The first batches differed little from the prototype, but later changes were made: the diameter of the primer was increased, the recess along the sleeve was wider. The length of the bullet was increased and its ballistic characteristics were improved.

The sleeves were made of steel, brass or bimetallic. The bullet casing was made of steel and clad with tombak. This cartridge was used for firing not only in the Kalashnikov submachine gun, but also in the PPSh, PPS and PPD models. The cartridges did not have a mark until 1942, and then the factory mark and year of manufacture began to be printed on them. Beginning in 1944, the month of manufacture began to be additionally indicated.

Disassembling weapons

The weapon in question was made as a prototype and is preserved today by collectors. Therefore, information about the rules for assembling and disassembling such weapons was not included in the shooting manuals. Information about this was provided by gun collectors.

Both complete and partial assembly and disassembly of weapons can be performed. Incomplete is used for cleaning, visual inspection, and replacement of some parts of the weapon. Full is used in cases where the machine is heavily dirty or has serious malfunctions.

Before starting the procedure, you need to prepare your work area. It is better to do disassembly and assembly on a clean table. If this is not possible, the procedure is carried out on the ground. A bench or similar place. It is recommended to spread out a clean cloth in order to lay out the parts on it.

When disassembling, the following rules must be followed. The parts are laid out in the order they were removed. They cannot be placed on top of each other. When reassembling, take them in reverse order. Incomplete disassembly and reassembly will be discussed next.

When disassembling, perform the following steps:

1. The magazine needs to be removed. To do this, grasp it with one hand and press the latch button with the other. After this, you can remove the magazine without any hindrance.
2. The fuse must be turned off.
3. You need to make sure there is no cartridge in the chamber. To do this, the bolt is pulled back by the erection handle. After inspecting the chamber, make sure that it is empty.
4. To continue the procedure, press the disassembly button of the submachine gun. After this, move the receiver backwards and slightly upwards.
5. Now the moving parts are removed from the receiver. To do this, take the rear protrusion of the screw shank and pull it down.
6. Rotate the bolt relative to the coupling and remove it.

This completes the partial disassembly. Assembly is carried out in reverse order. To do this, perform the following actions:

1. Insert the shutter into place.
2. Reinstall the moving parts of the shutter in their original places.
3. The receiver is placed in its original place.
4. Insert the magazine into its original place.

After assembly is completed, the submachine gun is ready for use.

PPK disassembled